ME. BENTHAM's synopsis OF THE GENUS CLITOEIA. 33 



the old genus Ficus, or that the new genera that have lately been 

 cut out of the old genus Begonia form more natural groups than 

 Begonia itself does ; but the principle in these cases seems to be 

 adopted, that the lowest definable group above a species is a genus. 

 Go a step farther, and every species becomes a genus with a sub- 

 stantive name ! 



And let it not be forgotten, that although the analytical process 

 carried to the uttermost is necessary for the purpose of ascertain- 

 ing the facts upon which botanical science is based, it is a judi- 

 cious synthesis alone which can enable the human mind to take 

 anything like a comprehensive view of those facts, to deduce from 

 them the principles of the science, or to communicate to others 

 either facts or principles. 



Synopsis of the genus Clitoria. 

 By George Bentham, Esq., F.L.S. 



[Read March 3rd, 1857.] 



In working up the Phaseolew with a view to defining the limits of 

 the Brasilian species for Yon Martius's Flora, the genus Clitoria 

 has appeared to me to present some points of interest, as well in 

 regard to its geographical distribution, as to its systematic demar- 

 cation. I have therefore been induced to offer to the Linnean 

 Society the following short synopsis, prefaced by a few general 

 remarks on both these points. 



Of the two principal types of the genus, the one, Ternatea, is 

 African and Asiatic, but apparently confined in Africa to the 

 eastern tropical coast and adjacent Mascarene Islands, and in Asia 

 to the nearly adjoining western districts of East India. The 

 other type, Clitoria proper, is American, widely distributed over 

 South America, east of the Andes, stretching northward into the 

 southern United States of North America, and westward to the 

 Cordilleras, in Mexico and Central America; but, even there, 

 scarcely crossing to the west coast. It is one of the northern 

 species of this American type, ranging on that continent from 

 New Jersey to Mexico and Oaxaca, that reappears in great pro- 

 fusion in a very limited district in the Khasiya mountains in East 

 Bengal, as well as in Tavoy, where it is accompanied by another 

 apparently distinct species, found also in Java, but of the same 

 North American type. 



This singular identity of species in these two districts so widely 

 separated, has been noticed before, but only in one or two in- 



LINN. PBGC. BOTANY. D 



