The Vines of North Carolina 33 



called it the "White Grape," and from it made what they called 

 "Country Wine/' At the suggestion of a relative, who had been 

 in the Mediterranean, and knew the indefiniteness of such names 

 as these, they subsequently named the Grape from the river upon 

 which it was found. "This is the history given by a grand- 

 daughter of one of the discoverers, who was alive when I first 

 went to Scuppernong." 



A tradition is furnished me by Dr. Hunter, that, "about the 

 year 1774, the Rev. Charles Pettigrew found it on the low 

 grounds of Scuppernong River, and planted out several vines." 

 My limited space will not permit an exhaustive discussion of this 

 matter here, and I will, therefore, only remark further upon it, 

 that the notion of its origination on Roanoke Island seems op- 

 posed by the name of the Grape. I have also been told by those 

 who have been on the Island, that there are no vines of it there 

 which were not evidently transplanted there. 



4. Frost Grape. Winter Grape. (V. cordifolia, Michx.) — 

 Common in thickets along streams through the Middle District. 

 The leaves are 3 to 5 inches broad, thin, smooth, toothed, and 

 sometimes cut into three segments. The berries are nearly black, 

 small, 14 inch thick, and very sour until dead ripe. The berries 

 are sometimes greenish-white, and Lawson mentions a white 

 [whitish?] variety. I have not heard of this being cultivated. 



5. (V. bipinnata, Torr. & Gr.) — This would not generally be 

 taken for a member of this genus, either from its leaves, which 

 are compound, like those of the China Tree, or from its fruit, 

 which is uneatable. The berries are blackish, slightly hairy, and 

 about the size of a small pea. It is found in the Lower and 

 Middle Districts, growing in rich soils, climbing (without ten- 

 drils) over shrubs and small trees. 



Virginia Creeper. (Ampelopsis quinquefolia, Michx.) — This 

 pretty vine, sometimes cultivated, is found along fence-rows 

 and borders of woods in all parts of the State. It may be known 

 by its leaflets growing in fives from the end of a common leaf- 

 stalk, as in the Buckeye, which is the case with no other of our 

 Climbers. The foliage becomes crimson in the Fall. The berries 

 are dark-blue, about the size of a small pea, borne on bright 

 crimson foot-stalks. The rapidity of its growth renders this 

 Creeper useful for covering old walls, etc., like the English Ivy. 

 It is, indeed, sometimes called American Ivy. This is often con- 

 founded with the Poison Vine, though having very little likeness 

 to it, and is hence avoided, though it be quite innocent. 



1. Woodbine. (Lonicera sempervirens, Ait.) — This beautiful 

 vine, now common in cultivation, grows from the coast to the 



