LEGUMINOSAE 



523 



first removed. The broad bean (Vicia Faba) is much cultivated in Europe 

 for both animal and human food. The seeds of Paprika ofricana are used as 

 food by native Africans and in Abyssinia and in the Indian Archipelago are 

 esteemed as a good substitute for coffee. 



The Australian wattles (Acacia), of which there are many species, vary 

 greatly in size. The bark of some of these is used for tanning purposes. The 

 wood is valuable and takes a fine polish, A. Gerrardi being an example of 



this class. From A. Farnesiana is derived the oil of cassia, much used in per- 

 ' fumery. It is prepared by macerating the flowers in olive oil. Cassia pomade 

 ! is prepared from fatty substances to which the cassia flowers have been made 



to impart their perfume. C. occidentalis is used as a substitute for coffee. 



Many of the legumes produce important gums. From the Algarrobe, or locust 



tree of Jamaica (Hymenaea Courbaril) is produced a gum said to be superior 

 j to shellac; the sweet pulp of the fruit is edible. The gum Kino (Pterocar- 

 ' pus Marsupium) is a native of India and yields a gum that is used both for 



tanning and dying and as an astringent. Kino contains from 40-80 percent of 

 | tannin and kino red. P. tinctorius produces a valuable wood, and a related 



species (P. Dalbergioides) produces a wood similar to mahogany. The Tonka 

 bean or Tonquin (Dipteryx odorata) of Guinea contains the substance cumarin 



and is used as a snuff and as a scent in cigars. Cumarin is widely distributed 

 I in the plant kingdom, especially in such Leguminosae as Dipteryx, Melilotus, 



if and Myroxylon. It occurs in species of other families, as the palm, vernal 



Fig. 283. Axwort (.Coronilla varia). A poison- 

 ous plant of Europe adventitious in the U. S. 

 (From Strasburger, Noll, Schenck and Schimper.) 





