Peas and Clover 141 
into a couple of slender ears. From the axils of the 
leaves a cluster of bright yellow flowers, varying in 
number from three to a dozen, are borne upon a long 
stalk, and each of these consists of a five-toothed 
tubular calyx and five petals. Now these petals are 
so different in form and size that they have received 
distinguishing names. The uppermost of the five is 
very much larger than the others, and is called the 
Standard (St). In the unopened flower it embraces 
and protects the smaller petals—the small size of the 
calyx -lobes making 
them useless for the 
purpose — and in the 
expanded blossom is 
the most conspicuous 
feature. Then there na Ww 
‘i i 
are two side petals 
known as Wings (W), e 
and lastly two that : 
occupy the central 
line of the flower 
and that are joined Parts of a Leguminous Flower 
together by the lower 
edges; these are mentioned collectively as the Keel 
(KX), because they have something of a boat-shape 
in their united condition. There are no less than ten 
stamens, and nine of these have the basal portions of 
their filaments united into a tube within which lies 
the pistil. The reason for the tenth stamen being 
free is that a gap shall be left in the upper side of the 
tube so that bees can get their tongues through to the 
honey which is secreted by the inner wall of the tube. 
On each side of the keel near its base there is a little 
