128 



MUCUNA PRURIENS (cOW-ITCll) 



Sulla is a vigorous forage crop and gives a large yields 

 provided it is cut immediately the flowers jDut in an 

 appearance. It may be dried and preserved as hay. This 

 legume thrives best in calcareous soils. 



MUCUNA PRURIENS (COW-ITCH). 



We shall do no more than mention this pea, which is 

 known as cowhage or cow-itch on account of the hairs 

 covering the pods, which work into the skin and cause 

 irritation. ♦ 



It is a plant with long, twining stems, and its leaves 

 are split up into three large leaflets. The flowers are in 

 long hanging clusters. The action of its hairs on the skin 

 would seem to preclude its utilization. 



M. Balland states that the seeds are eaten by negroes 

 after cooking in water, and gives their composition to be 

 as follows : — 



Water 



Ash 



Cellulose ... 



Fat 



Non-nitrogenous matter 



Nitrogenous matter 



Average weight of loo seeds =^ 43'86 gr. 



I0"90 per cent. 



3 '50 



7-85 



3-25 

 45'03 

 29-47 



lOO'OO 



MUCUNA UTILIS (BENGAL BEAN). 



This herbaceous and trailing leguminous plant is also 

 known as Mucuna atropurpurea, its common name being 

 the Bengal bean. 



It is probably a native of Arabia. We are unable to say 

 whence this pea came to Mauritius; its existence seems to 

 date back to the eighteenth century, as M. Desbassyns 

 quotes it as being an excellent rotation crop. 



