676 Bulletin 320 



" The history of the species," says C. Wolley-Dod, " dates from the 

 celebrated voyage around the world of Lord Anson in the ship Centurion 

 in 1 740-1 744. The Centurion, with the crew in a dreadful condition 

 from scurvy, reached the southeastern point of South America in the 

 beginning of March, 1741 (equivalent in our season to September). The 

 weather was then mild and bright, and it seems to have been at the en- 

 trance of the Strait Le Maire that this pea was first found." 



Martyn's edition of Miller's Dictionary says of it: " Mr. Miller has 

 a perennial pea, which he calls Pisum Americanum, or Cape Horn pea, 

 from its having been brought by Lord Anson's cook when he passed that 

 cape, where this pea was a great relief to sailors ; but it is not so good for 

 eating as the worst sort cultivated in England." 



The plant is known to gardeners from the beautiful portrait in Sweet's 

 British Flower Garden, Series II, Table 344. It seems that after its 

 cultivation in the Chelsea Garden it was lost until Sweet's time, when 

 his illustration was made from a living plant in Messrs. Osborn's nur- 

 series at Fulham. After this it was again lost sight of for a long time, 

 until it was reintroduced in 1899. 



The Reverend Mr. Wolley-Dod says that the plants do not prove to be 

 really perennial. Sweet makes the suggestion that, being a maritime 

 plant native of a very stormy coast, it may require sprinklings of salt. 



LATHYRUS LATIFOLIUS L. 



One of the most valuable of the ornamental species, and the best known 

 of the perennial species in this country. This plant is one of the best 

 hardy perennials, being a vigorous, rank-growing climber bearing many- 

 flowered peduncles in great profusion. The plant is suitable for covering 

 low trellises or as a cover for rough places, low walls, rocks., and banks. 

 It succeeds well in shade and grows rapidly. The plants resent frequent 

 removal. There are several variety names in the trade, but the best, 

 so far as we can determine them at present, are Pink Beauty, Delicata, 

 Albus, and Splendens. Another name is Grandiflorus, which is confused 

 with the species L. grandiflorus. The latter can be distinguished by 

 the two (rarely three) -flowered peduncles, as the varieties of L. latijolius 

 bear many-flowered peduncles. 



LATHYRUS PRATENSIS L. 



Common yellow vetchling, meadow vetchling, or tare everlasting. The 

 old authors describe this as an ineradicable weed because of its creeping 

 rootstocks. Later authorities recommend it as a food for cattle, since 

 the quality is good and it produces a considerable quantity of succulent 

 forage. 



