6 THE EVOLUTION OF OUE NATIVE FRUITS 



he can get animal food." I am inclined to suggest, 

 however, that the name may have originated from 

 the lively foxing or intoxicating qualities of the poor 

 wine which was made from the wild grapes.* At 

 the present day, we speak of "foxiness" when we wish 

 to recall the musk -like flavor of the wild Vitis La- 

 brusca; but this use of the term is of later origin, 

 and was suggested by the name of the grape. 



"A Perfect Description of Virginia," a narrative 

 "sent from Virginia, at the request of a Gentleman 

 of worthy note, who desired to know the true State 

 of Virginia as it now stands," but published anony- 

 mously in 1649, records: "Vines in abundance and 

 variety, do grow naturally over all the land, but by 

 the birds and beasts, most devouted before they come 

 to perfection and ripenesse; but this testifies and de- 

 clares, That the Ground, and the Climate is most 

 proper, and the Commodity of Wine is not a con- 

 temptible Merchandize; but some men of worth and 

 estate must give in these things example to the infe- 

 riour inhabitants and ordinary sort of men, to shew 

 them the gain and Commodity by it, which they will 

 not believe but by experience before their faces." 



Robert Beverley, who wrote a "History of Virginia" 

 in 1722, gives a very explicit account of the products 

 of the country. "Of the natural productions and con- 

 veniences of Virginia in its unimprov'd state, before 

 the English went thither," he has the following to say 

 upon the vine: "Grapes grow there in an incredible 

 Plenty, and Variety; some of which are very sweet 



"The following entry in Pepys's Diary (vol. i. p. 82; 1659) shows that to fox 

 meant to get drunk: "He went with me to my office, whither also Mr. Madge 

 comes half foxed and played the fool upon the violin that made me weary." 



