Flora Medica

of a gentleman who died in consequence of having swallowed asalad of the flower in order to purge himself; and another of achild which perished after taking a decoction of the flowers todestroy worms.CERASUS.A genus differing from Prunus only in its fruit being destituteof bloom, with the stone round instead of acute, and the leaveswhen in bud folded flat, not rolled up. The leaves are generallyflat and smooth. (Cherries and Bird-cherries.)472. C. Laurocerasus Lois. Desl. in. Duham. ed. nov. 5. p.6.DC.prodr. ii. 540. Prunus Laurocerasus Linn.sp. pi. 678.Woodv. ed. ii. 185. S. and C. ii. t. 117. Neighbourhood ofTrebizonde, now common in gardensLaurel, Common Laurel.)every where. (CherryA small evergreen tree, smooth in every part, with pale green shiningshoots. Leaves short-stalked, oblong, acuminate, recurved at the point,serrated, coriaceous, shining; with 2 or 4 small yellow glands at thebase on the under side. Racemes axillary, erect, stalked, shorter or aslong as the leaves, quite simple. Segments of calyx obtuse. Petalsconcave, roundish, spreading, white. Stamens 20, spreading, as longas the petals. Fruit a round black drupe the size of a small cherry.The leaves, bark and seeds abound in prussic acid, which exists in greatabundance in the distilled water. This is a deadly poison, producingvomiting, great loss of strength, convulsions and death. The oil oflaurel is also a virulent poison.473. C. virginiana Mich. bor. am. i. 285. ii.DC.prodr. 539.Prunus rubra Ait. Kew. ed. 1. ii. 162. Willd. arb. 238.f. 5. t. 1. Woods of Virginia and Carolina, AlleghenyMountains.A small slender tree, perfectly smooth in every part. Shootsslender, brownish. Leaves deciduous, ovate-oblong, acuminate, finelyserrated, on rather long stalks having 2-4 glands at the apex ;no hairswhatever on the under side. Racemes long, erect, terminal, with asolitary flower now and then in the axil of the leaves next the raceme.Bracts inconspicuous. Calyx with sharp shallow segments. Petalswhite. Drupes small, bright red. Leaves considered poisonous.Bark a good febrifuge.474. C. Padus DC. Prunus padus Linn. sp. 677. E. Bot.t. 1383. (the common Bird-cherry ) abounds in the oil of bitteralmonds, and consequently is a dangerous poison.475- C. Capollim DC. prodr.ii. 539 Cool regions ofMexico.A small tree quite smooth in every part. Leaves evergreen, elliptical,acuminate, finely serrate, with 2 or 3 larger teeth near the base ;petioles glandless, or with not more than 1 gland. Flowers as inC. virginiana. Fruit round, black,'shining, the size of a Corone cherry.Bark considered a good febrifuge.232