SCIENTIFIC AND POPULAR. 395 



2106. ViSMIA, Vandelli. Wax-tree. Hypericaceae. 



Named for Visme, botanist of Lisbon, Shrubs or trees. 

 About 30 species, tropical Africa and America, (a) V. Gui- 

 anensis. Mexico to Brazil. Gutta-gum tree, Wax-tree. Gum- 

 resin, American Gamboge, (Gummi gutta), a drastic cathartic. 

 Other species yield similar products. 



2107. VITEX, L. Vitex, etc. Verbenaceae. 



The Latin name of (a). Aromatic shrubs or trees, some 

 yielding hard and durable timber (Teak of New Zealand, Lig- 

 num vitae of Queensland). About 75 species, warmer regions 

 of Old and New World; 1 in U. S. 



a. V. Agnus-castus L, Mediterranean region. Chaste-tree, 

 Abraham' s-balm. Hemp-tree, Monk's Pepper-tree; Ger. Abra- 

 hamstrauch, Keuschlamm. Monchspfefter. Seeds aromatic, 

 (b) V. liguiim-vitae A. Cunn. is Queensland Lignum vitae. 



2108. VITIS, L. - Grape. - Vitaceae. 

 The ancient Latin name. Climbing woody vines, mostly 



with tendrils. About 40 species, warm and temperate regions; 



25 in U. S. 



a. V, aestivalis Michx. Eastern U. S. Summer Grape, Small 



Grape, Original among others of Jacques, Cynthiana and 

 Norton's Virginia varieties of cultivated grapes. 



b. V. cordifolia Michx. Eastern U. S., west to Nebraska. Frost 



Grape, Fox Grape, Chicken Grape, Possum Grape, Winter 

 Grape. 



c. V. Labrusca L. New England to Georgia, west to Minnesota, 



also in Japan, Northern Fox Grape, Northern Plum Grape, 

 Wild Grape, Wild Vine. The original of the Isabella, Concord, 

 Catawba and many other varieties. The Delaware Grape is a 

 cross with this and V. vinifera L, 



d. V. rotimdifolia Michx. (V. vulpina Torr, & Gr. not. L. ). 



Maryland to Texas and Mexico, also in eastern Asia, South- 

 ern Fox Grape, Bullace Grape, Muscadine Grape. The origi- 

 nal of the Scuppernong. Less hardy than other American 

 Grapes, but resists phylloxera perfectly, 



e. V. vinifera L. Southern Europe to central Asia, widely cult. 



Wine Grape; European Hot-house or California Grape, includ- 

 ing numerous varieties such as Tokay, Muscatel, etc. from 

 which European wines are produced; Ger. Weinrebe, Wein- 

 stock; Fr. Vigne. Fruit esculent. Fej-mented juice of the ripe 

 fruit. Grape Wine; Vinum Album, U, S. P., Vinum Xericum 

 Br., Vinum, P. G. ;Ger. Wein; Fr, V^in, Dried fruit, Raisins, 

 Passulse, Uvse pass*; Ger. Rosinen, Zibeben; Fr, Raisins sees. 

 From the seedless variety V. (minuta Risso, V. apyrena Auct, ), 

 the black Corinth or Zante grape, are prepared the "currants" 

 (i. e, Corinthian grapes) of commerce. 



f. V. vulpina L. (V, riparia Michx,, V. cordifolia var, riparia 



Gr. ), Canada, south to Maryland and Arkansas. River-side 

 Grape, Sweet-scented Grape, Bull Grape, Frost or Winter Grape, 

 .Aroyo Grape, Muscadine Grape. Source of the Clinton and 

 Franklin varieties. 



