NAT. ORDER. LEGUMINOSE;E. 129 



It is said by Pliny and other Latin writers, that this plant de- 

 rived its name from Lxqms, a wolf, on account of its being supposed 

 to destroy the fertility of the soil ; or rather as Virgil calls it, hipines 

 tristcs liq)i)ii, the bitterness of this plant, contracting the muscles, 

 and giving a sorrowful appearance to the countenance. 



There are recorded sixty-two different species of the Lupinus, 

 all siirubs or flowers, and only valuable as a garden ornament. Most 

 of the plants arc annuals, but the present one is a perennial ; there- 

 fore the term jycroinis will be strictly applicable to the present plant 

 One peculiar feature in this plant is that the roots strike very deep 

 in the ground ; even those belonging to a plant one year old I have 

 seen to llie depth of three and four feet : they also spread remark- 

 ably wide ; hence the roots even of young plants are with difficulty 

 taken up entire. 



Propagation and Culture. Every species of Lnpine are worth 

 cultivating for the purpose of decorating flower-borders, as they are 

 very ornamental when in flower ; they thrive best in light soil, and 

 are most easily increased by seeds. The shrubby kinds require to 

 be protected in severe weather in winter by a glass covering, or by 

 matting. If they are grown against a wall, they can be easily shel- 

 tered in winter. Cuttings of them root very readily. 



Medical Properties and Uses. No account worthy of notice has 

 ever been recorded of the medicinal virtues of this plant ; and, in- 

 deed, all the species seem to be regarded as of no value in medicine. 



