Chapter II: Part 2

This delicate little Rose is a most desirable variety, as it continues in bloom all the summer, and is amongst those few that do not retire till late in autumn. It is of a dwarf growth, inclinable to spread, and sometimes almost creep upon the ground. In dry weather, the sun frequently extracts so much of the colour from the outer petals as to leave them almost bleached; which gives a comparatively richer appearance to the centre. It then bears some resemblance, in its flowers, to the larger Pompone Rose.

The powerful transition it has experienced, from single to completely double flowers, gives it a very different aspect from its original; but in every other particular it is closely allied. Its bloom is durable, and succession abundant. We however rather think it is of a tender habit, not having seen any large plants of it.

Our figure was taken from a luxuriant plant at the nursery of Mr. Williams, at Turnham Green.

ROSA alba, _semi-duplex_.

_Semi-double White Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus ovatis, glabris: pedunculis hispidis: floribus
albis, semi-duplicibus: foliis sub-glaucis: foliolis ovatis,
acutis, ad margines serratis: caulis erecto-patens, superne
sub-glaber, ad basin aculeis rigidis instructus.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with smooth, egg-shaped seed-buds, and hispid peduncles.
Flowers white, and semi-double. Leaves nearly of a glaucous green.
Leaflets broadly egg-shaped, sharp-pointed, with serrated margins.
Stem between erect and spreading, nearly smooth on the upper part,
but furnished with strong spines towards the base.

* * * * *

This semi-double Rose so nearly resembles the single in its habit and foliage, that it can only be regarded as a florescent variety; for, when the plant is not in bloom, it is scarcely possible to distinguish the one from the other: but when in flower it certainly forms a very distinct appearance from its original, and is by far the more desirable plant: not that its beauty is by any means considerable; but as it preserves a regular progressive approach to completely double flowers, (generally regarded as the perfection of the plant,) it is on that account particularly estimable. Like its original, it is only retained by those who wish to have every distinct Rose, to form a complete collection. Its flowers are of a fine white, but not of long continuance. The foliage is of a blueish or glaucous green. In habit, its native origin (the wild species) is very discernible. It is at present rather a scarce plant, from not possessing attraction sufficient to recommend it as an object of general culture.

ROSA spinosissima, _rubra_; _Var. flore pleno_.

_Red Thorny Rose; Double-flowered Variety._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus sub-globosis, glabris: pedunculis hispidis:
floribus semi-duplicibus, incarnatis: foliis patentibus: foliolis
ovatis, costatis, crenatis: caule et petiolis aculeatissimis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with nearly round seed-buds, smooth. Peduncles hispid. Flowers
semi-double, and flesh-coloured. Leaves spreading. Leaflets ovate,
ribbed, and notched at the edges. Stem and petioles very prickly.

* * * * *

This fine semi-double Rose is generally known by the appellation of the Double Red Scotch. It is evidently a thorny Rose, and powerfully resembles the _spinosissima_ in most particulars except the flowers, whose pale delicate character reminds us so much of the _Indica_, that, were a flower detached from the plant, and compared with that ever-blooming species in a confined mode of culture, the resemblance would be found considerable. How or by whom it was first cultivated, we have not been able to learn with any degree of certainty: it must, therefore, with several other unavoidable deficiencies of the same description, pass on till the conclusion of the work, when we shall be better enabled to fill up these little chasms--at the same time that we give a Dissertation on the Genus.

Our figure was made from fine plants in the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames.

ROSA Indica rubra.

_Red Indian Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus subrotundis, pedunculisque leviter hispidis,
glabris, et nitidis: floribus rubris, magnis, odoratis: foliis
glabris, nitidis, et atro-purpureo-viridibus: petiolis aculeatis:
foliolis oblongis, et margine serratis: caule viridi, glabro, ad
basin spinis rubris.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with roundish seed-buds, and peduncles slightly hispid,
smooth, and shining: flowers red, large, and sweet-scented: leaves
smooth, shining, and of a dark purply green colour: petioles
prickly: leaflets oblong, and sawed at the edges: stem green,
smooth, with red thorns on the lower part.

* * * * *

The Indica rubra is regarded as the finest of the ever-blooming China Roses. By some it is thought to be a distinct species, from the dark colour and smaller size of its foliage: but this is most likely the effect of its recent importation; and, when it becomes more familiarised to our climate, may in part if not totally disappear. As a variety of the Indica we think it may with propriety be considered, from the flowers being sometimes found as pale as that species: a circumstance that has not as yet occurred in the semperflorens already figured, although it has been so many years in cultivation with us; and which would doubtless have sometimes been the case, had it not been a distinct species, as permanence of character, either in shape or colour, can never be expected to characterize mere varieties.

It was introduced last summer from China by T. Evans, esq. of Stepney, and flowered first at the nursery of Messrs. Colville.

ROSA Indica, _minor_.

_Small Indian Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus subrotundis, pedunculisque leviter hispidis,
glabris: floribus parvis, carneis, semperflorentibus: foliis
glabris: petiolis aculeatis: foliolis oblongis, acutis, margine
serrulatis, glabris: caule viridi, ad basin spinis rubris.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with roundish seed-buds, and peduncles slightly hispid and
smooth: flowers small, flesh-coloured, and ever-blooming: leaves
smooth, and petioles prickly: leaflets oblong, pointed, with finely
serrated edges, and smooth: stem green, with red thorns on the
lower part.

* * * * *

This delicate little Rose was raised from seed of the Rosa Indica by Mr. Colville, and can only be regarded as a variety of that favourite species: but every material variation of a Rose that is in continual bloom, will most probably be considered equally as interesting, as the more specific distinction of any other whose beauty is lost to us above half the year. The very short time this variety has been in cultivation with us, precludes at present the possibility of ascertaining with accuracy the latitude of its growth: as yet we have not seen any plant above twice the size our figure represents, and never with larger flowers; but frequently in very small plants the blossoms have scarcely been an inch in diameter.

ROSA Provincialis; _Var. flore pleno_.

_Province Rose; Double-flowered Variety._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa geriminibus subglobosis, pedunculisque hispidis et
glandulosis: floribus saturate carneis, odoratissimis: foliolis
ovatis, acutis, serratis, et subtus villosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with nearly round seed-buds, and peduncles hispid and
glandular: flowers of a deep flesh-colour, and very sweet-scented:
leaflets egg-shaped, pointed, sawed, and villose beneath.

* * * * *

This Rose is one of the most abundant, and, from being extremely common, is perhaps best known, but the least valued. Yet, if fragrance and beauty were instead of scarcity to fix a price, very few would be deserving of a higher sum.

We have sometimes seen this fine Rose, in well cultivated luxuriant plants, acquire the height of nearly fifteen feet, adorning the front of a house in a most elegant manner during the summer months.

Rosa Provincialis, _nana_.

_Dwarf Province Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus sub-globosis, pedunculisque hispidis et
glandulosis: foliolis ovatis, margine serratis, subtus villosis:
floribus læte rubris, odoratis: caulis humilis, aculeis ramorum
sparsis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with nearly round seed-buds, and peduncles hispid and
glandular: leaflets egg-shaped, sawed at the edges, and villous
beneath: flowers of a fine red colour, and sweet-scented: stem low:
the prickles of the branches are scattered.

* * * * *

This Province Rose, of humble stature, is very sweetly scented. The flowers are rather small, but very compact, and of a fine colour. We have observed it for three successive summers, and have not perceived any very material alteration in its character: but such is the latitude in growth of this fine tribe, that it would not be possible to prescribe exact bounds to the size, or limits to the height, of some luxuriant plants in a rich congenial soil; and if under such circumstances this Rose should be found to exceed our present delineation of it, there is little doubt but amongst all the other varieties it would still be found (comparatively) a dwarf plant.

ROSA alba.

_White Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus ovatis, glabris: pedunculis hispidis: floribus
albis: foliolis ovatis, acutis, ad margines serratis, subtus
leviter tomentosis: caulis erecto-patens, superne sub-glaber, ad
basin aculeis rigidis instructus.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with smooth egg-shaped seed-buds and hispid peduncles: flowers
white: leaflets ovate and pointed, with serrated margins, slightly
downy on the under side: stem between erect and spreading, nearly
smooth on the upper part, but furnished with strong spines towards
the base.

* * * * *

This Rose is a native of Britain, and considered as the first on the list of Garden Roses removed from the common Hedge or Dog Rose, its charming wild original. The flowers are very fugitive, so soon falling off that a specimen in fine bloom is not easily procured. It is the source of several fine varieties, and flowers during the summer months, but is in very few collections.

ROSA Caroliniana; _Var. flore pleno_.

_Great Burnet-leaved Carolina Rose; Double-flowered Variety._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus globosis pedunculisque hispidis: petiolis
aculeatis: foliolis oblongis, acutis, serratis, nitidis: floribus
carneis, in centro inapertis: caule glabro: spinis ramorum sparsis
et oppositis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with round seed-buds and hispid peduncles: petioles prickly:
the leaflets are oblong, sharp-pointed, sawed, and shining: flowers
flesh-coloured, and unopened in the middle: stem smooth: the spines
of the branches are scattered and opposite.

* * * * *

In this double-flowered variety of the Great Burnet-leaved Carolina Rose there is a variation much more powerful than many of the new species of the present day could lay claim to, as nearly one half of the plant from which our figure was made, in the garden of the Hon. W. Irby, was so different both in shape and size, that they might easily pass for distinct species; and had we not found them both on one plant, we should have been inclined to consider them as such. A separate figure will therefore be given of such a strong-marked difference of character, that will probably illustrate the distinction actually existing between varieties and species.

ROSA semperflorens, _simplex_.

_Single Ever-blooming Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus subrotundis, pedunculisque leviter hispidis,
glabris et nitidis: floribus simplicibus et rubris: foliolis
oblongis, acutis, glabris et nitidis, margine serrulatis: caule
viridi, glabro, ad basin spinis rubris.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with roundish seed-buds, and peduncles slightly hispid,
smooth, and shining: flowers single and red: leaflets oblong,
pointed, smooth and shining, with finely sawed margins: stem green,
smooth, with red thorns on the lower part.

* * * * *

This Rose is known by the appellation of diversifolia, a title equally applicable to any other Rose. But were this the only objection, we are not so much attached to novelty as to think the adoption of a more appropriate term a sufficient compensation for the confusion which alteration invariably produces. As the present subject, however, (of recent introduction) is unquestionably the original or single of that line semi-double ever-blooming Rose so well characterized by the title of semperflorens, the species must therefore undoubtedly retain the appropriate title which its fine variety has so long enjoyed.

Our figure was made from a plant in the nursery of Messrs. Whitley.

ROSA multiflora.

_Many-flowered Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus subrotundis et pedunculis villosis: floribus
numerosis, confertis, parvis, multiplicatis, carneis, odoratis:
foliolis sub-ovatis, villosis: petiolis villosis et aculeatis:
caule viridi, glabro, cum aculeis sparsis.

Habitat in Sinensi.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with roundish seed-buds and villous peduncles: flowers
numerous, crowded together, small, of many folds, flesh-coloured,
and sweet-scented: leaflets nearly egg-shaped, and hairy: petioles
villous and prickly: stem green, smooth, with scattered prickles.

Native of China.

* * * * *

This beautiful plant was introduced by T. Evans, esq. amongst many others, from China, that delightful region, where Flora reigns unrivalled. Previous to its flowering it was regarded as a yellow Rose; and although it has proved to be a very different plant, it has exceeded, we believe, what was expected from it under its former appellation. It is equally as hardy as any other Rose we are acquainted with. The flowers are very fragrant; and its growth is so rapid, that a small cutting rooted in the spring will in the course of the summer become a fine large plant. The luxuriance of its crowded flowers immediately pointed out the specific title of multiflora, by which appellation we find it already described by Thunberg, and enumerated by Willdenow. Our figure was made, from the only plant that has as yet flowered in this country, at the nursery of Messrs. Colville in the month of July; and from what we can at present judge of it, the three summer months appeared to be the utmost period of its inflorescence.

ROSA sulphurea.

_Double Yellow Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus glabris, rotundato-planis: foliis ovalibus,
marginibus serratis, sub-glaucis: petiolis aculeatis: floribus
ramulos terminantibus: corollis flavis: petalis numerosis,
confertis: caule ramoso, spinis curvatis armato.

Habitat in Oriente.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with smooth seed-buds flatly rounded: leaves oval, sawed at
the edges, and nearly glaucous: petioles prickly: flowers terminate
the smaller branches: blossom yellow: petals numerous, and crowded
together: stem branching, and armed with crooked spines.

Native of the Levant.

* * * * *

This fine yellow Rose is a native of the Levant, and not to be met with in flower in any of the nursery-grounds very near London. We have not seen it even in a budding state nearer than Brentford, in the collection of the Duke of Northumberland at Sion House, whence our drawing was begun last year from a fine plant with numerous buds, not one of which expanded sufficiently perfect for us to represent. To complete our figure, we this year received some fine specimens communicated by the Hon. W. Irby, collected from a gentleman’s garden in the neighbourhood of Farnham, a distance of between twenty and thirty miles, and we believe the nearest approximation to the metropolis in which it can be found in perfect bloom. Even in the most congenial situations it is subject to an irregularity of inflorescence, from the extreme complexity of its petals, occasionally bursting at the sides, and destroying the symmetry of its appearance. We have never seen it lighter in colour than we have represented, certainly much too deep a yellow to exemplify the pallid hue of sulphur. It flowers in the month of June, and was introduced to this country in the year 1629.

ROSA Cinnamomea, _multiplex_.

_Double Cinnamon Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus globosis, glabris, et saturatè purpureis: floribus
petalis confertis: pedunculis glabris, ad basin bracteâ magnâ
instructis: foliis saturatè viridibus, rugosis, subtùs glaucis:
petiolis aculeatis: caule aculeato, cum spinis sparsis geminis.

Habitat in Europâ Meridionali.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with round seed-buds, smooth, and of a dark purple colour:
flowers with crowded petals: footstalks smooth, and furnished at
the base with a large bract or floral leaf: leaves of a deep green,
and wrinkled, glaucous on the under side: footstalks prickly: stem
prickly, with scattered spines in pairs.

Native of the South of Europe.

* * * * *

The odour of Cinnamon, which this early blooming Rose is supposed to possess, has furnished it with a specific title by which it is well known. It is a very old species, and said to have been introduced from the south of Europe as long ago as the year 1569. Like all those roses whose flowers are very double, the petals are subject to be disorganised by the prevalence of easterly winds, to which its early bloom is liable. It is only increased by layers, as the abundance of the petals absorbing all the stamina precludes the fruit’s increase.

ROSA Provincialis regalis.

_Royal or Queen’s Province Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus sub-globosis: pedunculis et petiolis hispidè
glandulosis: foliis pinnatis: foliolis ovatis, acutis, subtùs
villosis: floribus semi-duplicibus, incarnatis, magnis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with nearly round seed-buds: peduncles and petioles hispidly
glandular: leaves winged: leaflets ovate, pointed, and villose
beneath: flowers semi-double, flesh-coloured, and large.

* * * * *

This fine semi-double Rose is known amongst cultivators by the appellation of Royal or Queen’s Province, and considered as an excellent forcing Rose, and much esteemed by those nurserymen who with the assistance of the hot-stove bring flowers into a premature state of inflorescence. Like all the other Province species, its natural period of blooming is during the months of June and July.

ROSA sempervirens.

_Evergreen Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus ovatis: calycibus pedunculisque hispidis: petiolis
aculeatis: caule spinis curvatis rubris armato: floribus in sparsis
umbellis, bracteis lanceolatis, reflexis: corollis albis.

Habitat in Germaniâ.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with egg-shaped seed-buds: empalements and peduncles hispid:
petioles prickly: stem armed with crooked red spines: flowers grow
in scattered umbels, with lance-shaped, reflexed floral leaves:
blossoms white.

Native of Germany.

* * * * *

As a training Rose, this species is particularly estimable from the rapidity of its growth. It also retains its leaves longer than most roses, but is certainly, strictly speaking, not an evergreen. It so much resembles the Rosa arvensis, that at first sight they might easily be taken one for the other. It is a native of Germany, and was introduced about the year 1629. Our drawing was made from a fine plant in the collection of Isaac Swainson, esq. at Twickenham.

ROSA Eglanteria Americana.

_American Eglantine Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus sub-globosis, hispidis: pedunculis et petiolis
hispidè glandulosis: caule fruticoso, spinis sparsis, parvis,
rectis armato: ramis numerosis: floribus ramos singulariter
terminantibus: corollis semi-duplicibus, saturatè incarnatis:
foliis glabris, odoratis: foliolis ovatis.

Habitat in Americâ Boreali.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with nearly round seed-buds, hispid: peduncles and petioles
hispidly glandular: stem shrubby, armed with small, straight,
scattered spines: branches numerous: flowers terminate the branches
singly: blossom semi-double, and of a deep flesh colour: leaves
smooth, and scented: leaflets egg-shaped.

Native of North America.

* * * * *

This new species of Sweetbriar, we are informed, was introduced from North America, about the year 1801, by Mr. Pope, a nurseryman near Birmingham. The foliage is small, neat, and regular, but not so fragrant as the leaves of the common Eglantine. The flowers are abundant, and of a fine pinky colour whilst in perfection, but grow paler when going out of bloom; in which state its size enlarges just before the petals fall off. It is increased by seed and layers; but as it does not at present seed freely, nor are the layers rapid in forming a root, it will most probably continue for some time as a scarce rose. Our drawing was made in the month of June, from a luxuriant plant in the nursery of Mr. Williams, at Turnham Green.

ROSA blanda.

_Hudson’s Bay or Labradore Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus globosis: calycibus pedunculisque hispidis: caule
et ramis numerosis aculeis, rectis, rubris, horizontaliter sitis,
armatis: foliis pinnatis: foliolis oblongis, æqualiter serratis, et
lucidis: petiolis rubris, glabris, leviter armatis: floribus
sparsis: corollis rubris.

Habitat in Americâ.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with globose seed-buds: empalements and peduncles hispid: stem
and branches armed with numerous prickles, straight, red, and
horizontally situated: leaves winged: leaflets oblong, equally
sawed, and shining: petioles red, smooth, and slightly armed:
flowers scattered: blossoms red.

Native of America.

* * * * *

In the Hortus Kewensis we find this Rose described as having smooth seed-buds and an unarmed stem; and the very reverse character being the leading features by which our plant may at all times be discriminated, induced us at first to imagine it might be a different species: but finding upon inquiry amongst cultivators, that this Rose and no other is perfectly known by the appellations of Rosa blanda, Hudson’s Bay or Labradore Rose, we have therefore retained the name, but altered the description. It is a very lively-looking little rose, whose bloom is rather short in duration, but of quick succession, introduced to this country in the year 1773. Our drawing was made from plants in the nursery of Messrs. Loddige.

ROSA centifolia, _holosericea_.

_Velvet-flowered Hundred-leaved Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus sub-globosis, pedunculisque hispidis: caule et
petiolis hispidis, aculeatis: foliis pinnatis: foliolis ovatis,
subtùs villosis: floribus saturatè purpureis: corollis simplicibus,
semi-duplicibus, vel petalis plenis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with nearly round seed-buds, and peduncles hispid: stem and
petioles hispid and prickly: leaves winged: leaflets ovate, and
villose beneath: flowers of a deep purple colour: blossom single,
semi-double, or full of petals.

* * * * *

This species of Rose forms part of a section known by the appellation of Centifolia, in which may be included many of the French and Dutch Roses, whose general appearance is so nearly alike, that when out of bloom it would be very difficult to distinguish one from the other. For what reason it has acquired the specific title of centifolia we are at a loss to guess, as it would be utterly impossible to find out a species by any given number of leaves, which must ever depend on the size of the plant. But as a very old species long usage has given it such a sanction, that a more appropriate title would not be used in preference.

Our drawing represents the single, semi-double, and completely double-flowered velvet Roses, easily distinguished when in flower, but when out of bloom not the slightest difference is discernible.

ROSA Eglanteria, _major_.

_Large Eglantine Rose, or Tree Sweetbriar._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus sub-globosis, pedunculisque hispidis: floribus
magnis, semi-duplicibus: foliis patentibus: foliolis ovatis,
magnis, marginibus glandulosis: caule et petiolis aculeis rubris
recurvis instructis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with nearly round seed-buds and hispid peduncles: flowers
large, and semi-double: leaves spreading: leaflets ovate, large,
and glandular on the edges: the stem and petioles are furnished
with prickles recurved and red.

* * * * *

This Eglantine Rose is the spontaneous effusion of nature in the nursery-ground of Mr. Williams of Turnham Green, who informs me that he found it on his premises in the year 1786, growing luxuriantly in the midst of a hedge of single Sweetbriars. Its growth is so rapid, that it will form shoots of seven and eight feet in one season; which joined to the largeness of its flowers and foliage, induced us to adopt the specific appellation of major, a title by which we think it may (at present) be distinguished from any other, as the largest Sweetbriar we have as yet seen is certainly altogether in size a minor, when compared with this fine plant. Seeds, but not freely, and is propagated (slowly) by layers.

ROSA Eglanteria, _multiplex_.

_Double Eglantine Rose, or Williams’s Sweetbriar._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus sub-globosis, pedunculisque hispidis et
glandulosis: floribus multipetalis: foliolis ovatis, glandulosis,
et pilosis: caule et petiolis aculeatis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with nearly round seed-buds, and peduncles hispid and
glandular: flowers of many petals: leaflets ovate, glandular, and
hairy: stem and petioles prickly.

* * * * *

Of all the fragrant-leaved Roses, this is certainly the finest, and for which we are indebted to Mr. Williams, who discovered it in his nursery about 23 years ago, growing promiscuously in the same Sweetbriar-bush with the Eglanteria major; and although found vegetating at the same time, and under the same auspices, yet is its character altogether very different; this being as slow in growth as the other is quick. It is the only Eglantine Rose at present known with perfectly double flowers, and is with difficulty increased by layers, which are a long time in forming a root; and the seeds, which it very rarely ripens, remain in the ground a long time dormant.

ROSA gracilis.

_Slender Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus sub-globosis: pedunculis leviter hispidis,
gracilibus: floribus multipetalis, imbricatis, equalibus,
incarnatis. Caulis glaber, flexibilis: aculeis sparsis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with nearly round seed-buds, and peduncles slightly hispid and
slender: flowers of many petals, imbricated, equal, and
flesh-coloured. Stem smooth and flexible: spines scattered.

* * * * *

This delicate Rose was raised about the year 1796 by Mr. Shailer, nurseryman, of Little Chelsea. It is as yet so little known, that a dwarf variety of the Province is frequently sold for it; a mistake most probably owing to its being commonly called amongst cultivators Shailer’s Province Rose: but it certainly bears most resemblance to the Rosa Indica, and is, as far as we can understand, a hybrid production between the two species; and if so, it might come under the description of variety only. But, whilst nature produces such distinct and beautiful varieties, specific titles can only be regarded as a variation of terms. It makes a most graceful appearance, from the drooping of its branches and nodding of its flowers, whose close and numerous petals are too heavy for its weak and slender stem to support. It appears to be a Rose calculated to train against a trellis to great advantage. It is as hardy as most Roses, and is increased (but not easily) by layers. Flowers during the months of June and July.

ROSA ferox.

_Fierce or Hedge-Hog Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus globosis, pedunculisque glabris: foliis
quadrijugis, cum folio terminali: foliolis ovatis, rugosis,
serratis: petiolis aculeatis: caule aculeis numerosis rectis
albicantibus armato.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with round seed-buds and smooth peduncles: leaves composed of
four pairs, with a terminal leaf: leaflets ovate, wrinkled, and
serrate: footstalks prickly: stem armed with numerous straight
whitish thorns.

* * * * *

Of this distinct species of Rose we can gain but little information, as it is not enumerated in Willdenow, at least not under our specific title; but we are inclined to think his Rosa rugosa is meant for it, as the description accords exactly with our figure. It is well known to cultivators by the specific appellation of ferox,--we have therefore retained it; although hystrix would have been a much better specific title, as it seems by nature formed to be admired at a distance, from the numerous large thorns with which the stem is surrounded, that appear calculated to express the old adage of ‘Noli me tangere.’

Our drawing was made from a plant in the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brame, in the month of June.

ROSA glabra.

_Smooth Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus ovatis: pedunculis et petiolis hispidis: floribus
multipetalis, equalibus: foliis glabris: foliolis oblongis,
acuminatis, serratis: caule glabro, sub-inermi.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with egg-shaped seed-buds: peduncles and footstalks hispid:
flowers with many petals and equal: leaves smooth: leaflets oblong,
pointed, and sawed: stem smooth, nearly without thorns.

* * * * *

This Rose was introduced to this country from Holland about the year 1802. The only title we have heard given to it by cultivators is Double Thornless White Rose,--an appellation certainly not very descriptive of the plant; for, although it is thornless on the upper part, yet at the base of the stem it is thorny. The flowers are sometimes white, but we have oftener seen them tinged with a pale pinky colour. In size and shape they are like the Burgundy Rose, and in the foliage they resemble the Rosa moschata, but are very distinct from either, and altogether very different from any species with which we are at present acquainted. It is slow of increase, as are all the distinctly new Roses we have hitherto met with, which probably is (for a time) a genuine trait of their originality. Our figure is from a plant in the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, in the month of June 1808.

ROSA lurida.

_Lurid Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa paniculis multifloris: germinibus globosis: foliis patentibus:
foliolis sub-glaucis, ovato-acuminatis, serratis: caule glabro
purpureo, pulvere violaceo tecto: aculeis paucis et recurvis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with many-flowered panicles: seed-buds globular: leaves
spreading: leaflets nearly glaucous, ovate-pointed, and sawed: stem
smooth and purple, covered with a violet-coloured powder: prickles
few and recurved.

* * * * *

This elegant Rose is said to be a native of Switzerland, and sent from thence by Dr. Messear, about the year 1803, to the gardens of Isaac Swainson, esq. at Twickenham; whence our figure was taken. It is not, we believe, at present in any other collection in this kingdom. It has so perfect an air of novelty, that amongst the numerous Roses daily ycleped new, this is one of the very very few to which a separate and distinct character may justly be applied. Flowers during the months of June and July, is of rapid growth, and forms a tall and bushy shrub.