THE BATATAS. 



191 



sweet. The batata is a creeping plant, and is 

 re-produced from the roots, or from the sprouts 

 of the branches. If the branches of roots that 

 have been pulled up, remain upon the ground, 

 and a shower of rain falls soon after they have 

 been broken off, their vegetation will recom- 

 mence. The batatas are at present planted 

 more as a luxury for the planter's house than 

 as food for the negroes ; but I do not think 

 that there is any plant which is more capable, 

 or even so capable, of affording assistance to 

 the mandioc as this ; and perhaps it might sup- 

 ply its place. The mandioc should be sup- 

 planted, if any thing else could be discovered 

 to answer the purpose of a staple article of 

 food ; for it is uncertain in yielding its crops, 

 and requires the best land. To neither of these 

 disadvantages would, I rather think, the batata 

 be found subject. The European potatoe has 

 been planted, in several instances, at Pernam- 

 buco ; the first crop is as well tasted as the 

 roots from which it was produced, but the po- 

 tatoes were small ; a second crop, being ob- 

 tained from the same family of roots, has been 

 sweetish, and on advancing, the potatoes become 

 still more similar to the batata of the country. * 



* Labat says, that " La patate est une espece de pomme de 

 terre que approche assez de ce qiton appelle en France les, 

 Taupinamhours" — Nouveau Voyage, &c. torn. ii. p. 4-00. 



