222 
LATHYRUS TUBEROSUS. 
Messrs. Lucombe, Pince & Co. of Exeter, 
have been thus successful in first blooming 
the Bejaria coarctata, which is a native of 
Peru, growing at a considerable elevation 
(9,000 to 10,000 feet) according to Hum» 
boldt, who describes the locality as being 
" frigidissimus." It has hence been conjec- 
tured that the plant may be found to succeed 
with us in the open air, but on this point 
direct experiment is necessary. Mr. Pince 
has found it to do well in a cool green- 
house. The locality in Peru where Hum- 
boldt found it was near Cascamarcan. It 
was introduced to England in 1847. 
Till experience shall have decided the ques- 
tion of the supposed hardihood of this plant, 
it must be kept in a greenhouse. Mr. Pince's 
plants, which have done well, were placed 
close to the glass in a cool airy greenhouse, 
along with Chinese azaleas, receiving, in fact, 
the treatment given to those well-known sub- 
jects. It has been potted in a compost of 
sandy peat soil, with a small portion of half- 
decayed leaf-mould. Mr. Smith of Kew 
writes : — " On account of its exceedingly neat 
habit, and flowering in a dwarf state, it can- 
not fail to become a favourite with cultivators. 
Being a native of the elevated parts of tro- 
pical America, in a climate where the cold is 
(to our feelings) severe, it is expected that it 
will prove tolerably hardy in our climate. It 
may possibly endure the mild winters of De- 
vonshire, but we have our doubts on that 
point ; for although it may sustain in its native 
elevated region a certain number of degrees 
of cold below the freezing point, yet we must 
bear in mind that, on account of elevation, 
the air is lighter, and water freezes at a higher 
tempera:ture than it does at our level above 
the sea. Any specific number of degrees of 
frost at a high elevation, is not, therefore, 
equivalent in intensity to the same number of 
degrees with us. This circumstance and our 
humid atmosphere in winter, are much against 
our success in the cultivation of plants from 
elevated regions." 
There is no doubt that this species, from its 
charming evergreen habit and its numerous 
gay flowers, will come into general cultivation 
for greenhouse and conservatory decoration, 
for which its early flowering habit Avill still 
fui"ther adapt it. The treatment given to 
the Indian Azaleas appears to agree with it. 
Propagation is effected by cuttings, or by 
inarching on stocks of the common kinds 
of Indian Azalea ; the plants are, moreover, 
expected to ripen seeds, which must be 
managed in the same way as the ^eeds of 
Azalea and Rhododendron, and other plants 
of the same natural family. 
THE LATHYRUS TUBEROSUS AS AN 
ESCULENT. 
The culture of Laihyrus tuherosus as a 
wholesome and nutritious article of food, 
though not much attended to, is not altogether 
undeserving of consideration. In IloUand, 
Belgium, and France, as well as many parts 
of Grermany, this root is well known and 
somewhat extensively used, especially iin the 
rural districts. The small tubers which grow 
under ground may not unaptly be compared 
to what are commonly understood as the roots 
of Pasonia, and it is a curious circumstance, 
that in various countries we find it designated 
by names which, though different, are all ex- 
pi'essive of the same thing, namely, earth-nut. 
Thus in Dutch it is commonly called Aard- 
aker (earth-nut); in German, Ei^cl-nuss; in 
French, Noix de terre ; in Flemish, Aerdnote. 
It has also received other names, but that 
which signifies mice ivHh tails appears to be 
the most common, besides the above. Thus, 
in Brabant, Muyseen met steerten, and in 
several places of France, Souris a queues. 
Lathyrus tuherosus grows with a slender 
straggling stem, three feet high, slightly 
winged and much branched. The leaves con- 
sist of two obtuse oval leaflets, ending in a 
sharp point, and terminating in the centre in 
long tendrils (generally from two to three); 
these tendrils, as in the common pea, clasp 
and twine round the branches of other plants 
that happen to be near them ; the leaves are 
furnished with two stipules, about half an inch 
long. The flowers, which resemble those of 
the pea in general form, are of a deep rose- 
colour, sometimes assuming a flesh hue, and 
even becoming nearly white ; they are borne 
on peduncles five to six inches long, and 
generally from five to six together. In 
general appearance they are somewhat pretty, 
have an agreeable odour, and though not to 
be compared to some of our fiorists' flowers, 
would not disgrace a parterre in making up 
the complementary coloui's. 
The small tubercles which are used as an 
article of consumption are produced at the 
ends of the roots. They are of an oval or 
oblong shape, and when well cultivated, attain 
from two to three inches in length and an 
inch in diameter. The inside consists of a 
white substance having a firm texture, and 
when raw the flavour is something like that 
of unboiled peas. This taste is not perceptible 
when the tubers are cooked, and the flesh 
becomes similar to that of a chestnut. When 
properly cultivated the average number of 
tubercles to each plant is about thirty. 
When between two and three inches long 
they become fit for use. They are taken 
up and boiled from two to three hours, 
