plot(x, y, '-r')
plot(x[::20], y[::20], 'ro')

from matplotlib.lines import Line2D
line = Line2D(range(10), range(10), linestyle='-', marker='o')
legend((line,), (label,))

line = plot(x, y, '-r')
markers = plot(x[::20], y[::20], 'ro')
lgd = legend([line], ['data'], numpoints=3)
lgd.get_lines()[0].set_marker('o')
draw()

figure()
axes([0.1,0.1,0.71,0.8])
plot([0,1],[0,1],label="line 1")
hold(1)
plot([0,1],[1,0.5],label="line 2")
legend(loc=(1.03,0.2))
show()

ax = gca()
ax.legend_ = None
draw()

def remove_legend(ax=None):
    """Remove legend for ax or the current axes."""

    from pylab import gca, draw
    if ax is None:
        ax = gca()
    ax.legend_ = None
    draw()

x = range(10)
y = range(10)
handles = plot(x, y)
legend(handles, ["label1"], prop={"size":12})