194 



NOMENCLATURE OF GRAPES. 



The foliage bears considerable affinity to that of Long** 

 Arkansas, the leaves are unequally toothed, and slightly trilo- 

 bate; the flowers are very sweet, somewhat resembling in 

 fragrance the Reseda odorata. 



It is a curious fact, and indicative of the general prevalence 

 of male plants, that neither Michaux, Pursh, or Torrey, de- 

 scribe the fruit of this species. 



Mr. Nuttall stated to me, that the vines growing on the 

 Mississippi, called the June grape, are of this species, which 

 he considers the true Vitis odoratissima, and that the true 

 Vitis riparia is a distinct species. Muhlenberg also enu- 

 merates them as distinct, but appears to consider this as Vitis 

 riparia, and annexes to Vitis odoratissima, the name of Ber- 

 mudian grape. 



In consequence of there being no exhaustion of the sap, by 

 production of fruit in the male variety of this vine, it grows 

 with exceeding rapidity, and spreads out its numerous branches 

 in every direction, soon covering a very large space so densely, 

 as to render it in a great measure impervious to the sun's rays, 

 and to the effects of storms. It is therefore very commonly 

 cultivated in this vicinity, as a covering for arbours and other 

 places, where shelter and concealment are desired. 



WINTER GRAPE. PR. CAT. No. 396. 



Chicken grape. Vitis serotina, Bartram. 



Frost grape. Vitis incisa, Jacq. 



Small frost grape. Vitis vulpina, Wild. Torrey. 



Vitis cordifolia. MICHAUX. PURSH. NUTTALL. 



This is a grape so well known, that a description may almost 

 be deemed superfluous ; the berries are round, of very small 

 size, and loosely set on the bunches, they are of a purple 

 colour, and so tart and astringent as to be unpleasant for 

 eating; they are, however, supposed to become somewhat 

 meliorated by the operation of frost, and on that account are 

 more sought for by boys and others after they have been sub- 



