316 DISEASES OF FIELD & GARDEN CROPS. [en. 



tuberosum, L. ; 2. S. Maglia, Sch. ; 3. S. Commersoni, 

 Dun. ; 4. S. cardiophyllum, Lind. ; 5. S. Jamesii, Torr. ; 

 and 6. S. oxycarpum, Sch. Mr. Baker states that of all 

 known species of Solanum, only six produce potatoes, 

 and the remainder propagate themselves by their flowers, 

 fruits, and seeds. In reference to the Mexican S. demissum, 

 Lind., Dr. Lindley, in his notes on the wild potato, pub- 

 lished in the Journal of the 'Royal Horticultural Society, 

 vol. iii., 1848, says that when grown in England it was 

 attacked by the disease in July, and exhibited the charac- 

 teristic black blotches in a worse degree than any other 

 in the garden. The runners were also affected. The 

 Mexican S. cardiophyllum, Lind., on the other hand, was 

 not attacked by the disease. Dr. Lindley concluded that 

 neither renewal of seed, introduction from foreign countries, 

 or treatment in the earth afford any guarantee against the 

 attacks of the disease. Sir Joseph Hooker has stated that 

 S. Maglia, Sch., when grown at Kew, did not yield tubers 

 for the first two years. It has now been grown there for 

 twenty years side by side with the common potato, S. 

 tuberosum, L., and maintains its individuality. It does 

 not, however, produce berries. Both plants are natives 

 of Chili ; but Mr. Baker points out the very important 

 fact that whilst S. tuberosum, L., is a plant of the hills of 

 the interior, S. Maglia, Sch., grows in the near neighbour- 

 hood of the coast. This is the potato found by Mr. 

 Charles Darwin in the Chonos Archipelago in south lati- 

 tude 44, 45; and Mr. Baker throws out the happy sug- 

 gestion, and one which we hope will be generally adopted, 

 that S. Maglia, Sch., should become popularly known as 

 Darwin's potato, a plant which, as far as climate is con- 

 cerned, Mr. Baker thinks without doubt is better fitted to 

 succeed in England and Ireland than S. tuberosum, L., a 

 plant belonging to a comparatively dry climate. Both & 

 Maglia and S. Commersoni, Dun., yield an abundant 

 supply of edible potatoes. Mr. Baker suggests that these 

 two species should be brought into commerce and thor- 



