268 PHASEOLUS CARACALLA. 
very graceful appearance, depending from the slender branches. The plant can be 
cultivated with difficulty in a slightly enriched loamy soil ; but it is said to be 
liable to the attacks of the red spider, from which it may be kept free by syringing, 
and by placing it in a moist atmosphere. It is a good plant for training up the 
rafters of a house, where its fine racemes of bloom will be shown advantageously. 
We have here published the figure chiefly because it is a rare and highly orna- 
mental plant, with very fragrant flowers, and of difficult management. 
In many parts of the south of Europe and the north of Africa, it is grown 
for culinary purposes ; the pods, we presume, being the parts used. 
The Portuguese, who introduced the species from South America, named it 
Caracalla, in consequence of its hooded flower. It is one of that rare class of 
plants which combine the ornamental with the curious. 
