BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 7 
Origin of Domesticated Vegetables. 
BY E, LEWIS STURTEVANT, M. D. 
There are two methods of studying into the origin of our 
domesticated plants, the one historical, the other through inves- 
tigation into the causes of variation. The first method has the 
disadvantage that events of this character but rarely find explicit 
record; the second that we as yet.have deficiency of proper data. 
We are hence obliged, if we would attain truthful conclusions, to 
combine the two methods, and through pains-taking consulting 
of scattered mention, the guarded interpretation of hints to be 
gained from tradition and vernacular names, and the recognition 
of changes due to the acts of man, to follow the protean changes 
from course to course, until we either attain the limit of our 
knowledge or indication of the original species. 
Ve may in the furtherance of this course recognize certain 
truths which we must consider axiomatic ; that variation is an 
indication’ of changed. environment, and that departure in the 
* plant from the natural motive towards a motive more subservient 
to man’s wants ix evidence of man’s interference; that as through 
man’s agency plants become removed from natural conditions, 
and have qualities dependent upon domesticated conditions im- 
ressed upon them, so when neglected by man these acquired 
qualities disappear in a large measure, and the plant changes, not 
reverts, to conditions which enable it to satisfy the requirements 
of nature; that change of form, added to the plant through man’s 
selection, if beneficial to the plant, when left to nature will be 
maintained in the plant escape or garden wilding; that a large 
mber of varieties is an indication of antiquity of culture, espe- 
cially if such varieties are of different types. - 
Applying these thoughts to a case in illustration, we should at 
once infer a greater antiquity of origin for the turnip than for the 
ruta-baga; for the carrot than for the parsnip; and where the 
varieties and types are very many, as in maize, wheat, beans, etc., 
we would infer very great antiquity of culture. S» seedless fruits 
indicate man’s ancient interference, and should only be expected 
to occur in regions which are or have been occupied by man. 
If a highway leads from Jericho to Jerusalem, it is certainly 
proper to infer that the same road leads from Jerusalem to Jeri- 
cho If variations of a certain kind are produced only by man’s 
interference, if the fact be well established, it is certainly proper 
to infer that if variations of this kind are found they indi- 
