Chap. IX. 



WHEAT. 313 



force in M. Godron's remark, that, supposing these plants to be escaped 

 seedlings/ 1 if they have propagated themselves in a wild state for several 

 generations, their continued resemblance to cultivated wheat renders it 

 probable that the latter has retained its aboriginal character. M. De 

 Candolle insists strongly on the frequent occurrence in the Austrian 

 dominions of rye and of one kind of oats in an apparently wild con- 

 dition. With the exception of these two cases, which however are rather 

 doubtful, and with the exception of two forms of wheat and one of barley, 

 which he believes to have been, found truly wild, M. De Candolle 

 does not seem fully satisfied with the other reported discoveries of the 

 parent-forms of our other cereals. With respect to oats, according to 

 Mr. Buckman, 22 the wild English Avena fatua • can be converted by a few 

 years of careful cultivation and selection into forms almost identical with 

 two very distinct cultivated races. The whole subject of the origin and 

 specific distinctness of the various cereal plants is a most difficult one ;, 

 but we shall perhaps be able to judge a little better after considering 

 the amount of variation which wheat has undergone. 



Metzger describes seven species of wheat, Godron refers to five, and 

 De Candolle to only four. It is not improbable that, besides the kinds 

 known in Europe, other strongly characterised forms exist in the more 

 distant parts of the world ; for Loiseleur-Deslongchamps 23 speaks of three 

 new species or varieties, sent to Europe in 1822 from Chinese Mongolia, 

 which he considers as being there indigenous. Moorcroft 24 also speaks of 

 Hasora wheat in Ladakh as very peculiar. If those botanists are right 

 who believe that at least seven species of wheat originally existed, then, 

 the amount of variation in any important character which wheat has 

 undergone under cultivation has been slight ; but if only four or a lesser 

 number of species originally existed, then it is evident that varieties so 

 strongly marked have arisen, that they have been considered by capable 

 judges as specifically distinct. But the impossibility of deciding which forms 

 ought to be ranked as species and which as varieties, makes it useless to 

 specify in' detail the differences between the various kinds of wheat. 

 Speaking generally, the organs of vegetation differ little ; 25 but some kinds 

 grow close and upright, whilst others spread and trail along the ground. 

 The straw differs in being more or less hollow, and in quality. The ears 26 



21 Godron, ' De l'Espece,' torn. ii. p. verted into true wheat, alone leave any 



72. A few years ago the excellent, doubt on the subject, 



though misinterpreted, observations of 22 Keport to British Association for 



M. Fabre led many persons to believe 1857, p. 207. 



that wheat was a modified descendant 23 ' Considerations sur les Cereales,' 



of TEgilops ; but M. Godron (torn. i. 1842-43, p. 29. 



p. 165) has shown by careful experi- 24 « Travels in the Himalayan Pro- 



ments that the first step in the series, vinces,' &c. 1841, vol. i. p. 224. 



viz. JEgilops triticoides, is a hybrid 25 q l j l 6 Couteur on the ' Varie- 



between wheat and M. ovata. The fire- ties of Wheat,' pp. 23, 79. 



quency with which these hybrids spoil- 26 Loiseleur-Deslongchamps, 'Consid. 



taneously arise, and the gradual manner sur les Cereales,' p. 11. 

 in which the M. triticoides becomes con- 



