396* JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and young wood are scattered numerous purple-tipped gland-like hairs, a 

 c haracter peculiar to this species, in which it differs from all others in 

 cultivation with the exception of Vitis armata. The leaves are simple, 

 cordate at the base, more or less five-angled, with coarsely serrated margins. 

 They measure 7 to 8 inches in breadth, and are from 9 inches to a foot in 

 length at the extreme points ; the upper surface is dark green and glabrous, 

 and the under-surface is covered with a white tomentum with large hairs 

 Ol bristles along the principal veins (fig. 98). 



The plants are said to be monoecious or polygamous, and the fruit is 

 black and disposed in narrow bunches. It is a strong and vigorous 

 climber, and an important addition to hardy Vines. 



Vitis sinensis, a new species from China, was raised from seed sent by 

 Mr. Wilson, and exhibited amongst the new Chinese Vines on September 1, 

 1903. The leaves are very variable even for a Vine ; at the base of the 

 plant they are usually simple, broadly ovate in outline, and more or less 

 fcrifid ; higher up they become more lobed, and at about 5 feet from the 

 ground are divided into three, or occasionally five leaflets. The leaf-blade 

 of the simple leaves measures from 4^ to 5 inches in length by 4^ inches 

 in breadth ; the upper surface is green, and beneath it is covered with a 

 scattered tomentum, which is more prominent on the veins. The petiole 

 is purple in colour, and measures 3 or more inches in length (fig. 99). 



The leaflets of the divided leaves are petiolulate, rather irregular in 

 outline, with serrate margins- 



Vitis Thomsoni, a charming Vine, also recently sent to us from 

 China, received the distinction of a First-class Certificate when shown 

 at the Drill Hall on September 1, 1903. The leaves are digitate, com- 

 posed of five leaflets, the terminal leaflet being the largest and measuring 

 3^ inches in length by 1 inch in breadth when fully developed. They are 

 dark purplish green in colour, with claret-purple under-surface, tints 

 retained through the whole summer, and deepening in autumn to dark 

 reddish purple ; very beautiful when the light is seen passing through. 

 The upper surface is covered with minute hairs, which are more prominent 

 along the principal veins and margins than on the blade of the leaf ; the 

 under-surface is glabrous and glossy. 



The small elegant leaves of this species, together with its beautiful 

 colour and graceful contour, render it one of the best of the smaller-leaved 

 kinds for outdoor planting (figs. 85, 100). 



Vitis Thunbergti, a native of both China and Japan, resembles Vitis 

 Coignetice somewhat in general appearance, but differs from that species 

 in us slightly less vigorous growth, its larger leaves, and its richer, more 

 brilliant autumn tints. The leaves are very beautiful in appearance, a 

 foot or more in diameter, of the darkest glossy green on the upper surface, 

 with a dense rusty-coloured tomentum beneath. In the autumn the hues 

 as Mined by the leaves of this species are even more brilliant than those 

 <>f I i hs GoigneticB, and it is at that season of the year that the two species 

 may be best distinguished. 



\ itis ThmbergUf Like its ally Vitis Coignetice, has been much discussed 

 by botanists, and there are still some open questions regarding its nomen- 

 olature, but tor horticultural purposes it is abundantly distinct, and "is 

 our of the handsomest Vines in cultivation. 



