252 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



Xiathyrus pratensis, Linne. 



The Meadow-Pea Europe, Northern and Middle Asia, Hardy 

 in Norway to lat. 69 40 '. A good perennial pasture-herb. It can 

 also be utilised for forest-pastures, like L. silvestris, L. The yield 

 is considerable, and the herbage, though bitter, is relished by 

 sheep. The plant spreads easily, particularly on fresh ground. 

 L. tuberosns, L., can likewise be utilised as a fodder-herb ; its 

 tubers are edible, but very small ; the plant is easily naturalised, 

 but may in culture-land become an irrepressible weed. 



Iiathyrus sativus, Linne. 



The Jarosse. Middle and Southern Europe. An annual forage- 

 herb. Can be grow^n in Norway to lat. 63i26 ' [Schuebeler]. Superior 

 to vetches in quality of fodder and seed, but inferior in yield ; 

 according to Langethal's observations content with a lighter soil, 

 hence often chosen for first sowing on sand-lands ; a useful in- 

 gredient of mixed pasturage. Lime in the soil increases the return. 

 In India it is grown as a cold weather crop, often 011 very heavy 

 clay-soils, which will raise no other kind of pulse [Dr. Gr. Wattj. 

 The seeds can only be used with great caution and well 

 boiled, as their frequent or continuous use. like that of L. Cicera, 

 induces paralysis, not only in horses, cattle and birds, but also in 

 the human subject. The plant should therefore only be used for 

 its herbage. L. Aphaca (Linne), L. purpureus (Desf.) and L. 

 Clymenum (L.) are also recorded as deleterious. Similarly some 

 species of Astragalus and Swainsona are very hurtful as fodder, 

 others not. The seeds of L. sativus will keep about five years. 

 Probably other species of Lathyrus could advantageously be 

 introduced. 



Lathyrus Silvester, Linne. 



Europe, Western Asia, Northern Africa. A perennial rambling 

 herb, enduring alpine and arctic cold. Recommended as a forage- 

 or pasture-plant, adapted particularly for growth on declivities, 

 even if these are stony or sandy ; likes however phosphatic and 

 potassic substance in the soil [Prof. Wittmack]. Should here be 

 particularly valuable in scrubby ranges. The dry plant shows on 

 analysis to contain 25 per cent. Protein [Prof. Stebler]. 



Ziaunaea pinnatifida, Oassini. 



Coasts of tropical Asia and East-Africa. A perennial herb, with 

 creeping and rooting stems, arching from node to node [Hooker], 

 by which means it keeps down drift-sand [Cleghorn, Bidie]. In 

 this respect the plant has rendered such good services on the Indian 

 coasts, that its transfer to other shores in frostless zones seems 

 desirable, particularly as it does not stray away from the coast to 

 invade cultural lands. 



