142 VITIS. N0..99&IOO- 



60.^ V. glomerata, Raf. [V^.indica cf the West Indies.) 

 Tropical Grape. Branches gray pubescent. Petioles long 

 tomentose. Leaves oval acuminate, base reniiorm, denti- ' 

 culate, cinereous pubescent beneath. Racemes tomentose 

 pedunculate glomerate lon^. Berries glomerate subses- 

 aile, globular and red. In Cuba, Hajti, &c. The grapes 

 are of middle size, 3-4 seeded, edible- 



61. V. \n&ritima^ Raf. Seaside Grape* Leaves cordate 

 rounded, acute with small teeth, tomentose and white 

 beneath, tendrils floriferous^ Berries small globular red, 

 rough, harsh, and acid. In Jamaica and Yucatan, on the 

 sea side* Grapes not larsrer than currants and very much 

 like*them, not edible, and yet make a j^ood Wine, The 

 twigs, when cut, distil a cool water. Many other kinds 

 of Vines appear to grow in tropical climates, perhaps 

 different fiom these 4 last, and the grapes of Mexico 

 Brazil, Africa, Abvssinia, Persia, Thibet, China, &:cJ 



have never been described as yet The 3 south African 

 grapes of Thunberg, r. pentaphylla, F. capensis^ and r^ 

 cirrhosa, are probably species of Quinaria or Cissus* 



62.x\nother species, V* heptaphylla^ L. is said by Smith 

 to be merely the JlTalia uiodaphylla^ jet by Poiret's de- 

 scription it is a true Vitis^ although it has tlie habit of 

 Quinaria, It is a native of the East Indies. Leaves with 

 7 foholes {or 5 to 8} ovate entire, panicles branched, 

 flowers verticiUate. Calyx 5 toothed, 5 petals cohering 

 at the top. 5 stamens, a sessile stigraa as in Fitis. 



HI. SKtio)2, Qualities and Properties of Grape Vims 



and Wines. 

 Ever J part of tlwise useful Vines is valuable and avail- 

 able. The countries where thej are a staple, boast of 

 being blessed above all others, and are envied bv their 

 neighbours. The ancient nations have cultivated them 

 trom the most remote antiquity, and ascribe ih^vc intro- 

 auction to primiiive legislators and benefactors. The 

 Umdus, Persians, Armenians, Arabs, and Jews to Xa- 

 hu,,ua or Xoah. The Greeks said that Bacchus carried 

 Jheaa trora Asia to Greece and India, Saturn to Crete, , 

 yre^,.-, son ot Deucalion, to Sicilv, Osiris to E-vpt, 



'^ ■^^' Geryon to Spain, &c." Titeir various x^'^s 



-M^ 



