50 DIALYPETALOUS EXOGENS 



Stem 10 to 20 feet, or more, in length (usually kept short by pruning). Leavet 

 more or less lobed, generally rather smaller than in our native species. Berries 

 globose, oblong, or obovoid, dark blue, amber-color, or greenish-white. 

 Hal). Gardens, and Graperies. Nat. of Asia. Fl. June. Fr. Aug. Sept. 



Obs. An almost incredible number of varieties, of this species, 

 have been produced by long culture. It is said, there are about 

 1400 in the Vineries of France. The Currants of commerce (Cor- 

 inths, or Grapes of Corinth) often called Zante Currants are be- 

 lieved to be a small-fruited and nearly seedless variety, or perhaps 

 a distinct yet closely allied species. It seems now to be agreed, on 

 all hands, that in our climate, the only mode of securing a crop of 

 foreign Grapes, is to cultivate them under glass. In that way, the 

 delicious fruit may almost certain^ be obtained. 



f f Flowers oftenpolygamo-diaicous (Native species). 



2. V. Labrusca, L. Reaves roundish-cordate, somewhat 3- 

 lobed, densely tomentose beneath ; racemes simple ; berries large. 

 Fox-Grape (of the Northern States; not of Virginia). 



Stem 15 to 20 or 30 feet long, straggling over bushes and small trees; branchlets 

 lanuginous. Leaves 4 to 6 inches in length, the tomentum beneath persistent, 

 inclining to russet, or tawny ; petides 2 to 4 inches long. Flowers yellowish-green, 

 in rather short racemes. Berries globose, about half an inch in diameter, varying 

 at maturity from black to amber color, and sometimes greenish-white ; of a strong 

 musky or rancid flavor. 

 Hob. Moist thickets, along streams : frequent. Fl. June. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. This gi-ape is believed to be the original of those cultivated 

 varieties (some of them possibly hybrids) known as Isabella, Schuyl- 

 kill, Raccoon, Catawba, Alexander's, Tasker's, and Blond's grape. 

 They are all decided improvements upon the wild fruit ; and suc- 

 ceed much better, in this climate, than any of the foreign ones. The 

 Catawba grape, in particular, has yielded wine of a superior quality, 

 in Ohio, and is well worthy of culture as a table grape. 



3. V. aestivalis, MX. Leaves broadly cordate, often 3- to 5- 

 lobed, or sinuate-palmate, loosely tomentose beneath; racemes 

 densely compound ; berries small. 



SUMMER VITIS. Little Grape. Summer Grape. 



I ' -Stem 20 to 40, sometimes 60 feet, or more, in length, often climbing high trees. 

 'Leaves 4 to 8 inches long, with a loose cobwjeb-like russet pubescence beneath, 

 " *vhen young, more hirsute, sometimes smoothish when older ; petioles 2 to 4 

 ' inches long, Flowers greenish, often umbellulate in the longish compound ra- 

 cemes. Berries scarcely half the size of the preceding, deep blue or blueish-black, 

 and covered with a glaucous powder, when mature. 

 Hab. Woods, thickets, &c.: frequent. Fl. June. Fr. Octo. 



Obs. The fruit of this, when fully mature, is of a sprightly acid 

 and agreeable flavor, quite a favorite with those who are fond of 

 pastry Tarts; though the nut-like seeds are rather objectionable. 

 Some of the varieties bear larger berries, which might probably be- 

 come more valuable under culture. 



4. V. COrdifolia, MX. Leaves cordate, acuminate, incised- 

 dentate, smooth on both sides ; racemes slender, loosely compound ; 

 berries small. 



