NAT. O RDER. 



Leguminosa, 



LATHYRUS PURPUREO. SWEET PEA. 



Class XVII. DiADELPHiA. Order IV. Decandria. 

 Gen. Char. Stem, angular. Leaves, longly-petiolate, one pair. 

 Leafiets, lanceolate, somewhat pubescent, mucronate. Tendril, 

 solitary. Stipules, minute. Fbicers, from six to eight, race- 

 mose, longer than the leaves, purplish blue. 

 Spe. Cliar. Style, flat, vellous on the upper side, dilated upwards. 

 Calyx, with two upper segments shortest. 



This is a perennial plant ; the stalk, or stem, rises from four to 

 eight feet in height ; it is slender, branched, twining, and clings to 

 other plants or shrubs near it ; the petals are five, of a bluish purple 

 color, and stand upon sliort footstalks, closely embracing the stem ; 

 and in flowering time give a very beautiful appearance. 



This species of Pea is said to be a native of Germany, where 

 it was formerly employed as food, but produced such terrible effects 

 upon the consumers, that its use was forbidden by an edict from the 

 government. It was admitted that the flower from this tribe, mixed 

 with one-half of wheat, makes fine and delicious bread, which at 

 first appears harmless, but after a time it brings on a surprising rigid- 

 ity of the limbs, loss of action, stupidity; and the persons become 

 cripples for the remainder of their lives. Swine fattened with this 

 meal, lose the use of their legs entirely, but continue to grow fat, 

 lying on the ground. Fabroni says that swine lose the use of their 

 limbs, and become pitiable monsters, by eating this flower. 



Vol. Ui.— 54. 



