412 THE NORTH AMERICAN GRAPES. 
1. Vitis Labrusca of Prof. Swallow must be referred to V. cordifolia, when he describes it as a plant grow- 
ing to very large size in our alluvial bottoms. The vines of smaller size on our dry ridges, which produce larger [662] 
grapes with more juicy and palatable pulp, undoubtedly belong to V. estivalis. 
2. Vitis estivalis of Prof. Swallow, “the largest of all our vines,” “with stems like huge cables,” cannot be any- 
thing but the same Vitis cordifolia ; while the variety ‘‘of the limestone ridges,” etc., probably has to be referred to 
the true V. estivalis. 
. Vitis cordifolia is erroneously considered a smaller plant than those enumerated under 2 and 3. The true V. 
incite and its variety, 4. V. riparia, which forms complete transitions into the former, are by far the largest 
American grape-vines. 
5. Vitis vulpina, Linn., differs essentially from al] the other grape-vines by its smooth bark, which is never shaly, 
like that of all others. It bears very large berries in very small clusters, and is known in the South as For Grape 
(whence the Linnzean name), Muscadine or Bullet Grape. I have seen it abundantly in Arkansas, but never in South- 
ern Missouri, though it may extend so far northward. Possibly it has been confounded with a species of grape which 
in Southern and Southwestern Missouri and in Western Arkansas and the adjoining Indian country is common on the 
gravelly banks of the smaller streams, which are overflowed during freshets. My specimens of this plant are not com- 
plete enough to class it with perfect confidence, but they indicate a close alliance and probably identity with Vitis 
rupestris, Scheele, of Western Texas, characterized by a low, bushy, rarely climbing stem ; small, roundish, glabrous 
leaves, coarsely dentate, almost truncate, or with a broad sinus at base ; by middle-sized berries, in small bunches of 
pleasant taste. It has much the growth and said of the sirtiseadlite, but can always be distinguished by the 
shaly bark of the stem and the lighter colored lea 
The wild muscadine grape as well as its Calitics variety, the Scuppernong, has been grown in gardens about 
St. Louis, but has never, I believe, borne fruit, showing that our climate does not suit it. 
6. Vitis bipinnata, Torrey & Gray, and 7, Vitis indivisa, Willd., cannot come into consideration in a review of 
our native grape-vines, which considers only their economical value, as they do not bear edible fruit. They belong 
to the section Cissus (gen. Cissus, Linn.) together with Vitis incisa, Nutt., which is found from Florida to Texas. 
Vitis indivisa is common throughout the State, especially in the valleys of our larger rivers. Vitis bipinnata is a 
southern species, and was not observed by me north of Arkansas, though it may occur in the southern parts of the 
State. 
Il. THE NORTH AMERICAN GRAPES. 
From THE AMERICAN NaTuRALIsT, Vol. II, Avcust, 1868. 
Peruars the first plant noticed on the continent of North America, even before Columbus [320] 
and before the Pilgrims, —a plant identified with the discovery of America itself, — was the 
grape-vine ; it gave to the country the name Vineland, and later, to a part of it, that of Martha’s 
Vineyard. And yet the grape-vines, many forms of which grow from Canada to the Rio Grande, 
and from Virginia to California, are among the least thoroughly known plants of North America. 
Linnzus knew two species ; and that sagacious observer, the founder of the flora of North America, 
Michaux, added three more. These five species are acknowledged to this day as the principal forms 
found in the regions between the Atlantic and the Mississippi. But even in their native haunts 
they vary to such a degree, that both scientific and non-scientific observers have never felt satisfied 
about them. Rafinesque, about fifty years ago, undertook to describe and classify these forms; but, 
with his loose observation and lax scientific conscience, he, as usual, instead of becoming a guide, 
created inextricable confusion. Le Conte, long after him, did little to unravel the entanglement; 
and since their efforts to distinguish imaginary species, the tendency has rather been to combine 
what were formerly considered, even by conscientious authors, as distinct species. 
I have long devoted much attention to the grape-vines of my home (St. Louis), but have be- 
come satisfied that no satisfactory solution can be obtained without the co-operation of the friends 
of botany throughout the whole country; so I ask, from their love and zeal for our science, 
and from the general interest which this particular investigation now commands, their friendly 
co-operation. 
