20 THE SWEET POTATO. 



describes it under Convolvulus Batatas Klioai 

 Hoanxy, and states that it is found both in Cochin- 

 china and in China. He says it flowers annually not- 

 withstanding Osbeckius's statement to the contrary 

 (It. ad. Ind. edit. Angl., p. 3117), and that it grows 

 equally well on both sides of the Ganges. 



Eoxburgh (Flora Indica, Vol. II, p. 69), under 

 Convohnilus Batatas, states that ''the red sort is in 

 very general cultivation all over the warmer parts 

 of Asia, and very deservedly esteemed one of their 

 most palatable and nutritious food. I suspect Con- 

 volvulus edulis Thumb. Japan. 84 is the same or a 

 variety. ' ' 



Choisy (De Candolle, Prodromus, Part IX, pp. 

 338-339,"^ and Choisy Conv., p. 53), 1824-70, gives the 

 following descriptions, with numerous references: 



"Batatas edulis (Prodromus), caule repente raro 

 volubili, foliis A-^ariis saepius angulatis etiam lobatis 

 2-6 pollices longis acutis cordatis petiolatis, pedun- 

 culis petiolum aequantibus aut superantibus 

 3-4-floris, sepalis aeuminato-mucronatis raro sub- 

 truncatis exterioribus i^aulo brevioribus, corolla 

 campanulata purpurea. Ex India oriental i nata, 

 fere ubique in tropicis regionibus culta ob radicem 

 tuberosam edulem." 



"Variat: 

 a 1. radice purpurea aut alba. 



2. omni parte nunc glabra nunc hirsuta. 



3. caule, petioles et pedunculis purpura- 

 scentibus. 



4. foliis hastatis, anguloso-sinuatis, ([uincpie- 

 fidis aut 5-partitis, nunc etiam integris. 



5. longitudina peduncula rum. ' ' 



/?. xanthoi'hiza, radice lutes (Bat. zanthorhiza 

 Boj. h. maurit., ]). 225). Ilanc varietatem el. Bojer 



