35 



who was a great drinker, took at every cup 

 five bitter almonds, to allay the heat and 

 fumes of the wine. The bitter almonds are 

 held aperient, detersive, and diuretic; they 

 are therefore recommended in obstructions 

 of the liver, spleen, &c. Pliny states, that a 

 decoction of the roots of the bitter almond- 

 tree supples the skin, prevents wrinkles, and 

 gives a fresh, cheerful colour to the coun- 

 tenance ; and that bitter almonds cause sleep, 

 and create appetite. They were considered 

 a cure for chilblains, as well as the bite of 

 a mad dog. 



Neumann states, that these almonds are 

 poisonous to birds, and all animals that come 

 into the world blind. The Bohemians are said 

 to bruise them, and to throw them where fowls 

 frequent, which will stupify those that eat 

 them, so that they are easily taken by the 

 hand. The bitter almonds are more generally 

 used for culinary purposes, and for flavouring 

 cordials, &c. 



As an ornamental tree, the almond de- 

 serves to be more generally cultivated in our 

 shrubberies, and particularly as a foreground 

 to clumps of evergreens in parks and planta- 

 tions, which have a sombre appearance to- 

 wards the spring, that would be much relieved 

 by the beautiful pink flowers of the almond- 



D 2 



