CHAP. I. - RANUNCULACER. CLE’MATIS. 237 
and also Winch, assert that it is not indigenous in the north of England, 
which we believe to be the fact. It is common in France and Germany, and 
is found in the south of Sweden, but not in Denmark. 
History. This species appears to have been first recorded l Theophrastus, 
as Athragené and also as Klématis ; and it has been since frequently mentioned 
by botanists, under various names, given in our list of synonymes, from the 
time of Dioscorides to the days of Linnzus. 
Properties and Uses. Du Hamel states, that the French gardeners not only 
use the twigs of this plant instead of withs, for tying up their plants, but that, 
after stripping them of their bark, they make very neat baskets of them 
(Traité des Arbres, §c., 1st edit. 1755, p. 175.); and they also make of them 
beehives and a variety of other articles of the same kind. The twigs are in the 
best state for making these articles in winter ; and their flexibility is increased by 
holding them to the fire before using them. Desfontaines says that the young 
shoots are not corrosive while they are tender and herbaceous, and that in the 
south of France they feed cattle with them in that state, and eat them pickled 
in vinegar. It is also said, in the Dictionnaire Général des Eaux et Foréts (vol. i. 
p. 649. ), that a very good paper has been made from the feathery part of the seed. 
Professor Burnet observes that C. Vitalba is used in medicine as a rubefacient 
in case of rheumatism ; and that the dried leaves of the plant form a good 
fodder for cattle, though they [we presume, the matured ones] would poison 
the animals if they were eaten in a fresh state ; hence affording a good example 
of the rule which predicates the volatile nature of their acridity. (Outlines of 
Botany, vol. ii. p. 338.) The shepherds, in some parts of England and Germany, 
often cut pieces of the old wood of this plant, which they light at one end, 
and smoke like a pipe of tobacco. In gardens and plantations the plant is 
valuable for the rapidity with which it may be made to cover naked walls, 
unsightly roofs of sheds, or low buildings and arbours; and also to shelter 
exposed situations, and for a variety of similar purposes. It is interesting both 
when in flower and when in seed; and the seeds remain on the greatest part 
of the winter. 
Soil and Situation. It is generally found on chalky or calcareous soils, 
and seldom, if ever, under the dense shade of trees. On the contrary, 
when it grows up among bushes, it generally spreads over their upper surface, so 
that its leaves and flowers are fully exposed to the‘influence of the light and air. 
Propagation and Culture. It is readily propagated by seeds, which often 
remain eighteen months in the soil before they germinate. It will root by 
layers; but the plant being common in a wild. state throughout Europe, it is 
seldom cultivated in nursery gardens. 
4&7. C. vireinta‘na L. The Virginian Clematis. 
Identification. Lin, Ameen., p. 275. ; Willd. Sp., 2. p. 1290. ; Lam- 
Dict., 2. p. 43.; Mich. Fl. B. Amer., 1. p. 318. ; Dec. Prod., 1. p. 
“s Don's Mill. 1. pd. 
Synonymes. C. canadénsis trifdlia repens Tourn. ; C. canadénsis 
Mill. Dict., No. 5., Salisb. Prod., 371.; C. cordifdlia Moench. 
Supp. 104. ; the broad-leaved Canada Virgin’s Bower ; Clematite 
de Virginie, Fr.; Virginische Waldrebe, Ger. 
Engravings. Pluk. Mant., t. 389. f.4.; Alb, Acad. Ann., 1. p 79. t. 
Den Brit. (the male plant), t. 74; En. Pl., f. 7978.; and our 
Spec. Char. Flowers panicled, dicecious. Leaves 
ternate; leaflets cordate, acute, grossly-toothed, 
or lobed. (Don’s Miil., i. p. 5.) Flowers greenish 
white, fragrant. June to August. 1767. Height 
15 ft. 
Variety. 
4 C. v. 2 bracteata Dec. The bracted Virginian 
Clematis. — “ Leaflets ovate-lanceolate , 
entire.” C. bracteata Moench. Supp., 103. 
Description. The general appearance of this plant is like that of C. Vitalba; 
but it is less robust in all its parts, and less ligneous in its stems and branches; 
and it is also somewhat more tender. Miller states that, on this last account, 
