BEsides Figs, we have considerable Dealings in Prunes of Brignole, which are brought from Provence, especially Brignole, a little Village near St. Maximin, from whence it takes its Surname. These Prunes are brought in long Cases, but more actually in Boxes that are cover'd with white Paper artificially cut; these Prunes or Prunelles ought to be dry, fair and fleshy, and when the Paper is cut, if the Cover be dry, it is a certain Sign that they are good.
We sell Abundance of Prunes and Prunelles, as the large and the small, St. Catharine Prunes, and the little black Damask, and St. Julian Prunelles, which we have from St. Maure's, Chinon, and other Parts of Touraine. Besides, we sell a great deal of Prunelles which are longish and come from Bourdeaux, and several others from Monturel, Perdrigon, Imperial, and generally all Sorts of Fruits, dry and liquid, which we have brought from other Parts, but especially Tours, as dry'd Pears, Apples and Cherries; with Variety of others that are kept for eating in Lent. The Choice of all these Fruits is to have them new in Boxes, or little Chests, that are lin'd within and cover'd without.
Prunum or Prune, is a Fruit of several Kinds, according to the different Places where it grows, both as to Shape, Size, Colour and Taste; but they are all so well known I shall only mention the black Damask Prune, which we use in Physick, call'd in Latin, pruna parva dulcia atro-caerulaea, the little, blewish, black sweet Prunes; they are of a moderate Size, round, fleshy, cover'd with a black Skin; their Substance red, succulent, not sticking to the Stone, but of a good Smell and sweet pleasant Taste. The Stone is small, longish, stony, enclosing a little Kernel almost round or oval, of an agreeable Taste, inclining to be bitter. These Prunes grow upon a Kind of Prune Tree of a moderate height and Size, call'd Prunus Sativa fructu parvo dulci atro-caerulaeo. The Leaves are longish, pretty broad, slightly indented on the Sides; the Flower is compos'd of five Leaves, dispos'd like a Rose, of a white Colour; this Tree is cultivated in the Gardens.
The Damask Prunes ripen towards Autumn, and are to be chosen pretty large, well fed, ripe, new gather'd, of a good Taste and Smell; they yield a great deal of Flegm, Oil and essential Salt. They dry great Quantities of these Prunes in their Ovens about Touraine, and near Bourdeaux, and disperse 'em all over France and other Parts in the Winter. That which is call'd the Prunelle ought to be taken fresh, fleshy, dry, soft and of a good Taste. Fresh or dry'd Damask Prunes are moiftening, emollient, laxative, being taken in Infusion, Decoction, or eaten in Substance. They find sometimes upon some Sorts of Prunes, a white, shining, transparent Gum, which the Merchants mix sometimes therewith, it being very like it in Colour and Virtue; it is good for the Stone or Stone Colick, given in Powder or Mucilage.