174 
ORDER DECANDRIA. 
bean and pea tribes are found here ; they consist of severa. 
diiferent genera, as the vetch plants (Yicia), in which are many 
cnltivated species, and the indigenous one, AmeriGana. The 
Phaseohis, or kidney-bean, has its native as well as exotic 
species. The pea (Pisum) differs from the Lathyrus in having 
tlie segments of the calyx equal and leaf-like ; the vexillum 
(banner) has two protruding plaits. The native country of the 
cultivated pea (Pisum sativum) is said to be the southern 
part of Europe. The Sweet-Pea has a calyx w^ith the two 
upper segments shortest. The vetch can hardly be distin- 
guished from the sweet-pea, and also approaches to the edible 
pea. Its generic characters are, a calyx with three inferior 
segments straight and longer than the two above. The vexil- 
lum is emarginate, the style bearded beneath the stigma. 
The genus Ervum (lentile) is hardly to be known from the 
Vicia, except by its capitate, pubescent stigma. The genera 
Trifolium, Lespedeza, Hedysarum, and Medicago, have also 
many natural characters in common. In the Trifolium (clover) 
the flowers are quite small, and crowded in roundish, oblong 
heads ; the legume is so diminutive as to be concealed within 
the calyx. The genus Lespedeza is distinguished by its len- 
ticular, one-seeded, unarmed, indehiscent legume. There are 
many species of this j^lant with purplish flowers, trifoliate 
'.eaves, and minute, bristly stipules. The Hedysarum bears a 
oment commonly hispid. The Phaseolus is a genus of this 
eguminous tribe ; all its species are trifoliate plants, v/ith 
showy flowers, and weak, twining, or prostrate stems. Tlie 
tattle-box {Crotolm'ia\ with its inflated pericarp, is a favorite 
with children, who nnd it on sandy plains ; it is a low pubes- 
cent plant with yellow blossoms. Of clover there are many 
species, as the red, yellow, white, &c. The locust tribe con- 
tains many ornamental shrubs and trees. Here are found the 
indigo (Indigofera) of the West Indies and Egypt, logwood 
from Campeachy, the red scmdal-^ood of the East Indies, the 
liquorioe^ and the sensitive plant. Gmn-arabic is obtained from 
the acacia of the Nile {Mimosa NUoticd) j liquorice from the 
roots of the Glycyrrhiza, a native of Italy and France. The 
tamarind is a native of tropical regions ; the Arabians and 
Africans allay their thirst by the cooling freshness of the 
pulp contained in its legumes. Ebony and rosewood are from 
the wood of plants of this tribe ; rioe-pajperi^ derived from the 
cellula/r substance of another leguminous plant ; the tonha- 
bean is the fragrant seed of one genus ; and the East Indian 
senna is the product of a species of Cassia. Thus in the 
various genera of this tribe every part of the vegetable has its 
Bean and pea tribe — Indigo, liquorice, &c 
