LEGUMINOSAE 



523 



first removed. The broad bean (Vicia Faba) is much cultivated in Europe- 

 for both animal and human food. The seeds of Paprika africana are used aa 

 food by native Africans and in Abyssinia and in the Indian Archipelago are 

 esteemed as a good substitute for coffee. 



The Australian wattles (Acacia), of which there are many species, vary- 

 greatly in size. The bark of some of these is used for tanning purposes. The 

 wood is valuable and takes a fine polish, A. Gerrardi being an example of 

 this class. From A. Famesiana is derived the oil of cassia, much used in per- 

 fumery. It is prepared by macerating the flowers in olive oil. Cassia pomade 

 is prepared from fatty substances to which the cassia flowers have been made 

 to impart their perfume. C. occidentalis is used as a substitute for coffee. 

 Many of the legumes produce important gums. From the Algarrobe, or locust 

 tree of Jamaica (Hymenaea Courbaril) is produced a gum said to be superior 

 to shellac; the sweet pulp of the fruit is edible. The gum Kino (Pterocar- 

 pus Marsupitim) is a native of India and yields a gum that is used both for 

 tanning and dying and as an astringent. Kino contains from 40-80 percent of 

 tannin and kino red. P. tinciorius produces a valuable wood, and a related 

 species (P. Dalbergioides) produces a wood similar to mahogany. The Tonka 

 bean or Tonquin (Dipteryx odorata) of Guinea contains the substance cumarin 

 and is used as a snuff and as a scent in cigars. Cumarin is widely distributed 

 in the plant kingdom, especially in such Leguminosae as Dipteryx, Melilotus, 

 and Myroxylon. It occurs in species of other families, as the palm, vernal 



Fig. 283. Axwort (Coronilla varia). A poison- 

 ous plant of Europe — adventitious in the U. S. 

 (From Strasburger, Noll, Schenck and Schimper.) 



