LEGUMIXIFERiE. 25 



globular-ovate densely racemose heads, which become oblonf^ in 

 fruit. Pod slightly curved, with the apex alone coiled, the sides 

 marked with elevated ridges whicli anastomose and form a network 

 with elongated meshes. 



In pastures, on dry banks, roadsides, and in waste places, &c. 

 Extremely common, and generally distributed. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Annual or biennial. Spring 

 to Autumn. 



Stems varying in length from a few inches to 2 feet, much 

 branched. Leaves on long stalks, the uppermost subsessile, tri- 

 foliate, with the middle leaflet separated from the others ; leaflets 

 ^ to I iucli long, obovate or roundish, with an inversely-deltoid 

 base, tinely denticulate towards the apex, where it is emarginate, 

 with a sharp tooth in the centre of the notch. Stipules hall-cordate- 

 ovate, cuspidate, finely denticulate, adhering to the petiole at the 

 base. Peduncles J to 1^ inch long. Plowers bright yellow, | inch 

 long, very numerous, in heads ^f to | inch across. Pedicels shorter 

 than the calyx. Calyx-teeth lanceolate-acuminate, longer than the 

 tube. Standard longer than the wings and keel. Head of fruit 

 :j to f inch long. Pod black, glabrous or slightly pubescent, 3- to ■!■ 

 inch long to the end of the kidney-shaped portion, after whicli the 

 apex makes a complete turn ; but this coil has a much smaller 

 diameter than that of the circle of which the kidney-shaped portion 

 forms part. Seed solitary, transversely ovoid, yellowish, slightly 

 shining, smooth, with a tubercle close to the hilum, whicli is 

 depressed. Plant bright-green, sub-glabrous or hairy : on dry 

 chalky banks it is sometimes densely pubescent. 



Black Medick, Nonstick, Yelloio Clover, Shamrock. 



French, Luserne LupuUne. German, Hop/en Schneckenklee. 



This plant is cultivated in Norfolk, and is there called Black Nonsuch and Sham- 

 rock. It is considered by some farmers as one of the most valuable of artificial grasses, 

 and is excellent fodder for sheep. It is frequently mixed with rye-grass and clover. 



Section III.— SPIROCAEPOS. D. C. 



Pod many-seeded, indehiscent, coiled into a close helix without 

 an aperture in the centre of the coil, with a concentric extra-marginal 

 nerve on each side of the dorsal suture, and commonly bordered 

 with spines or tubercles. 



VOL. III. 



