ALMOND

(Amygdal us communis), small tree closely allied to plum, cherry, and peach, the pulpy excoarp of the latter fruits being replaced by a tough dry coat; the kernel represen ting the stone or seed. Bitter, Jordan a’s, and other varieties have developed from the same species. Both the sweet and the bitter a’s contain a fixed oil and a ferment emulsion which acts on the glucoside amygdal in to form pru ic acid. The chief medicinal value of a’s is that they may be converted into flour for palatable cakes, replacing starchy food in cases of diabetes.