192 



THE AMEBIC AX XATURALlST [Vol. LIII 



the better shape of tlio wild varieties. If purpureUus, shaped 

 like a Zeppelin, could be crossed with another form to secure a 

 larjre tuber while eonservin<r the form, the result would be valu- 

 able. It still remains to determine the chemical constituents of 

 the several varieties, and this will be done during the winter. 



From the standpoint of genetics, an interesting: feature is the 

 distribution of the anthocyanin pigments. The variety pur- 

 ])in-(iis. with a urcat (|nantity of anthrocyanin in the skin of 



vai'iriy (tUnis has ii ill the leavers and st(>ms. but not in the 



exi)!ained. 



One of the greatest difficulties in the way of plant l)reeding 

 comes from the impossibility, in so many cases, of making sure 

 of the history or oven the identity of the varieties used. The 

 same thing may go under several names, or the same nam(^ may 

 be applied to different things. In the case of species, it is usu- 

 ally possible to unravel the synonymy by reference to the origi- 

 nal descriptions, or to refer to the type specimens. With hor- 

 ticultural varieties, there is usually no type and no formal 

 description. The history, in the majority of eases, is lost. AMien 

 a new variety is introduced, the firm putting it on the market 

 rarely states where it came from, and often, after a few years, 

 can not recfillect. There is no way to ascertain definitely that 

 what is sold today under a certain name is identical with the 

 plant bearing that name a number of years ago. These condi- 

 tions lead to many inisunderstandings and difficulties of all 

 sorts, and to much waste of time and energy. They are no 

 longer toIcfal)lc, wlicii the production of new plants is of such 

 prime iinpoi'taiice lo mankind. "Wliat we need is an organiza- 



report on every plant put upon the market as new. Each shoidd 

 be carefully described in botanical language, and if necessary 

 figured. Its origin, if asc('rtainal)le, should l)e preri^'ly stated, 

 with full details. Any firm refusitm- to submit its alleiivd nov- 



T. 1). A. CoCKERELL 



