BOTANICAL CHARACTERS OF. 



251 



to be regarded in the preparation of the soil. A small 

 portion of seed of the M. officinalis might be added with 

 advantage to our clovers or "seeds" intended for hay 

 purposes. 



BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL. 



The COMMON BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL LOTUS CORNICULATUS 

 is frequently met with in our natural meadows, and is a 

 perennial common to the open grassy pastures and dry 

 places in this country. It is a small plant of a prostrate 

 habit ; its stems are slightly hairy, about ] to 12 inches 



BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL Lotus corniculatus. 



high, rising from deeply-fixed woody roots. The leaves 

 are trifoliate, and the flowers of a deep yellow colour, in 

 clusters of from two to five, at the end of an erect, slender 

 peduncle. Its pods are of a purplish-brown colour, long 

 and slender. 



