the origin of the hexaploid species will have to await the 
discovery of their tetraploid ancestor(s). 
Much work remains to be done in determining the 
genetic mechanism controlling taxonomic characters 
other than floret-attachment type. Such studies may 
provide critical information for evaluating Mal’tsev’s 
system of classification. Indeed, it is now known that 
the B-factor controls the distinction between A. sterilis 
sens. ampl. and A. fatua sens. ampl. Species based on a 
single gene difference may not be too valid. 
Parr LV. Oats anp Man 
Oats, the fourth most important cereal crop of man, 
has been profoundly affected by its association with man. 
Let us, therefore, turn our attention to this association 
in the hope of learning when, where and how it began and 
by what means it may have affected the evolution of 
oats. Archaeology, written history and the present agri- 
cultural practices of conservative peoples throw light on 
this aspect of the problem. 
Archaeology 
What are probably the oldest known oat grains were 
found in Egypt associated with remains belonging to the 
12th Dynasty (Tickholm et al., 1941). Similar grains 
have been found among Egyptian cereals of the 2nd and 
3rd century A.D. These Egyptian oats were originally 
identified as A. strigosa, but Tickholm et al. think they 
are A. fatua or A. sterilis. It would appear that they 
occurred as weeds, there being no evidence that oats 
were cultivated by the ancient Egyptians (De Candolle, 
1883; Ames, 1939). 
Archaeological evidence for the early presence of oats 
in northwestern Europe is abundant. Werth (1944) lists 
three sites in Switzerland, five in Germany and one in 
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