THE BEAN AND MIMOSA FAMILY. 



419 



Tare, or Vetch (Vicia sativd). A plant similar to tlie last, 

 but cultivated exclusively as early green fodder for cattle. 



Earth Pea, or Ground Nut {Araclds hypogceci). The native 

 country of this plant cannot be ascertained with certainty, 

 but it is believed to be America ; it has long been exten- 

 sively cultivated in Africa, the West Indies, and all warm 

 countries. It is an annual, growing from 1 to 2 feet in 

 height, having soft clover-like leaves, and small yellow 

 flowers on long footstalks, which are at first erect, but on 

 the formation of the pod they bend down, and the pod be- 

 comes embedded in and ripens in the earth. It is about two 

 inches or more in length, and contains two or three nutty- 

 flavoured peas, which constitute an article of negro food, and 

 are of commercial value for the oil they yield, which is nearly 

 equal to olive oil. 



An allied plant, Voandzeia subterranea, is also extensively 

 cultivated as an article of food in Western and South Africa, 

 and has become naturalized on the continent of America. 



Clover (^Trifolium pratense). The common red clover has, 

 like many other cultivated plants, assumed several dilFerent 

 forms, some almost sufficiently distinct to appear like sepa- 

 rate species, known by the names of Zigzag Clover ( T. me- 

 dium)^ Carnation Clover (T. incarnatum)^ and Alsike Clover 

 {T. hyhiidum). 



Dutch or White Clover {Trifolium repens). This is well 

 known as a fast-spreading plant, being the pioneer to cultiva- 

 tion, superseding all other plants, as is now the case in New 

 Zealand. Its flowers are of great importance for the honey- 

 making bees. It is said to be the shamrock of Ireland, but 

 it is very questionable if it had become naturalized at the 

 time of St. Patrick's landing in that country. 

 I- French Honeysuckle (Hedysarum coronai^iwii). A beau- 

 tiful plant, native of Spain and Italy, and cultivated in this 

 country as food for cattle ; fields of it, as also of Trifolium 

 incarnatum, and of Saintfoin (^Onohrychis sativd)^ have a 

 splendid appearance when in flower. 



Lucerne or Medick {Afedicago sativd), A well known 

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