CISTIS. 219 



CISTUS OR ROCK-ROSE. Cistus. 



Natural Order RotaceeB. Cisti, Juss. A Genius of the 

 Polyaiidria Monogy?iia Class. 



With what enchantment Nature's goodly scene 

 Attracts the sense of mortals ! 



Akenside. 



Under the title of Cistus is comprised an exten- 

 sive genus of plants, all equally celebrated for their 

 beauty and their fragility. These favourites of 

 Flora are of so transient a nature as always to end 

 their existence with the same sun that gives them 

 birth ; but as they have a great profusion of flower- 

 buds, this imperfection is the less regarded, since as 

 some wither others expand, so as to keep up a suc- 

 cession of gaiety for a considerable length of time, 

 embellishing this spray to-day and that to-morrow. 



In floral language w-e have placed the Cistus as 

 the emblem of popular favour, since the duration of 

 the one cannot be relied on more than the continu- 

 ance of the other. 



Aiton enumerates forty-three distinct species of 

 Cistus in the Hortus Kewensis, seven of which are 

 claimed as native plants by the British botanist. 



L 2 



