93 

 AUSTRALIAN SPECIES. 



Several species of Vitis are indigenous to Australia that yield edible 

 fruits, which, however, are vastly inferior to the European or even 

 American kinds. Possibly they might be improved by cultivation, and 

 several are worthy of attention as ornamental plants. Baron von Mueller 

 in his Select E.rtra Tropical Plants, directs attention to several species. 



Vitis ucetosa. An evergreen species of somewhat herbaceous habit 

 indigenous to Carpentaria and Amheiin's Land. Berries from purple-to. 

 black, not large, edible. Plant vigorous, but suffers from slight frosts, 

 and is only suitable for warm regions. The whole plant is pervaded with 

 acidity, and the leaves have proved useful in cases of scurvy. 



Vitis ftaudiniana (Cissus antartica, Vitis cuitartica), A robust, woody, 

 evergreen, climbing species indigenous to Eastern Australia as far south 

 as Gippsland. Berries globular, small, black, edible, and produced freely. 



Vitis hypoglauca (Cissus av.stralasica, Gippsland Grape, Native Grape). 

 A very strong evergreen climbing species which attains a great size 

 with age. It is found in Eastern Australia from Queensland as far south 

 as Gippsland. The fruit is black, and the size of small Cherries. 



Vitis opca (Burdekin Vine, Cissnx opaca). An evergreen species 

 indigenous to Queensland. Berries juicy, but somewhat pungent. This 

 species has large tuberous roots, like yams, which are eaten when boiled. 



OTHER SPECIES. 



There are several Asiatic and African species of Vitis which yield 

 edible Grape*, and many of these may, if fairly tried, prove serviceable in 

 the tropical portions of Australia. Baron von Mueller recommends trials 

 of the following : Vitis indica, a species with small edible berries 

 indigenous to mountain districts in Ceylon and India ; Vitis Bhimeana, 

 Vitis Icevigata, Viti-x mutabilis, and Vitia thyrsijlora, species from the 

 mountain districts of Java, with palatable berries as large as small 

 Cherries ; Vitis imperial is, from Borneo ; Vitis anriculata arid Vitis 

 elongata, from the mountain regions of Coromandel, each producing large 

 juicy berries ; Vitis quadrangularis, a species extending from Arabia to 

 India and Central Africa has also large edible fruits; Vitis Schimperi ana, 

 an African species extending from Abyssinia to Guinea, with edible 

 berries, said to be similar in appearanc to bunches of Frontigvac Grapes. 

 Other species might also prove useful acquisitions for the tropical regions 

 of Australia. 



GRAPE PEAR. 



This is one of the common names for the fruit of Amelanchier Batrtia- 

 pium, a handsome deciduous tree indigenous to North America which 

 attains a height of about thirty feet. It belongs to the Pomea or Apple 

 section of the natural order Rosaces. The fruit of this and other species 

 is also known in America as "June Berries," and the tree passes under- 

 the name of " Shadbush." This tree is very prolific, and bears in great 



