320 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



Biennial. The seeds, which are dark purple with white 

 streaks or wholly white, are said to be eaten in Cochin 

 China, as also in the East Indies, but the plant is said 

 to be grown more for the beauty of the seeds than for 

 their use as food. — ' History of the Dichlamydeous 

 Plants,' G. Don, vol. ii., p. 354, &c. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Nile Land, Lower 

 Guinea, Mozambique District. 



Phaseolics adenanthus, E. Mey. {P. rostratus. Wall.). 

 — Herbaceous. The tuberous roots are eaten by the 

 Hindoos. The whole plant is used in gonorrhoea, also 

 in decoction of rice-water in diabetes, &c. The root 

 is scraped, and together with sandal-wood, fresh 

 butter and sugar is used as a liniment for sore eyes.— 

 ^ Useful Plants of India,' H. Drury. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Nile Land, Lower 

 Guinea. 



Kidney, French or Haricot Bean {Phaseolus vul- 

 garis, L.). — Annual, cultivated in various parts of the 

 world for its pods and seeds, which are extensively 

 used as food. 



Distribution : Commonly cultivated in Tropical 

 Africa. 



" Chowlee " of India ( Vigna catiang, Endl. ; V. 

 sinensis, Y.n.^X^. — An annual climbing plant, universally 

 cultivated throughout the Tropics for its seeds, which 

 are used as food. The Chinese cal this plant " Tow- 



