147 
remarkable that here, where we have a close approach to the structure of 
Mimosese in Leguminosae, v/e have also the only instance among Rosacese of 
an approach to the property possessed by that sub- order of yielding gum in the 
bark ; the pecidiar astringency of some species is also analogous to that of 
Acacia Catechu and the hke. 
Geography. Natives exclusively of the northern hemisphere, where they 
are found in cold or temperate climates. One species, Cerasus occidentalis, is 
a native of the West Indies; a kind of Almond, Amygdalus microphylla, 
inhabits hoj; arid plains in Mexico ; and another, A. cochinchinensis, is reputed 
to grow" in the w"oods of Cochinchina. 
Properties. The astringent febrifugal properties of Rosaceee, w"ith which 
order these are usually combined, are also found in Amygdalese ; as in the bark 
of Cerasus virginiana, which is prescribed in the United States, and of the 
C. capollim of Mexico. They are, however, better known for yielding an 
abundance of prussic, or hydrocyanic, acid, a deadly principle residing in the 
leaves and kernel ; in consequence of which some of the species are poisonous 
to cattle which feed upon them : as, for example, the Cerasus capricida, w"hich 
kills the goats of Nipal; and the C. virginiana, which is known in North 
America to be dangerous. They aU of them, also, yield a gum, analogous to 
gum tragacanth. Notwithstandmg, however, the poisonous principle that is 
present in them, their fruit is, in many cases, a favourite food ; that of the 
Amygdalus (peach and nectarine), Prunus (plum), and Cerasus (cherry), 
are among the most delicious with which we are acquainted; the seed of 
Amygdalus is familiar to us under the name of almonds, and its oil under 
the name of oil of almonds. The bark of the root of Cerasus capoUim is used 
in Mexico against dysentery. DC. The leaves of Prunus spinosa (sloe), and 
Cerasus avium (wild cherry), have been employed as a substitute for tea. Ibid. 
The former are well known to afford one of the means used in Europe for 
adulterating the black tea of China. Prunus domestica, or the common plum, 
yields those fruits sold in the shops under the name of prunes, which are 
chiefly prepared in France, from the varieties called the St. Catherine and the 
green -gage ; and in Portugal from a sort w-hich derives its name from the vil- 
lage of Guimaraens, where they are principally dried. They contain so lai'ge 
a quantity of sugar, that brandy is distilled from them w'hen fermented ; and 
it has even been proposed to manufacture sugar from them. A. R. The 
kernel of Prunus brigantiaca yields a fixed oil, called Huile des Marmottes, 
which is used instead of ohve or almond oil. Ibid. The bark of Prunus 
spinosa is one of the substances that has been reported to resemble Jesuits’ 
bark in its effects. Ibid. Prunus cocomilia yields a bark, the febrifugal pro- 
perties of which are spoken of very highly. According to Tenore, it is a specific 
for the cure of the dangerous intermittent fevers of Calabria, where it grows. 
A variety of Cerasus avium is used, in the Vosges and the Black Forest, for 
the preparation of the liqueur known under the name of Kirschenwasser. The 
flowers of Amygdalus persica (peach) are gently laxative, and are used advan- 
tageously for children. The kernel of Cerasus occidentalis is used for flavour- 
ing the liqueur Noyau. 
GENERA. 
Prunus, L. 
Cerasus, Juss. 
Cerasophora, Neck. 
Armeniaca, Tourn. 
Amygdalus, L. 
Persica, Tourn. 
Amygdalophora, 
Neck. 
Trichocarpus, Neck, 
? Pygeum, Colebr. 
Polydontia, Bl. 
