530 



BOTANY. 



Tribe Pruneoe. — Trees and shrubs, -witli stems yielding gum. 

 simple, mostly serrate leaves, and solitary carpel ripening into a 

 drupe. (Figs. 478-9.) 



PruHUS communis, the Almond, is a native of Western Asia, and 

 now grown in many warm-temperate countries for its Iruits. Two 

 principal varieties are grown, viz.. Sweet and Bitter ; in the former the 

 kernel is edible, whereas, in the latter, it is bitter and poisonous. An 

 oil is expressed from both kinds. 



The Peach has been until recently regarded as a distinct species 

 (P. Persica), but it is now supposed to have been derived from the 

 Almond, by long culture and selection. 



P Armeniaca, the Apricot, oriftinally from Armenia, is now exten- 

 sively grown in many countries. 



P. domeitica, the Plum of Europe, P. Americana, the Common Wild 



Fig. 478. 



Fig. 478. — Flower cluster of Prunus C&rasue. 



Fig. 479. — Section of flower of the Peach. Magnified. 



Fig. 479. 



Plum, of the Eastern United States, and P. Chicasa, of the Southern 

 States, are cultivated for their excellent fruits. The second named is 

 the original form of most of the varieties grown in the central part of 

 the United States. 



The Cherry, ( ommonly referred to P. Cerasus, is probably derived 

 from P. amum, the Bird Cherry, of Europe. The wood of the Bird 

 Cherry is used in Europe for making furniture, as is also that of our 

 Wild Black Cherry (P. serotina), of the Eastern United States. 



Many of the foregoing have, by long and careful culiure, developed 

 double-flowered varieties, which are sometimes to be found in gardens. 



Prunus ■nana, the Dwarf Almond, is well known in the double- 

 flowered state. 



Tribe ChrysobalanecB. — Trees and shrubs, with simple, entire 

 leaves. Mostly natives of tropical America, » few of tropical Asia and 



