158 



PHASEOLUS LUNATUS (lIMA BEAN) 



crop, for, up to the present, it and Mucuna utilis had been,, 

 one may say, the only plants used for this purpose ; however,, 

 after experiments with Vigna Catjang preference must be 

 given to this latter. The same result is obtained in a much 

 shorter space of time, and the land does not remain unpro- 

 ductive. We shall see later what comparisons can be made 

 between these two Leguminosa^. 



_Sketch by F. A. Desru'sscaux. 



Fig. 22. — Leaf from a variety of Phaseolus luiiatiis. Quarter natural 



size. Anjouan (Comoros). 



In 1898-99 M. Boname investigated the composition of 

 the seeds and leaves of the Lima bean. They have a 

 value equal to that of other Leguminosae, but must still be 

 regarded with suspicion owing to the presence of prussic 

 acid, which occurs in every portion of the plant. 



