208 



THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. 



[ September, 



leaflets, tlie lateral of wliicli are very unequal-sided, and tlie odd one nearly 

 triangular, all of tliem truncate at the base, entire, glabrous, and slightly ciliated. 

 The earlier peduncles are very long, the others shortening in succession as the 

 stem rises, so that they vary in length from 13 in. to 2 in. The flowers arc rather 

 numerous, almost sessile, on short, thick, terminal ramifications, comparatively 

 large, with a mixed colouring of violet, yellow, and white. The pods are from 

 two to four in number, rarely more, and are rolled in a circle on the dorsal 

 suture, describing a turn and a half, and so arranged as to resemble a pair of 

 spectacles. 



DOLICnOS BICONTORTCS. 



M. Durieu further remarks that ho has received no particulars concerning 

 this plant, though it is probably grown as a vegetable in Japan. In quality the 

 seeds are equal to our best varieties of Bea,ns, and much superior to those of 

 Dolichos Lablab^ which is abundantly cultivated in the tropical regions of both 

 hemispheres. 



To this M. Carriere adds that the plant requires a strong and long-sustained 

 heat to ripen its fruits. In fact, even when raised in-doors and planted out in a 

 south exposure, very few fruits were found to have ripened Ijy the end of October, 

 when frost came. Hence, in this country, it can only be regarded as a curiosity, 

 but so far as the appearance of its pods is considered, our figure shows it to be 

 a very remarkable plant. If, however, it is really grown in Japan, as is stated 

 to be the case, it may possibly succeed in our climate, though it will probably bo 

 cultivated only as an object of curiosity. — T. Mooee. 



