440 VITACEJS. [Hypogynous Exogens. 



4drien de Jussieu has, however, in his Dissertation upon Meliads, satisfactorily shown 

 (p. 33) that the genus ought not to be divided from Vineworts. The tumid joints, which 

 separate from each other by an articulation, along with the many other points of 

 a°reement in then- fructification, approximate the Order to Cranesbills ; the habit and 

 inflorescence to Caprifoils, through Hedera. The tendrils of the Order are the 

 branches of inflorescence, the flowers of which are abortive. A singular variety of 

 Vitis vinifera, with capsular fruit and loculicidal dehiscence, is described in the Linncea, 

 5. 493. One of the most curious of all plants is Pterisanthes, which bears innumerable 

 flowers on a thin flattened whig-like receptacle. It is well figured and described in the 

 Linncea, vol. 1844. t. viii. 



The species are inhabitants of woods in the milder and hotter parts ot both 

 hemispheres, especially in the East Indies. None are wild in Europe. As to the 

 Grape Vine, which follows the steps of civilised man everywhere, it is considered certain 

 that its native country is the shores of the Caspian, in lat. 37°, where it is called 

 Dewaz. But it is worth inquiry whether the Vitis indica is not also a wild form of the 

 same plant. For much information regarding these matters, see Royle, in the place 

 above quoted. 



Acid leaves, and a fruit like that of the common Grape, are the usual characters ot 

 this Order. The sap or tears of the Vine are a popular remedy in France for chronic 

 ophthalmia, but they are of little value. The leaves, on account of their astringency, 

 are sometimes used in diarrhoea. But the dried fruit, called Raisins and Currants 

 (Corinths), and wine, are the really important products of the Grape ; products which 

 are, however, yielded by no other of the Order, if we except the Fox-grapes of North 

 America, which scarcely deserve to be excepted. The acid of Grapes is chiefly the 

 tartaric ; malic acid, however, exists in them. The sugar contained in Grapes differs 

 slightly from common sugar in composition, containing a smaller quantity of carbon. 

 The leaves of Cissus cordata and C. setosa are described as being acrid, and useful in 

 bringing indolent tumours to suppuration. The berries of the latter are also acrid, as 

 indeed are those of some other species. Both leaves and fruit of Cissus tinctoria 

 abound in a green colouring matter, which soon becomes blue, and is highly esteemed 

 by the Coroados and other Brazilian Indians as a dye for cotton fabrics.— Martins. 



GENERA. 



I. ViTEiE. — Petals dis- 

 tinct. Stamens distinct. 

 Ovules in pairs. Ten- 

 drils. 



Cissus, Linn, 



Stelanthus, Forsk 



Columcllia, Lour. 



Botria, Lour. 



Cayratia, Juss. 



Ingenhousia, Dennst. 



lrsiola, P. Br. 



Ampelopsis, L. C. Rch. 

 Vitis, Linn. 

 Pterisanthes, Blum. 



II. Lee«. — Petals united 

 at base. Stamens mo- 

 nadelphous. Ovules 

 solitary. Tendrils 0. 



Leea, Linn. 



Aquilicia, Linn. 



Ottilis, G'artn. 

 ? Gemma, Forsk. 

 ? Lasianthera, Palis. 

 ? Bersama, Fresen. 

 Rhaganus, Met/en. 



Natalia, Hochst 



Numbers. Gen. 7. Sp. 260. 



Araliacece. 

 Position.— Berberidaceae. — Vitace*:. — Pittosporaceae. 



Niamnacece. 



The genus Pterisanthes, carefully described and illustrated by Miquel 

 (Linncea XVII I. 385), is a most curious plant, related to Cissus, with a large thin 

 foliaceous lobed rachis, bearing on the edge long-stalked sterile flowers, and on the 

 surface sessile hermaphrodite ones; it seems to be analogous to the expanded, 

 rachis of Dorsteuia. 



