134 VITIS LABRUSCA. 
frnit alone have been considered, and in others, the shape and clothing of the 
leaves ; but as it will be impossible for us to enter into all of these considerations, 
we shall only treat of a few of those that have successfully been brought under 
cultivation, which are as follows : 
1. V. l. Isabella, Prince. Isabella Grape-vine. This variety is distinguished 
by its large, dark-purple fruit, of an oval form, and of a juicy, musky flavour. 
It possesses great vigour of growth, is a healthy and abundant bearer of fruit, 
and what renders it exceedingly valuable in our climate is, that it requires but 
little protection during winter. Concerning its origin and history, we are 
indebted to General Joseph Swift, of Geneva, in New York, for the following 
account, which we trust will be no less acceptable in coming from so respectable 
a source, than in the interest elicited in so valuable a production. It appears 
that General Smith, of Smithville, North Carolina, in 1808, procured from 
Dorchester, South Carolina, several roots and cuttings of a hybrid vine, which, 
it is said, had been originated there by some families of Huguenots, between the 
Burgundy grape of Europe, and the native fox grape of that vicinity. In the 
year 1817, a vine produced from these cuttings, was transplanted from Smith- 
ville, by Mrs. Isabella Gibbs, in honour of whom this variety was named, to the 
garden then owned by her husband, Colonel George Gibbs, which was situated 
along the southerly side of Cranberry, between Willow and Columbia streets, in 
Brooklyn, New York. In 1819, the garden was purchased by General Swift, 
who very generously distributed roots and cuttings of this vine among his neigh- 
bours and others, more especially to the late William Prince, of Flushing, Long 
Island, through whose efforts it became widely disseminated throughout the 
union, and was sent to several countries in Europe, Madeira, &c. The garden 
has since been divided into lots, and occupied by buildings, and the original Isa- 
bella vine, after attaining a circumference of more than a foot, was severed to 
the ground in 1838. Fortunately, however, several vigorous vines have since 
sprung up from the roots, which continue to bear fruit in abundance. From 
other statements, it Avould seem that this variety is not a hybrid, but was known 
in this country prior to 1800. 
2. V. l. bacois albis, Loudon. Bland's Pale-red Grape, Bland's Fox Grape, 
Bland s Virginia Grape, Red Skuppemong Grape, Carolina Grape, Mazzei 
Grape. This variety may be known by its pale-green leaves, lengthened clus- 
ters, with large berries, of a roundish or oblate form, pale-red colour, and sweet, 
juicy pulp, of a pleasant flavour; in some cases, however, at full maturity, the 
fruit is said to acquire a dark-purple or red-wine colour. It is more esteemed by 
some, as a table fruit, than that of the Isabella, having a thinner skin, and con- 
taining a pulp of less consistency. It was deemed for some time, as unsuitable 
for our northern climate ; but it has been found to succeed in maturing its fruit 
in most seasons, in the neighborhood of New York, and may successfully be 
cultivated as a wall fruit in a much higher latitude, both in Europe and America. 
It has been contended that this variety was brought from Italy by Mazzei ; but 
it is well known that it was cultivated by Colonel Bland, of Virginia, long before 
that gentleman visited this country. The original vine is said to have been found 
on the eastern shore of Maryland, by Mr. Bland, who presented cuttings of it to 
the late William Bartram and Samuel Powel, of Philadelphia, and some of the 
persons who received slips of it from the latter gentleman, gave it the cognomen 
of Powel Grape. 
3. V. l. catawbiensis. Catawba Grape-vine. The fruit of this variety occurs 
in loose bunches, of an inconsiderable size, and of a beautiful appearance. The 
berries are large, and much varied in their flavour and colour, according to their 
exposure to the rays of the sun. Those which receive the full effect of the sun, 
are of a bluish-purple, and a slight musky flavour, but when partially exposed, 
