392 VARIOUS LEGUMINOS^ 



The seed roats and husks contain : — 



Seed coats Husk.'- 



In loo parts of In loo parts of In loo parts of In loo parts of 



dry matter natural substance dry matter natural sulistance 



Water ... — ... 80 '4 ... — ... 81 "4 



Ash ... ... 265 ... 052 ... 273 ... 0'5i 



Nitrogen .. 2"32 ... 0-45 ... i"42 ... o'26 



Canavalia gladiata. -According to Firminger, Europeans consider 

 this to be the best Indian legume. It is a very sturdy climbing shrub 

 and bears pods 22"5 cm. long by 3 cm. broad. These pods are eaten 

 green, like haricot beans, and have a distinctive flavour which is very 

 pleasant. 



Coumarouna odorata (Tree).— This tree yields a seed, called the 

 Tojika bean, which contains coumarui. This is a volatile principle 

 with a strong odour of newly cut hay. It is used in perfumery. 



Other varieties also furnish perfumed seeds. Difteryx of-positi- 

 folia, from Cayenne and Brazil ; D . fterofus^ from Brazil ; D. Ehoensis, 

 from Mosquito, has a seed identical with that of D. odorata, but it has 

 no perfume. It contains a thick oil, which the natives extract and use 

 for dressing their hair. 



Dolichos bracteata.- -.\ trailing ])ea which bears purple flowers set 

 close together. The ]X)ds are about 3 in. long, and are eaten boiled 

 while in the green state. 



Dolichos Ahjpa. — .\ perennial liane from Peru. The roots are 

 thick, fleshy, and fusiform in shape. The natives use them for food. 



Dolichos tablavia (Herb). — The plant is eaten green. 



Erythrina indica (Tree). — In Ceylon the young, tender leaves are 

 eaten with curry, like the leaves of many other plants. This tree 

 is of general occurrence in the Tropics. 



Inocarpus edulis (Tree). — A tree of no great height belonging to 

 the islands of the Pacific, The large, fleshy seeds, which are contained 

 in a stout pod, are edible, and are said to be an important native food. 

 When lioiled or roasted these seeds have a good flavour. 



Kennedya prostrata (Shrub). -^The leaves of this small trailing 

 plant were used by the early colonists as a substitute for tea, and, 

 according to Wilhclmi, had a very agreeable flavour. 



Mucuna cochinchinensis (Liane).— A climbing plant with edible 

 seeds and pods. 



Mucuna gigantea (Liane), Mucuna monosperma (Liani).— The 

 seeds are eaten by the natives. 



Mucuna nivea. — A climbing ])ea with stout pods containing black 

 oval seeds. In Ceylon these seeds are eaten by the natives. In India 

 the pod is used as well, after the outer skin has been removed. Rox- 

 burgh says that it is an excellent table vegetable. 



