160 Mr. G. Ord on the Natural Habitat of the Common Potato, 



den of the Horticultural Society, &c., by Joseph Sabine, Esq., F.R. S . 

 &c.. Secretary; read November 19, 1822." From this excellent 

 paper we make the following extracts : " The possession of the 

 plants of the native wild potato has been long a desideratum ; 

 and from the great importance and extensive use of the culti- 

 vated root, the subject of course became an object of attention to 

 the Horticultural Society. In my communications with the 

 Society's correspondents on the other side of the Atlantic, this 

 was pointed out as one of the most interesting objects to which 

 their attention could be directed ; and it is with no small satis- 

 faction that I am able to state that our inquiries have been suc- 

 cessful. Great doubts have existed as to what parts of the New 

 World the natural habitat of the Solanum tuberosum^ or potato, 

 should be assigned ; and the question is even now a matter of 

 discussion among botanists of the greatest eminence. 



" The vegetable in its cultivated state was first known in this 

 country as the potato of Virginia ; I conceive however there can be 

 little doubt that the plants which Sir Walter llaleigh found in that 

 colony and transferred to Ireland, had been previously introduced 

 there from some of the Spanish territories in the more southern 

 parts of that quarter of the globe ; for had the potato been a na- 

 tive of any district now forming part of the United States, it 

 would before this time have been found and recognised by the 

 botanical collectors who have traversed and examined those 

 countries. 



" Early in the spring of the present year, Mr. Caldcleugh, who 

 had been some time resident at Rio Janeiro, in the situation of 

 Secretary to the British Minister at that Court, where he had 

 been indefatigable in his exertions to forward the objects of the 

 Horticultural Society, returned to England, having previously 

 taken a journey across the country, and visited the principal 

 places on the western coasts of South America. Among many 

 articles of curiosity which he brought with him were two tubers 

 of the wild potato. 



" The two tubers were exhibited to the Society, and a drawing 

 made of them before they were planted. * * * They were 

 planted separately in small pots, and speedily vegetated ; they 

 grew rapidly, and were subsequently turned out into a border at 

 about two feet distance from each other, where they became very 

 strong and luxuriant. The blossoms at first were but sparingly 

 produced, but as the plants were earthed up they increased in 

 vigour, and these bore flowers abundantly." 



The result of the experiment was most satisfactory ; the pro- 

 duce was remarkable : " Above 600 tubers were gathered from 

 the two plants." 



A beautiful coloured engraving of the plant in blossom ac- 



