On 28 Nov 2001 at 21:54, Esben Brun wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Paul Getty <[log in to unmask]>
>
>>
> I'm also  sceptical towards white potatoes.   Are they edible raw?
> (in any significant quantify) When I dig up the first new potatoes,  I
> like to eat raw one or two small ones (but not more than that)

They rapidly become poisonous with exposure to light.

What significance white potatoes have on human evolution has is a
matter of conjecture.    Potatoes come principally from South
America.  It seems reasonable that they are a relatively recent
introduction to the human diet in evolutionary terms if one accepts
the out of Africa hypothesis.    If one doesn't then there is no need
to ponder such questions of the how to catch a gazelle with a sharp
stick.  (Snaring at water holes or eating warthog or fish make more
sense to me.)

Best wishes,
Quentin Grady