2t>8 ON THE PRODUCTS OP THE PEA FAMILY. 



fields, being cultivated as fodder for cattle. The seeds are used occasionally 

 as food for pigeons. The importation of tares into this country is small, and 

 chiefly derived from Norway and Denmark. The Ground Nut (Arachis 

 hypogcea, L.), probably originally from the west coast of Africa, where it is 

 extensively cultivated, as also in all tropical countries, is known amongst 

 the African negroes as " Munduli," and cultivated chiefly as an article of 

 food. In America, where they are called pea-nuts, the seeds are roasted as 

 a substitute for chocolate. In India and China, it is chiefly employed in the 

 production of an oil, with which the seed abounds ; indeed, to such an extent, 

 that they will sometimes produce half their weight of oil. This oil is much 

 used for burning in lamps, and for pharmaceutical purposes, as well as for 

 lubricating machinery ; in fact, for most of the uses for which olive-oil is 

 employed, being clear, limpid, and not turning rancid so soon as many other 

 oils. The residuum, after the expression of the oil, forms good manure, and 

 the leaves food for cattle. In Java and Malacca, two varieties of the plant 

 are found, each yielding oil in abundance, which is there known as " Kat- 

 jang " oil. 



The wood called green ebony, from Jamaica and other parts of the 

 West Indies, is supposed to be furnished by Brya Ebenus. It is a small 

 tree ; the duramen of the wood is a dark green, the alburnum or outer 

 wood, of a light yellow. It is much used for rulers and other small work, 

 also in niarqueterie. It is very resinous ; so much so, indeed, that the 

 natives of the West Indies use it for burning as torches ; it is also said that' 

 a dye is obtained from it. The wood is hard, and susceptible of a very 

 high polish ; the young branches are tough and elastic, and employed in 

 their native country as riding-whips. 



The wood of JEschynomene aspera, L., is remarkable for its light cellu- 

 lar tissue. It is found growing in the lakes and j heels of India. Hats of 

 very great lightness are made from it, which are well adapted to the 

 climate, as they are bad condr;ctors of heat. It is employed in many parts 

 of India for various purposes, as fishing-floats, models of temples, and an 

 infinite variety of ornamental applications. 



Alhagi maurorum, Tourn., extending from the north of India to Syria, 

 yields a juice which forms in granular masses, and is called Persian Manna- 

 It is collected by simply shaking the branches. It is singular that this 

 substance is not formed on the plants growing in India, Arabia, and Egypt, 

 the climates of Persia and Bokhara seem alone suited for its production. 

 It has been supposed by some writers to be identical with the manna of 

 Scripture. The seeds of Soja Mspida, Moench., produce the well-known 

 sauce called soy. Large quantities of soy are annually received in this 

 country from India and Japan. The seeds, though not received here as an 

 article of import, are imported into Shanghae, for the purpose of express- 

 ing an oil wdrich is much used in lamps. The residuum is made into cakes, 

 and employed as a food for cattle. The Ordeal Beans of Old Calabar are 

 the seeds of Physostigma venenatum, Balf. Sudden death being frequently 

 ascribed by the natives to witchcraft, suspicion generally rests on some of 



