THE GRAPE 173 



254. Botanical characters of V. vinifera. — In fruit and plant 

 V. vinifera is very distinct from native species, yet a comparison 

 of the botanical description which follows does not show great 

 differences. It is in its pomological characters that it stands 

 forth from other grapes. In American literature this species 

 appears most commonly as the European or as the Old World 

 grape. 



5. Vitis vinifera, Linn. (Plate XVIII) Vine not so high climbing as 

 most American species; tendrils intermittent. Leaves round-cordate, thin, 

 smooth, shining, frequently more or less deeply 3-, 5-, or even 7-lobed; 

 usually glabrous but sometimes hairy and even downy when young; lobes 

 rounded or pointed; teeth variable; petiolar sinus deep, narrow, usually 

 overlapping. Berries variable in size and shape, usually oval. Seeds mostly 

 notched at the upper end and characterized always by a bottle-necked 

 elongated beak ; chalaza broad, rough, distinct ; raphe indistinct. Eoots 

 large, soft and spongy. 



255. History and habitat of Vinifera grape. — This is the 

 grape of ancient and modern agriculture in the Old World. It 

 is the vine of the Bible and of all ancient literature. When 

 mankind reads, speaks, or thinks of the grape it is this Old 

 World fruit that presents itself. Its history goes back to pre- 

 historic times; its recorded history is interwritten with that of 

 man. 



The region about the Caspian Sea is the probable habitat of 

 the Old World grape. Writers do not agree as to the climate 

 desired by Vinifera, for all the varieties in this variable species 

 do not require the same climatic conditions. There are certain 

 phases of climate, however, that are well agreed on ; the species 

 requires a dry climate and is more sensitive to change of tem- 

 perature than American species. Varieties of this species can 

 be grown successfully in a wide range of soils, being much less 

 particular than American sorts. 



256. Pomological characters of Vinifera grapes. — Characters 

 of Vinifera not present in native species are : the skin, which 

 adheres tightly to the flesh and which is never astringent nor 

 acid, can be eaten with the fruit; the flesh is firm, yet tender, 

 and uniform throughout, differing in this respect from American 

 grapes, which have a tough and more or less acid core at the 

 center; the flavor has a peculiarly sprightly quality known as 



