26 VITIS, OR 



60. V. glomerata, Raf. {K indica of the West Indies.) 

 Tropical Grape. Branches gray pubescent. Petioles long 

 tomentose. Leaves oval acuminate, base reniform, denti- 

 culate, cinereous pubescent beneath, Racemes tomentose 

 pedunculate glomerate long. Berries glomerate subses- 

 sile, globular and red. In Cuba, Hajti, &c. The grapes 

 are of middle size, 3-4 seeded, edible- 



61. F. maritima, Raf. Seaside Grape. Leaves cordate 

 rounded, acute with small teeth, tomentose and white 

 beneath, tendrils floriferous. Berries small globular red, 

 roughj. harsh, and acid. In Jamaica and Yucatan, on the 

 sea siae. Grapes not larger than currants and very much 

 like them, not edible, and yet make a good Wine. The 

 twigs, when cut, distil a cool water. Many other kinds 

 of Vines appear to grow in tropical climates, perhaps 

 different from these 4 last, and the grapes of Mexico, 

 Brazil, Africa, Abyssinia, Persia, Thibet, China, &c. 

 have never been described as yet. The 3 south African 

 grapes of Thunberg, V. pentaphylla, V. capensis, and F. 

 cirrhosa, are probably species of Qidnaria or Cissiis- 



62.Another species, F. heptaphylla, L. is said by Smith 

 to be merely the Aralia sciodaphylla, yet by Poiret's de- 

 scription it is a true Fitis, although it has the habit of 

 Quinaria, It is a native of the East Indies. Leaves with 

 7 folioles (or 5 to 8) ovate entire, panicles branched, 

 flowers verticillate. Calyx 5 toothed, 5 petals cohering 

 at the top. 5 stamens, a sessile stigma as in FitiS' 



III. Section. Qualities and Properties of Grape Vines 

 and Wines. 

 Eveiy part of these useful Vines is valuable and avail- 

 able. The countries where they are a staple, boast of 

 being blessed above all others, and are envied by their 

 neighbours. The ancient nations have cultivated them 

 from the most remote antiquity, and ascribe their intro- 

 duction to primitive legislators and benefactors. The 

 Hindus, Persians, Armenians, Arabs, and Jews to Na- 

 husha or Noah. The Greeks said that Bacchus carried 

 them from Asia to Greece and India, Saturn to Crete, 

 Orestes son ot Deucalion, to Sicily, Osiris to Egypt, 

 Janus to Italy, Geryon to Spain, &c. Their various uses 



