257 . 



FLOEA OF 

 THE MEADOWS OF THE PROVINCE OF ORAN. ' 



{Contimted from page 245.) 



We proceed to consider the species of the ftimily of Leguminous plants, 

 which produce the richness, and I may also say the superiority, of the hay 

 of Algeria over that of Europe. 



ASTRAGALUS. — This genus aiFords a considerable number of species, 

 which are found in almost all the meadows, but which, on account of their 

 small size, enter but little into the composition of hay. The most remarkable 

 species are the A. bceticus, A. hamosus, A. falcatus, A. caprinus, and A. 



PENTAGLOTTIS. 



BisERRULA. — This genus consists of but one species, the B. pfxerinus, 

 which is very common in the pastures about (H-an. It is only a few inches 

 in heiglit, and although the leaves are readily eaten by cattle, the plant is 

 too small to be an object of any interest. 



ERVUM. — This genus, which includes the cultivated Lentil, affords us the 

 E. hirsutum, E. tetmspermum, E. vicioides, and E. lentoides. 



HEDYSARUM. — The Saint foin is the product of H. onohrycMs, which I 

 have never seen in Africa, either wild or cultivated. We have however other 

 species of this genus which are more productive than the Saint foin* I allude 

 to H. coRoxARiuM — a beautiful plant, which attains the height of above six 

 feet (deux metres,) and the stalks of which equal the little finger in 

 thickness. An allied species, the H. flexuosum, has been distributed this 

 year by the prefect of Oran, to the husbandmen of the province, under the 

 name of the Saint foin of Maroc. It grows naturally in many localities of 

 the province, particularly in the forest of Muley-Ismael, on the road to Mascara, 

 The other species of this genus are H. capitatum, H. Fontanksii, H. caput 

 GALLT, and H, flexuosum. 



HIPPOCREPIS. — The species of this genus are too small to merit the 

 notice of the agriculturist. They are the H. unisiliquosa, \l. multisiliquosa, 

 and H. ciliata. 



LATHYRUS. — All the species of this genus are very nutritious to cattle. 

 We have the L. aphaca, L. cicera. L. clymenus, L. ochrus, L. sylvestris, 

 and L. sativusj this last plant is cultivated under the Spanish name oijijas, 

 in French gesse. 



LOTUS. — This genus furnishes a host of species which are found in almost 

 all meadows, but which do not produce a great amount of hay; such as the 

 L. tetragonolobus, L. edulis, L. conimbricensis, L. ornithopodioides, and 



L. CRETICUS. 



LUPINUS. — We have three species of Lupines, which arc the L. hirsutus, 

 L. ANGusTiFOLius, and the L. luteus. 



MEDICxVGO. — This is the genus which makes the richness of the meadows 

 of Algeria; the species is known under the name of Trefoil, but the true 



VOL. II. 2 L 



