Smithsonian Report. 1925. — Safford 



Plate 2 



The Original Potato. Now Called Sweet Potato 



Opomoea batatax. Confusod by oarly writers with Solnnum tubfrn.tiim. Ohsorvpci first by 

 Columbus, Xovpinber 4, 1492, and describi'd in his journal as "Niamrs (yams) resembling 

 carrots, with a savor of chestnuts." Identified by I,as Casas, his contemporary, iis "Ajes" 

 or "Batatas." Collected at Santa Fc, on the north coast of South America, in 1.565 by 

 Sir John Hawkins, who described it as "the most delicate roots that may be eaten." Photo- 

 graph of specimen growing in the garden of Harry A. Allard, Bureau of Plant Industry 



