el — 2 4 “Ss 2 RE ee LE em ‘tam | ee et ee eee Oe ke ge PR 
ae re a A ee ieee AP RM Er ny a, eh 
\'. “a = 5 -. ‘ny, i. fi > a > ‘ : 7 - ~~ : * J 4 ; 
=r, 
4 > 
161 
The pistil is composed of: a long many-ovuled ovary, which is cylindrical, and convex on the 
upper edge; a stiff, bristle like, terminal style forming an obtuse angle with the ovary; and a terminal 
stigma, lying in the beak distinctly above the anthers (fig, 7). 
Hermann Miiller draws attention to the following points in connection with the visits of insects 
lo the flowers. When the insect alights upon the wings, the pressure lowers both wings and keel: 
then the plug, formed by the swollen ends of the stamens, acts, in the keel, like the piston in a 
pump, the pollen is poured out from the apex of the beak, and becomes attached to the ventral sur- 
face of the insect. When the keel is lowered still further, the stigma itself is protruded and strikes 
against the ventral surface of the insect guest. It is clear, that, in this way, the stigma may receive 
either the pollen from a flower previously visited, or its own. No experiments have been made to 
show how the amount of seed produced is affected when the visits of insects are prevented. 
The fruit (fig. 44) is a cylindrical pod (legume), about an inch or more in length, and one-tenth 
of an inch in breadth; the surface is brown, wrinkled and netted; numerous seeds are contained in 
each pod, and, between the seeds, the walls of the pod form cellular ingrowths. When ripe, the 
legume dehisces by two valves which are spirally twisted (fig. 12). The seeds are oval. slightly 
flattened at the sides, brown, shining (fig. 13 and 14); the length varies between 1 and 4.25 mm.; 
the hilum is a white, round spot, situated in a small depression on one of the narrow surfaces of the 
seed. This description applies to the seeds of the yar. fenuifolins. but those of L. uliginosus. are mueh 
smaller (from 0.75 to 1 mm. long), and olive green in colour. 
Varieties. Three varieties are of importance in agriculture. 4, Common bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus 
cormeulatus var. vulgaris) is the variety figured in our plate, and described above. 2. Slender or fine- 
leaved bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus var. tenuifolius) is as large or even larger than the pre- 
ceding, and is distinguished by the narrower leaves and stipules, which are either lanceolate or linear 
(fig. C), This variety is sometimes reckoned as a distinct species, and then goes under the name of 
Lotus tenuis, Kitaibel. It is frequently met with on land containing salt and is very valuable for culti- 
vation on soils of this nature. Commercial seed, offered as »large-seeded bird’s-foot trefoil« usually 
belongs to this variety. 3. Hairy bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus var. villosus) has the character 
implied by its name and is more erect than the var. vulgaris. but, in other respects, they agree. It 
is found more especially on newly broken up heath-lands, 
In commerce the seed called » Lotus villosus« is usually found to be that of marsh bird’s-foot trefoil 
(Lotus whginosus. Schkuhr). All gradations between these three varieties are found. 
This pretty plant with its intensively coloured yellow flowers, often with a play of red and green, 
has long attracted attention and has received very many popular names, e. g. bird’s-foot clover, hutter- 
jugs, shoes and stockings, ladies’ slipper, cross-toes, cheesecake grass, etc. 
Two centuries ago, the excellence of this plant was recognised in England by Worlidge. who — 
in his »Mystery of Husbandry« 1681 — classes it with perennial rye-grass, sainfoin, lucerne, clover, 
vetches and spurrey. Although the plant is so common, the actual date, at which its cultivation com- 
menced in Britain, is uncertain; Schwerz first brought it under the notice of German agriculturists and 
pointed out its importance. 
By itself, bird’s-foot trefoil is not productive, but it is very suitable, in mixture with 
fodder plants of taller growth, for filling up the spaces beneath and between them; in this 
way, it materially adds to the produce. It is suitable either for cutting, or depasturing. 
It thrives almost on any soil, and is perennial. These properties render bird’s-foot. trefoil 
a very valuable plant for permanent pastures and meadows. It is also appropriate for 
shorter leys, where red clover does not thrive. The great obstacle to its cultivation is the 
very high price of the seed. 
21 
Varieties. 
Name. 
History. 
Agricultural 
value. 
