OR'OBUS GMELI'NI. 
gmelin’s bitter vetch. 
9 
Class. ' Order. 
DIADELPHIA. DECANDRIA. 
Natural Order. 
LEGUMINOSiE. 
Native of 
Height 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
Siberia. 
8 inches. 
May. 
Perennial. 
in 1827. 
No. 897. 
The word Orobus indicates a stimulating’ or 
fattening effect on oxen, see No. 284. Gmelini is 
adopted as a specific name by Fischer, the well- 
known Russian botanist, in compliment, it may be 
presumed, to some of the descendants of John 
George Gmelin, a native of Tubingen, whom Lin- 
neus himselfhonoured by naming a genus Gmelina. 
He was professor of Natural History in the Acad- 
emy of Sciences of Petersburg!!, a situation which 
was subsequently occupied by younger branches of 
the same family. 
The Orobus Gmelini is an ornamental small 
perennial plant, deserving a place amongst hardy 
exotics, as a subject of rarity, and occupying but 
little space. The Natural Order, Leguminosae, to 
which it belongs, is one of the most extensive and 
important amongst vegetables.' Medicine and the 
arts owe much to it. Independently of .agricul- 
tural plants, as Peas, Beans, Clover, and others, 
many gums, medicinal drugs, dyes, ornamental 
woods, &c., are the produce of leguminous plants. 
This Orobus is of easy culture, but should not 
have a wet situation, or be over watered if in a pot. 
225 . 
