147 



USES. 



All the products of the vine are of some service to 

 man, though their employment, in many instances, 

 has been superseded' by other preparations. Thus 

 verjuice, the juice of the unripe berries, has been 

 banished from our pharmacy by the introduction of 

 Citric Acid, the acid ingredient of the lemon. Vine- 

 gar, however, (Acetic acid) is still made from the fer- 

 mented juice of the grape, and Tartar (Tartrate of 

 Potass) a mild cathartic, is also obtained from its lees; 

 and the actual sap of the vine has been recommended 

 as beneficial in calculous disorders, and as a coryUium. 

 The leaves and tendrils have been administered in 

 hemorrhage and other cases requiring styptics; and the 

 wood grows to a size in more eastern countries, that 

 render it available in the constructive arts, and its 

 durability and toughness are very great. 



The seeds of grapes have been discovered to be an 

 excellent substitute for coffee. When pressed, they 

 first produce a quantity of oil, and afterwards, when 

 boiled, furnish liquid very similar to that produced 

 from coffee. The practice has become very general 

 throughout Germany. (Mechanic's Magazine.) 



The employment of grapes as a dessert fruit needs 

 no further particularizing ; and when dried they ap- 

 pear upon our tables in the form of currants and 

 raisins. 



