102 EXGLISn BOTANY. 



Stems weak, 8 inches to 3 feet long, sparingly branclied, and 

 that chiefly at the base. Leaflets A^ery small, oval-elliptical, and 

 only to be found on very young plants, all the later leaves being 

 reduced to slightly-branched or simple tendrils. Stipules i to 1| 

 inch long, resembling pairs of opposite leaves. Peduncles longer 

 than the tendrils, 1:|: to 2 inches long. Flowers about ^ inch lone:, 

 pale-yellow, with the keel whitish. Calyx equal at the base, with 

 a short tube and very long segments, the lowest one a little exceed- 

 ing the others. Standard only slightly spreading. Pods 1 to IJ inch 

 long, dark-brown or nearly black when ripe, ascending, slightly 

 curved upwards, abruptly acuminated into a short sharp beak at 

 the apex; the sides reticulated. Seeds few, roundish-cubical, com- 

 jiressed, smooth, slightly shining, black, or yellow mottled with black; 

 liilum about one-tenth the circumference of the seed. Plant pale- 

 green, rather glaucous, glabrous. 



Yellow Vetchling. 



French, Gesae sans Feuilks. German, NeheiMiittrige Platterhse. 



The species of this genus claim kindred with the well-known Sweet Pea of our 

 gardens, which is a native of Sicily, and whose showy flowers and sweet scent render it 

 such a favourite everywhere. The British representatives of the family, though less 

 attractive in appearance, are not without their charms. Our present species is often 

 found in fields in the eastern counties, and may be considered in some measure as a 

 useful plant, the seeds and pods having been eaten when green, made into bread, or put 

 in broth. When ripe they are not wholesome, however, often occasioning sickness and 

 headache. 



Section II.— NISSOLIA. Tournef. 



Petioles all reduced to grasslike phyllodia, without leaflets or 

 tendrils. 



SPECIES II.— LATH YRUS NISSOLIA. Zi«». 

 Plate CCCXCVIII. 



Root annual. Stems erect or ascending, not climbing, angular, 

 not winged. Petioles linear, without leaves or tendrils. Stipules 

 very small, sulmlate. Peduncles axillary, 1- (rarely '2-) flowered. 

 Calyx-teeth triangular-subulate, unequal, rather shorter than the 

 tube. Corolla three times as long as the calyx. Pods narrowly 

 cylindrical, scarcely compressed, straight, glabrous. 



In grassy places and amongst low bushes. Rather rare, and 

 confined to the South of England, apparently not wild to the North 

 of Norfolk, Derbyshire, and Herefordshire, although it has occurred 

 as far North as Dundee, but doubtless introduced. 



England, [Scotland]. Annual. Spring acd Summer. 



