274 ARBORETUM ET FRUTICETUM BRITANNICUM. 
The apricot-like plum seems intermediate between the wild plum and the 
wild apricot. The varieties cultivated for their fruit have, in general, much 
larger leaves, and stronger young shoots, than the other sorts; they flower 
later, their blossoms are larger, and their fruit, particularly such sorts as the 
magnum bonum and the diamond plum, several times as large; the latter being 
upwards of 24 in. long. These fruit-bearing varieties are in universal culti- 
vation in temperate climates; and for every thing of interest relating to them, 
as such, we refer to our Encyclopedia of Gardening, edit. 1835, p. 920. The 
use of the fruit in domestic economy, in Britain, for the dessert, and for 
making tarts and puddings, is well known. In France, plums are used prin- 
cipally dried, as an article of commerce, and they are known under the name 
of brignoles, prunes, and French plums. The different modes of preserving 
plums in France will be found detailed at length in the Ist edit. of this work, 
and in our Suburban Horticulturist. 
¥ 4, P. (p.) myropa’Lana L. The Myrobalan, or Cherry, Plum. 
Identification. Lin. Sp., 680. ; Dec. Prod., 2. p. 533.; Don’s Mill., 2. p. 500. 
Synonymes. P. Myrobilan Du Ham.; P.myrobalana Lovs.; P.cerasifera Ehrh. Bettr. 4. p.17.; 
Virginian Cherry; Early Scarlet Plum; Prunier myrobalan, or Cerisette, F.: Kirschpflaume, 
Ger. 
Engravings. Du Ham. Arb. Fr.2. p. 111. t. 2. fig. 15. ; the plate of this tree in Arb. Brit., 1st edit., 
vol. v.; and our jig. 440. 
440. Primus (d.) myrobdlana. 
Spec. Char, §c. Sepals narrow. Fruit globose, depressed at the base ; um- 
bilicus depressed ; nut with a small point. (Dec. Prod.) A low tree. 
Europe, or, according to some, North America. Height 15 ft. to 30ft. Cul- 
tivated in gardens for an unknown period, Flowers white ; March and 
April. Fruit cordate, red, rarely produced in England. 
Variety. 
¥P. (d.) m. 2 foliis variegatis N. Du Ham. has variegated leaves. 
Though we consider this nothing more than a variety of the common plum, 
yet it is so distinct, both m the habit of the tree and the colour of the fruit, 
that we think it more convenient to keep it apart. Its flowers are produced 
as early as those of the sloe; and, the plant being more tender than that 
species, it seldom produces fruit in England, except when the blossoms are 
protected. It forms a good stock for varieties intended to be kept dwarf. In 
India the fruit is sold to dye black. 
