ACEBACE.E. 87 ACER. 



clothed beneath when young, with arachnoid, rust-colored pubescence. Ten- 

 drils from the peduncles, which are dense flowered, and with a leai opposite. 

 Petals cohering at summit. Berries deep blue, well flavored, but small, ripe 

 in September. Flowers in June. Summer Grape. 



4. V. vini'fer.\. 



Lenves cordate, 5-lobed, sinuate, naked. Naturalized in almost all temper- 

 ate climates, but supposed not to be indigenous in this country. INo plant in 

 the vegetable kingdom possesses more interestinp; attributes, is cultivated with 

 greater care, or, let me add, has been worse perverted or abused by mankind, 

 than the common vine. By cultivation it sports into endless varieties, differ- 

 ing in the form, color, size, and flavor of the fruit, and in respect to the 

 hardiness of its constitution. In N. England its cultivation is chiefly confined 

 to the garden, and is a dessert fruit; but there are extensive vineyards in the 

 Middle and Western States, for the production of wine. The vine is propa- 

 gated by cuttings. Varieties without end may be raised from the seed, wliich 

 will bear fruit the fourth or fifth year. A vineyard, it is said, will continue 

 to produce fruit for 200 years. C'Gmmun Wiiia Grape. 



2. AMPELO'PSIS. 



Calyx entire; petals 5, distinct, spreading; ovary 2-celled, 

 cells Sovuled; style very short; berry 2-celled, cells 1 — 2- 

 seeded. 



Gr. afA,7riXoi, a vine, "4^15, appearance ; the genus resembles the vine in 

 habits, leaves, and flowers. Woody vines, with digitate leaves. 



A. quinquefo'lia. 



Leaves quinate, digitate ; leaflets oblong, acuminate, petiolate, dentate, 

 smooth. A vigorous climber, found wild in the woods and thickets. It has 

 lono- been cultivated as a covering for walls, aud is best known by the name 

 of Woodbine. By means of its radicating tendrils, it supports itself firmly 

 upon trees, ascending to the bight of 50 feet. In the same manner it ascends 

 and overspreads walls and buildings. The large quinate leaves constitute a 

 luxuriant foliage of dark, glossy green. Flowers inconspicuous, greenish, in 

 dichotoraous clusters. Berries dark blue, smaller than peas, acid. Jl. 



Virg'uuaii Creeper. Woodbine. 



ORDER XLIIl. ACERACE/E. The Maple Tribe. 



Cai. Sepals 5, rarely 4 — 9, more or less united, colored, imbricate in sestivalion. 



Cor.— Petals 5, rarely 4— 9, hyposj^'nous ; sometimes 0. 



&'(a.^yposynuu3, 3 — 12, usually 3. Anth. introrse or versatile. 



OBa.— 2-lobed, componnded ot"2 united carpels. 



JF>. — A double samara, with opposite wings, thickened at the lower edges. 



An order of trees and shrubs, with opposite leaves without stipules. Flowers often di- 

 oscious or polygamous. Thesapof several species of the Maple yields sugar by evaporation. 



Genera. 



Flowers mostly polygamous. Leaves simple, Acer. 1 



Flowers dioscious. Leaves compound, pinnate, ISegundo. 2 



1. ACER. 



Flowers mostly polygamous; calyx 5 cleft; corolla 5 pe- 

 taled orO; stamens 8; styles 2; samarse 2, winged, united 

 at base, byabortion 1-seeded. — Leaves simple. 



