322 CALYCIFLORiE. 



1 . Arachis hypogaea. American Earth-nuts. 



Sloane, I. 184. — Browne, 295 Barham, 145. — Long, 788. 



—Liman, I. 348. 



HAB. Cultivated. 



FL. May — November. 



Branches diffused, procumbent, hairy, compressed. Leaves 

 abruptly pinnated, bijugate; leaflets elliptic, apiculate, ciliated, 

 otherwise glabrous. Stipules semiamplexicaul, an inch in length, 

 striated, lanceolate, adnate to the petiole for one-third of an 

 inch. Flowers axillary, 5-7 together, yellow, those situated 

 high on the branches sterile, those which are near the root fer- 

 tile. As the ovary enlarges and the pod begins to form, it forces 

 itself into the earth (the flower-stalk at the same time elongat- 

 ing) and there ripens its seeds. Hence the common name of 

 Earth nuts, and the specific designation hypogcea (uto yr^ below 

 ground). You require to dig below the surface to obtain the 

 pods. 



This very useful plant is a native of the warmer parts of 

 Amex-ica. It is now cultivated in Asia and Africa and in the 

 southern districts of Europe. About Paris it is raised in hot- 

 beds and transplanted into the open garden, where it ripens its 

 seeds. It has also been brought to maturity in a stove in Eng- 

 land, and proved very prolific. 



In Cochin- China, oil obtained from the seeds, is used for 

 lamps and as a substitute for the oil of olives. This oil, ac- 

 cording to Dr Brownrigg of North Carolina, is pure, clear, and 

 well tasted, not apt to become rancid, and a gallon of it may be 

 obtained from a bushel of the seeds. According to another 

 statement (Diet. Mat. Medic. I. 377.) the seeds give rather 

 more than a third of oil ; and if they are parched, nearly 

 half of their weight may be obtained. In the latter instance, 

 however, the oil is not so well tasted, and is only fit for burn- 

 ing or to make soap. In this Island they are principally used 

 parched as an article of food, and in place of the almond, the 

 pistachio, and other nuts in the dessert. In South Carolina 

 they are roasted, ground, and boiled, and make a very good 

 substitute for chocolate. Barham states, that when bruised in 

 a mortar and applied as a poultice, they extract the sting of 

 scorpions, wasps, and bees. 



There is said to be a variety of this plant, cultivated in Bra- 

 zil, strong and robust, about 12 feet in height, producing a 

 great abundance of seed rich in oil. 



XLI. Andira. 



Calyx turbinate, campannlate, 5-dentate ; teeth 

 subequal, acute, erect. Corolla papilionaceous j stan- 



