XXX. 1. THE FOX GRAPE. 467 



The wine -producing grape vines of Europe are varieties of 

 one species, a native of the temperate parts of Asia, but intro- 

 duced, at a very remote period, into Greece, and afterwards into 

 Italy and thence into Central and Western Europe. In its wild 

 state it produces berries not larger than currants. The numer- 

 ous valuable varieties have been produced by long continued 

 culture in favorable climates and soils. It flourishes best be- 

 tween the parallels of 30° and 45° of north latitude; but is 

 cultivated successfully as far north as 47°, in the west of 

 France; as far as 4S° or 49°, in Hungary and on the Don ; and 

 on the Rhine as far as 50°. The trunk sometimes attains a 

 great size ; in rare instances, even three feet in diameter. The 

 wood is hard, close-grained, smooth, and susceptible of a fine 

 polish. The fruit is wholesome and nutritious, and forms an 

 important article of food in several countries of Europe. 



Most of the species of vine native with us produce no valua- 

 ble fruit. Possibly use might be made of their leaves. Sir 

 James Hall, a distinguished experimental philosopher, father 

 of Capt. Hall, the traveller, ascertained that the leaves of the 

 grape vine, dried in the shade, made an excellent substitute for 

 tea. Treated like malt, they produce a liquor of a vinous qual- 

 ity, which forms a substitute for beer, and which may be con- 

 verted into a valuable vinegar. 



Four, perhaps five, species of grape vine are found in Mas- 

 sachusetts. 



Sp. 1. The Fox Grape. Common Grape. V. labrusca. L. 



This is the common wild grape of Massachusetts, and is 

 found in every part, in rich low grounds, overspreading clumps 

 of bushes, climbing to the tops of trees, and embowering them 

 with its thick and abundant foliage, or covering walls and 

 rocks. It is easily distinguished from the other vines by the 

 tawny down which covers the branches, leaf- and flower-stalks 

 and tendrils. The recent shoots are of a light green, downy, 

 and sometimes dotted with brown dots. Leaf-stalks large, 

 round. Mature leaves heart-shaped, 5-angled, orbicular, some- 

 times 3- or 5-lobed, sinuses rounded or obtuse, lobes often acu- 

 minate ; very obtusely dentate, with the teeth mucronate ; 



