Spec. Plant. Willd. ii. 984.

Cl. 12. Ord.l. Icosandria Monogynia. Nat. ord. Amygdalaceae. G. 982. Calyx five-parted, inferior. Petals five. Nut of the drupe with prominent sutures. Species 10. P. Lauro- Cerasus. Cherry Laurel. Blackw. t. 512.

Med. Bot. 3d edit. 3. p. 513. t.186.

Species 29. P. domestical Common Plum Tree. Med. Bot. 3d edit 520. t. 187.

1. Prunus Lauro-Cerasus.

Officinal. Prunus Lauro-Cerasus, folia, Dub, Cherry Laurel, the leaves.

The cherry laurel is a native of Trebizond; but has been naturalized to this climate, and attains a considerable size. It is an evergreen, shedding the leaves early in summer, at which time they are pushed off by the new shoots. The leaves are supported on short sulcated petioles: they are coriaceous, from four to seven inches in length, about two broad, acuminate, sparsely dentated, smooth, shining on the upper disc, pale green and dull on the under; inodorous unless bruised, when they exhale a strong smell of bitter almonds.

Qualities.-The recent leaves have a slightly astringent, intensely bitter taste, which they lose by drying. They yield both odour and taste to water in distillation; and an oil, resembling that of bitter almonds, and containing hydrocyanic acid, is procured in small quantity, the greater part of it remaining in combination with the water.

Medical properties and uses.-The recent leaves are sedative : they are employed as an application to cancerous sores; bruised, and made into a poultice with crumb of bread. Dr. Cheston made an infusion with four ounces of the leaves in two pounds of boiling water, to which he added four ounces of honey: this mixture he spread on linen, and applied to cancerous ulcers. For the properties and uses of the distilled water, see Part III.

Officinal preparation.-Aqua Lauro Cerasi, D.

2. Prunus domestica.

Officinal. Pruna, Lond. Pruni domesticae fructus, Edin. Fructus Siccatus, Dub. Prunes.

Syn. Prunes (F.), Pflaumen (G.), Priumen (Dutch), Pruno domestico, or Prugna (I.), Ciruelas pasas (S), Sliwnik (Russ.), Erik (Turk.).

The tree which yields this fruit is a native of Asia and Greece, although it is now completely naturalized to Europe, and to our climate, growing wild in coppices, and flowering in April and May. It rises about fifteen feet in height, with a moderately spreading head. The leaves are pale green, standing on short petioles, which have two glands near the base of the leaf: they are serrated, smooth, and, when young, convoluted and pubescent underneath : the flowers are large, on short solitary peduncles, with an erect calyx, and obovate white petals : the fruit is a superior, berried, oval drupe, swelling a little more on one side, and three-grooved; of a bluish violet colour on the outside, internally consisting of a yellow, fleshy, sweet pulp; and containing a smooth, almond-shaped nut.1

Dioscoridis, Barkuk (Arab.), Muei Xu (Chin.).

The dried fruit, which only is officinal, is imported from the Continent in chests; and that which is brought from Bordeaux is regarded as the best. The recent fruit, when perfectly ripe, is pleasant to the palate, and sufficiently wholesome; but when eaten too freely it occasions flatulence, griping, and diarrhoea, more readily than any other fruit.

Qualities.-Primes are nearly inodorous, but have an agreeable, sweet, subacid taste. They contain chiefly mucus, saccharine matter, and malic acid.

Medical properties and uses.-Dried plums or prunes are gently laxative, and form a pleasant addition to purgative electuaries and decoctions. Simply boiled, they may be beneficially given to children who are habitually costive; and in fevers.

Officinal preparation.- Confectio Senna, L. E. D.