This distribution, if condensed, will give the following results : — 
Equinoctial zone 910 . . 692 
Beyond the tropics to the north . . . .1277 . . 35 
south . . . .417,. .107 
Properties. This order is not only among the most extensive that are 
known, but also one of the most important to man, with reference to the ob- 
jects either of ornament, of utility, or of nutriment, which it comprehends. 
When we reflect that the Cercis, which renders the gardens of Turkey re- 
splendent with its m}Tiads of purple flowers ; the Acacia, not less valued for 
its airy foliage and elegant blossoms than for its hard and durable wood ; the 
Braziletto, Logwood, and Rosewoods of commerce ; the Laburnum ; the clas- 
sical Cytisus ; the Furze and the Broom, both the pride of the otherwise 
dreary heaths of Europe ; the Bean, the Pea, the Vetch, the Clover, the Trefoil, 
the Lucerne, all staple articles of culture by the farmer, are so many species of 
Leguminosae ; and that the Gums Arabic and Senegal, Kino, and various pre- 
cious medicinal drugs, not to mention Indigo, the most useful of all dyes, are 
products of other species, — it will be perceived that it would be difficult to 
point out an order with greater claims upon the attention. It would be in 
vain to attempt to enumerate all its useful plants or products, in lieu of which 
I shall speak of the most remarkable, and of those which are least known, and 
in so doing I shall classify the products according to the tribes already defined. 
Tribe 1. Papilionace^. 
The general character of this Tribe is, its nutritious, or at least wholesome, 
characters ; thus the § Trifolieie, comprehending Clover, Medick, Lucerne, 
Trefoil, &c. are valuable fodder plants, as are also Saintfoin, Ornithopus or 
Serradilla, various Astragali, Crotalaria juncea, Desmodium difl’usum, Indigofera 
enneaphylla, &c. As pulse, we have Peas, Beans, Lentils, Pigeon peas 
(Cajanus), the seeds of various species of Dolichos, Pliaseolus, &c. Of the 
nutritious or saccharine qualities of other parts we have several useful instances. 
The roots of the liquorice (GlycyiThiza glabra) contain an abundance of a sweet 
subacrid mucilaginous juice, which is much esteemed as a pectoral ; similar 
qualities are ascribed to Trifolium alpinum roots. The roots of Abrus preca- 
torius possess exactly the properties of the liquorice root of the shops. 
Ainslie, 2. 79. In Java they are found demulcent. Those of Dolichos 
tuberosus and bulbosus, Apios, Pueraria, and Lathyrus tuberosus, are whole- 
some food. According to Don {Prodr. no. 247.), Manna is produced by 
several species related to Alhagi Maurorum. It is remarkable that this secre- 
tion is not formed in India, Arabia, or Egypt, the chmate of Persia and 
Bokhara seeming alone suited for its production. Boyle. The purgative 
properties of Leguminosse are principally confined to the tribe Csesalpiniese. 
They, however, occur in Colutea arborescens and Coronilla Emerus in the 
present tribe; as well as certain species of Genista, Cytisus, Robinia, and 
Clitoria. Boyle. Many are tonics and astringents. The bark of Sesbania 
grandiflora is powerfully bitter and tonic. The root of Hedysarum sennoides 
is accounted in India tonic and stimulant. Ainslie, 2. 53. African Kino is 
the produce of Pterocarpus erinacea, B. Br., Gum Dragon and Saunders wood 
of Pterocarpus Draco and Santalinus, Gum Lac of Erythrina monosperma. 
The Dalbergia monetaria of Linnaeus yields a resin very similar to Dragon’s 
Blood. Ainslie, 1. 115. A similar juice is yielded by Butea frondosa and 
superba. DC. The seed of Psoralea corylifolia is considered by the native 
practitioners of India stomachic and deobstruent. Ainslie, 2. 141. A strong 
infusion of the root of Mucuna pruriens, sweetened with honey, is used by the 
native practitioners of India in cases of cholera morbus. Ainslie, 1. 93. The 
irritating effects of the hairs, or Cowhage, that clothe the pods of this plant 
