PULSE OR LEGUMINOUS SEEDS. 161 



THE LABLAB-BEAN. 

 Dolichos Lablab, L. 



Synonym Lablab vulgaris (Savi). 



Hind. Sim, Pertab-sing. Beng. Bunsim, Giirdal-shim. Tehigu Annapa, 



Sem, Sembi, Shimbi. Tamil Mutcheh. 

 Sanskrit Nespava, Shimbi. 



This wide-twining perennial, or, in cultivation, annual herb, 

 belongs to the same sub-tribe of the Phaseoleae as Vigna and 

 Phaseolus. It is a true native of India, ascending to 6,000 feet 

 in the Himalaya, and is in universal cultivation. The stems 

 sometimes attain a length of 16 to 20 feet; the recurved flat 

 oblong pod is i ^ to 2 inches long by % to Y\ inch broad. It 

 is 2 to 4-seeded ; there are about 150 seeds to an ounce. Many 

 varieties have been fully described and have received specific 

 names. 



This pulse is grown not only for its ripe seeds but also for its 

 green pods, which are used as a vegetable. In some places it is 

 grown with castor-oil plants, as if alone it would need stakes as a 

 support. 



COMPOSITION OF LABLAB-BEAN s. 



In 100 part?. 



In i Ib. 



i oz. 410 grs. 

 3 . 255 



8 . 294 

 98 

 17 

 238 



The nutrient-ratio, deduced from analysis 4, is i : 2*5, the 

 nutrient-value is 80. It will be seen, however, on comparing 

 the several analyses given above, that the percentage of albu- 

 minoids is rather variable. The extreme range is probably not 

 more than 6 per cent. Of the numerous forms of Lablab the 

 majority are eaten as a green vegetable. 



* ro of phosphoric acid. 



M 



