Dicotyledons with Polypetalous Flowers. 
Natural Order 
LEGUMINOS2E. Tab. 26. 
Diagnosis.— Herbs shrubs or trees, usually with alternate compound 
stipulate leaves. Flowers irregular (in European genera). Stamens 
perigynous or subhypogynous (definite in European genera). Pistil of a 
single carpel. Fruit usually a legume. 
This enormous Natural Order is conveniently divided into three Sub orders, characterised 
thus :— 
I. PAPILIONACE^E.—Flowers irregular (papilionaceous). Petals imbricate; posterior petal 
outside in bud. Stamens io, diadelphous, monadelphous, or rarely distinct. 
Distribution.- —Generally dispersed over the Globe from the Arctic zone to the Equator, and 
ascending mountain-ranges nearly to the limits of flowering vegetation. Many are restricted to 
certain regions, giving a peculiar stamp to their vegetation. Thus numerous shrubby genera, especially 
a series with free stamens, are peculiar to Australia; many genera are restricted to the Cape of Good 
Hope ; some affect high elevations, and others are cosmopolitan. 
Number of British Genera, 17; Species, 67. 
II. CHHSALPINIE 2 E.—Flowers usually irregular. Petals imbricate; posterior petal inside in 
bud. Stamens 10 or fewer. 
Distribution. —Chiefly Tropical and Subtropical; but two species (the Carob, Ceratonia , and 
Judas-tree, Cercis) are European, and none are British. 
