166 
Continent. 
Fig. 144. Fruiting branch of Sloanea guadrr- 
FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS 
V. vinifera is native of the eastern and southern shores of 
the Caspian and the Black seas, 
and a number of species occur 
throughout India, China and Ja- 
pan. In North America the spe- 
cies belong to distinct groups. 
The fox-grapes are characterized 
by dense clusters of fruit having a 
soft pulp and a strong, musky fla- 
vor. V. Labrusca, an example of 
this class, is our commonest north- 
eastern species. In cultivation it 
gives rise to those excellent vari- 
eties of hardy grapes known as the 
Concord, Isabella and Catawba. 
The muscadine, or bullace grapes, 
constitute another type, repre- 
sented in the Southern States by 
valvis, a tree of the Elaeocarpus Family. Original. V. rotundif olia; this has nearly 
orbicular leaves, without lobes 
and the berries are solitary or 
few. The famous “scupper- 
nong ” of the South is derived 
from this species; its fruit, 
with a plum-like pulp, is ex- 
celled by no other grape un- 
less it be by the Tokay of Cal- 
ifornia. 
Grape cultivation in Eu- 
rope is almost entirely for the 
production of wine, the annual 
consumption of which, partic- 
ularly in the Old World, 
reaches enormous proportions. 
In western Asia Minor grapes 
are grown largely for drying, 
in which condition they are 
familiarly known as raisins. 
Cooking currants, so-called, 
are not true currants, but 
small seedless raisins of a 
more acid variety. 
The Vitaceae, which were 
formerly called Ampelidaceae, 
Fig. 145. One of the jute plants (Corchorus oltto- 
tor7us) showing leaves, flower and fruit. 
Original. 
