DIADELPHIA. 343 



habit and qualities, is extremely untractablewith re- 

 spect to botanical characters. Some species, t. 1047^ 

 1340, 1769, have many seeds in each pod ; some have 

 not even the capitate inflorescence made a part of the 

 generic definition. The difficulty is lessened by estab- 

 lishing Mel'dotus as a genus, with Jussieu : but the 

 whole requires to be well reconsidered ; for, if possible, 

 so great a laxity of definition, with such glaring excep- 

 tions, should not disgrace any system. 



•**^*** Legume composed of single-valved joints^ 

 which are rarely solitary. Hedysariun^ t. 96, is the 

 most important genus of this section, and is known by 

 its obtuse or rectangular keel. Hippocrepis, t. 31 ; 

 Ornithopus, t. 369 ; and Scorpiurus, known in gardens 

 by the name of Caterpillar, from its worm-like pod, are 

 further examples. Smithia^ Ait. Hort. Kew. t. 13, is 

 remarkable for having the joints of the legume connect- 

 ed by means of the style, as by a thread ; the stamens in 

 2 equal divisions, with 5 anthers to each ; and a two- 

 lipped calyx. Hedysarum vespertilioms^ Jacq. Ic. Rar. 

 t. 566, in some points approaches this genus, and more 

 certain species are possibly latent among the numerous 

 unsettled papilionaceous plants of India. 



***5^** Legume of o?2e cell, with several seeds. To 

 this belong the genus Meliofus, if separated from IVifo- 

 Uum ; the Indigo fera, several species of which are so 

 valuable for dyeing blue ; the handsome Rohijiia, Curt. 

 Mag. t. 311 ; CytisiiiSyt. 176, &c. ; and Clitora^, Ins. 



* From KXiis); to close or shut up, in allusion to the situation 

 flif the wings and keel. 



