252 DeCandolles Origin of Cultivated Plants. 
—primarily, to ajes, occasionally to ywca (Manihot), and pera 
to batutas. In the relations of the voyages of Columbus only 
two cultivated roots are named—Ages and Yuca. The first 
book of Peter Martyr’s first decade (dated 1498, but probably 
revised before its publication in 1511), names only these two; 
and in the third book of his second decade he mentions the use 
of the same two roots by the natives of Comagra, in Darien (p. 
148); but in a subsequent chapter (dec. ii, c 9., p. 191), he 
adds—as has been mentioned in a preceding note—a third 
kind of roots, which the natives of the province of Darien call 
Batatas, that grow in their country spontaneously. From this 
date to the middle of the 16th century the distinction between 
these roots, though occasionally lost sight of, is generally 
observed. Oviedo (Hist. Gen., 1. vii, ec. 2, 8, 4; p. 268-78), 
describes the cagabi and two species of the plant (yuca) that 
yields it; ajes; and batatas. The ajes, he says, were cultivate 
in Hispaniola, and in all the other islands, and on the conti 
nent; they were of various colors—white, reddish, inclining to 
mulberry, and tawny, but all white within, for the most part; 
the stem of the plant extends itself like that of correhuela (n- 
volvulus or Bindweed), but stouter; the leaves cover the 
ground, and are shaped much like correhuela and nearly like 
ivy or panela, with some delicate veins (unas venas delgadas), 
and the little stems (astilejos), on which the leaves hang; 
are long and slender, etc. The leaf of the Batata, he says 
(p. 274), is more toothed or notched (harpada) than that of the 
Aje, but of nearly the same fashion; and the two plants are 
much alike, but the Bataias are sweeter and more delicate, ete. : 
some of the Ayes weigh four pounds each, or more. in some 
parts of Castilla del Oro (in Darien), there are Ayes that are 
poneh they resembled—the imported fiame or “yam: 10 
Ovei i] 
are not the same, and generally are larger than ajes.” They 
had already multiplied greatly in the islands and on the 
mainland. | 
: 
: 
The distinction between Ajes and Batatas, though clearly 
apprebended, was sometimes lost sight of. Peter Martyr (dee. 
inl, lib. 9, p. 802), says that ‘‘the species of Ages are innumer- 
able—the varieties being distinguished by their leaves and 
d : ” 
flowers ;” an e gives the American names of nine of the 
