LEGUMINOS&. 21 
Lecuminosa& (Pra Famity). 
A very large and widely spread order, including a few troublesome or 
even poisonous weeds, but also including a very large number of useful 
food and fodder plants (Beans, Vetches, Clovers, Trefoils, Melilots, &c.) 
and many useful trees or shrubs (Acacia, &c.) It is spread over the 
whole globe, and is represented in temperate regions mainly by herbs, 
in warmer regions mainly by shrubs, and in the tropics mainly by trees. 
All the plants of this order have, tubercles on their roots which contain 
bacteria, by whose aid the plants are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen, and 
so ultimately enrich the soil with this constituent of plant food. The 
seeds in many cases retain their vitality for a very long time, over 3o 
tc 50 years in the case of various species of Melilotus, Trifolsum, Cytisus, 
poh e Goodia, Hovea, Acacia, &c., and seed of the latter three may 
retain their vitality for more than 1oo years. Hence, it is of great im- 
portance, where a leguminous weed is to be kept under, to suppress it 
.before the ground is charged with seed, and after clearing to keep the 
ground well covered by other, vegetation. The flowers are either small 
and in heads (Acacia), or larger and each distinct. (Papilionacea. Pea 
and Bean.) In the Pea type there are five sepals, five petals, ten stamens, 
and one carpel. The latter forms the pod-like fruit (legume) characteristic 
of the whole order. * 
Acacia armata, R.Br., Acacia Hedge. A bushy shrub, with angular, 
striate (grooved) branches. The flattened leaf stalks resemble leaves 
(phyllodes), and are semi-ovate, oblong, often wavy, with a central midrib, 
about one inch long. Stipules spiny, four to five lines long. Flower- 
stalks as long as the phyllodes, bearing globular heads. Pod one and a 
half to two inches long, two or three lines broad. Seeds oblong, the 
funicle (stalk) forming three or four folds. | 
This native plant has frequently been used for hedges, but the readi- 
ness with which it spreads, and its highly objectionable character, make 
‘t a dangerous plant to use for this purpose. 
The plants should be dug up before flowering has taken place, piled, 
and burnt. Fairly frequent mowing will prevent the plant establishing 
itself on pastures, although it will usually shoot again from the stump 
if this is an appreciable size. On cultivated ground the seedlings are 
destroyed without any special treatment being necessary. Although of 
practically no economic value, the plant is not actively poisonous, nor in 
fact is any Acacia so far as is known, although the Leguminose include 
several undoubtedly poisonous’ plants. 
Proclaimed for the Shires of Dundas, Frankston and Hastings, Hamil- 
ton, Maldon, Mornington, and Portland, and the Borough of Portland. 
Cytisus canariensis, Steudel. The Cape Broom. A hardy evergreen 
shrub, four to ten feet high. Branches angular ; leaves,‘ with three leaflets, 
and, as well as the branches, clothed with soft hair or down, leaflets 
obovate-oblong. Heads of flowers, terminal, yellow, pod clothed with 
white hair. A native of the Canary Islands. ‘ 
This perennial introduced shrub seeds freely, and proves a great 
nuisance on pasture land or on neglected arable land, if allowed to spread. 
It is sometimes used as a hedge plant, and then only becomes dangerous 
when the hedge is not kept clean, trim and well cut. Being a leguminous 
plant, it enriches the soil with nitrogen, and since its roots, like those 
of gorse, penetrate deeply, it stands drought fairly well. Although rather 
loose when allowed tn grow freely, it becomes dense and compact if closely 
and frequently cut, and forms a good wind-break. The plant has been 
