268 
On the Cultivated Potato. 
is no confident or due reliance on already ascertained facts, no 
scientific continuity. We should investigate with a full know- 
ledge of ascertained facts and acknowledged principles, therefore 
it shall be my endeavour to treat the subject from Sir Walter 
Raleigh's time to the present, concisely but comprehensively, 
and with a view to give references to all the authorities bearing 
on the several branches of the inquiry. There is danger in 
drawing general inferences from insulated facts — books, and 
pamphlets, and newspapers alike afford abounding examples of 
a quack-like tendency towards treating mere symptoms.* It 
should be our endeavour to promote a legitimate union by 
bringing about the fruitful connection of facts and laws. We 
desire the establishment of a true theory that shall account for 
all the phenomena ; we seek a true remedy which must be of 
general application. f Great progress towards much desired 
ends will have been attained if without hesitation we can 
bring ourselves to believe that constantly the spirit of continuity 
walks abroad with Nature, and that leaps and bounds do not 
usually accompany her stately march. 
The following admirable monograph of De Candolle is the 
best thing of the kind that has ever been written. After 
consultation, I decided to give a translation without abbre- 
viation, it having been pertinently observed that the writings 
of this eminent authority do not usually admit of much con- 
densation. 
* Extracts from Blue-books issued whilst this paper was in the Press : — 
Report by Consul Churchill on the Trade and Commerce of Palermo and Sicilij 
for the ycrto- 188 1 and 1882. 
'■'Phylloxera. — This disease of the vines has spread since last year, though not 
as yet to any alarming extent, being chiefly to be found in the neighbourhood 
■where it was first discovered. The Government still uses bisulphide of carbon, 
which certainly seems to kill the insect when it reaches it, but unfortunately 
it also destroys the plant, find by its use many vineyards have been entirely 
destroyed ; the proprietors now complain that the cure is worse than the disease, 
and maintain that it entirely destroys the vines without preventing the spread of 
the insect." 
Beport by Vice-Consul Hayes Sadler on the Trade and Commerce of La 
Rochelle during the Year 1882. 
"There are now,' according to the report of the Phylloxera Commission, only 
71,570 hectares of vines remaining in this Department, and for the most part 
these are attacked, whereas before the invasion of the Phylloxera there were 
170,000 hectares. 
" The same continued progress of destruction during the year has verified 
anticipation. Little doubt remains as to the xdtimate destruction of nearly all 
the still existing vines. 
" There is no longer any faith hero in the power of insecticides to save the 
great body of the vines, and tlie present period is one ratlior of experiment as to 
the success whicli will result from plantation of American stocks." 
t 'Massachusetts Agr. Report,' 1854. Sec also Darwin, "Animals and Plants 
under Domestication," iv., p. 9. 
