[2848] This remark is founded, in a great measure, upon fact. The skin of the black grape contains a colouring principle in considerable abundance, and a small proportion of tannin; that of the white grape possesses no colouring principle, but a considerable quantity of tannin. The white grape contains more saccharine matter than the black one, and they are both of them of a laxative nature.
[2849] Littré remarks, that under the name of “lethargus,” a febrile malady is probably meant, which belongs probably to the class of pseudo-continuous fevers.
[2850] Fée thinks that in reality there can be little or no difference in their effects, but that, being eaten in larger quantities at the vintage than afterwards, it stands to reason that the result will be different.
[2851] The fermentation, producing a certain amount of alcohol, would naturally produce this result.
[2852] “Sapa:” must boiled down to one-third.
[2853] This, as Fée remarks, is quite impossible; grapes put in rain-water would spoil immediately, and become totally unfit to eat.
[2854] By the transformation, namely, of the juices into alcohol.
[2855] See B. xiv. c. 3.
[2856] A notion quite unfounded, as Fée remarks. See B. xiv. c. 18.
[2857] A prejudice equally destitute of foundation.