872 LXXV. LEGUMINOS^. 



The extensive family of LeguminotO! is closely allied to A>nygdalea> (see this family). Mimosea 

 obviously, as M. Planchon has demonstrated, approach OxaKdea, in which, as in many Mintosete, the 

 corolla is diplostemonous, the sfamens monadelphous, the ovules anatropous, the embryo albuminous and 

 straight, the seeds ai illate, and the leaves alternate, compound and irritable : but the calyx of Oxalideat is 

 imbricate, the ovary 5-celled, the leaves are exstipnlate, and the stem is generally herbaceous (except in 

 the genus Averrhoa). Pajnlionaceee are also near Terebinthacetg, which resemble them in habit, their 

 alternate often compound leaves, perigynous stamens, often solitary ovary, carnpylotropous ovule, and 

 exalbuminous embryo ; but which differ in their regular flower, free stamens, usually fleshy fruit, and 

 exstipulate leaves; but here again the affinity is re- established by some Ctesalpineee (Ceratotria), which 

 are apetalous and dioecious, like many Terebinlhaccar, and the flower of which is sub-regular, and the 

 stamens nearly free. 



Mimosete abound in the tropical zone ; they are rare in the sub-tropical regions of the northern 

 hemisphere, and are especially numerous in Africa and Australia. Tropical America produces a great 

 number of species, belonging to the group of Inaa. 



Swartzieee inhabit intertropical America and Africa ; none have yet been met with in Asia. Papilio- 

 nacefc are found in all climates, but they mostly grow between anduear the tropics, and in the Old World 

 more than in the New. Some Antrtiyali ascend the highest mountains. Cfesalpinea; are numerous 

 in tropical regions; they scarcely pass the tropic in the Old World, and are rather rare in North 

 America. 



The order Leyuminove is extremely serviceable to mankind ; the farinaceous seeds of Papilionaceee 

 are very nutritious, whilst their herbage forms an excellent fodder. LeffvminoteB also yield more 

 substances used in medicine and the arts than any other order in the Vegetable Kingdom. We will 

 enumerate the most important species, in their botanical order, and notice, in passing, certain noxious 

 ones. 



Albizzia anthelminthica,&n Abyssinian tree, the bark of which is employed, against t&nia. 

 Acacia vcra and arnbica, North-east African, Arabian, and Indian trees, produce gum arabic. A. J'erek, 

 &'ff(il, and AdaMonti, Senegambian trees, produce gum Senegal, used similarly to gum arabic. A 

 decoction of the wood of the Indian A. Catechu yields Catechu, a thick juice, soluble in water, which 

 i $ an astringent tonic. 



Adetianthera pavonina, an Indian tree, of whose hard red seeds, named Kuara, necklaces and bracelets 

 are made. 



Dctarium Senff/afense, a Senegmbian tree, yields an edible drupe. 

 Swartzia tomcntota is a tropical American tree with a resinous sudorific bark. 



Ceratonia Siliqna (Carob). A tree of the Mediterranean region, whose lomentaceous fruit contains 

 a russet insipid edible pulp, serving as forage in Spain [and extensively imported into England for cattle 

 food]. 



Copaifera offirinali*, coriacea, cordifolia, c. Trees of tropical America, yielding by incision of the 

 trunk a turpentine called Balsam of Copaiba, used in catarrhal affections. 



Hymcnata rcrrucosa. A Madagascar tree, yielding a yellow resin named copal, which is insoluble 

 in alcohol, but soluble after fusion in linseed oil, and then in essence of turpentine, and is much used as a 

 varnish. 



Aloe.n/lon Ayallochum. A tree of Cochin China, whose veined resinous aromatic wood, called Aloe- 

 wood, burns with a fragrant flame. 



Cassia obovata, acutifolia, lanceolata, &c., the Sennas, are plants of Upper Egypt, Syria, Arabia, Indin, 

 and Senegal, the leaves of which contain an active purgative principle, much used in medicine ; their 

 flattened pods are much weaker purgatives. C. fistula, an Indian tree, bears a woody indehiscent 

 septate pod, named Cassia, the cells of which contain a sugary laxative black pulp. The seeds of C. 

 Absus are used in Egypt to cure chronic ophthalmia. 



Tamanndus indica. A tree of India, West Asia, and Egypt, whose pulpy, acid, and sugary pods, 

 called Tamarinds, are used in medicine. 



Heematoj-ylon campechianum, a Central American and West Indian tree, affords Logwood, which 

 contains a colouring principle (hematinc), much used in dyeing black or dark red. 



ta, a Brazilian tree, yields Brazil- wood, containing a red colouring principle (brasiline). 



