CHAP. XLI, 



LEGUMINA CF,;E. MIMO SE.E. 



665 



4. GlobiflorcE 



Sect Char Flowers collected into globose heads on the tops of the peduncles. Loaves bipinnate, 

 with few or many pairs of pinna;, each pinna bearing few or many pairs of leaflets. {Don's Mill. , 

 ii. p. 413.) 



A. Prickles stipiilar and straight. Legumes unarmed. Stamens 20, or more. 



A. farnesiana Willd., Mimosa farnesiana L., Mi- 

 mosa scorpioides Forsk., Gazia, Ital., {N. Du Ham., 

 2. t. 28., and our/g. 388.) is a charming shrub or low 

 tree, a native of St. Domingo, but in cultivation in 

 the south of Europe, and north of Africa, in gardens, 

 since the year 1611 ; when, according to Du Hamei, 

 the first plant was raised from seeds, in the garden 

 of the Villa Farnese, at Rome. It grows in the 

 open air in the south of France, Spain, Portugal, 

 and Italy, where it is highly valued for the beauty 

 and fragrance of its flowers. It was introduced into 

 England in 1556, and cultivated in green-houses ; 

 but, since the great influx of New Holland acacias, it 

 has been comparatively neglected. In the year 1819, 

 we saw it in the open ground in several Italian gardens. 



B. Prickles stijndar, in Pairs, usually also jjctiolar, and along the Ribs of the 

 Legnme. Stamens 10. 



A. Cavima. Hook., Mimosa Cavt^nm Moll., is a tree, growing to the height of 20 ft. in the woods of 

 Chili. The flowers are very fragrant, and the wood is considered to make the best charcoal. 



C. Unarmed. Anthers smooth. Stigma simple. 



A. nigricans R. Br., MimiNsa nigricans Labill., 

 (Bot. Mag. t. 2188., and our Jigs. 389, 390.) is a native 

 of the south-west coast of New Holland ; introduced 

 in 1803; growing to the height of U) ft. ; and pro- 

 ducing its fine yellow polyandrous flowers from May 

 to July. The whole plant becomes black when 

 dried ; whence the sjiecific name. 



A. strigosa lAnk,Ji. ciliata R. Br., has'the general 

 appearance of the preceding species, but flowers 

 from March to July. 



A. glaiica Willd., Mimosa glaucaZ., [Mill. Icon., 

 4. t. 4.) is a native of Carolina, with white decan- 

 drous flowers, which are produced in June and July. 

 It was introduced in 1690, and grows to tlie height 

 of 10 ft. 



A. Lambertii.m D. DoniBof. Reg., t. 721.), which 

 has purple flowers ; A. discolor WiWd. [Bot. Mag., 

 t. 1750.), which has yellow flowers ; and A. anguliila 

 Desf and A piihescens R. Br. {Bot. Mag., t. 126.3.), 

 both which have also yellow flowers, are desirable 

 species. The last three are from New Holland, and 

 the first from Mexico. 



A. Julibrissin Willd., -Wimbsa, Jidibrissin Scop. Del., i. t. 8., Mimosa 

 arborea Forsk. and our fig. 391.; is a tree, a native of Persia, growing to 

 the height of 30 ft. or 40 ft., which might almost have been included among 

 our hardy species ; but though, in the neighbourhood of London, it will grow 

 against a wall without any protection, and flower in fine seasons, yet it will 

 scarcely live in the open garden as a standard. According to Du Hamel, it 

 is a native of Persia and China, and of various countries in the Levant, 

 where it is also cultivated in gardens, for its large leaves, and its very large 

 fragrant flowers, which, like those of the A. farnesiana, are distinguished 

 by their numerous purple stamens; each of the flowers appearing, from the 

 length of the stamens, to terminate in a little bundle of silken threads, about 

 an inch long ; whence the Persian name of Ghulibrichim {.TtiUbrmin), that 

 is, silk rose ; from which is derived its English name of the silk tree. Dr. 

 Walsh informs us that the Turks are particularly fond of this tree, and that 

 it is to be found in all the gardens of the Bosphorus. A tree in the garden 



