LEGUMINOS^E. 95 



in all essential points, although available for the production of 

 distinct effects in gardens. The white variety appears to be 

 the normal condition of the species, but as the two sorts vary- 

 in nothing else but colour, the description of the one will apply 

 to the other in all except the point of colour. 



Dictamnus albus. — The stems rise stout and erect about 2 

 feet high ; the leaves are pinnate, with small oval leaflets cloth- 

 ing the stems from the root up^/ards to the base of the raceme 

 or spike of pretty creamy-whitf. flowers, or in the case of the red 

 variety, dark coral red. It succeeds best in rich, deep, but dry 

 loam, and is a very handsome border plant. Propagate by divi- 

 sion or seed. Flowers in early spring. Native of many parts 

 of southern Europe. 



LEGUMINOS^ (Pea-Flowers). 



This is a very extensive family, being, after Composites, the 

 most numerous group of flowering-plants ; and they are abun- 

 dantly spread over the whole world. It comprises many beauti- 

 ful subjects ; but unfortunately for our purpose the most brilliant 

 are natives of the tropics, and consequently unavailable for 

 adorning our gardens in the open air — a fact, however, the less 

 to be regretted when we compart the duration of the flowers of 

 the gorgeous tropical species with that of those of temperate 

 and northern climes. Many of them burst, meteor-like, and 

 are gone ; but our less gorgeous hardy ones last in many cases 

 for months on end. Lathyms, Ltipmiis, and Orohis are per- 

 haps the most showy genera, taken all in all, among the hardy 

 ones ; but in most of those that comprise perennial species we 

 will find pickings worthy of selection, and more extended use 

 in flower-gardens than they are at present favoured with. 



Anthyllis {Kid?iey Vetch). — This genus contains few species. 

 They bear some superficial resemblance to Astragatus, and in 

 cultivation require the same treatment ; botanically, however, 

 they are very distinct. In these the inflorescence is usually 

 capitate, rarely spicate, or racemose ; and under the heads of 

 flowers there is a more or less conspicuous leafy bract. Be- 

 sides the very few herbaceous species, there are several low- 

 growing shrubs, such as A. barba-Jovis and A. eytisoides, adapted 

 for culture in favoured localities in Britain, on the coasts, on 

 rockwork, or in collections of dwarf shrubs ; and they are 

 pretty and interesting, but not fit to associate with hardy 

 herbaceous plants. The genus is mainly European. 



