224 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



which this plant was known in Arabia and Persia in 

 Avicenna's time ; but according to other opinions it is a native 

 of Mexico. A twining showy perennial, as useful as the ordi- 

 nary French Bean. Its seeds usually larger than those of 

 the latter plant, purple with black dots, but sometimes also 

 pure blue and again quite white. The flowers occur sometimes 

 white. The root contains a narcotic poison. 



Phaseolus lunatus, Linne. 



Considered as a native of tropical America, but also recorded 

 as wild from many parts of tropical Africa and Asia. Bien- 

 nial according to Roxburgh. Muclj cultivated in the warm 

 zone for its edible beans, which are purple or white. A yellow- 

 flowered variety or closely-allied species is known as the 

 Madagascar Bean and proved hardy and productive in Victoria. 

 P.perenms, Walt., from the United States of North America, 

 is another allied plant. 



Phaseolus Max, Linne. (P. Mungo, Linne ; P. radicatus, Linne.) 



The Green Gram. South Asia and tropical Australia. An 

 annual very hairy plant, not much climbing. Frequently 

 reared in India, when rice fails or where that crop cannot be 

 produced. According to Sir Walter Elliot one of the most 

 esteemed of Indian pulses. " It fetches the highest price and 

 is more than any other in request among the richer classes, 

 entering largely into delicate dishes and cakes." Cultivated up 

 to 6,000 feet (Forbes Watson) . Col. Sykes counted 62 pods on 

 one plant with from 7 to 14 seeds in each. The seeds are but 

 small, and the herb is not available for fodder. This plant 

 requires no irrigation, and ripens in two and a half to three 

 months. The grain tastes well and is esteemed wholesome. 

 The harvest is about thirty-fold, 



Phaseolus vulgaris, Linne.* 



The ordinary Kidney Bean, or French Bean, or Haricot. India, 

 from whence it came to Europe through the conquests of 

 Alexander the Great ; but apparently it is also wild in North- 

 Western Australia. Though this common and important 

 culinary annual is so well known, it has been deemed desirable 

 to refer to it here with a view of reminding that the Kidney 

 Bean is nearly twice as nutritive as wheat. The meal from 

 beans might also find far-augmented use. As constituents of 

 the beans should be mentioned a large proportion of starch 

 (nearly half), then much legumin, also some phaseolin (wftich, 

 like amygdalin, can be converted into an essential oil) and 



