36 On the different Species, $c. of the Genus Brassica, 



pods are of an oval shape, narrow at the lower part next the 

 peduncle, and contain a great number of small seeds. 



The third is the cultivated Radish, Raphanus sativus, 

 which might easily be mistaken when young, for the Brassica 

 Rapa, and one of its races bears in France the name of 

 Rave ; it is distinguished by its seed-pod being nearly acumi- 

 nated, of spongy consistency, never opening spontaneously, 

 and having compartments within to keep the seed separated. 

 It is said to grow wild in the south of Europe, but this seems 

 to be little more than a conjecture. If it should be, as it is 

 supposed, the P«<pav<$* of Theophrastus, it would most pro- 

 bably be a native of Greece or the neighbouring countries ; 

 its analogy to other species of the same group, and, what we 

 know already concerning one of its varieties, Raphanus sativus 

 oleiferus, would make me suppose it to have come from 

 Asia. The Raphanus sativus, which I studied at the same 

 time with the Brassicce, ought, I conceive, to be separated into 

 two distinct divisions, each of which may probably prove to 

 be species capable of being subdivided into several varieties 

 and sub-varieties. Miller assures us that he has cultivated 

 them for forty years, without any alteration ; nevertheless, 

 most of the modern cultivators have observed several varia- 

 tions in them. Monsieur Audibert, for example, thinks that 

 the colour is more permanent than the form ; others speak of 

 several changes of colour. The following divisions, however, 

 appear to be constant ; first, that of the common Radish, 

 Raphanus communis ; its character, a fleshy root, neither 

 compact nor tuberous, of a red, or white colour, but never 



* Tbeophrast. Hist. Jib. 7. cap. 4. 



