36 



ORDER T.VII. T.EGUMIXOS^. 



In number of species this Order comes next to Compositae, which 

 is the largest Order in the Vegetable Kingdom. Our members of 

 Lec'uminosi^ vary in size from such plants as Argyrohhium nanum 

 and others which are scarcely discernible in the grass amongst which 

 they grow to Albizzia fastigiata, the " Flatcrown " which is one of our 

 largest coast trees. The uses to which members of this Family are 

 applied are too numerous for enumeration here, but I may say that 

 amongst our indigenous plants, some, such as the Medicago, Trifolium, 

 and others are good for grazing purposes. Some of our species of 

 Indigofera yield Indigo, and one is cultivated for that purpose in 

 other countries. The MiUettias are trees whose wood is much esteemed, 

 M.caffra being better known as " Umzimbiti ". Sicfherlandia frutescens 

 has been extolled as a remedy for cancer, and the wood of Albizzia 

 fastigiata is much used in wagon work. Number of species more than 

 6.500. 



(Ex. Pea, Bean, Kafir Boom ) 



KEY TO SUB-ORDERS. 



A.-PAPILIONACE^. 



Corolla papilionaceous. Petals imbricate in aestivation, the upper 

 exterior. Stamens 10 



B. -C^SALPINE^. 



Corolla irregular or sub-regular. Upper petal interior in aestiva- 

 tion. Stamens 10 or fewer. 



C. -MIxMOSE^. 

 Flowers niinute, in dense heads or spikes. Corolla valvate in 

 SBstivation. 



KEY TO TRIBES. 



A.— PAPILIONACE^. 



Leaves simple. Stamens free. Legumes turgid. Podalyrie^^. 



Leaves simple or digitate. Leaflets entire. Racmes 



terminal or opposite the leaves, or solitary, or 



fascicled in the axils. Stamens 10, monadelpjious. 



or diadelphous. GENiSTEyE. 



Herbs. Leaves trifoliolate. Stamens monadelphous. 



Stipules small Trifolie^. 



Undershrubs. Stipules in pairs, similar to tlie leaves. 



Legume not jointed LoTEiE. 



