GRAPE VINES. 19 



Tiptical. A very interesting and valuable species, with 

 many varieties, and a multitude of vulgar names, such 

 as Alexander, Tusker, Schuylkill, Madeira, Muscadel, 

 Clifton, Legoux, Cupe, Isabella, Catawba, Tokay, Mun- 

 cy Grapes, &c. all belonging to one kind, although form- 

 ing several varieties. Thej are real native grapes, found 

 from Pennsylvania to Carolina and Ohio, in woods. The 

 grapes are plentiful, large, fine, with a tough skin and a 

 rich sweet juice. Already much cultivated and valued 

 for eating and wine. The chief varieties are : 1. Vulga- 

 ris. Alexander Grape. Petioles longer, leaves larger, va- 

 riable on the same vine, often lobed, with broad ovate 

 acute lobes and narrow obtuse sinusses. Fruit blackish, 

 as large as the end of a finger. 2. Isabella. Isabella 

 Grape, figured here. Leaves commonly trifid, fruit large 

 and purple : found in North Carolina.' ^. Media. Clifton 

 Grape. Smaller grape than the first, and not so sweet 



4. Catabiana. Catawba Grape, from North Carolina. 

 Leaves large, commonly trilobe, grapes purple, lilac or 

 white, according to shade and exposure, flavour musky. 



5. Prunoides. Muncy Grape. Similar to the Catawba, 

 but taste different, similar to that of Wild Plumbs. 



6. Ohiensis. Ohio Grape. Grape smaller, white. 



41. V. obovata, Raf. Oboval Grape. Leaves similar to 

 the V. prolifera, on long petioles, commonly cordate, tri- 

 lobe acute, sinusses acute. Berries large oboval. From 

 Pennsylvania to Virginia, in islands and banks of streams 

 and rivers. Perhaps variation of the last ; but it has it- 

 self many varieties. 1. Bupestris. Large vine, with loose 

 branches, grapes purple, very juicy and sweet. 2.JVigra. 

 Grapes loose, few, obovate, nearly black, very sweet. 

 At the head of the Susquehannah. 3. Pallida. Grapes 

 pale red, Alleghany River. 4. Prunoides. Bluish large 

 grape, like a Plumb. 



N. B. By the above enumeration of our Grapes, I 

 have done for this genus what Michaux did for our Oaks. 

 Owing to the great confusion of former authors, and the 

 difficulty of comparing the leaves and fruits of all the 

 species, it is hardly as perfect as I should wish. Rigid 

 botanists may perhaps wish to reduce these species to a 

 minor number, or consider some as hybrids : if they can 

 find good permanent collective characters, let thein re- 



