31 



X. 



LEGUMINOS.E. 



THE LABURNUM. 



CYTISUS. 



This tree belongs to a large tribe of plants — • 

 comprising annuals and herbaceous flowers, shrubs 

 and immense trees — that has long been known by 

 the name of Legiuniiiosce, on account of the fruit 

 being contained in pods. It is one of the most 

 important Orders in the vegetable world, supplying 

 food, medicine, timber, dyes, and many other 

 products far too numerous to mention. 



The laburnum is a native of the forests 

 and mountainous parts of Central and Southern 

 Europe, where it is said to grow spontaneously. 

 Its botanical name is believed to be derived from 

 Cythera, an island in the Cyclades, where one 

 of the species was first found. The Sixteenth 

 Century was the date of its introduction into 

 Great Britain. 



The tree is of no value for its wood, and 

 does not in fact attain the size of a timber tree. 



