66 M. De Camlolle on the Sjnries and Varieties 



small shoots, each terminating in a rose or head, about the 

 size of a walnut, and composed of leaves lying more or less 

 closely together. It is very commonly cultivated in Belgium, 

 and is much prized for its delicate flavour ; the French call it 

 uidifFerently, Chou a jets, Chou cijets et rejets, Chou de Bruxelles, 

 Choic rosette, Chou a mille tetes, and Chou vert dj^etitcs pommes. 

 The Brassica capitata jmlijcephala of Dalechamp* may be pos- 

 sibly referred to this variety, though his plate gives but an 

 imperfect idea of it, and has more the appearance of a Round- 

 headed Cabbage whose head has been accidentally divided in 

 different places. 



Fourth Race. Brassica oleracea capitata. 



Chou cahus en ptomme. Round-headed Cabbage. 



This race is more generally cultivated than the preceding 

 ones. The stem of the Round-headed Cabbage is short; its 

 leaves, which at first are close and concave, finally unite in 

 a terminal close head ; they are neither blistered nor undu- 

 lated, as in the preceding race, but the interior leaves, from 

 being sheltered from the light by the outward ones, are pale 

 and watery, better flavoured, and of easier digestion. This 

 race of Cabbages was known to the ancient Gauls by the name 

 of Chou capu; the Italians call it Cajruccia ; both names de- 

 rived from caput, a head : whence has proceeded that of Chou 

 cahus ; it is also called in France Chou pomme, Chou en tete, and 

 Chou jiomme dfeuilles lisses. The variations observed in this 

 race are chiefly confinetl to the shape of the head and the co- 

 lour of the leaves ; the first circumstance appearing to me the 

 most important, I have adopted it, to class the varieties, ad- 

 mitting as sub-varieties the green, and the purple or red. 

 The varieties are as follows f : Lst, the Chou dcprime on aplatic, 

 depressa (Flat-headed Cabbage), the head oi'which is tolerably 

 large, and round, though flattened at the summit. Some gar- 

 deners distinguish it by the name of Chou de Strasbourg, while 

 others apply that name to the following. 2d, Choii sphcrique, 

 sphccrica (Round Cabbage), also called Ch(,u calms commun, 

 is of a globular form, and very generally cultivated. 3d, Choti 



* Dalccliamp, 77m7. Gcncrat. Plant. 521. f. 2. 



•f- The arrangement of the Round-headed Cabliagcs, according to the 

 shape of the head, will afford an excellent guide to any person desirous of 

 classing the sorts, and descril)ing them accurately. All the varieties used in 

 France are not noticed in this Memoir, still less all those kinds which are 

 cultivated in England ; no attempt therefore has been made to class English 

 Cabbages here in the manner proposetl by the learned Professor. Jn the 

 two instances of the introduction of English names, the York and the 

 Battersca Cabbages which he states are applied in Franco, they are pro- 

 bably correct, since the shajie of their heads accords. — Sec. 



above 



