292 CALYCIFLOR^. 



the seeds are attached : seeds oblong, plump, white with the 

 hilura brown. 



Sloane considers this species to be indigenous to the Island, 

 and says that the seeds were, in his time, used by some as 

 food, and given to fatten hogs. I do not find, however, on 

 inquiry, that any use is at present made of tliem, except that 

 they are commonly planted, by the Negroes, along the margin 

 of their provision grounds, from a superstitious notion, pro- 

 bably of African origin, very generally entertained, that the 

 Overlook fulfils the part of a watchman, and, from some 

 dreaded power ascribed to it, protects the provisions from 

 plunder. Even the better informed adopt the practice, although 

 tiiey themselves may not place confidence in any particular 

 influence which this humble plant can exercise, either in pre- 

 venting theft, or in punishing it when committed. 



3. Canavalia rosea. Purple-flowered Sea-side Bean. 



Stem creeping ascending, leaflets elliptico-subro- 

 tund glabrous, legumes lineari-oblong shortly acumi- 

 nate. 



Dolichos vo^Qu?,,' Swariz, Fl. Ind. Occ. 1243. 



HAB. Common on the sands by the sea-shore. 



FL. Throughout the year. 



Root perennial. Stem suffrutescent at the base ; branches 

 herbaceous and annual, at first creeping, afterwards ascending 

 by the support of neighbouring shrubs, terete, angulato-striated, 

 minutely puberulous with reverted appressed liairs at their ex- 

 tremities. Leaflets apiculated, subglabrous, scarcely shining, 

 thin, nerved : petiole terete, channelled above. Stipules small, 

 fleshy, subauriculated at the base ; stiff and erect above. Pe- 

 duncles axillary or opposite to a leaf, solitary, longer than the 

 leaf, subflexuose, bearing several rose-coloured shortly pedi- 

 celled flowers inserted in pairs on roundish gland-like nobs. 

 Calyx tubulose, subinflated, lineated, puberulous ; upper lip bifid 

 with segments rounded : under lip 3-dentate with small approxi- 

 mating teeth. Standard obcordate, purple, with 2 yellow cal- 

 losities at the base ; wings falcate ; keel bifid at the apex and 

 at the base. Stamens 10. Ovary linear, appresso-pubescent : 

 style subulate, curved: stigma obtuse. Legume 4 inches or 

 more in length, and nearly one broad, linear, compressed, gla- 

 brous, 3-keeled on the back, with a straight sharp beak : seeds 

 within a white cellulose membrane, of a blackish colour, oval, 

 compressed. 



4. Canavalia altissima. Lofty -climhing Canavalia. 

 Leaflets elliptico-oblong emarginate or obtuse with 



