130 Finger and Toe in Root Crops. 
mens, however, were much finer than others ; and in the autumn 
of that year some examples were taken up for illustration in the 
lecture-room, when it was remarked that those which had been 
so chosen were of a good size and of tolerably smooth outline, 
and, in short, showed a disposition to become " respectable roots" 
(see drawing 6). Of this crop tlie best roots were reserved for 
seed and treated as before, the seed of 1851 being planted once 
more in a different portion of the garden. The result of the 
roots of 1852, however, showed how futile was the attempt to 
carry on an advance under the same circumstances, ofttimes re- 
peated, of soil, situation, climate, and mode of cultivation, inas- 
much as the whole crop evinced a disposition to retrogiade rather 
than advance, the plants had a wilder aspect, and the roots 
reverted to the form of the first year's cultivation instead of 
improving upon the second. However, ttiis year the seed has 
been saved, not with a view of continuing these experiments in 
the college garden, but in places where all the circumstances 
are as distinct from those under which the seed was grown as 
possible. 
Now, in order to render these experiments with the utmost 
clearness, I have here repeated their results in the tabular form, 
and shall again refer to them in the explanation which will 
follow. 
Result of Experiments in the growth of Wild Parsnips (Pastinaca 
sativa) : — 
1st Crop. 
1848. Spring — wild-seed sown . . Some of the plants had smoother 
leaves of a light green colour. 
Autumn — roots examined . . Their tissues increased, much forked. 
1849. Roots cultivated for seed. 
Summer — seed gathered. 
2nd Crop. 
1850. Spring — seed of 1849 sown . All the plants free from hairs. 
Autumn — roots examined . Larger, and not so much forked. 
1851. Roots cultivated for seed , . The plants presenting the stems and 
foliage of cultivated examples. 
Summer — seed gathered, 
3rd Crop. 
1852. Spring — seed of 1851 sown . 1 m j ■ . 
Autumn - roots examined . ^o advance m any stage upon he 
1853. Roots cultivated for seed . . \ ^^'^""'^ ^™P! f"ytl""g' ^ 
Summer-seed saved ... P"''^'"" '° retrograde. 
As respects the carrots, which were cultivated in the same 
manner, it may be remarked that the change effected in them 
