444 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 



&c. The seeds of the Apricots also contain a sweet oil, especially 

 those of the Briangon Apricot,' from which is extracted " /mile de 

 marmottes" employed for the same purposes as olive-oil, while the 

 cake serves to fatten cattle. The fixed oil extracted from the pips 

 of Apples, Pears, and Quinces is not sufficiently copious to be at all 

 extensively used. From the seeds of Prinsepia utilis is obtained 

 an edible oil, and several Chrysohalanece are prized for the same 

 purpose in Brazil and other countries. 



The wood of the trees of this order is not without its industrial 

 value. That of the Pear has a fine close grain ; but it is less compact, 

 stronger, and more durable than that of Cratcegus. That of the 

 Crab Apple (P. acerha DC.) is very beautiful, like that of the Moun- 

 tain Ash, which takes a fine polish and is used by the cabinet- 

 maker. The woods of the White Beam {Cratcegus Aria L.), Wild 

 Service Tree {C. forminaUs L.), Medlar {C. germanica, Mespilus 

 germanica L.), Hawthorn {C. Oxyccmtha L.), of C. orientalis Bieb., 

 and tanacetifolia Pers., several Roses, Kageneckia, the Bullace 

 {Prunus insititia L.), Cherry {P. cerasus L.), and Bird Cherry (P. 

 avium Mcench), are all used and more or less prized for cabinet- 

 work, that of the wheelwright, and for various domestic uses. 

 Walking-sticks are made from the branches of the Blackthorn {P. 

 spinosa, L.) and several species of Cotoneaster. 



Several Rosacea produce mechanical injuries by their spines or 

 prickles. The fruits of the Agrimonies and several species of Accena 

 hook on to the skin by the recurved prickles with which the indusium 

 is covered. Acana Sanguisorha is dreaded by the Tasmanian colonists 

 because of the wounds which these inflict on their feet, and every 

 one is familiar with those due to the sharp hooked prickles of the 

 Brambles and Roses. With the wild Plums, Almonds, and Hawthorns, 

 Prinsepia, &c., these wounds are caused by solid spines resulting from 

 the transformation of more or less abortive axillary branches, which 

 explains the value of the Hawthorn and Azerole in making quick- 

 set hedges. Among these mechanical actions we must also class 

 the intense irritation caused by the hairs covering the inside of the 

 receptacle and part of the achenes in the Hip or fruit of the Rose. 



' Prunus hrigantiaca Vill., Dauph., iii. ci<.,287. — Roskntii., op. ci7.,975. — H.Rn., D/c^. 

 535. — Amygdalus hrigantiaca Pkus., Enchir., Encycl. des Sc. Med., i. 205. 

 ii. 36.— DC, Prodr., ii.532, ii. I.— Guiii., o/^. 



