PLANTS. 263 



seed, stone-like and hard ; kernel very bitter. A consid- 

 erable portion of brown gum exudes from the back. The 

 fruit has been much improved by cultivation, both in size 

 and flavor. There are but two original species of cherry 

 trees, viz : the sweet English Cherry Ox Heart, and 

 the common Sour or Morello Cherry. The numerous 

 varieties produced by long culture the Mayduke, and 

 others may all be referred to one or the other of these 

 two; though Professor De Candolles distributes them 

 into four species. The Sour Cherry is the most common 

 and most valuable for culinary purposes, whether used 

 fresh from the tree or in a dried state. The Morella, a 

 fine variety, with a rich purple juice, was used, in former 

 days, for making brandy or cherry bounce. The latter 

 is distinguished from others of the race, by its smooth, 

 leathery leaves. Cherries were originally brought to 

 Rome from Cerasus, a city of Pontus, in Lesser Asia, 

 first by Crassus, or Lucullus, seventy years before the 

 Christian era, whence their name, Cerasus. Choke 

 Cherry (C. serotina), Hook, and Sand Cherry (C. 

 pumila), Michx., are natives of the United States.* 



The Grape or Choke Cherry (Prunus padus), De 

 Cand., is a shrub or tree, with elliptical, doubly serrate 

 leaves ; white flowers ; the fruit, small berries, hangs in 

 clusters, black ; seed round and hard ; taste, astringent 

 and bitter. Found in damp woods, but often planted in 

 gardens as an ornament. *? . 



The Cherry Bay or Cherry Laurel (Prunus lauro- 

 cerasus). Leaves oval, lanceolate, slightly notched, ever- 

 green ; flowers, white, upright, and arranged in clusters. 



* It is stated that there are one hundred and twenty-five varieties 

 of the Cherry, of which fifty belong to the Red Morello. 



