6l>2 GENUS GIA'CINE. [Angusi. 



The Glycine toiveniosa, its supposed varieties^ and 

 fiome kindred species;, form a tribe of plants very dis- 

 tinct from Glycine : tliey linve^ infact^ no cliaracterin 

 common with that genus, except the one arising from 

 their class ; and were placed by Walter perhaps quite 

 as correctly in the genus Trifoliiim, as they were by 

 Linngius in their present station. These plants form 

 a very natural family, and are distinguished by small 

 petals, almost straight, and exhibiting but a trace of 

 the papilionaceous structure ; legumen scarcely longer 

 than the corolla, compressed, slightly falcate, and in 

 every species, with which I am acquainted, disper- 

 mous ; seed flat, reniform. Of this genus we have se- 

 veral very distinct species. 



There are still some plants connected with this 

 i;roup, which create some embarrassment. If on the 

 one hand it is burdensome, and in many respects dis- 

 advantageous, to create a multitude of genera, on the 

 other hand we obstruct and retard the progress of bo- 

 tany itself by uniting in one genus plants of discor- 

 dant habits, and of varied structure; It is only by in- 

 s estigating and noting the prominent and peculiar cha • 

 ractcrs of plants, that we can hope ultimately to form 

 natural genera ; and it is only from natural genera that 

 natural orders can ever be correctly established. 



Tlie Glycine frntescens is one of the two species 

 originally given to the Glycine by Linnaeus, yet it 

 agrees iu scarcely any circumstance but habit with the 

 G. ajnos. Its s iy Ic and carina are simply falcate ; its 



flio 6. anguhsa^ S.C. Avltli ui'g" or feebly climbing, ternate leaves, and 



I'iowers in small clusters, resembling- capituli, foiij) sections, -vvlucli m»y mar^ 

 future g^cnera. 



