166 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1800. 



I have completed two reports for publication by the Museum, embody- 

 ing' the results of my observations in Japan during the years 1887 and 

 1888. These are entitled respectively, " The Ancient Pit-Dwellers of 

 Yezo," and " The Ainos of Yezo," and are published in this volume. 



A list of vegetable productions indigenous to America has been 

 hastily prepared. It is probably incomplete, owing to the limited time 

 at my command for its preparation, but it may possess sufficient interest 

 to deserve notice. 



In a letter written to the Assistant Secretary in charge of the Mu- 

 seum upon the subject I wrote as follows : 



Of products indigenous to America, perhaps the potato has been of the greatest 

 economical importance. When America was discovered, the Solatium tuberosum was 

 under cultivation in South America, from Chili to New Granada. It was carried to 

 Ireland by Thomas Herriott, a companion of Sir W. Raleigh in his voyages, from Vir- 

 ginia in 1585-86. It was introduced first into Europe by the Spaniards in 1585. The 

 Virginia potato came from Peru or Chili. The sweet potato is also probably of 

 American origin. 



The haricot beau, now cultivated in so many parts of the world, is unquestionably 

 of American origin, as is also the Lima bean. The former has been found in ancient 

 Peruvian graves, and more recently in prehistoric tombs in Alaska. The sugar bean 

 also originated here. 



Indian corn is another valuable product for which the old world is indebted to the 

 new. The oldest specimen of corn known was discovered by Darwin in the soil of 

 the coast of Peru, now 85 feet above the level of the ocean. 



The tomato is also a Peruvian plant. Tapioca is obtained from the manioc, a 

 shrub indigenous to Brazil and the West Indies. The Hour known as cassava was 

 in use long before the coming of the Spanish and Portuguese navigators. West 

 India arrowroot also originated in the West Indies and tropical America, where it 

 has long been under cultivation. The cacao tree was under cultivation when America 

 was discovered. It was probably introduced in Central America aud Yucatan from 

 New Granada, but it was already naturalized when the Spaniards came and the 

 custom of drinking chocolate was general. When the seeds were sent to the high- 

 lands of Mexico, they were so highly valued as to serve for money. Cocoa and 

 chocolate are now of great commercial value. The sweet cocoa butter is highly 

 prized in pharmacy. 



The common squash and pumpkin appear to be American productions. It is per- 

 haps not desirable to extend this list of strictly American vegetable productions to 

 include many less commonly known. There are numerous tropical fruits which are 

 not only very delicious in the fresh condition, but also when preserved. Among 

 these the guava is well known in the form of jelly. Two-thirds of the coffee pro- 

 duced in the world comes from South America, Central America, and the West Indies. 



Caoutchouc, or India rubber, was introduced in Europe about the beginning of 

 the eighteenth century, but for a long time its source was unknown. Finally it was 

 learned that it came from South America, and at present nearly half the world's 

 supply comes from there, the other half principally from Java. 



Among the medicinal agents, it is only necessary to mention two — the cocoa or cuca 

 of Peru, and the cinchona bark. The former is an important and valuable tonic which 

 has grown into great favor. The benefit which the world has derived from the alka- 

 loids of cinchona or Peruvian bark can scarcely bo overestimated. The name " cin- 

 chona" is said to be derived from the name of the wife of the Viceroy of Peru, who 

 brought the drug from South America in 1639. 



In considering the contributions of this continent to the commerce of the world, 

 it would not be fair to neglect many articles which are not peculiar to this country, 



