Fagonu.] ZYGOPRYLLE^, 127 



cell, exalbuminons.— Species about 15, distributed over the warmer 

 parts of the world. 



T. terrestris, Linn. 8p. PI. 387 ; D. Sf G. Bomb. Fl. 45 ; F. B. I, i. 423 ;. 

 Watt E. D. T. lanuginosa, Linn.; .W Sf A. Prod. 145 ; Boyle III. 153. 



A prostrate annual or biennial, clothed with silky hairs ; branches 1-2 

 ft. Leaflets 5-7 pairs, subequal, mucronate. Flowers |-|- in. across, on 

 peduncles shorter than the leaves. Cocci with 2 long and 2 short spines, 

 glabrous or hairy, mucronate. StigmoMo lobes longer than the diameter 

 of the style. 



Plentiful within the area, especially in sandy and rocky places. Disteib.: 

 Throughout India and in Ceylon, up to 11,000 ft. in W. Tibet; widely 

 distributed over the warmer regions of the world. This plant, and 

 especially the fruit, is much used medicinally by Hindus. The young parts 

 are eaten as a potherb, and the flour prepared by grinding the prickly 

 fruits is largely consumed by many people during times of famine. , 



2. FAGONIA, Linn. ; Fl. Brit. Ind. i, 425. 



Branching undershrubs. Leaves opposite, 1-3-foliolate, entire 

 mucronate ; stipules usually spiny. Pedvncle solitary from between 

 tbe stipules. Sepals 5, deciduous, imbricate. Disk short. Stamens 

 10, inserted on the disk ;^^^amew^5 filiform, naked; anthers oblong. 

 Ovary sessile, 5-cornered, 5-celled, tapering into a subulate style ; 

 stigma simple ; ovules 2, collateral at the base of each cell, pendulous 

 from ascending funicles. Fruit of five 1-seeded cocci which dehisce 

 along the ventral suture and separate from a horny endocarp. 

 Seeds erect, compressed broadly oblong, testa mucilaginous, albu- 

 men horny. — Species about 18, inhabiting the Mediterranean region, 

 S. Africa and Trop. America. 



F. cretica, Linn. 8p.Pl. 386 ; var arabica, T. Anders. F. arabica, Linn.; 



F. B. I. i, 425 ; Watt E. D. F. mysorensis. Roth ; W. ,^ A. Prod. 145 ; D. ^ 



G. Bomb. Fl. 45; Boyle III. 153. Vern. Joioasa. 



A small green spiny undershrub with erect glandular branches. Leaves 

 1-3-foliolate ; leaflets elliptic or linear, acute ; 'petiole often leaflike ; 

 stipular spines exceeding the leaflets. Flowers small, pale rose-coloured. 

 ySepa/s half as long as the petals. Capswie pubescent, about as long a& 

 the recurved peduncle. Seeds punctulate. 



In rocky places near Agra and Delhi, and in the Jumna and Chambal 

 ravines about Etawah. Distkib.: Punjab, Sindhand S. India and west- 

 ward to Egypt. The plant is valued medicinally. In typical F. cretica 

 the spines are very much shorter, and the sepals are ^ the length of the 

 purple petals. Another variety, F. Bruguieri, with ovate fleshy leaflets, 

 is found in the Punjab. 



