CHAPTER V. 
THE LEGUMINOUS PLANTS. 
GENERAL REMARKS ON THIS ORDER OR FAMILY OF PLANTS. THE PROPORTIONS IN WHICH THE ELEMENTS EXIST 
IN THE BEAN AND PEA COMPOSITION OF THE ASH. PROXIMATE ORGANIC COMPOSITION OF THE BEAN AND 
PEA. 
The Bean and Pea are regarded as among the important products of the farm and garden. 
Containing as they do a large amount of nutriment, and being also susceptible of preser¬ 
vation in a dry state for a long time, and under circumstances which would injure the 
cereals, they supply an important food where it is very much needed, as at sea, and for 
laborers who are engaged in work which continually wastes the muscles. The bean and 
pea particularly supply the place of meat. Horses and cattle, however, are not partial to 
beans ; and, indeed, it is not safe to feed beans to horses. Sheep are safely fed with beans: 
they are regarded as extremely valuable for this kind of stock, and as acting favorably in 
the development of a large and heavy fleece. 
Clover, which belongs to this family of plants, has been spoken of in a former chapter. 
It has been impossible to give that time to the examination of this family, which I 
desired. I have been obliged to confine my attention to a few varieties of beans and peas. 
This partial and limited account of the composition of a highly interesting family of plants 
could not well be avoided. What is accomplished, however, may be of some moment, 
and form an inducement to prosecute researches more extensively in this order. 
