the Kidney-bean; a genus of the decandria order, belonging to the diadelphia class of plants. There is only one species; but of this there are many varieties. Those principally cultivated for the table are, 1. The common white, or Dutch kidney-bean. PHA

Phaéolus bean. 2. The smaller kidney-bean, commonly called the Battersea kidney-bean. And, 3. The upright sort, called the tree kidney-bean.

1. The first sort was some time ago propagated in England, and is still in Holland; it grows very tall, and requires long stakes and poles to climb on, and its beans are considerably broad: this makes them less palatable in the markets, people supposing them to be old because they are broad; and they are hence grown into disuse, though a much more valuable kind for eating than any other.

2. The second sort, or Battersea bean, is what is more universally cultivated: it never grows very tall, nor rambles far, and the air can easily pass between the rows, because of its moderate growth; and this makes it bear plentifully, and ripen well for the table. It is the best tasted bean, except the last.

3. The third, or tree kidney-bean, is also a plentiful bearer, and never rambles, but grows up in form of a shrub; but its beans are broader than the Battersea kind, and are not so well tasted.

They are all propagated from seeds, which are to be put into the ground in the latter end of March or beginning of April for an early crop: but these should have a warm situation and a dry soil; they must also be planted in a dry season. The manner of planting them is, to draw lines with a bough over the bed, at two feet and a half distance, into which the seeds are to be dropped at about two inches asunder; and the earth is to be drawn over them with the head of a rake, to cover them about an inch deep. In a week after sowing, the plants will appear, and the earth should be drawn up about their stalks as they rise up; for a few days after this they will require no further care, except to be kept clear from weeds, and, when the beans appear, to have them gathered twice a week; for if the beans are suffered to hang on too long, they not only become of no value, but they weaken the plant. The first crop of kidney-beans will continue a month in good order; and, to supply the table afterwards, there should be fresh sowings in March, April, May, and June; the last of which will continue till the frosts come to destroy them. Some raise their early crops on hot-beds; and this is to be done exactly in the same manner as the raising the early cucumbers.

A new species of phaéolus, apparently a very useful one, has been discovered by M. Moranay, "an inhabitant of Morne Rouge, dependant on the Cape;" we suppose Cape François of the island of St. Domingo. In his search for plants, subservient to his collection of insects for the king's cabinet, he was overtaken by night, and he passed it in a cave, to which he had recourse for shelter. At its extremity he found beds of fossils, broken pieces of burnt earthen-ware, stone tools and other things, which showed that this cave had formerly been the habitation of the natives. Near it he saw a climbing plant attached to some trees, with clusters of dry pods hanging from it. These he gathered, and on his return sowed the seed. Some months after, the plants grew tall and strong: they appeared to resemble a phaéolus known at Perpignan by the name of caraqueola, and in the superb portfolios of the king by that of phaéolus Indicus, coelestis flore, which produced many roots, not unlike the manioc. On examining the root after the pods were ripe, he found from three to eight roots of this kind. The force of the vegetation was wonderful; but dreading the deleterious effects of recent manioc, he did not taste them, but subjected them to a chemical analysis, which proved nothing. After boiling them in water a little salted, he ventured to taste them, and found them moist, unctuous, and saccharine, not unlike potatoes. He made, after some hours trial, very good caffava with them, without being incommode by the disagreeable fibres which are met with in the manioc during this operation. Since that time, biscuit and bread have been made from these roots by M. Lombart counsellor at the Cape. The plant has been found to be very common in the woods. It requires no peculiar management: its roots are in season when the pods blacken, and its fibres run in every direction, searching for nourishment through the clefts of rocks, and receiving the impression of the strata without injury. If the principal root is left, the plant shoots again and flourishes as before; but it is not yet ascertained whether it puts forth any new roots. The seeds are not alimentary when dressed, as if nature designed them only for propagating other plants. Every use which a farinaceous plant can supply, this new phaéolus has successfully answered; and the seeds in the hands of Messrs Heretier and Thouin will probably furnish a sufficient quantity for curiosity as well as use.