o92 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Vitis Thomsoni (figs. 85, 100), and the pretty white and rose variegation 

 of Vitis Henry ana (fig. 92). 



The autumn tints assumed by the Eastern Vines hitherto in cultivation 

 are of the most brilliant hues, and a well-coloured column of Vitis Thun- 

 bergii or Vitis Coignetice is a garden picture which leaves a lasting 

 impression on the mind. 



Of the colouring properties of the new species from China it is as yet 

 early to speak definitely in all cases ; but, though the last two summers 

 have been dull and wet, they promise to be no wit inferior to those of the 

 Vines we already have. From information of their behaviour in their 

 native ranges there is reason to assume they will rival the best of the 

 older varieties in the matter of autumn tints, and Vitis Thomsoni, Vitis 

 armata Veitchii, Vitis flexuosa Wilsoni, Vitis Romaneti, and Vitis 

 sinensis have assumed at Coombe Wood autumn tints which leave little 

 to be desired. 



Vitis aconitifolia is a new Chinese species with leaves of variable form, 

 but usually dissected into five narrow pointed leaflets, resembling those 

 of the Monkshood or Aconitum (fig. 87). 



On the upper part of the plant the leaves are usually digitately com- 

 pound, composed of from three to five leaflets, slightly hairy on the upper 

 surface, more densely so beneath, purplish in colour when young, and 

 when mature of a bright green with a velvety appearance. The leaflets 

 vary in breadth and in outline, and the margins are more or less serrate. 



As a pillar plant this species has a very light and graceful appearance, 

 and it will probably be largely planted in situations that are not suited to 

 the more robust and vigorous varieties. It was first shown in a group 

 of new Chinese Vines on September 1, 1908, and received an award of 

 merit. 



Vitis amurensis, a native of North China and Amurland, is a large- 

 leaved species with foliage somewhat resembling that of Vitis Coignetice. 

 It does not succeed equally well in all localities, but in a strong soil and 

 in a sheltered position, where it makes vigorous growth, the autumn colour 

 is said to be an intense crimson of a very vivid tint. 



'Vitis armata, also recently introduced from Central China, is, and 

 probably ever will be, one of the most remarkable and handsome of the 

 ornamental Vines. The stems and petioles are thickly beset with prickles, 

 from which peculiarity it derives its specific name. In the 1 Gardeners' 

 Chronicle ' for 1886, p. 753, Mr. Hemsley gives an account of a specimen 

 lit thorny Vine which had come under his notice in a small collection of 

 dried plants from the neighbourhood of Ningpo, sent to England by 

 Consul Cooper in 1884. The specimens were imperfect, and were accom- 

 panied by following note : " Thorny Vine, cultivated at Kinhua ; bears 

 large purple grapes." 



The leaves bore a resemblance to Vitis vinifem, and to this species it 

 was referred by Professor Oliver, under the name Vitis vinifera var. ? In 

 1885 it was figured in the 'Revue Horticole,' at page 55, fig. 10, as 

 Spinovitis Davidii, and was described by M. Carriere from specimens 

 collected in the mountains of the western province of Shensi by Abbe 

 David. This is now in cultivation at Kew under the name of Vitis vini- 

 fera VST. Davidii. 



