
These divisions seem rather arbitrary, for we have heads 
of every possible shade of gradation between the flattest, 
and the most oblong conical head. The properties of the 
cabbage seem to depend more upon the coloring of the foli- 
age than upon the form of the head, and hence a division 
based upon color would seem to logically precede the one 
based upon the form of the head. It has, however, seemed 
best to follow M. DeCandolle in this respect. 
The form of the head appears to depend chiefly upon the 
degree of curvature of the midrib, or what is the same 
