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Phaseolus lunatus, L. 
Considered as a native of tropical America, but also recorded 
as wild from many parts of tropical Africa and Asia. Bien- 
nial according to Eoxburgh. Much cultivated in tbe warm 
zone for its edible beans, which are purple or white. A 
yellow-flowered variety or closely allied species is known as 
the Madagascar Bean and proved hardy and productive 
here. P. perennis, Walt., from the United States of North 
America, is another allied plant. 
Phaseolus Mungo, U. (P. Max, L.) 
The Green Gram. South Asia and tropical Australia. An 
annual very hairy plant, not much climbing. Frequently 
reared in India, when rice fails or where that crop cannot be 
produced. The seeds are but small, and the herb is not 
available for fodder. This plant requires no irrigation, and 
ripens in two and a-half to three months. The grain tastes 
well and is esteemed wholesome. The harvest is about 
thirtyfold. 
Phaseolus vulgaris, U.* 
The ordinary Kidney Bean or French Bean or Haricot. 
India, from whence it came to Europe through the conquest 
of Alexander the Great ; but apparently it is also wild in 
North-western Australia. Though this common and im- 
portant culinary annual is so well known, it has been deemed 
desirable, to refer to it here with a view of reminding, that 
the Kidney-bean is nearly twice as nutritive than wheat. 
The meal from Beans might also find far augmented use. 
As constituents of the Beans should be mentioned a large 
proportion of starch (nearly half), then much Legumin, alsf 
some Phaseoliu (which like Amygdalin can be converted into 
an essential oil) and Inosit-Sugar. Lentils contain more 
Legumin but less starch, while Peas and Beans are in respect 
to the proportion of these two nourishing substances almost 
alike. Phaseolus nanus, L., the Dwarf-bean, and P. tumidus, 
Savi, the Sugar-bean or Sword-bean or Egg-bean, ara 
varieties of P. vulgaris. Several other species of Phaseolus 
seem worthy of culinary culture. 
