226 The Ground Nut. 



herb, was said to have his limbs perfectly rigid. pjg ec 

 especially young ones, lost the power of walking by feeding on 

 the seed. The effects of this plant were so dreadful, that the 

 use of it was prohibited by the Duke of Wirtemberg, and hr 

 edict was enforced by two of his successors. 



Other species of Lathyrus are well known ornamental plants 

 L. odoratus, the Sweet Pea, in particular. Another species 

 produces tubers, which are highly esteemed as food in Holland. 



APIOS— THE GROUND NUT. 



Natural Order, Leguminosa; ; Linnsean System, Diadelphia, Decandria. 

 Generic Distinctions: — Calyx, campanulate, with four almost obsolete 

 teeth, the lower one acute and elongated; keel, falcate, bent back upon the 

 vexillum ; ovary, sheathed at the base. 



A. tuberosa. — Roots, tuberous : leaves, unequally pinnate ; flowers, in atfl- 

 lary racemes. — PI. 31. Fig. 2. 



Apios is taken from a word signifying a pear, in allusion to 

 the shape of the tuberous roots. This is the only species of the 

 genus. It is a very pretty little climbing vine, putting forth its 

 handsome racemes of flowers among the hedges and woods, in 

 July and August. The leaves have seven or five ovate lance- 

 olate leaflets, and the flowers are of a beautiful purple. It 

 grows in all the Northern States. The roots produce tubers, 

 which are sweet, and very nutritious, resembling those of the 

 Jerusalem* Artichoke. It is not improbable that they would 

 form a good substitute for the potato, if the crop of that plant 

 should ever fail here. Indeed at present in Germany, the 

 Apios is cultivated to considerable extent for the sake of its 

 tubers, which are sold in the markets. 



