APPENDIX. No. y. 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 refeiTed 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 Forskars Catalogue, or in the 

 more extensive Flora Egyptiaca of M. Delile. 



There is nothing very improbable in the supposition of Arachis hypogaea 

 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 proljably of African 

 origin ; it is stated, at least both by Marcgrai^and Piso, to have been introduced 

 into Brazil fi-om 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. Locldiart, it is very 

 generally found wild, and it is only once mentioned as cultivated : it may, 

 however, have been formerl}- cultivated, along with other species of Millet, to 

 a much greater extent; its place being now supphed by the Maize, which 

 oives 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 



* Hisl. Rei Herb. \,p. 9S. 



+ Mandubi d'Angola Marrg. Hist. Nat. Brasll. 4S. Mandobi, Piso, Hist. Kal. Brasil. 

 p. £56. 



3P 



