418 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



century. There are several varieties, all of -wliicli are culti- 

 vated for their pods. The bean called Haricot forms a 

 considerable article of food in France and Italy, and is 

 fcometimes used in this country. 



DolicJws, or Vigna sinensis. A plant extensively culti- 

 vated in India for its pods, which are sometimes two feet 

 in length, containing a number of pea-like seeds, called 

 by the Hindoos Chowlee, and forming a considerable article 

 of food. In China the green pods are used as a vegetable. 

 Other species are cultivated, such as Dolichos unijlorus^ 

 called Black Grain, D. vulgaris and D. cultratus. 



Soy {Soja hispida). A small erect trifoliate hairy plant, 

 native of India and China. It is cultivated for its seeds, 

 which are made into the sauce called Soy ; they also yield 

 an oil. It is cultivated in France, but this country is too 

 cold for it. 



Pigeon Pea {Cajanus indicus). A native of India, but 

 now cultivated in most tropical countries. Naturally it is a 

 shrub attaining the height of from 8 to 10 feet, but in culti- 

 vation it is treated as an annual. As a pulse plant it forms 

 an important article of food in India, as well as in Jamaica, 

 where a variety is called " No-eye-pea." It is also a fodder 

 plant for cattle. 



Lentil {Ervum Lens). This is the first special food plant 

 mentioned in the Bible, as we read in Genesis* that " Jacob 

 gave Esau bread and pottage oflentiles;" a previous verse 

 shows this to have been red pottage, therefore made of 

 the variety of red lentils still in cultivation in Egypt and 

 other countries of the East. On the continent they are ex- 

 tensively cultivated, and a considerable quantity is imported 

 to this country. The meal of lentils is very nutritious ; a 

 preparation of it with other ingredients forms the invalid 

 food advertised under the names of Ervalenta and Reva- 

 lenta, those names being anagrams of the botanical name 

 Ervum Lens. 



* Chap. XXV. ver. 34. 



