12 ON THE INDIVIDUALITY 



self as to the real flavor which Mr. Caldcleugh, as well as 

 Molina, describes as bitter. They were planted separate- 

 ly in small pots, and speedily vegetated ; they grew 

 rapidly, and were subsequently turned out into a border at 

 about two feet distance from each other, when they be- 

 came very strong and luxuriant. The blossoms at first 

 were but sparingly produced, but as the plants were 

 earthed up they increased in vigor, and then bore flowers 

 abundantly ; but these were not succeeded by fruit. A 

 drawing of a branch was made by Miss Cotton, which has 

 been engraved (plate xii., Hort. Trans., vol. 5). The 

 flower was white, and differed in no respect from those 

 varieties of the common potatoe which have white 

 blossoms. The leaves were compared with specimens of 

 several varieties of the cultivated potatoe, which generally 

 were rather more of a rugose and uneven surface above, 

 and with the veins stronger and more conspicuous below, 

 but in other respects there was no difference between 

 them. The pinnulae, which grew on the sides of the 

 petiole, between the pinnae of the leaves, were few, not 

 near so numerous as in some varieties of the cultivated 

 potatoe j but in specimens of other varieties that were 

 examined, their leaves were destitute of pinnulae, so that 

 the existence of these appendages does not appear to be so 

 essential a characteristic as has been supposed, and as is 

 stated in the supplement to the ' Encyclopaedia.' 



" The plants have been recently taken up, and all doubt 

 respecting them is now removed ; they are unquestionably 

 the Solanum tuberosum. The principal stems, when ex- 

 tended, measured more than seven feet in length. The 

 produce was most abundant ; above six hundred tubers 

 were gathered from the two plants. They are of various 



