310 WALDRON— THE PEANUT 



found in all parts of Brazil, would be the one most naturally carried 

 to Peru rather than the more restricted latter species that is found 

 only in the eastern part. The lack of full descriptive literature on 

 the distribution and morphology of wild and cultivated varieties 

 opens up opportunities for further investigation. 



To-day, varieties are rapidly being increased In number by man. 

 This fact, with the ease of intercourse between different countries, 

 explains in part at least why there are such varieties as the Virginian, 

 Spanish, African, Asiatic, etc. It does not indicate in any way the 

 native home of the peanut, which is undoubtedly Brazil. 



Recent Literature. During the last 25 years most of the literature 

 on the peanut has been largely concerned with either its culture, uses 

 or chemistry. The writer does not attempt to summarize these and 

 includes titles of but a few of the more recent publications in his 

 bibliography. By referring to the Experiment Station Record of 

 the United States Department of Agriculture, many such references 

 may be found. During the past few years, publications concerning 

 its culture and varieties have been issued by several of the Agri- 

 cultural Experiment Stations of those southern states in which the 

 peanut is becoming an important crop. 



Concerning the study of the plant from a morphological stand- 

 point, little has been done. In 1895, Pettit^'^ worked on the fruit 

 stalk. She described its structure in detail and discussed Its phys- 

 iological relation to the plant. 



Winton'^ published the results of a histological study of the 

 mature fruit, undertaken especially to secure data for use in the 

 microscopical examination of peanut products. In this relation he 

 described and illustrated the cell structure of the fruit, testa and 

 cotyledons. Adam^ in 1908 published a fine work concerning Its 

 history, growth habits, varieties, culture, products and Industry In 

 western Africa. 



General Morphology 



Description. Since there are two well recognized forms of the 

 peanut plant, the author suggests a division of the Linnaean species 

 Into the two sub-species — (i) Jastigiata for the bunch type, and (2) 

 procumbens for the prostrate type, and including under each a num- 

 ber of varieties. Adam gives the full species name asiatica for the 

 former, and qfricana for the latter. Such are not only names of 

 varieties and localities, but suggest an erroneous origin. The fol- 



