of adventitious and heterogeneous materials,
principally constituted of the debris of that cretaceous formation, and
partly composing the extensive deposit termed the argile et poudinge.

It moreover appears, that the species of plant which is a favourite in
one district is discarded in another; and also that very celebrated
wines are produced in vineyards where the species of plant is by no
means held in high repute; but the most inexplicable circumstance
respecting the culture of the vine, is the fact, that the most delicious
wine is sometimes grown on one little spot only, in the midst of
vineyards which produce no others but of the ordinary quality: while in
another place the product of a vineyard, in proportion to its surface,
shall be incredibly small, yet of exquisite quality, at the same time,
in the soil, aspect, treatment as to culture, and species of plant,
there shall be no perceptible difference to the eye of the most
experienced wine grower. Possibly this may in some measure be accounted
for by the peculiar nature of the substratum which the roots of the
respective vines may chance to penetrate.

The grape called _caux_ or _cos_, common on the banks of the Cher,
imparts colour and body to the red wines.

The best vines for the more valuable white wines, are the species
denominated _sauvignon_, _semilion_, _rochalin_, _blanc doux_,
_pruneras_, _muscade_, and _blanc auba_. The _semilion_ should form
two-thirds of a vineyard consisting of these seven species of plants.

Red Hermitage is produced from two varieties of plants named the little
and great _Scyras_. White Hermitage is produced from the greater and
lesser _Rousanne_ grape.

The esteemed red wines of Saumur, are made from the _pineau_ plant. The
Haut Rhin is classed under the generic title of the _gentil_. Some
excellent black wines are produced from a grape named _cote-rouge_, as
also from _auxerrois_, or _pied de perdrix_ grape, so called because its
stalk is red.

The best Bordeaux wine _de cotes_ is made with the grape called _noir de
pressac_, the _bochet_, and the _merlot_.

The first class Burgundies, called _les tetes de cuves_, are from the
choicest vines, namely; the _noirien_ and _pineau_, grown on the best
spots of the vineyards having the finest aspect.

The black grape called the "golden plant" (_plant dore_,) is cultivated
in all the most distinguished vineyards of Champagne, and from which is
produced the finest of those cel