122 Journal of Agricultural Research vol. xx, No. > 



This classification appears the more satisfactory, at least so far as 

 Chinese colza is concerned, since it indicates clearly the very close rela- 

 tionship to Indian colza, Brassica campestris var. glauca Watt. This 

 relationship is evident from botanical characteristics of the plant, and 

 especially from the morphological and anatomical characters, as well 

 as from chemical characters of the seeds of both Chinese and Indian 

 colza. 



POPULAR NAME 



The popular name "Chinese colza" has been selected on the basis of 

 the findings enumerated. Furthermore, it appears preferable to "China " 

 or "Chinese cabbage," names often used for similar seeds, especially for 

 Pe-tsai or other related horticultural varieties. Tracy (59, p. 603) states: 



The Chinese cabbage of this country is a wholly different species from the common 

 cabbages. Chinese cabbage does not form a compact and rounded head. . . . 



Georgeson (16, p. 652) states: 



The term cabbage is a misnomer, as its resemblance to that vegetable is quite 

 remote. The plants are merely bunches of large, smooth, more or less spreading 

 leaves, with broad fleshy midribs. They do not bear their leaves on a well defined 

 stem, as do the cabbage, the kale, etc., but look more like the Cos lettuce, the leaves 

 having their origin at the surface of the ground. 



Learning also that certain forms of Brassica oleracea, apparently 

 peculiar to China, are grown there, the authors felt that the name 

 "Chinese cabbage" could properly be applied only to those. 



The authors' form, although rather closely related to Brassica oleracea, 

 is primarily an oil-yielding form which does not head and which deserves 

 the designation "cabbage" even less than Pe-tsai and Pak-choi, both 

 more or less heading forms. Some consideration was given the name 

 "Chinese yellow rape," as the seeds resemble rape seeds in a way and 

 yield a fixed oil similar to rape oils. In order to avoid confusion in 

 horticultural nomenclature and to protect the agriculturist, however, it 

 was considered advisable to adopt the more specific name of "Chinese 

 colza." 



BOTANICAL STUDIES 



DESCRIPTION OF SEEDS 



The seeds (PI. 10, A, B) of Chinese colza, Brassica campestris chinoleifera 

 Viehoever, are yellow or brown, and, if immature, green in color. In 

 mass they have a dull yellow color, due to the preponderance of yellow 

 seeds. In form they are somewhat compressed, oval,, and usually with 

 distinct ridges on one side. The size varies from 1.4 to 2.6 mm. in the 

 long axis. The weight varies from 1.4 to 6.4 mgm., with an average 

 weight (based on 1,000 seeds) of 2.865 mgm. The weight of 500 mils 

 (quantity filling a 500-mil measure cylinder to the 500-mil mark) was 

 352 gm. 



