LEGUMINOS^E 393 



sequent growth in length while still retaining a similar shape. 

 The first leaf bears three leaflets, and succeeding ones a greater 

 number, on the imparipinnate plan. The most remarkable 

 exception, however, occurs in Scorpiurus sulcata, where the 

 cotyledons are cylindrical, fleshy, and deeply furrowed on 

 the upper side. The primary cause of this is the manner in 

 which they are twisted about in the albuminous seed. They 

 elongate greatly during and after germination, but retain their 

 original form. Two days after leaving the seed they measure 

 from 1-8-2 -2 cm. in length, and after twenty-four days from 

 7-5-8-2 cm. 



Tribe Viciete. Of all the seedlings belonging to this group 

 and coming under my observation, Abrus precatorius is the 

 only species observed which conforms to the prevalent type of 

 the Order in having oblong-obovate, aerial cotyledons. Even 

 these show a tendency to become subterranean in being fleshy, 

 opaque, sessile, and both slightly directed to one side. The 

 first two leaves are opposite, and all are abruptly pinnate, with 

 numerous opposite pairs of oval or oblong leaflets. 



Other members of the tribe have globose or oblong seeds 

 with fleshy, hemispherical or plano-convex subterranean coty- 

 ledons. Species conforming to this type are Vicia andicola, 

 V. Faba, V. sativa, Lathyrus Nissolia (fig. 284), L. Aphaca 

 (fig. 285), L. sylvestris, L. latifolius, L. odoratus, L. brachy- 

 pterus, and L. articulatus. The first three leaves of Vicia 

 andicola are small and tridentate, the lateral teeth being the 

 stipules. The next three leaves are abruptly pinnate with one 

 pair of leaflets, the midrib of the fourth ending in a curved 

 point, and succeeding ones in a tendril. The cotyledons of 

 V. Faba are oblong as are those of Lathyrus brachypterus. 

 The first four leaves of the latter are trifid, small and scale- 

 like, while the next one bears a pair of leaflets. The stem of 

 L. Nissolia is erect, and generally if not always hooked or 

 twisted at the apex. The first two leaves are scale-like, sub- 

 ulate, and carinate. Succeeding ones are narrowly linear, 

 entire, sessile, stipulate, and convolute in bud, enclosing the 

 younger leaves. A very similar case is presented by L. arti- 

 culatus, but the leaves gradually increase in length from the 

 first (which is very short) to the fifth ; and as the stem 



