Chap. 4.] 
VARIETIES OF THE YIT^E. 
225 
try, while elsewhere they are held in no esteem at all. Still, 
however, in consequence of their remarkable fertility, they 
make up for quality by abundance : the eugenia thrives in 
spots which are scorching hot, the Ehsetian vine in places of a 
more moderate temperature, and the Allobrogian in cold, ex- 
posed situations, the fruit being of a black colour, and ripened 
by the agency of frost. 
The wines produced from the vines of which we have 
hitherto made mention, even though the grapes are black, 
become, all of them, when old, of a white complexion. The 
other vines are of no note in particular, though sometimes, 
thanks to some peculiarity either in the climate or the soil, 
the wines produced from them attain a mature old age ; such, 
for instance, as the Pecenian^^ vine, and the Biturigian,^^ which 
blossoms at the same time with it, but has not so many grapes. 
The blossoms of these last-mentioned vines are not liable to 
receive injury, both because they are naturally but transi- 
tory, and have the power of resisting the action of both wind 
and storm ; still, however, those that grow in cold spots are 
considered superior to those produced in a warm site, and those 
found in moist places superior to those grown in dry, thirsty 
localities. 
The vine known as the "visula"^^ ^ * more 
than abundance of fruit, being unable to endure the extreme 
variations of the atmosphere, though it is very well able to 
stand a continuation of either cold or heat. Of this last kind 
the smaller one is the best, but difficult to please in its choice ; 
in a rich earth it is apt to rot, while in a thin soil it will come 
to nothing at all : in its fastidiousness it requires a soil of 
middling quality, and hence it is that it is so commonly found 
on the hills of the Sabine territory. Its grape is unsightly in 
appearance, but has a very pleasant flavour : if it is not gathered 
at the very moment that it is ripe, it will fall, even before it 
decays. The extreme size of the leaves, and its natural hardi- 
*® /. e., pale straw colour. 
It has been supposed that this vine received its name from " fsex the 
wine depositing an unusually large quantity of lees. 
It is doubtful whether this vine had its name from being grown in 
the district now called Bourges, or that of Bourdeaux. Dalechamps iden- 
tifies it with the plant d' Orleans. 
*2 The origin of its name is unknown. The text is evidently defective. 
VOL. in. Q 
