2o8 Fi.onA OF TirE mkadows of tiir rnoviNcn: of ORA>r. 



Trefoils arc rare in Algeria. The commonest species are M. ounicuLARis, 



M. HELIX, M. SCUTKLLATA, M. TUUUINATA, M. TRIBULOIDA, M. ARABICA, M. 



INTRRTEXTA, M. ECHINUS, M. minima. Lucerne, {M. sativa,) is also a plant 

 of this genus; it does not occur native in Algeria, but it succeeds everywhere 

 where it has been cultivated. 



MELILOTUS. — This genus includes 3L officinalis, M. tarviflora, M. 

 Italica, M. cretica, M. sulcata, and M. messanensis. They all afford a 

 nutritious fodder, bixt in no great quantity. 



ONONIS. — This genus affords several species, which are refused by cattle. 



OIINITHOPUS. — We have the O. compressus, O, scorpioibes, and O. 

 ebracteatus: these species are of no importance. One species of this genus, 

 the O. SATiYus is cultivated as fodder in Portugal. 



OROBUS. — The 0. atropurpurf.us is common in the moist meadows of 

 the Mitidja, but I have not found it at Oran : it affords excellent nourishment. 



Phaca. — We have only a single species of this genus, the P. bcetica, 

 which is rather a plant of ornament than usefulness: goats eat it greedily. 



PisuM. — The P. SATIVUM, is the cultivated pea of the gardens. It is 

 found native in some localities, but in too small quantity to be an object of 

 any importance. 



ScoRPiuRUs. — The S. vermiculata, S. muricata, and S. sulcata are 

 found in abundance in all the natural meadows of the province, and furnish 

 an excellent fodder. 



TRIFOLIUM. — This genus consists of a gi-eat number of species, but it 

 enters but little into the composition of the indigenous hay. The T. prafense, 

 so commonly cultivated in Europe, occurs native in the meadows of the 

 Mitidja, but in small quantity. The other species affording fodder are the 

 T. procumbent, T. elegans, T. istiimocarpum, T. glovieratum, T. resupinatiiin, 

 and T. spumosum; but not any of these species are deserving of extensive 

 cultivation. The cultivation of T. incarxatum, or farouche, has been tried 

 in the neighbourhood of Oran, especially at the small lake of the Senia, by 

 M. Pechenet, but the results are fir from being encouraging. From conver- 

 sation which I had with M. de. Thury, it would appear that at Arbal, on 

 the contrary, they were perfectly satisfied with its culture. 



Trigokblla. — This genus affords us some small species which are of 

 little importance. 



VICIA, — The species of this genus, which includes the cultivated Vetch, 

 are the V. polyphylla, V. atropurpurea, V. sativa, V. hitea, V. hi/hrida, 

 V. hithynica, V. bifloua, and V. narijonensis. They all afford a very 

 nutritious fodder. The cultivation of the Vetch, (Tares,) has been tried in 

 the neighbourhood of Oran, but with little success. 



In a future article we shall consider the fodder plants included in the great 



fiimily C0MPOSIT.T;. 



G. MUNBY. 



(Extracted from ^^L' Echo D'Oran," Saturday, June 19th., 1852.) 



(To be coHtinv.c(J .) 



