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JOUEXAL OF THE EOYAL HOETICCLITEAL SOCIETY. 



The native country of the Pea, like that of most of our culti- 

 vated esculents, is not known for certain, but remains of Peas 

 are said to have been found among the lake dwellers of the 

 Bronze age in Switzerland and Savoy, the seeds being spherical 

 in shape and smaller than those of our modern varieties. 

 Monsieur Heer states that he also has found Peas amongst 

 remains of the Stone age at Moosedorf ; but he is doubtfully 

 explicit, and gives only figures of Peas less ancient from the isle 

 of St. Pierre. I have not been able to find any records of culti- 

 vated Pi-sum sativum in Ancient Egypt or among the Hebrews ; 

 but it has long been cultivated in India, and bears a Sanscrit 

 name, and is designated by various very different names in 

 other Indian languages. 



The Pea was introduced into China from Western Asia, 

 and Pent Sao, writing at the end of the sixteenth century, terms 

 it " Mahomed Pea/' A species appears to have existed in Western 

 Asia, which came perhaps from the Southern Caucasus to Persia, 

 where it was cultivated. The Aryan races are said to have 

 introduced the Pea into Europe, but it was probably in India 

 before the arrival of the Oriental Aryans. In all probability the 

 Pea no longer exists as an indigenous plant, and when found is 

 only in a quasi-wild state, showing modification and approach- 

 ing other species. It may, I think, be assumed that the Pea 

 undoubtedly came originally into France, Italy, and Spain from 

 the East ; and although it may be difficult to identify the lentils 

 used in the days of Jacob and Esau with the Peas of later times, 

 ye: it is known that they were cultivated by the Greeks and 

 Romans in the time of Pliny, who informs us that the Greeks 

 sowed their Peas in November : but the Romans did not 

 plant theirs until the spring, and then only in warm places lying 

 well to the sun ; for, says he, M of all things Peas cannot endure 

 cold." 



The time of the introduction of the Pea into Britain is as un- 

 certain as its native habitat. I find in Traill's M Social England'' 

 that in 1066 Peas are said to be one of the chief crops grown in 

 England. J. Thorold Rogers in his 1 : History of Agriculture and 

 Prices in England," under the heading of Garden Peas and 

 Beans, writes thus : — " This kind of seed, under the name of 

 Pottage. Green. Grey, and White Peas, is mentioned frequently in 

 the 'Expenses of Collegiate and Monastic Houses' between the 



