140 
here employed purely for convenience. It seems probable from the 
varieties which we have grown that a strictly botanical classifivation 
may at some future time be made. 
Cabbage Lettuces. 
The varieties of this class are distinguished in having roundish, 
or but slightly oblong leaves, which are more spreading than up- 
right. Nearly all form more or less clearly defined roundish heads 
when grown under favorable conditions. In this class the leaves of 
the full grown lettuce are never plain, but invariably more or less 
puffed or blistered or both. 
Cos Lettuces. 
These differ chiefly from the cabbage lettuces in having distinctly 
oblong leaves, which incline to grow upright. In general their 
leaves are thicker than those of the cabbage class, have larger and 
more rigid midribs and veins and have the surface more nearly plain. 
Many of this class form oblong, loose heads, either of themselves, or 
when the leaves are tied together. 
In a few varieties the characters seem about equally balanced be- 
tween the cabbage and cos classes, but of those that we have grown, 
the majority may be very readily referred to the proper class from 
the above definitions. 
Cutting Lettuces. | 
The separation of this class seems to be purely artificial, as it in- 
cludes varieties of which the leaves resemble both those of the cab- 
bage and of the cos lettuces. The distinction is that the varieties of. 
this class do not form heads, but furnish instead a vigorous growth 
of leaves which grow again after being cut off. In the earlier stages 
of growth the varieties of this class are not distinguishable in appear- 
ance from those of the other classes. 
ANALYTICAL Key. 
As an aid in identifying the varieties, we present a brief analyti- 
cal key, by which a given lettuce may be referred to a comparatively 
short list, from which we think it may generally be readily named. 
1. Leaves roundish, or but slightly oblong; spreading, rather than 
upright. 
A. Borders of leaves plain or nearly so. 
* Foliage green. Nos. 1, 2, 10, 12, 14, 19, 16, 17, 21, 23, 24, 25, 
26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35, 37, 42, 46, 51, 53, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60, 
63, 64, 05, 85. 
** Foliage more or less tinged or spotted with red, brown or pur- 
ple. Nos. 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 19, 22, 33, 39, 41, 44, 45, 48, 49, 50, 
52, 58, 62. 
B. Borders of leaves distinctly ruffled. 
* Foliage green. Nos. 3, 13, 18, 20, 27, 31, 36, 38, 40, 43, 83. 
** Foliage more or less tinged or spotted with red, brown or pur- 
ple. Nos. 5, 6, 47, 04, 61. 
2. Leaves oblong, tending to grow upright. 
A. Leaves oval or spatulate. | 
* Foliage green. Nos. 66, 67, 68, 72, 78, 74, 79, 16, 77, 82, 84. 
** Foliage more or less tinged or spotted with red, brown or pur- 
ple.® N.os.-70,; 71 -78,'-70, 980.732: 
B. Leaves lanceolate. No. 69. 
3. Leaves pinnately lobed. Nos. 86, 87. 

