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''[[Lens]] esculenta'', Moench (Ervum Lens, Linn. Vicia Lens, Coss. & Germ.). Lentil. Annual, much- branched, 1-1 1/2 ft. high: leaves with numerous oval or oblong-oval Leaflets, ending in a tendril: flowers small, white or pale blue,axillary, in pairs: pods short and broad, very flat, and containing 2 flat seeds rounded in outline and convex on both sides. S. Eu.  The lens of the astronomer and physicist was named because it was shaped like one of these seeds. Some varieties have gray seeds, others red. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a mess of red pottage made of lentils. The seeds are used chiefly for soups and stews. They are a coarser and cheaper food than fresh peas and beans, and about as palatable as split peas. Lentils rank amongst the most nutritious of vegetables. They are also of the easiest cultured, but the seeds are often destroyed by a weevil. There are many cultured varieties. The seed is usually sown in drills in March, 18-30 in. apart. The heaviest crops are produced on rather dry sandy soils. The plants need no special care between seedtime and harvest. The seeds keep better in the pods than after being threshed. The herbage makes good fodder.   

''[[Lens]] culinaris'' (Ervum Lens, Linn. Vicia Lens, Coss. & Germ.) (syn. Lens esculenta, Moench). Lentil. Annual, much- branched, 1-1 1/2 ft. high: leaves with numerous oval or oblong-oval Leaflets, ending in a tendril: flowers small, white or pale blue,axillary, in pairs: pods short and broad, very flat, and containing 2 flat seeds rounded in outline and convex on both sides. S. Eu.  The lens of the astronomer and physicist was named because it was shaped like one of these seeds. Some varieties have gray seeds, others red. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a mess of red pottage made of lentils. The seeds are used chiefly for soups and stews. They are a coarser and cheaper food than fresh peas and beans, and about as palatable as split peas. Lentils rank amongst the most nutritious of vegetables. They are also of the easiest cultured, but the seeds are often destroyed by a weevil. There are many cultured varieties. The seed is usually sown in drills in March, 18-30 in. apart. The heaviest crops are produced on rather dry sandy soils. The plants need no special care between seedtime and harvest. The seeds keep better in the pods than after being threshed. The herbage makes good fodder.   

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