Amygdaloid

(a-mig'dah-loid.) [Gr. amygdalē, an almond, and eidos, form.) (Geol.) Aterm applied to a variety of trap-rock, which have contained oval hollows now filled up with some crystalline mineral. They are all of the cla of igneous rocks, and of the nature of lava. Amygdal us, (ah-mig'da-lüs.) (Bot.) An important gen. of small trees, O. Drupaceæ, including the almond, A. communis, of which there are two very distinct varieties, the bitter and the sweet; and the peach, A. persica. The sweet-almond tree, a native of Barbary and Morocco, is remarkable in early spring for its beautiful appearance when loaded with its pale pink flowers, and hence it is largely planted for purposes of ornament. The peach, of which the nectarine is a mere variety with a smooth skin, is considered by De Candolle as a native of China. It is grown extensively in the U. States. Amyle, (am'il.) [Gr. amulon, starch.) (Chem.) A hypothetical compound radical, consisting of ten atoms of carbon and eleven of hydrogen. It forms with other substances a series of ethers and compounds, which correspond to those formed by ordinary alcohol. Potato oi land fusel oil, obtained in the distillation of potatoes and grain, are examples of these compounds. Sp.gr. 0-7413. Form. C10H11. [s. 28]