CALABAR BEAN

calabar bean, locust-tree. there are also several non-leguminous seeds to which the popular name bean is attached. among these may be mentioned the sacred egyptian or pythagorean bean (_nelumbium speciosum_), and the ignatius bean (probably _strychnos multiflora_), a source of strychnine. the ancient greeks and romans made use of beans in gathering the votes of the people, and for the election of magistrates. a white bean signified absolution, and a black one condemnation. beans had a mysterious use in the _lemuralia_ and _parentalia_, where the master of the family, after washing his hands three times, threw black beans over his head nine times, reiterating the words "i redeem myself and my family by these beans."