180 THALAMI FLORAE. 



4. Cissus trifoliata. Three-leaved Cissus. 



Leaves 3-foliate glabrous, leaflets ovate acuminate 

 at both ends setaceo-serrated submembranaceous, 

 branches subalate. 



Bryonia alba triphylla maxima, Sloane, I. 233. t. 144. f. 2. 



Irsiola triphylla scandens, Broivne, 147. Cissus trifoliata, 



Jacq. Amer, 23. t. 182. f. 10. Swartz, Obs. 50. 



HAB. Common. 



FL. July September. 



Stem woody at the base, climbing : branches herbaceous, 

 swollen at the joints, angulose, subalate, glabrous. Leaflets 

 petiolulated, ovate, acuminate at the apex which is sharp, sub- 

 acuminate at the base, remotely and sparingly setaceo-serrated, 

 submembranaceous, glabrous (except a few hairs in the axils of 

 the nerves beneath), nervose, rugulose, reticulato-venose ; the 

 lateral leaflets un equilateral at the base : petiole angulated, 

 channelled above. Stipules small, subrotundo-ovate, fleshy and 

 swollen at the base. Tendrils opposite to a leaf, bifurcated, 

 long, filiform. Peduncles opposite to a leaf (occupying the 

 place of an absent tendril), or subterminal, dividing into 3 or 

 more horizontally spreading branches, subdivided into two 

 branchlets, each bearing an umbellule with a solitary pedicelled 

 flower at the bifurcation. Flowers numerous, small, scarlet, 

 shortly pedicelled. Bracteas small, marescent, at the divisions 

 of the peduncle. Calyx sub-entire. Petals scarlet, oblong, de- 

 ciduous. Filaments erect ; anthers yellow. Ovary depressed : 

 style subulate : stigma simple obtuse. Berry size of a black 

 currant, purple, shining : seed solitary, size and shape of a co- 

 riander seed. 



Cissus ALATUS of Jacquin appears to me to be the present 

 species, and C. TRIFOLIATA of the same Author, to be our C. 

 ACIDA. 



II. VITIS. Fine. 



Calyx sub-5-dentate. Petals 5 coherent at the 

 apex, separating at the base like a calyptra and 

 dropping off together. Stamens 5. Style 0. Berry 

 2-celled, 4-seeded, with the cells and seeds frequently 

 abortive. 



Leaves simple. The common Grape, VITIS VINIFERA is very 

 generally cultivated in the Island. It appears to thrive best in 

 situations near the sea-shore, as it there produces the fruit in 

 considerable abundance, and of a very good quality. In the 

 mountains it appears to be chilled and blighted by too much 

 moisture, and the berries are small, and ripen irregularly. It 



