TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION K. 1017 
The pisti in some species is very constant, while in others it shows all stages 
of cohesion and reduction to two carpels, this being the almost invariable number 
in certain species. Abortion is less frequent, and complete suppression cannot be 
distinguished from complete cohesion. Chorisis is very frequent in aviculare and 
some other species, in all degrees from a mere enlargement of one or more stigmas 
to an increase in number (up to seven), with corresponding modifications in 
structure in the ovary. Only one ovule has been observed in each ovary, 
Markedly teratological forms have been met with, but are not included in this 
summary. 
No very definite relation has been traced between the position of a flower on 
the axis and deviations in structure, though pressure tends to abortion or suppres- 
sion of parts, especially of the sexual organs, (The flowers examined have chiefly 
been those sufficiently open to allow the natural arrangement to be noted without 
manipulation, to avoid displacement of parts, hence cleistogamous flowers are 
scarcely included.) The variability appears rather to express the result of an 
innate tendency to vary where not subject to the check of loss of fertility, the 
variations in Polygonum not leading to this loss. 
The same number of parts in a whorl may be due to very different causes, and 
still more may the same number of stamens express very different arrangements in 
the flower; hence such a statement in a specific description as ‘stamens usually 
six’ is insufficient. 
4, On the Singular Effect produced on certain Animals in the West Indies 
by feeding on the Young Shoots, Leaves, Pods, and Seeds of the Wild 
Tamarind or Jumbai Plant (Leucena glauca, Benth.). By D. Morris, 
C.M.G., M.A., D.Sc., F.LS., Assistant Director of the Royal Gardens, 
Kew. 
The seeds of many species of Leguminosee are well known to be poisonous. 
The most striking instance is the Calabar bean of West Tropical Africa (Physo- 
stigma venenosum). This plant closely resembles a Phaseolus, but the poisonous 
character of the seeds is so well recognised that it has been long used by the people 
of West Africa as an ordeal in state trials. The seeds of Abrus precatorius, 
popularly called Crab’s Eyes, are harmless when eaten, but rapidly produce fatal 
effects when introduced beneath the skin in very small quantity. Even the seeds 
of the common Laburnum (Laburnum vulgare) are responsible for more than one 
death amongst children in this country every summer; and recently ten cattle 
were poisoned in Mid-Lothian by eating the leaves of this plant. The most 
remarkable effects are produced on horses in the Western States of America by feed- 
ing on species of Astragalus and Oxytropis, locally known as Crazy or Loco plants. 
The animals pass through a stage of temporary intoxication and act as if attacked 
with blind staggers, and ultimately die. Lastly, there is paralysis of the hinder 
extremities produced in horses (also in human beings) by feeding on the seeds of 
the Bitter Vetch (Zathyrus sativus), This has occurred very widely in India. 
The condition so induced is known as ‘lathyrismus.’ 
The subject of this note is a plant that has received little or no attention. As 
far as I am aware, its singular properties have not been placed on record in this 
country. The Wild Tamarind of Jamaica and the Jumbai or Jumbie of the 
Bahamas (Leucena glauca, Benth.) is commonly found along roadsides and in 
waste places in Tropical America. It presents the appearance of a weedy-looking 
Acacia, and belongs to the tribe Ewmimosee of the N. O. Leguminosae. The plant 
is now so widely distributed in tropical countries that its native habitat, according 
to Bentham, is unknown. There is, however, no doubt of its American origin. 
The extensive distribution of so unattractive a plant is probably due: (1) to the 
facility with which the small flat seeds are carried about by man or animals; 
(2) to the use to which the seeds are put in making ornamental articles such as 
artificial flowers, bracelets, brooches, baskets, &c. A set of these is shown in the 
Kew Museums. The following is a brief description of the species :— 
Leucena glauca, Benth, in ‘Hook, Journ, Bot.’ IV. 1842, 416, A small 
1896. 3U 
