By Joseph Sabine, Esq. 



251 



of a specimen gathered by him in Peru, and now forming a 

 part of the herbarium of Mr. Lambert, with the name of 

 " Patatas del Peru." 



Mr. Lambert, in his communication to the Journal of 

 Science and the Arts, which I have referred to, supposes that 

 the Wild Potatoe is to be found on the eastern, as well as the 

 western and northern sides of South America. His opinion on 

 this point appears to have been founded on the following cir- 

 cumstances. 



Among the specimens in the Herbarium formed by Com- 

 merson, when he accompanied Bougainville in his voyage 

 round the world, is one of a Solanum, gathered near Monte 

 Video. In the Supplement to the Encyclopedic, (Vol. III. 

 page 746,) this specimen was described on the authority of 

 M. Dunal of Montpelier, as belonging to a species distinct 

 from Solanum tuberosum, under the name of Solanum Com- 

 mersonii, and it was subsequently published by M. Dunal, 

 with the same name in the Supplement to his Solanorum 

 Synopsis.* (The article from the Encyclopedic is given 

 below.f) Mr. Lambert, however, conjectured this specimen 

 to be that of the type of the cultivated Potatoe, and was in- 

 duced to do so, by information received from Mr. Baldwin, 



* Pa & e 5 - 



f Morelle de Commerson. Solanum Commersonu. Solanum caule herbaceo, 

 piloso; foliis pinnatis sublyratis, pilosis: floribus corymbosis, terminalibus ; 

 pedicellis articulatis. Dun. Suppl. Sol. MSS. 



Toute la plante est converte de poils simples ; elle a les plus grands rapports 

 avecle Solanum tuberosum; elle en duFere, V. par ses feuflles profondement 

 pinnatifides comme celle de la Pomme de terre, mais dont les foliol, e de nc 

 sontpas alternativement inegales. 2*. par la foliole impaire, qui est tres grande. 

 3°. par la corolle, qui est a cinq divisions non a cinq angles. La racine de cette 

 plante est encore inconnue. 



