ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY. 191 
Tribe 2. Lorza—Stamens either all united, (monadelphous) or nine united and ope free 
(diadelphous). Legume not jointed, 1-celled, or rarely imperfectly 2-celled, from one sutdre be- 
ing intro. flexed, sometimes with transverse septa. Cotyledons, flattish, foliaceous in germination, 
This which is a large tribe, is divided into several subtribes— Genisteae, Trifolieae, Clito- 
riene, Galegiae and Astragaleae—species of each of these, except the last, occur in the Penin- 
In this tribe we find many nsefal plants. In India the bark of some species of Crotalaria, 
~ (C. retusa and juncea) are employed as hemp in the manufacture of cordage and canvas. The 
powdered seed of Feaugreek ( Trigonella Fenum-grecum) is very largely consume:t in native 
cookery. The vegetable principle called Coamarin is foun abundantly in the flowers of 
Melilotus officinalis, it is that principle to which the Tonka beaa owes its properties. The 
young beaas of Cyamopsis ps»raliodes (Cott-averaykay Tam) is with reason much prized by 
the natives as a culinary pulse, and merits more atteation from Europeans, as it is a pleasant 
and delicate vegetable. Indig fra tinctoria and aril furnish us with the valuable blae dye 
(Indigo) of such vast commercial importance to India. The roots of Clitoria ternatea are 
emetic. The roots of Teprosia purpurea, a most common plant, are bitter, and a decoction of 
them is prescribed by native practitioners in Dyspeptic complaints —many other species of this 
large Indian genus probably possess similar properties in even a higher degree. ‘T’he leaves of 
Seshania AEgyptiaca are in constant use among the natives as a poultice to promote supuration, 
and the wood makes excellent charcoal for the manufacture of gun-powder. The long slender 
pods of Agate grandiflora are eaten by the natives and the leaves are also prized by them, 
The tree grows rapidly but the wood is very soft and of little use. In addition to these, most 
of which are of Indian origin, many other plants of this tribe are in use in other countries, 
such as the numerous kinds of clover, lucern, &c. for fodder, and liquorice, laburnum, genesta, 
&c. as medicine and food. 
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Tribe 3. Hepysarra—Corolla papilionacious: Stamina either p p 
(9-1 or sometimes 5-5) rarely all distinct, often somewhat persistent. Legume transversely divided 
into several |-seeded cells or joints, sometimes l-celled, and then always l-seeded, cotyledons 
flattish, during germination somewhat foliaceous. The several-seeded genera are usually easily 
distinguished by their jointed pods separating at the joints into l-seeded indehiscent cells: 
the one seeded ones, are not so easily distinguished, but they usually have the stamen tube 
more or less persistent. 
This, as compared with the last is a small tribe, containing fewer genera and those of the 
Indian flora, with the exception of Desmodium, have but few species, neither are they important 
in their economical applications. 
SarcoLose®—Cotyledons thick and fleshy. 
Tribe 4. Viciza—Corolla papilionacious. Stamens diadelphous (9 and 1.) Legume 
continuous not jointed. Cotyledons thick, farinaceous, unchanged during g rmination and 
remaining under ground within the seed coat; radicle inflexed: leaves abruptly pinnated, 
except Cicer and some species of Orobus s the common petiol not jointed at the base with the 
stem, produced at the apex, except in the above instances and one or two others; into a bristle 
or tendril. Primordial leaves alternate. eee ' ie 
‘his, though in respect of the number of its genera, a very small tribe yet contains some 
very useful plants. Among the most valuable of these may be mentioned the common pea 
we Se ee 
