the Beet; a genus of the digynia order, belonging to the pentandria clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 12th order, Holacae. The calyx has four leaves; there is no corolla; the seeds are kidney-shaped, and situated within the base of the calyx.

Species. 1. The maritima, or sea-beet, grows naturally by the sea-side, and in salt marshes, in many parts of England, as also on the Baie island at the mouth of the Forth in Scotland. It has been supposed by many to be only a variety of the common white beet; but Mr. Miller assures us he has been unable to make any variation in them by culture. 2. The hortensis, or common white beet, is cultivated in gardens for the sake of its leaves which are frequently used in soups. The root of this sort seldom grows larger than a man's thumb; the spikes of flowers come out from the wings of the leaves, which are long, and have narrow leaves placed between the flowers. The lower leaves of the plant are thick and succulent, and their footstalks broad. The varieties of this are, the white beet, the green beet, and the Swiss or chard beet. These will vary from the one to the other, but have never been found to change to the first or third sort. 3. The vulgaris, or red beet, with a pyramidal root, hath large, thick, succulent leaves, which are for the most part of a dark-green or purple colour. The roots of this are large, and of a deep red colour. The larger these roots grow, the tenderer they are; and the deeper their coffee to sell; and where the Europeans come, or send their factors or brokers, to purchase it. E. Long.

57° 20' N. Lat. 15° 40'.