OF ORNAMENTAL ANNUALS. I33 
to by the afflicted and terrified people were at a loss how to act, for warm baths, and all the usual remedies for 
the rigidity produced by cold, seemed to have no effect. In the end, though no one died, yet as it was found 
impossible to restore the rigid muscles to their natural action, the evil was thought so serious, that the Duke of 
Wirtemberg issued an edict forbidding the use of this flour in any emergency ; and similar edicts have been 
issued by some of his successors. It was remarkable that at the very time that this flour was producing such 
unpleasant effects, the green herb was eaten by cattle without injury. Pigs fed on the meal, however, lost 
the Jise of their limbs, though they grew very fat lying on the ground. It was observed that the meal from 
plants grown on a rich strong soil, was much more injurious than that made from plants grown on a poor 
dry soil. 
This Lathyrus was introduced into England in 1739, and was grown in the botanic garden at Chelsea ; 
it, however, appears to have been lost, and to have been re-introduced within the last few years. It is now 
grown by Mr. Groom, of Clapham, and other florists, and is well deserving of a place in the flower-garden from 
the contrast afforded by its beautiful light blue flowers to the colours of the other species. The seeds should be 
sown in February or March, as they are frequently a long time before they vegetate ; or the seeds may be soaked 
in water some days before sowing, and only put into the ground when the aril begins to crack and peel off. 
6.— LATHYRUS APHACA, Lin. THE YELLOW VETCHLING. 
with a pair of small, narrow bracteas; calycine segments twice the 
length of the tube ; legumes much compressed, broad, few-seeded ; 
seeds compressed. — (G. Don,) 
Enoratino. — Eng. Bot. 1167, 2nd edit. vol. vi. t. 1000. 
Specific Character. — Stems erect ; tendrils cylindrical, filiform, 
leafless (rarely with two leaflets) : stipules ovate, sagittate, large ; pe- 
duncles 1-flowcred (rarely 2-flowered^, articulated at the apex, furnished 
Description, &c. — A small yellow-flowered British plant, " remarkable for the total abortion of the leaves, 
except in very young plants," what appear to be leaves being in fact only the dilated stipules. This vetchling 
is chiefly met with in the eastern counties of England, between the Thames and the sea. The seeds are very 
unwholesome, and cause a violent headache if eaten. This plant is not worth cultivating in gardens, except in 
combination with the following species, when it produces a very striking and novel effect. 
7.— LATHYRUS NISSOLIA, Lin. THE CRIMSON GRASS VETCH. 
flowers solitary, on long peduncles ; peduncles articulated at the apex , 
and downy on the upper part, where they bear two little awl-shapcd 
bracteas; legumes compressed, narrow, nerved, reflexed. — (G. Don.) 
Engravings Eng. Bot. t. 112, 2nd edit. vol. vi. t. 1001 ; and 
omfig. 5, in Plate 23. 
Specific Character. — Stem erect; petioles dilated, foliaceous, 
grass-like, 3-5-nerved ; stipules small, subulate, usually wanting; 
Description, &o. — This beautiful little plant has bright crimson flowers, variegated with purple and white, 
while the stem and leaves look so much like those of a kind of grass, that the plant can scarcely be detected, even 
by an experienced botanist, unless when in flower. It is generally found in shady lanes, in woods, or on the 
grassy banks of a rivulet, where they are shaded by trees ; and in these situations, in the months of May and 
June, it is sure to attract attention by the splendour of its flowers, which in early morning when covered with 
dew-drops, sparkle in the sun-beams like little rubies. The botanical peculiarities of this plant are that the 
leaves are simple, and not terminated by tendrils, and they thus afford a remarkable contrast to those of L. 
Aphaca, the tendrils of which are very long, and the stipules commonly dilated. Seeds of L.NmoUa may be 
procured at any seed-shop, and they require the same treatment as those of the other kinds of Lathyrus. 
