Cadivallader Colden with Gronovius, Linnceas, <Sfc. 99 



I must still insist upon it that there are several species of maize, 

 though there be no difference in the shape and proportion of the 

 several parts ; but there is a great difference in the bulk and stat- 

 ure of the several species, and of their time of coming to matu- 

 rity, though planted in the same soil and at the same time. Nei- 

 ther can I conceive that there can be any variations of the same 

 genus where there are not different species: because I think that 

 the variations arise from the farina of one species impregnating 

 another species. * * * * We are well assured that all the Indian 

 nations as far north as New England, planted maize when the 

 English and Dutch first discovered them ; and it is for this rea- 

 son that it has obtained the name of Indian corn among the 

 English. The Indians towards the sea on the New England 

 coast, planted a small yellow sort, early ripe ; those in the north- 

 ern parts of New York, a small white sort, likewise ; the Indians 

 in the southern parts of New York, in Jersey and Pennsylvania, 

 a larger sort, of variety of colors, and ripe a month later than the 

 former sorts ; and in Virginia and South Carolina they planted 

 maize which rises to a great height, but is late in coming to ma- 

 turity. In the several parts of the country where only one spe- 

 cies is planted, no variations are observed. Now, sir, I think it 

 not probable that all these far distant nations should so soon have 

 received maize from the Spaniards, and to have adapted the sev- 

 eral species of it to their several climates ; and from the Span- 

 iards only could they have obtained it, if it was not a native of 

 their own country. But I even doubt if maize was common in 

 Spain before the discovery in America. Besides, we observe that 

 the Indians very slowly receive any of our customs ; notwith- 

 standing that the English and Dutch have lived so long with 

 them, no Indian nation has hitherto sowed wheat or any other 

 of our grains. For these reasons, I conclude that maize is a na- 

 tive of America, and that we have different species of it from 

 those of Asia. My negroes tell me that they have kinds of 

 maize in Africa very different from any in this country • and I 

 am lately told that the Turkey maize is a different species from 

 any we have. 



I have, in considering Dr. Linneeus's characters of plants, en- 

 deavored to form some criterion for myself, whereby to know, 

 when any new plant offers itself, whether it be of a distinct ge- 

 nus of its own, or a species of some other genus already known ; 



