CALYCIFLORjE. 253 



Peas (Pisum, Dolichos\ Lentils, (Ervum, Vicid), Chick-peas (deer), 

 Pigeon-peas (Cajanus), Lupines, &c. The roots of some of these are 

 said to be poisonous, as those of Phaseolus; but, as is well known, the 

 pericarps or pods are eaten boiled in the young state. Saccharine matter 

 exists in the roots of Liquorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra, with G. echinata and 

 gkmdulifera) ; a kind of Manna is obtained from the Camel-thorn (Alhagi 

 Maurorum) ; Astragalus glycypliyllus has a sweet juice. The tuberous 

 roots of Dolichos tuberosus and lulbosus, Apios, Pueraria, and Lathyrus 

 tuberosus are eaten in the same way as potatoes. 



Among the purgative species are Bladder-Senna ( Colutea arborescens'), 

 the leaflets of which are often used to adulterate true Senna, and Coronilla 

 JSnunuvBiA C. varia: the last is reputed to be poisonous; various species 

 of Genista, Cytisus (Broom), Robinia, &c. are diuretic and cathartic. 



The well-known astringent substance Kino is obtained in Africa from 

 Pterocarpus erinaceus, in the East Indies from P. Marsupium, Gum Dragon 

 from P. Draco, and Red Sandal-wood from P. santalinus. A somewhat 

 similar substance to Kino is obtained in the East Indies from the Dakh 

 trees (_Butea frondosa and superba). Erythrina monosperma yields Gum 

 Lac. A few plants of this Suborder yield gum, such as Tragacanth, from, 

 Astragalus verus, creticus, cristatus, gummifer, and strobiUferus. 



Dyes are obtained from many, as Indigo from Indigofera tinctoria ^ 

 ccerulea, argentea, and probably others, and from Tephrosia Apollinea and 

 other species ; Baptisia tinctoria gives an inferior kind. The flowers of the 

 Butece give a brilliant orange-yellow colour; Sophora japonica furnishes 

 yellow from the pulp of its pods ; Dyer's broom ( Genista tinctoria} gives 

 a good yellow colour, and forms a green with Isatis. Oil is furnished by 

 the seeds of the Ground-nut (Arachis hypogcea) and others. 



Ornamental and useful timber is afforded by some, as Rose-wood (Palis- 

 sandre of the French) from various Brazilian species of Triptolomea, Itaka- 

 wood of Guiana (Machcerium Schomburyki), Laburnum-wood (Cytisus 

 Laburnum), Locust (Robinia Pseudo-acacia) ; Dalbergia Sissoo and other 

 species, and Pterocarpus dalbergioides, are highly valued in the East Indies. 

 Others furnish fibrous substances, such as Crotalariajuncea, yielding Bengal 

 Hemp. 



Dipteryx odorata (Tonka-bean) and D. oleifera (Eboe-nut) are used in 

 perfumery. The hairs from the pods of Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens) were 

 formerly used as an anthelmintic. The seeds of As'ragalus bceticus are 

 usv'd as a substitute for arid adulteration of coffee in Germany. 



The distinctly poisonous plants of this Suborder are numerous. The 

 roots of the Scarlet-runner bean (Phaseolus midtiflorus) and other species 

 are narcotic poisons ; also the seeds of Laburnum ( Cytisus Laburnun , 

 alpinus, &c.), those of Lathyrus Aphaca, and, it is said (but denied by 

 others), those of Abrus precatorius (the scarlet seeds with a black patch, 

 often used as beads), Anagyris foetida, Erciim Ervilia, &c. Indigo is a 

 violent poison ; the shoots of various kinds of Tephrosia, especially T. toxi- 

 fera, are used to poison fish, as is the bark of Piscidia Erythrina, a powerful 

 narcotic. Species of Geoff roya, as G. vermifuga and spinulosa, and Andira 

 inermis and retusa, having drastic purgative and emetic barks, are acrid- 

 narcotic poisons in large doses. Gompholobium, an Australian genus, is said 

 to poison sheep. Physostigma venenosum furnishes the poisonous Calabar 

 bean used as an ordeal by the natives, and in medicine for its use in 

 contracting the pupil of the eye. It acts as a powerful nervous sedative. 



