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The Laurel Family. 



(Laurace^.) 



Large or small (generally) evergreen trees or shrubs, 

 having simple, alternate leaves, often with a gland or pore at 

 their base, generally firm, and often shining. Flowers in 

 panicles or umbels, or crowded spikes, inconspicuous, gene- 

 rally bisexual. Fruit a drupe, sometimes berry-like. 



This family consists of nearly 500 species. They are 

 widely distributed, chiefly throughout the tropical and tempe- 

 rate regions of both hemispheres, extending from North 

 America to New Zealand and Japan. Many are of great 

 importance for their timber ; they also yield various drugs, 

 all containing an aromatic principle, which is obtained in the 

 form of oils or a fatty matter, and locally used as remedies 

 for many complaints. 



Bay (Laurus nohilis). A native of the South of Europe, 

 where it attains a considerable height, even 40 or 50 feet. 

 It is well known in this country, but is often killed to the 

 ground in severe winters, which circumstance gives it the 

 appearance of a bushy shrub. The leaves are used for 

 flavouring custards, puddings, &c. Figs imported to this 

 country are also packed in them, and they a:re said to be the 

 leaves -with, which ancient heroes were crowned, hence the 

 phrase, " crowned with laurels." This must not be under- 

 stood as the common shrub called Cherry Laurel, which 

 belongs to the Cherry Family. 



American Sassafras {Laurus Sassafras). A native of North 

 America, is common in the United States, where it attains 

 a considerable size, forming a large head of horizontal 

 branches, densely furnished in summer with large, broad, 

 oblong leaves, often lobed. It is rare in this country. A 

 tree at Kew, one hundred years old, has attained the height 

 of about 40 feet. Its bark is used medicinally as a tonic, 

 and is also made into a drink called saloop. Its fruit is a 

 small black drupe, from which a perfume oil is obtained. 



