140 BALCH, ON NATIVE GRAPES. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE 3. 



Fig. 1. Apathus Ashtoni Cresson. 



Fig. 2. Nephoptekyx Edmandsii Packard : 2a, Larva ; 2b, Pupa. 



Fig. 3. Microgaster nephoptericis Packard : 3a, side view. 



Fig. 4. Axtherophagus ochraceus Melsheimer. 



Fig. 5. Dipterous larva, allied to Volucella : 5a, side view. 



Fig. 6. Larva of Sttlops children! Gray : 6a, side view. 



Fig. 7. Larva of Anthophorabia megachilis Packard : 7a, Pupa. 



Fig. 8. Pteratomus Putnamii Packard, side view : 8a, Fore wing. 



Fig. 9. Mite from nest of Bornbus : 9a, ventral view (enlarged). 



VIII. On Native Grapes. By D. M. Balch. 



( Read December 26, 1864. ) 



It has been proved from numberless trials and disap- 

 pointments extending over a long course of years, that 

 the wine grape of Europe ( Vitis vinifera) cannot be cul- 

 tivated in the States east of the Rocky Mountains, with 

 success, except under glass, both fruit and vine in open 

 air culture, being sooner or later destroyed by disease, 

 even in latitudes where the fruit would otherwise be per- 

 fected. 



This much to be regretted failure is due neither to the 

 cold of winter nor the heat and aridity of summer, but 

 probably to the great and rapid fluctuations of tempera- 

 ture peculiar to these States ; for on the Pacific coast 

 where the climate is far more equable most European 

 grapes flourish luxuriantly, and the bearing vines of Cali- 

 fornia now number millions. 



Such being the case we in the East must turn for our 

 table fruit and wine to the various indigenous wild grapes, 

 (Vitis labrusca, cestivalis, &c.) healthy and hardy plants, 

 which grow spontaneously, varying in kind with the cli- 

 mate from Maine to Texas. The fruit of these wild vines 

 is in most cases of the very worst quality, being acid, 

 astringent and of a peculiar musky odour and taste, 

 the so-called foxiness ; but that horticultural skill and pa- 

 tience, by which have been elaborated from the common 

 choke-pear all our well known varieties, approaching per- 



