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CHAPTER XVI. 

 VARIOUS LECUMINOS/E. 



There is great diversity of character among the members 

 of the famih' of the Leguminosce and species occur which 

 yield the most varied products. There are, for instance, some 

 verv interesting melHferous plants; trees the leaves of which 

 serve both as food for man and fodder for beast; seeds yield- 

 ing perfume ; scented resins and numerous other products 

 apart from those mentioned in the foregoing chapters, and 

 the peas which have already been discussed at some length. 



In view of the very considerable interest attaching to these 

 plants, a list is given of the various species. Possiblv a few 

 may have escaped our notice. 



PAPILiONACE/E. 



Apios tuberosa (Liane). — A twining plant which yields an edible 

 tubercle of slow growth. 



Castanospermum australe (Tree).— A large tree, a native of 

 Australia, which has spread to the Tropics. It bears pods which 

 average 365 grm. in weight and which contain two to four seeds. 



These seeds are edible when roasted and have a fairly pleasant 

 flavour. 



According to our experiments the pods weigh from 250 to 450 grm. 

 and give a proportion of : — 



Seeds ... ... ... ... ... 32 '4 per cent. 



Thick coats ... ... ... ... ... 12 '6 ,, 



Husl^s ... ... ... ... ... 55-0 



lOQ-O 



The composition of the seeds is as follows : — 



Water 



Ash ... 



Cellulose 



Fat ... 



Sugars 



Non-nitrogenous matter 



Nitrogenous matter 



Nitrogen 



