THE NORTH AMERICAN GRAPES. 413 
In order to arrive at satisfactory conclusions, it is necessary to study all the forms which 
present themselves, in all their bearings, and under the different conditions in which they are [321] 
found. Specimens ought to be collected in flower, exhibiting also the young shoots and devel- 
oping leaves, and, from the same stock, in fruit, if fruit they bear; and ripe seed should be ob- 
tained ; the soil, the locality, the accompanying plants, and the size of the vine ought to be noted; 
the difference in shape and size of the leaves of young shoots and of bearing branches is often 
important ; the exact time of flowering, and the period of maturity, are interesting data. The size, 
color, and taste of the fruit; the presence or absence of the bloom on the ripe berry; the usual 
number of seeds in each; the conditions and color of the pulp, —all are points not to be neglected. 
It is not expected that species can be founded on the variations in all these characters, but it is 
important that the limits of variation of the different species should be defined; and that can only 
be done by exact study of as many forms as possible in all their bearings. Thus far I have only 
seen vines with perfect and with staminate flowers ; purely pistillate ones may perhaps be discovered 
by acute observers. 
The species now known to botanists in the territory of the United States, but several of them 
not sufficiently defined, are the following : — 
I. GRAPE-VINES WITH LARGE BERRIES. 
1. Vitis vuxrrna, Linn., the southern fox-grape, or Muscadine, with several cultivated varieties, such as the 
Scuppernong, ete. 
2. Vitis Laprusca, Linn., the eee fox-grape, with numerous cultivated varieties, such as the Catawba, 
rare. Concord, Hartford Profits, 
ITIS CANDICANS, Engelm., a mustang grape of Texas. 
JI. GRAPE-VINES WITH SMALLER BERRIES. 
4. Vitis Cartp@a, DC., of Southern Florida and the West Indies, 
5. Vitis Canirornica, Benth., confined to California. 
6. Vitis &STIVALIS, Michz., the summer grape of the Middle and the Southern States, with numerous vari- 
eties, of which var. monticola (V. monticola, Buckley) of Texas approaches No. 5, and var. canescens of the Mississippi 
Valley approaches No. 7 ; several cultivated varieties, such as Norton’s Virginia Seedling, and the Cynthiana grape, 
re among our best wine-grapes. 
é Vi ITIS CORDIFOLIA, Michz., the sour winter or chicken-grape of the Eastern States, and its variety fetida of 
the Mississippi Valley, often 4-6 inches in diameter, climbing the highest trees, and bearing fetidly aromatic berries, 
No variety, I believe, i in cultivation. 
8. Viris RtpaRIA, Michz., the river-bank grape, throughout the United States to the Mississippi ; the only grape 
in East Canada, where it extends sixty miles north of Quebec (Brunet) ; a valuable grape in cultivation, under the 
- name of Clinton, Taylor, and Delaware grapes. An early native variety ripens its sweet berries early in July about 
St. Louis. 
9. Vitis Arizontca, n. sp. and as yet doubtful plant, of Arizona, with small leaves and middle-sized berries. 
10. Vitis RUPESTRIS, Scheele, the bush-grape, or (in Missouri) sand-grape, which extends from Missouri to Texas. 
It is worth noting that all those of the forms enumerated above, which I had an opportunity of raising from 
seed, exhibit marked differences already in the seedling plant a few months old.. During my absence in Europe for 
the next twelve months, Professor A. Gray, of Cambridge, has kindly offered his assistance in remanent 
those who wish to assist me, and letters directed to me, at St. Louis, Missouri, will be forwarded to 
