296 ARBORETUM ET FRU'ICETUM BRITANNICUM. 
those of the species, and a more dwarf-growing plant. A very dis- 
tinct variety, which seldom, if ever, flowers. In some nurseries, it is 
called Hartdgia capénsis, though this latter is a totally different plant. 
The common laurel, though it will grow as high as the Portugal laurel, is, 
in its habit, decidedly a shrub, though it is occasionally seen trained to a 
single stem as a low tree, and in France it is grafted standard high on the 
common cherry for this purpose, though such plants, from the stock being 
deciduous, only last a year or two. The growth of the common laurel is 
rapid for an evergreen, being at the rate of from 1 ft. to 3 ft. a year; but, as 
the shoots extend in length, they do not increase proportionately in thick- 
ness, and hence they recline; so that plants with branches 30 or 40 feet in 
length, though gigantic in size, still retain the character of prostrate shrubs. 
Notwithstanding the rapid and vigor- 
ous growth of this plant in ordinary 
seasons, it suffers a great deal more from 
very severe frosts than the Portugal 
laurel, and is sometimes killed down to 
the ground, which the latter rarely is 
in England. In Britain, the common 
laurel is considered one of the most or- 
namental of our evergreen shrubs ; and it 
is also used for covering walls, and for 
hedges, to afford shelter ; for which last 
purpose it is extensively used in the 
‘market-gardens about Isleworth. Itis Z 
also extensively used as undergrowth 7 
in sandy soil. Laurel leaves have a 
bitter taste, and the peculiar flavour of 
prussic acid, which is common to bitter 
almonds, and to the kernels generally 
of the Amygdalee. The flowers have 
a similar flavour; and the powdered 
leaves excite sneezing. The leaves, in 
consequence of their flavour, are used 
in a green state in custards, puddings, blancmange, and other culinary and 
confectionary articles, but always in very small quantities. Any soil tolerably 
dry will suit the common laurel ; but, to thrive, 
it requires a sheltered situation, and a deep free 
soil. It thrives better as an undergrowth than, 
perhaps, any other ligneous plant, with the excep- 
tion of the box and the holly. 
fer aa 
485. C. Laurocérasus. 
@ 2 30. C. carotinia‘na Michz. The Carolina 
Bird-Cherry Tree. 
Man tame R, peiey Don's Bill Seay, es Lola. tN. 
Synonmes. “Branis caroiniaia dit. Hort. Kew., 2. p. 163. ; 
eg caipae es iia Padus caroliniana Mill. Dict. 
Engravings. Michx. Arb. d’Amer., 3. t.7.; and our jig. 486. 
Spec. Char. &c. Evergreen, Leaves, with the 
petiole short; and the disk ianceolate-oblong, 
mucronate, even, rather coriaceous, mostly 
entire. Flowers densely disposed in axillary 
racemes, that are shorter than the leaves. 
Fruit nearly globose, mucronate. (Dec. Prod.) 
An evergreen shrub or low tree; in England 
a tender shrub. North America, from Carolina f 
to Florida, and the Bahama Islands. Height 486. ©. caroliniana, 
