490 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS. 



about three feet apart, an inch and a half deep, and dropping 

 the seeds two inches asunder in the drills. All the culture 

 required is simply to keep the ground between the rows free 

 from weeds. The crop should be harvested before the com- 

 plete maturity of the seeds. 



Use. " The Peas, though not very digestible, are largely 

 employed in soups, and form the basis of the puree aux 

 croutons, or bread and pea soup, so highly esteemed in 

 Paris." They are also extensively used, roasted and ground, 

 as a substitute for coffee. 



There are three varieties, as follow : 



Ked Chick- A variety with rose-colored flowers, and red 



pea. 



or brownish-red seeds. 



"White Chick- Both the flowers and seeds white ; plant 

 similar to those of the other varieties. 



Yellow This variety has white blossoms and yellow 



Chick-pea. 



seeds. The plant, in height, foliage, or general 



habit, differs little from the White or the Red-seeded. 



CHICKLING VETCH. Law. 



Lentil, of Spain. Cultivated Lathyrus. Lathyrus sativus. 



Stem three or four feet high or long, attaching itself to 

 trellises, branches, or whatever may be provided for its sup- 

 port, in the manner of Peas ; the leaves are small and grass- 

 like ; the flowers are solitary, smaller than those of the 

 Common Pea, and generally bright blue ; the pods are an 

 inch and a half long, three fourths of an inch broad, flat- 

 tened, winged along the back, and enclose two compressed 

 but irregularly shaped seeds, of a dun or brownish color, and 

 pleasant flavor. 



