1918] FREEMAN—HYACINTH BEAN 513 
we are to follow the Index Kewensis in this matter we must assume 
that LinNAEus was mistaken and that he had only two divergent 
forms out of the many varieties into which we now know D. Lablab 
to be subdivided. The evidence available, however, does not 
support this view, but indicates rather that the plants from which 
these two species were described were really specifically distinct. 
The original descriptions from Species Plantarum (pp. 725, 726) 
are aS follows: 
t. DOLICHOS leguminibus ovato-acinaciformibus, seminibus ovatis. Lablab 
hilo arcuato versus alteram extremitatem. Roy. lugdb. 368. 
Hort. ups. 214 
Phaseolus aegyptius, nigro semine, Bauh. pin. 341. 
Phaseolus niger Lablab. Alp. aegypt. 74. t. 75. Vest. aegypt. 27. 
Habitat in Aegypto. : 
Legumina dorso scabra. Caules ramique ¢erefes, retrorsum scabri. 
Pedunculi semiverticillati. 
DOLICHOS caule perenni, pedunculis capitatis, leguminibus lignosus 
strictis linearibus. 
Dolichos caule perenni lignoso. Hort. cliff. 360. t. 20. 
Phaseolus indicus perennis, floribus purpurascentibus. Eichr. 
carol. 36. 
Habitat . . . 
Of the identity of D. Lablab L. we have no doubt. The original 
description corresponds exactly with the plant grown today under 
the name hyacinth bean. This is further confirmed by the presence 
in the herbarium of the Linnean Society of London of a specimen 
of.this plant identified and written up by Luynazvs himself. In 
fig. 1 is given a tracing of this specimen which was very kindly 
furnished by the general secretary of the Linnean Society.' The 
identity of this plant with the common hyacinth bean is evident. 
Compare fig. 2, which is a photograph of a specimen grown by the 
writer. The references given by Linnarus to “Bauh. pin. 341” 
and “Alp. Aegypt. 74 t. 75’’ have been examined and leave no 
doubt but that they refer to the common hyacinth bean. The 
reference to “Roy lugdb. 368, Hort. ups. 214” has not been avail- 
able. 
- 
* This tracing was kindly obtained for the writer by Dr. Oakes Ames of Har- 
vard University. 
