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COMMON LAUREL.— PRUNUS LAURO-' 

 CERASUS. 



Natural order ^ Pomacece ; Rosacece, Juss. A 

 genus of the Icosandria Monogynia class. 



M In various hues ; but chiefly thee, gay green ! 

 Thou smiling nature's universal robe ! 

 United light and shade ; where the sight dwells 

 With growing strength, and ever new delight." 



Thomson's Spring. 



This eastern evergreen, which exhibits its 

 large glossy leaves in all our shrubberies, and 

 contributes so considerably to the vernal ap- 

 pearance of our winter walks, seems to have 

 escaped the notice of the ancient Greek and 

 Roman naturalists, although it is a native of 

 the same latitude and longitude from whence 

 Lucullus procured the cherry-tree, which was 

 thought worthy to be placed in the most con- 

 spicuous situation amongst the Armenian 

 treasures which he exhibited in his triumphal 

 entry into Rome. 



The common laurel came into Europe with 

 the name of Trebezon curmasi, which means 

 the plum or date of Trebisond ; and as its 



