44 THE USES OF PLANTS. 



with the Potato until 1881. This form is probably 

 better adapted to our climate, and is capable of im- 

 provement and hybridization. 5. Commersoni, Duval, 

 is a low-level plant from Uruguay and the Argentine, 

 which will not hybridize. This important experiment 

 is still in progress.* 



The ARRACACHA (Arr acacia esculenta, DC.), an 

 umbelliferous plant native to the northern Andes, is 

 largely cultivated and eaten in Venezuela, etc., and is 

 naturalized in Jamaica. It was introduced as a sub- 

 stitute for the Potato about fifty years ago, but did 

 not succeed. t 



The MUSQUASH (Claytonia virginica, L.), belonging 

 to the Portulacea, was similarly recommended in 

 18544 



5. STEMS, LEAVES, FRUITS, AND WHOLE PLANTS, 

 EATEN AS 'VEGETABLES' OR AS SALADS. 



Besides the roots and tubers which we have already 

 enumerated there are other vegetables, mostly con- 

 taining the substance known as chlorophyll, or leaf- 

 green, and therefore known as ' green vegetables.' 

 This group contains plants of which various parts are 

 eaten, either the whole plant, the leaves, leaf-buds, 

 leaf-stalks, stems, inflorescences or fruits being used. 



* J. G. Baker, ' Journ. Linn. Soc.' (Botany), 1884, pp. 489- 

 506, pi. 41-46. Christy, ' New Commercial Plants,' No. 7, p. 41 ; 

 No. 8, p. 19. 



f Smith, * Domestic Botany,' p. 358. 



% P. L. Simmonds, ' Common Products of the Vegetable 

 Kingdom,' 1854. 



