194 ARBORETUM ET FKUTICETUM BRITANNICUM. 



Order XXV. LEGUMINA^CEtE. 



Ord. Char. Calyx with 5 divisions, either partitions, teeth, or clefts, the odd 

 one anterior to the axis of inflorescence. Friiii a legume. Seed with the 

 radicle next the hilum. (Lindl.) Trees and shrubs natives of every climate. 

 Leaves alternate, stipulate, generally compound ; deciduous, or sometimes 

 evergreen ; petiole tumid at the base. Stipules 2 at the base of the petiole, 

 and 2 at the base of each leaflet. Pedicels usually articulated, with 2 bract- 

 lets under the flower. 



The name of Leguminaceoe is applied to this extensive and truly natural 

 order, on account of the seeds of all the species being produced in leguminous 

 pods, bearing more or less resemblance to those of the common pea or bean ; 

 and quite different from the siliquose pods of cruciferous plants. 



The ligneous species are trees and shrubs, for the most part deciduous; and 

 they are disposed through almost every part of the world. The order contains 

 some of our finest ornamental shrubs and low trees, such as Robim'a, Cytisus, 

 Wistaria;, Genista, t/'Uex, Amorpha, Halimodendron, Jcacia, Gleditschia, 

 fercis, and various others. It also contains some considerable trees, which 

 belong to the genera Robinia, Gleditschiff, Sophora, &c. The genera con- 

 taining hardy ligneous plants are in number twenty-three, which, after De 

 CandoUe and G. Don, we place in characterised sections, and ascribe to them 

 short characters, that are more or less contradistinctive. 



Sect. I. SOPHO'REM. 



Sect. Char. Corolla, in most, papilionaceous. Stamens 10, with the fila- 

 ments distinct. Legume not jointed. Cotyledons flat, leafy. Embryo 

 with the radicle beside the edges of the cotyledons. Leaves simply pin- 

 nate, or simple. 



SoPHO^RA R. Br. Legume necklace-shaped, including many seeds. Leaf with 



more than three leaflets. 

 Virgi'li.4 Lam. Legume compressed, including many seeds. Leaf with 



more than three leaflets. 

 Pipta'nthus Swt. Legume compressed, including 6 seeds. Leaf with its 



leaflets 3. 



Sect. IL Lo\eje. 



Sect. Char. Corolla papilionaceous. Stamens 10, the filaments of all con- 

 nate, or those of 9 connate, and that of one distinct. Legume not jointed. 

 Embryo with the radicle beside the edges of the cotyledons. The coty- 

 ledons flattish ; in germination, converted into leaves furnished with 

 stomata. Leaves simply pinnate, or simple. 



Z/^LEX L. Calyx 2-parted, 3-toothed. Legume oval-oblong, turgid, scarcely 



longer than the calyx, containing but few seeds, though the ovules are 



many. Habit spiny. 

 S'pa'rtiuji Dec. Standard roundish. Keel acuminate. Branches rush-like. 



Leaf simple. 

 Geni'sta Lam. Standard oblong-oval. Keel oblong, not wholly including 



the stamens and pistils. Leaves with 3 leaflets, or, in some, simple. 

 Cy'tisus Dec. Standard ovate. Keel very obtuse, including the stamens 



and pistil. Leaves, in all, with three leaflets. 

 Adenoca'rpus Dec. Stamens with the filaments connate. Legume bearing 



stalked glands all over it. 

 Ono^nis L, Calyx with 5 linear segments. Standard striate. Legume con- i 



taining few seeds ; in most, turgid. 

 Amo'rpha L. Corolla consisting of the standard only. 

 Evsenha'rdtia H. lir B. Corolla with the standard, and 2 keel petals distinct. 

 HoBi'fiiA Dec. Legume flat ; that edge to which the seeds are attached 



margined. Leaf impari-pinnate. 



