XXX. 1. THE FOX GRAPE. 467 
The wine-producing grape vines of Europe are varieties of 
one species, a native of the temperate parts of Asia, but intro- 
duced, at a very remote period, into Greece, and afterwards into 
Italy and thence into Central and Western Europe. In its wild 
state it produces berries not larger than currants. The numer- 
ous valuable varieties have been produced by long continued 
culture in favorable climates and soils. It flourishes best be- 
tween the parallels of 30° and 45° of north latitude; but is 
cultivated successfully as far north as 47°, in the west of 
France; as far as 48° or 49°, in Hungary and on the Don; and 
on the Rhine as far as 50°. The trunk sometimes attains a 
great size; In rare instances, even three feet in diameter. The 
wood is hard, close-grained, smooth, and susceptible of a fine 
polish. The fruit is wholesome and nutritious, and forms an 
important article of food in several countries of Europe. 
Most of the species of vine native with us produce no valua- 
ble fruit. Possibly use might be made of their leaves. Sir 
James Hall, a distinguished experimental philosopher, father 
of Capt. Hall, the traveller, ascertained that the leaves of the 
grape vine, dried in the shade, made an excellent substitute for 
tea. ‘Treated like malt, they produce a liquor of a vinous qual- 
ity, which forms a substitute for beer, and which may be con- 
verted into a valuable vinegar. 
Four, perhaps five, species of grape vine are found in Mas- 
sachusetts. 
sp. 1. Te Fox Grapzr. Common Grape. V. labrusea. L. 
This is the common wild grape of Massachusetts, and is 
found in every part, in rich low grounds, overspreading clumps 
of bushes, climbing to the tops of trees, and embowering them 
with its thick and abundant foliage, or covering walls and 
rocks. It is easily distinguished from the other vines by the 
tawny down which covers the branches, leaf- and flower-stalks 
and tendrils. 'The recent shoots are of a light green, downy, 
and sometimes dotted with brown dots. Leaf-stalks large, 
round. Mature leaves heart-shaped, 5-angled, orbicular, some- 
times 3- or 5-lobed, sinuses rounded or obtuse, lobes often acu- 
minate; very obtusely dentate, with the teeth mucronate; 
