142 Rosacee—Prunus. 
4. P. comminis (fig. 80). Almond.—This tree very much 
resembles the Peach-tree, but it is larger, of more erect habit, 
has larger flowers, and the fruit 
is not fleshy, the stone being 
enveloped in a tough downy 
fibrous husk. The varieties are 
numerous, and include pink, 
deep red, and double-fowered, 
and ancther of weeping habit. 
A native of North Africa, and a 
very ornamental tree in early 
Spring when covered with 
flowers. 
P. nana and P. pimila, syn. 
Cérasus Japdnica, are allied 
dwarf shrubby species, the 
former with single, the latter 
with double red or white flowers, 
and leaves bordered with red. 
i Trips I1.—SPIRHEZ. 
Fig. 80. Prunus .ommun's. (4 nat, size.) Lobes of the calyx usually per- 
sistent. Stamens 10 or more. Carpels 1 to 8. QOvules 2 or 
more, pendulous. Carpels not included in the calyx-tube. 
Shrubs or herbs. 
2. SPIRAIA. 
Shrubby or herbaceous plants with alternate simple pinnate 
or bi- or tri-ternate leaves, and free or sheathing stipules. 
Flowers rose or white, inflorescence variable. Sepals and 
petals 4 or 5. Stamens 20 to 60, inserted around the mouth 
of the calyx-tube. Carpels usually 5, dehiscent; seeds many, 
rarely few, vblong or narrow. The name is said to be derived 
from omeipd@, to wind, in allusion to the suitability of some 
species for forming garlands. Somewhere about fifty species 
occur in the temperate and cold regions of the North, a few 
reaching the mountains of the tropics. This name was applied 
to a plant by Theophrastus, supposed to be S. salicifolia. 
The species cultivated are numerous, but we must confine our 
enumeration to a selection of the best. The plant often named 
S. Japonica, or 8S. barbata, will be found under its proper 
genus Astilbe. 
