128 MEADOW VETCHLING. 



comprehending the Vetchlings, and the three 

 species of Everlasting Pea. They are of the 

 Leguminous tribe, having butterfly-shaped 

 blossoms, and bearing their seeds in pods ; 

 and some of them, hke the Meadow Vetchling, 

 are pretty and graceful plants. The smaller 

 Yellow Vetchling {Lathyrus Aphaca) has 

 flowers of the same hue as those of the 

 engraving, but the appearance of the plant is 

 very different, as the blossom growls singly on 

 the floAver-stalk. It is found on sandy and 

 gravelly fields, from June to August, but is 

 not a common plant. The Crimson Vetchling, 

 or Grass Vetch {Lcdhjriis Nissolia), is much 

 more frequent, growing in many parts of 

 England, on the borders of grassy fields, and 

 bearing in j\Iay a pretty crimson flower and 

 long grass-like leaves, without tendrils. There 

 is also a Bhie Marsh Vetchling (Laihjnis 

 palustris) which grows in moist meadows in 

 several parts of England, while the rare 

 Rough-podded Vetchling {Lathyrus hirsutus) 

 with its crimson standard is found only in 

 cultivated fields. 



