THE LEGUMEN, 28i 



Legumc7i,f. 182, a Legume, is the peculiar 

 solitary iVuit of the Pea kind, formed of 

 two oblong valves, without any longitudinal 

 partition, and bearing the seeds along 

 one of its margins only. See Engl. But. 

 t. 1046, 80 J, Sec. Tlie Tamarind is a 

 Legume filled witli pulp, in which the 

 seeds are lodged. The Capsules oillelk- 

 borus and some other plants allied thereto, 

 justly indicated by Gsertner as approach- 

 ing very nearly to the definition of Le- 

 gumes, differ essentially in not being soli- 

 tary, and in consisting each but of one 

 valve. Some Larkspurs indeed bear such 

 capsules solitary, but analogy teaches us 

 their true nature. 



When a Legume is divided into several 

 cells, it is either by transverse constrictions, 

 or by inflexion of the valves ; never by a 

 separate longitudinal partition ; see Doli- 

 chos purpureifs^ Eaot, Bot. t. 74. 



Sometimes this kind of fruit lodges but 

 one seed, as in many species of Tri folium ; 

 see Engl. Bot.t. 1048, also Virninar'ia denu- 

 data, Edot. Bot. t. 27- It is only by analogy 

 fhat such are known to be Legumes. 

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