Harly History of the Potatoe. 5 
accounts of travellers, who have since that period visited the 
country. 
From these details we may fairly infer, that potatoes were 
first brought into Europe from the mountainous parts of 
South America, in the neighborhood of Quito; and, as the 
Spaniards were the sole possessors of that country, there is 
little doubt of their having been first carried into Spain; but 
as it would take some time to introduce them into use in that 
country, and afterwards to make the Italians so well ac- 
quainted with them as to give them a name,* there is every 
reason to believe they had been several years in Europe, be- 
fore they were sent to Clusius. 
The name of the root in South America, is Papas, and in 
Virginia, it was Openawh; the name of potatoe was evident- 
ly applied to it on account of its similarity in appearance to 
the Battata, or Sweet Potatoe; and our potatoe appears to 
have been distinguished from that root, by the apellative of 
Potatoe of Virginia, till the year 1640, if not longer. 
Several authors have asserted, that potatoes were first dis- 
covered by Sir Francig Drake, in the South Seas; and others, 
that they were introduced into England by Sir John Haw- | 
kins ; but in both instances the plant alluded to is clearly the 
sweet potatoe, which was used in England as a delicacy, long 
before the introduction of our potatoes; it was imported in 
considerable quantities from Spain, and the Canaries, and 
was supposed to possess the power of restoring decayed vigor. 
The kissing comforts of Falstaff,t and other confections of 
similar imaginary qualities, with which our ancestors were 
duped, were principally made of these eringo yoots. 
* Taratoufl. signifies also truffles. 
t Gerard’s Herbal, by Johnson, p. 729. 
+“ Let it ram potatoes, and hail Inssmg comforts.”— Merry Wives of 
Windsor, Act V., Scene V. 
1* 
