pahis. 171 



named, and there arc perhaps as many more without 

 names, but which are regarded by M. Bosc as possessing cha- 

 racters sufficiently marked, to entitle them to rank as dis- 

 tinct. In the 66th volume of the " Journal de Physique," 

 M. Bosc has given an account of the plan which he 

 follows in classifying the varieties of the vine ; and I un- 

 derstand he is engaged in a great work on this subject. 

 The shoots, the leaves, and the bunches, are all to be figu- 

 red of the natural size, and coloured after nature. The 

 expence of such an undertaking must be such as to ren- 

 der it indispensable that it be regarded and cherished as a 

 national work. In general, there is only one plant or stool 

 of each variety ; but the Chasselas de Fontainebleau is an 

 exception, there being a long row of this on one side of the 

 garden. It is the favourite variety, and has justly been 

 styled the " raisin de table par excellence 11 of the French. 

 At Fontainebleau the vines grow on a light sandy soil, and 

 the grapes are sweeter than those produced on a heavy soil. 

 It is even remarked, that plants brought from Fontaine- 

 bleau continue for many years to yield more saccharine 

 fruit. The varieties of table grapes are but few in num- 

 ber, perhaps scarcely exceeding twenty ; the great mass of 

 varieties consisting of sorts cultivated in the vignobles in 

 the various departments of France, in Italy, Spain, and 

 Germany. Many of these approach in character very near 

 to each other ; and it frequently happens, as with our or- 

 chard fruits, that the same variety is known under differ- 

 ent names in different districts. The Bourdelet is a large 

 grape which seldom ripens at Paris, but is much used for 

 making verjuice. Like the verjus-grape formerly men- 

 tioned (p. 417.), it is said to be very good when ripe ; and 

 in warm seasons it sometimes acquires maturity. 



Of Fig-trees there are eight kinds, and several of them 

 now shewed fruit, There arc three sorts of Mulberries^ 



