PAPILIONACEiE. 



195 



3. White Melilot. Melilotus alba, Lam. (Fig. 239.) 



(M. leucantha, Eng. Bot. Suppl, t. 2689. 



Very like the common M., but usually 

 of taller growth and longer duration, 

 with a harder, more wiry stem, and nar- 

 rower leaflets, and the flowers always 

 white. Pod variable, but usually smaller 

 and more obtuse than in the common 

 M., with the transverse wrinkles of the 

 field M. 



As widely spread as the common M. 

 over Continental Europe and Asia, and 

 more abundant in the south, where it be- 

 comes a troublesome weed in fields and 

 vineyards. Occasionally found in many 

 parts of England, Ireland, and Scotland, 

 but probably introduced with corn or 

 ballast. Fl. rather late in summer. 



M. vulgaris, Brit. Fl. 



Fig. 239. 



VII. TRIGONE!*. TKIGONELLA. 



Herbs, with the habit and most of the characters of Medich, but 

 differing from that genus by the straight or but slightly curved pod, 

 and from Clover by the pod much longer than the calyx, opening, in 

 two valves. 



The true Trigonels or Fenugreeks are all exotic, and widely spread 

 over southern Europe, Asia, and Australia. The only British species 

 is sometimes anomalous, approaching in many respects to Clover, with 

 which it was associated by the older botanists, and recently proposed 

 as a distinct genus under the name of Aporanthes. It requires further 

 comparison with some exotic species, as yet but little known, before 

 the question can be decided. 



1. Bird's-foot Trigonel. Trigonella ornithopodioid.es, DC. 



(Fig. 240.) 



{Trifolium, Eng. Bot. t. 1047.) 



A little annual, with thickly matted spreading stems, rarely more 

 than 2 or 3 inches long, and usually glabrous. Leaflets inserted close 



