ESCULENT ROOTS OF AMERICA. 



165 



the eastern and western hemispheres. It was known 

 in this country before the common potato, which, as 

 we have before observed, received its name from the 

 similarity which it bears to the batata. 



Sweet Totato Convolvulus batata. 



This plant was introduced into England by Sir 

 Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins, in the middle 

 of the fifteenth century. Attempts were made to 

 naturalize it in this country, but it was found too 

 tender to thrive in the open air through an English 

 winter. Gerarde cultivated it in his garden in 1597, 

 where it flourished during the warm season; but as 

 soon as it was assailed by the cold weather^ it drooped, 

 and perished in the ground. The roots were at that 

 time imported into England in considerable quantities 



