5j5 literary inleUlgence ^vinegar plant. July- if' 



Ic has got tht name ot the vinegar plant from the double 

 reason of the young germen of its fruit, when fermented, 

 producing either new, or adding to the strength of ol4 

 weak vinegar, whilst its ripe berries afford an agreeable 

 acid, which might supply the place, when necefsary, of the 

 citric acid. 



The powerful astrina;ency of this plant in all its parts, 

 recommend<; it. according to the learned author of the pa- 

 per, as useful in several of the arts. 



As for example the ripe berries boiled with allum, make 

 a good dye for hats. 



■ The plant in all its parts may be used as a succedane- 

 um for oak bark in tanning, especially the white glove 

 leather. It will likewise answer to prepare a dye for 

 black, green, and yellow colours j and with martial vi- 

 triol it makes a good ink. 



The milky juice that flows from incis'-^ns made in thfc 

 trunk or branches, makes, when dried, the basis of a var- 

 -niih little inferior to the Chinese. 



Bees are remarkably fond of its flowers j and it affords 

 more honey than any of the flowering (hrubs, so that it 

 may prove a useful branch of economy, where rearing 

 these insects is an object Lastl the natives of Ameri- 

 ca use the dried leaves a.^ tobacco Such is the subject 

 of the paper on this curious astringent plant ; but I pre- 

 sume we must allow s mething for the over rated account 

 of its German cultivators, aliliough I make no doubt but 

 the learned author, whom I well know to be such, and a 

 native o' the country where it is in such esteem, has on- 

 ly faith 'uUy coUecte them, and subaiitted the whole 

 to the jud^eme.iL of the society. 



