APPENDIX. No. VY. 473 
From China it has probably been introduced into the continent of India, 
Ceylon, and the Malayan Archipelago, where, though now generally cultivated, 
there is reason to believe, particularly from the names given to it, that it is not 
indigenous. I think it not very improbable that it may have been carried from 
Africa to various parts of equinoctial America, though it is noticed in some of 
the early accounts of that continent, especially of Peru and Brazil. 
According to Professor Sprengel,* it is mentioned by Theophrastus as 
cultivated in Egypt: but it is by no means evident that Arachis is the plant 
intended in the passage of Theophrastus referred to; and it is probable that 
had it been formerly cultivated in Egypt, it would still be found in that 
country ; it is not, however, included either in Forskal’s Catalogue, or in the 
more extensive Flora Egyptiaca of M. Delile. 
There is nothing very improbable in the supposition of Arachis hypogea 
being indigenous to Asia, Africa, and even America; but if it be considered 
as originally belonging to one of those continents only, it is more likely to have 
been brought from China through India to Africa, than to have been carried 
in the opposite direction. 
Glycine subterranea, however, which is extensively cultivated in Africa, 
Madagascar, and several parts of equinoctial America, is probably of African 
origin ; it is stated, at least both by Marcgraf and Piso, to have been introduced 
into Brazil from Angola or Congo.t 
The Holcus noticed by Captain Tuckey, of which the specimens in the 
herbarium do not enable me to determine whether it be a distinct species, or a 
variety only of H. sorghum or saccharatus, may be considered as indigenous, 
or at least as belonging to Africa. According to Mr. Lockhart, it is very 
generally found wild, and it is only once mentioned as cultivated: it may, 
however, have been formerly cultivated, along with other species of Millet, to 
a much greater extent; its place being now supplied by the Maize, which 
gives probably both a more productive and a more certain crop. 
The Dioscorea or bitter Yam, which was observed only in a wild state, may 
be presumed to be a native species; and if ever it has been cultivated, it may 
* Hist. Rei Herb. 1, p. 98. 
+ Mandubi d@’Angola. Marcg. Hist. Nat. Brasil. 48. Mandobi, Piso, Hist. Nat, Brasil. 
p. 256. 
Sey 
