533 BOTANY. 



(P. nana), the Lima Bean (P. lunatus), probably all from India and 

 Western Asia. 



Many more species are now cultivated in India, sacli as Cbowlee, 

 Black Grain, Soy, Pigeon Pea, Lentils, etc. 



The Peanut (Arachis liypogma), a native of South America, is now an 

 important food plant in tlie West Indies and Africa. After the fertili- 

 zation of the erect yellow flowers, the peduncles bend down and the 

 young pods are thrust into tlie ground, where they ripen. This curi- 

 ous habit, which must have been at first a protective one, is perpetu- 

 ated in cultivation, although the need of it apparently no longer exists. 



The forage plants include the Red Clover {Trifoliwm pratense), the 

 White Clover (T. repens), Lupine (Lupinua albus), Lucerne (Medicago 

 saiiva), Sanfoin {Onoiryc/ms sativa). Tares or Vetches (Vicia sativa), 

 all from Europe and the countries adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea. 

 iVlany others are grown less extensively. 



Of the timber trees, the following are the most important : 



Robinia Pseud-Acacia, the Locust Tree of the Eastern United States, 

 yields a very strong and durable timber. 



Balbergia nigra, a large tree of Brazil, produces the finest Rose- 

 wood. 



D. latifolia, of India, produces the Indian Rosewood. 



The valuable dye Indigo is obtained from Indigofera tinctoHa,, a 

 native of India. The flowering plants are cut and placed in vats of 

 water ; after remaining for a time, the water, now colored, is drawn off, 

 and after several intervening processes, the coloring matter is allowed 

 to settle to the bottom ; this when dried is crude indigo. 



The wood of Ptero'arpus tantalinus, a tree of India, when reduced 

 to chips, is the red dye known as Red Sandal-wood, or Saunders. 



Camwood, another red dye, is obtained in a similar manner from 

 Baphia nitida, a West African tree. 



Some species furnish gums and balsams, which are of use in the arts. 



Gum Tragacanth is derived from a low shrubby plant. Astragalus 

 tragacantlm, growing in Western Asia. 



Gum Kino is produced by large trees of India and Africa belonging 

 to the genus Pteroearpus. 



Balsam of Peru and Balsam of Tolu are the products of species of 

 Myroxylon, in Central and South America. 



But one important medicinal product is furnished by this sub-order, 

 viz., Liquorice, the dried roots of Olycyrrliiza glabra, a native herb of 

 the South of Europe. 



In India species of Grotalaria and Sesbania are extensively cultivated 

 for their strong and durable fibre, much used for making cordage and 

 coarse cloth. 



Of the many ornamental plants, the following only can be mentioned, 

 viz., species of Lupinus, Gytisus, Laburnum, Petaiostemon, Caragana. 

 Bobinia, Wistaria, Phaseolus, Lathyrus, Soplwra, etc., etc. 



