in Extra- Tropical Countries. 397 



Villebrunia integrifolia, Gaudichaud. 



India, ascending the Himalayan mountains to 5,000 feet. A small 

 tree, allied to the Ramie-plant (Boehmeria nivea). Mr. C. B. Clarke 

 regards the fibre as one of the strongest available in India, it being 

 used for bow-strings. Other Villebrunias for instance, V. frutescens, 

 and also some species of Debregeasia, particularly D. velutina like- 

 wise deserve regular culture, for the sake of their fibre. Moist forest- 

 tracts seem particularly adapted for these plants, because V. integri- 

 folia grows in Sikkim at an elevation, where the rainfall ranges from 

 100 to 200 inches. This fibre is much more easily separable than that 

 of Maoutia Puya, according to Dr. Gr. King's observations. 



Viola odorata, Renealm. 



The Violet. Middle and Southern Europe, North- Africa, Western 

 and Middle Asia. Passingly alluded to here, as this modest though 

 lovely plant should be extensively naturalized in forest-glens; it fur- 

 nishes its delicate scent by enfl enrage for various compositions of 

 perfumery. It flowers in the southern regions of Australia through 

 the whole of our almost six-monthly spring. The annual produce of 

 flowers from violets obtained at Nice and Cannes alone amounts to 

 about 50,000 Ibs. Violets are there often grown as an extra-crop 

 under lemon- and orange-trees; the kind chiefly cultivated for per- 

 fumery is the " Double Parma" (Piesse). Varieties specially cultivated 

 for bouquets, are: Lee's Victoria, the Czar and the Neapolitan and 

 Semperflorens. Their culture proves quite remunerative. 



Vitis acetosa, F. v. Mueller. 



Carpentaria and Arnhem's Land. Stems rather herbaceous than 

 shrubby, erect. The whole plant is pervaded with acidity, and proved 

 valuable in cases of scurvy. The berries are edible. This species, if 

 planted in countries with a mild temperate clime, would probably 

 spring afresh from the roots annually. 



Vitis sestivalis, Michaux.* 



The Summer-Grape of the Middle and Eastern States of North- 

 America. Flowers fragrant. The berries are deep blue, of pleasant 

 taste, and ripen late in the season, but are generally rather small and 

 in some kinds somewhat sour. Among the varieties derived from this 

 species, the Jacques, Herbemont, Norton's Virginia, Elsinburg, Cun- 

 ningham, Rulander and Pauline are the best known; all resist the 

 attacks of the Phylloxera vastatrix, as has been fully demonstrated by 

 experience in the United States as well as in the south of France. 

 Several of these give an excellent produce; Jacques and Norton's 

 Virginia gained a first prize in competition with the wines of Southern 

 France, at an exhibition held in Montpellier. The Jacques-variety 

 especially is much esteemed in the Provence for its resistance to 

 Phylloxera, also for its luxuriant growth, great fertility and excellent 

 wine of rich color. The whole group of Vitis aestivalis is however 

 rather difficult to propagate, and is for this reason not so valuable for 

 stock of the European vine as V. riparia. As these vines are of 



