PEA FAMILY 



of this gray-hued bush marks the existence of lead ore 

 in the soil; and for no other reason than that the 

 plant being- densely covered with silvery hairs has a 

 certain leaden color. It is well known to the medical 

 profession that many plants formerly in high repute 

 for their medicinal properties are absolutely worth- 

 less; and that the only reason for this reputation was 

 the resemblance more or less marked between some 

 part of the plant and some part of the human bod}'. 

 In like manner the prophetic value of the Lead Plant 

 is based upon nothing more substantial than the gray 

 color of its leaves. 



The Downy Amorpha is a very attractive bush; the 

 fine compound leaves clothed in silken gray contrast 

 well with the deep purple spikes of flowers bright- 

 ened by their golden stamens. The gardeners report 

 it as hardy, and also as valuable for color combina- 

 tions. Its blooming season continues several weeks. 



Another plant of the genus, Amorpha nana, is also 

 found on the western prairies. This is a low bushy 

 shrub, not more than three feet high, with compound 

 leaves ol thirteen to nineteen tiny, bright green leaf- 

 lets and a terminal solitary spike of brilliant fragrant 

 flowers, each with its purple banner and its golden 

 stamens. 



WOAD WAXEN. DYER'S GREENWEED 



Genista tinctdria. 



Genista is Celtic for small shrub ; the root is gen, a bush. 



A low branching shrub, one to two feet high, with creeping 

 root-stalks and upright branches. A native of Europe, it has 



1 1 JO 



