PLANTS. 253 



branching from roots ; inversely ovate ; flowers white, 

 or globose heads on erect naked stalks. Found by road- 

 sides and in meadows, where it is cultivated, being con- 

 sidered excellent fodder for cattle. 2. 



Bb'd's Foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) , has an up- 

 right stem ; is three-leafed ; leaflets strongly developed ; 

 flowers yellow, appearing on heads oval or conical ; 

 known also as Yellow or Hop Clover. Native of Eu- 

 rope. Hab. of sandy ground or road sides. 11. 



Stone Clover (Mellilothus officinalis), Tourn., Endl. ; 

 has a branching stem ; leaves serrated or notched ; the 

 flowers are yellow, hang in beautiful racemes, and not 

 unlike the blossom of hops ; therefore it has received the 

 name of hop clover. Not particularly valuable as fodder 

 but sometimes used in medicine. 2 . 



The White-Jlowered Mellilot (Mellilotus coeroleus). 

 This plant, M. Corulea of Lam., now the Frigonclla 

 ccerulea of D. Cand., of strong and enduring odor, is 

 employed in Switzerland to give the peculiar flavor to 

 the famous Schabzieger, or, as it is usually called in the 

 vernacular, Sap-sago cheese. It has a stout erect stem, 

 from two to three feet high ; flowers pale-blue ; leaves 

 three-lobed ; comes originally from Africa. Introduced 

 into the United States from Europe ; only partially cul- 

 tivated, n . 



Lucerne (Medicago Sativa), Tourn., Endl., Snail 

 Clover or Blue Everlasting Clover, for in Europe it is 

 known by all those names. Stem erect and smooth ; 

 leaves oblong and untoothed ; flowers blue and standing 

 in clusters. It is in considerable demand in Europe, as 

 it makes excellent fodder, and yields a profitable crop 

 for ten years. It . 



The Sain-fain Esparsette (Heclysarum onobrychis), 



