158 BOTANY OF CONGO.
The Vcquiw (Carica papaya), from analogous reasoning, may be regarded as of American origin ; there being several other decidedly distinct species natives of that continent, while no species except the cultivated Pnpaw, nor any plant nearly related to this singular genus, is known to exist either in Asia or Africa. But in the present case, the assistance derived from the argument adduced, may perhaps be considered as unnecessary ; for the circumstance of there being no Sanscrit name for so remarkable a plant as the Papaw,-^ is nearly decisive of its not being indigenous to India. And in the Malay Islands, the opinion of the inhabitants, according to Rumphius,^ is that it was there introduced by the Portuguese.
The same argument may be extended to Ccq)smim, of which all the known species probably belong to the new continent ; for the only important exception stated to this genus being wholly of American origin, namely, C.fridcscejis, 472] seems to be set aside merely by the appellations of TcJdlli and Lada TcJiiUi, as given to it in the Malay Islands ; Chilli, either simply, or in composition, being the Mexican name for all the species and varieties of this genus. ^
All the species of Nicotiana appear to be American, except N. Australasice (the N, undalata of Ventenat and Prod. Plor. Nov. Holl. but not of Plora Peruviana,) which is certainly a native of New Holland. The exception here, however, does not materially invalidate the reasoning, N. AmircdasicB differing so niuch from the other species as to form a separate section of the genus.
The same argument might perhaps be applied to other plants of doubtful origin, as to Canna indica, which it would derive from America.
It is certainly not meant, however, to employ this reason- ing in every case, and in opposition to all other evidence ; and instances may be found, even among the alimentary plants, where it is very far from being satisfactory. Thus the Cocoa Nut, though it will probably be considered as
^ Fleming in Jsiai. Resear. ii, p. IGl. - Herb. Amhoin. i,p. 147.
^ Eenmndez, Rer. Medic. Nov. Ilispan. Thesaur. p. 134, et Nieremb. Hist, iAW.iJ. 363.
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