168 LEGUMINOS^E. 



Cormeille, a very small quantity being said to allay and 

 prevent hunger." (Sir W. J. Hooker.) Fl. May, June. 

 Perennial. 



* Another species of Orobus is a native of Britain ; 

 6. niyer (Black Bitter Vetch), a rare Scottish plant, 

 with very narrow stipules, and a branched stem, which 

 is angular, but not winged. 



16. ORNITHOPUS (Bird' s-fooi). 



1. 0. perpusillus (Common Bird's-foot). The only 

 British species. Sandy heaths ; common. A minute 

 and very beautiful plant, with a spreading prostrate 

 stem, downy leaves of 6 12 pairs of leaflets, and an 

 odd one ; heads of exceedingly small cream-coloured 

 flowers, veined with crimson, with a leaf at the base of 

 each head ; and jointed legumes, which become curved 

 as they ripen, and bear a singular resemblance to a 

 bird's foot. Fl. June August. Perennial. 



* Arthrolobium ebractedtum (Sand Joint-Vetch), a 

 little plant, in many respects similar to the last, has 

 been found in the Scilly Islands. It may be distin- 

 guished by having no floral leaf. 



17. HIPPOCR^PIS (Horse-shoe Vetch). 



1. H. comosa (Tufted Horse-shoe Vetch). The only 

 British species. Common on chalky banks. A low 

 tufted plant, with much-branched stems, which are 

 woody at the base, and elegant leaves, composed of 

 6 12 narrow leaflets. The umbels of yellow flowers 

 might be mistaken for those of Lotus corniculatus, but 

 for the curious structure of the seed-vessels, which are 

 shaped like a series of horse-shoes united by their ex- 

 tremities. Fl. May August. Perennial. 



