258 DIADELPHIA— DECANDRIA. 



Fl. in a simple terminal duster usually blue, but frequently pink, 

 white, or purple ; always marked with green lines ; the perma- 

 nent calyx turning green, and remaining long, with its closed 

 wings, sheltering the ripening pod. 



It is hard to say why this plant obtained the name of Polygala, or 

 Milkwort ; and indeed that name has been given by some authors 

 to several truly papilionaceous herbs or shrubs, more deserving 

 the reputation of yielding good food for cows. Our Polygala, like 

 some other European species of the same genus, is bitter, and 

 when given in infusion, promotes expectoration, and is good for 

 a catarrhous cough. 



Reports have arisen of P. amara being found in England ; but the 

 specimens I have seen were no other than the vulgaris. 



DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. 



This order is entirely natural, comprehending the Papilio- 

 naceous tribe, except such as have perfectly distinct, firm, 

 awl-shaped stamens^ which are therefore placed in the 

 10th class; but of these we have none in Britain. 



Pajnlionacea;. Linn. 32. Legwninoscs. Juss. 93; 5^c^. 5 — 8. 



Flowers all complete and perfect, except in the petals of a 

 very few exotic species. 



Calyx inferior, of 1 leaf, tubular, rarely of 2 leaves, wither- 

 ing ; obtuse and rather tumid on the upper side at the 

 base, where the honey is lodged; its margin in 5 unequal, 

 more or less deep, teeth or segments ; the lower tooth 

 longest; 2 upper shortest and most distant. 



Corolla papilionaceous, unequal; petals characterized as 

 follows. 



Sta?idard single, largest, overshadowing the rest; its claw 

 flattish, inserted into the upper margin of the receptacle; 

 the part beyond the calyx roundish, or obovate, scarcely 

 ever divided, marked with a longitudinal central fold or 

 keel, and depressed at each side, closely embracing the 

 petals beneath, by means of 2 prominences towards its 

 claw, which are hollow at the upper side. Wings 2, equal, 

 lateral, oblong, attached by their claws to the receptacle; 

 their upper margins parallel and converging, each termi- 

 nating behind in a tooth or spur. 



