t»a»: Rev. C. Abbot.— Cumberland; Fields near Whitehaven: !\Ir. Watson, 
j» N. D. G. — Devon ; Hedge-bank by the road-side, just over New Biidgefrom 
Barnstable; and in a field near the old elm at Newport: ibid — Durham ; Near 
Silkswor'.h; and on the Ballast-hills of Tyne and Wear: N. J. Winch. Esq. 
At Croft: Rev. J. Symmons. Field near Marsden, probably introduced: R. B. 
Bowman, in N. B. G. — Kent; Meadows, originally cultivated : FI- Ton. Near 
Rochester: N. J. Winch, Esq. in N.B. G. Charlton Chalk-pit: FI. Metr. 
Gravel-hill, between Swanscomb and Northfleet : ibid. — Leicestersh. Near 
Lutterworth, rare: Rev. A. Bloxam : ibid. — Norfolk; About Norwich, in 
several places: G. Coopf.r, in N. B. G. — Northumberland ; On the Ballast- 
hills of Tyne ; in a field above the quarry at Sunnyside, about a mile S. of Ber- 
wick: Dr. Thompson. Near Gun’s Green Hill: Rev. A Baird. — Notts; 
Mansfield and Hoverington (Ordoyno) ; in a plantation on Sutton Forest: Dr. 
Howitt, in N. B. G.— Somersetshire ; Naturalised on the Burnham Sand- 
hills : J. C. Collins, in N. B. G. In many places near Bath : C. C. Bad- 
jngton. Esq. — Surrey; Behind Juniper Hill: N. J. Winch. Esq. in 
New Bot. Guide. About Croydon ; fields between Hammersmith Bridge and 
Kew ; and in Dorking Chalk-pit: FI. Metr. Near Reigate : Mr. G. Lux- 
roRD. — Warwicksh. Grafton : T. Purton, Esq. — Wilts; Near Great Bedwin : 
W. Bartlett, Esq. — Worcestersh. Cleve : T. Purton, Esq. — Yorksh. Leeds: 
Jl. Dennv, Esq. in N. B. G. — WALES. Anglesea; On Friar’s Demesne: 
Rev. H. Davies. — SCOTLAND. Edinburghsh. Figget Whins: J. Wood- 
ronDE.in N. B. G. — Forfarsh. Near Dundee: Mr. G. Don. — Lanarksh. Mea- 
dow* and pastures, occasionally; about Glasgow, hut not indigenous : Hook. 
FI. Scot. — Linlithgowsh. Banks of the Union Canal, ten miles from Edinburgh: 
R Mauohan, in N. B. G.— IRELAND. Near Coolum, Waterford : Right 
Honourable the Countess of Garrick. Plentiful at Portmarnock in sandy 
fields: Mr. J. T. Mackay. 
Perennial. — Flowers in June and July. 
Root somewhat woody. Stems from 1 to 3 feet high, upright, 
or somewhat reclining, branched, leafy, roundish, striated, smooth, 
or sometimes hairy, especially when in a young state. Leaves al- 
ternate, ternate, on shortish petioles, accompanied at their base by 
a pair of spear-shaped, or half harrow-shaped, pointed, sometime* 
toothed, stipulas. Leaflets oblong, inclining to wedge-shaped, 
more or less pointed, entire at the base, serrated upwards, the mid- 
rib lengthened into a thorn-like point, clothed with silky hairs on 
both sides, but especially beneath. Clusters (racemes) upright, 
of many bluish-purple flowers , each on a short partial stalk, with a 
small bristle-shaped bractea at its base. Legume (fig. 8.) twisted 
spirally, with 2 or 3 distant turns, silky while young. Seeds se- 
veral, flattish. 
This species, which is now become natnralised in many parts of Britain, was. 
we arc informed by Mii llr, introduced into this country from Fiance, about 
the year 1650. It is said to be the Medica of Virgil, Columf.lla, Palla- 
dios. and other ancient writers on Husbandry, who have extolled it as an excel- 
lent fodder for cattle, and have given directions for the cultivation of it in those 
countries where they lived. Its cultivation has also been strongly recommended 
by modern agricultural writers, for the purpose of feeding cattle, but it is not yet 
generally adopted. Jl requires a deep rich soil, and, in such, will continue to 
flourish many years, if kept free from weeds. It will yield a heavy crop of green 
food by the first of May, wit It three other cuttings during the Summer, and is 
said to be much superior to clover (see t. 283.) as food ior cows, not only in- 
creasing the quantity of milk and its richness in cream, but also the quality of 
the butter. It is also advantageously given to horses, and pigs are said to devour 
it greedily. As a dry fodder, it is capable of affording much assistance, and, as 
an early food for ewes and lambs may be of great value in particular cases. 
Care must be taken that too much he not given in its green state, or, like clover, 
cattle may be hoven or blown with it. It is said to make good hay, if cut at a 
proper season, which is immediately after it comes into blossom, and being a 
plant of early growth it will be ready for that purpose before sainfoin or clover ; 
and ifmade well, will be preferred by horses, sheep, and neat catttle, to any other 
food. See Ba rt. Lib. of Agri. & Hort. Knoud. ; & Loud. F.ncy. of Agricul. 
