ALMOND. 27 



relates the traditionary tale of Phyllis's being changed 

 by the gods into an almond-tree, which was called phylla 

 by the Greeks. Some days after this metamorphosis, 

 Demophoon, her lover, revisited Thrace, of which Phyllis 

 was queen : and when he heard of the fate of Phyllis, he 

 ran and clasped the tree, which, though at that time 

 stripped of its leaves, suddenly shot forth and blossomed, 

 as if sensible of his tenderness and love. 



The almond-tree was not cultivated in Italy in the time 

 of Cato, who calls the fruit, nuces Gr&c& y or Greek nuts. 

 There are now orchards and whole fields of them in that 

 country, as well as in the south of France. 



The Jordan almond-tree was first planted in England in 

 the reign of Henry the Eighth, 1548. (Hortus Kewensis.) 

 Dr. Turner notices it in the year 1 645, and says " almond- 

 trees growe muche in hyghe Germany beside Sypre in a 

 cytie called Newstat, and great plentye in Italye, and 

 some growe in England, but I have hearde of no greate 

 store of the fruyte of them that growe in England." 



Lord Bacon, whose Natural History was written some 

 years after this time, mentions it among the trees that blos- 

 som earliest, and whose fruit ripens latest : and which he 

 accounts for as being a tree that hath much oily moisture. 

 He recommends almond butter as an excellent nourisher 

 to those that are weak ; as also the oil of almonds, newly 

 drawn, with sugar arid a little spice, spread upon toasted 

 bread, as a nourishing diet. 



The Jordan almonds are the most esteemed for the ta- 

 ble, and are named after the river Jordan, so celebrated 

 in the Old Testament, and from whence they were first 

 procured : these almonds, when taken in moderation, are 

 wholesome, being cooling, healing, emollient, and nutri- 

 tive : they are much prescribed in emulsions, and are 

 found of good effect in all disorders arising from choleric 

 and acrimonious humours. Dr. John Hill tells us that sweet 



