292 
CALYC I FLORAE. 
the seeds are attached : seeds oblong, plump, white with the 
hilum brown. 
Sloane considers this species to he indigenous to the Island, 
and says that the seeds were, in his time, used by some as 
food, and given to fatten hogs. I do not find, however, on 
inquiry, that any use is at present made of them, except that 
they are commonly planted, by the Negroes, along the margin 
of their provision grounds, from a superstitious notion, pro- 
bably of African origin, very generally entertained, that the 
Overlook fulfils the part of a watchman, and, from some 
dreaded power ascribed to it, protects the provisions from 
plunder. Even the better informed adopt the practice, although 
they themselves may not place confidence in any particular 
influence which this humble plant can exercise, either in pre- 
venting theft, or in punishing it when committed. 
3. Canavalia rosea. Purple-flowered Seaside Bean. 
Stem creeping ascending, leaflets elliptico-subro- 
tund glabrous, legumes lineari-oblong shortly acumi- 
nate. 
Dolichos roseus, Swartz , FI. Ind. Occ. 1243. 
HAB. Common on the sands by the sea-shore. 
FL. Throughout the year. 
Root perennial. Stem suffrutescent at the base ; branches 
herbaceous and annual, at first creeping, afterwards ascending 
by the support of neighbouring shrubs, terete, angulato-striated, 
minutely puberulous with reverted oppressed hairs at their ex- 
tremities. Leaflets apiculated, subglabrous, scarcely shining, 
thin, nerved : petiole terete, channelled above. Stipules small, 
fleshy, subauriculated at the base ; stiff and erect above. Pe- 
duncles axillary or opposite to a leaf, solitary, longer than the 
leaf, subflexuose, bearing several rose-coloured shortly pedi- 
celled flowers inserted in pairs on roundish gland-like nobs. 
Calyx tubulose, subinflated, lineated, pubenilous ; upper lip bifid 
with segments rounded : under lip 3-dentate with small approxi- 
mating teeth. Standard obcordate, purple, with 2 yellow cal- 
losities at the base ; wings falcate ; keel bifid at the apex and 
at the base. Stamens 10. Ovary linear, appresso-pubescent : 
style subulate, curved : stigma obtuse. Legume 4 inches or 
more in length, and nearly one broad, linear, compressed, gla- 
brous, 3-keeled on the back, with a straight sharp beak : seeds 
within a white cellulose membrane, of a blackish colour, oval, 
compressed. 
4. Canavalia altissima. Lofty -climbing Canavalia. 
Leaflets elliptico-oblong cmarginate or obtuse with 
