HOCK-KOSE TRIBE 81 



Sharon arc full of the red variety of the Cistus, it is reasonable to suppose 

 that this may be intended. The subject has been well investigated by 

 learned and judicious botanists ; but whether this pretty Cistus, the 

 asphodel, the true rose, or the narcissus, is the flower alluded to, cannot 

 be fully ascertained. 



2. Hoary Dwarf Rock-rose (//. cduimi). — Shrubby, without stipules ; 

 leaves opposite, egg-shaped or oblong, hoary beneath ; racemes of flowers 

 terminal. Plant perennial. This very rare plant occurs on limestone rocks 

 in the north of England, in Wales, and in the west of Ireland. Its flowers 

 are small and yellow, appearing from May till July. The leaves are quite 

 grey with down. 



3. Spotted Annual Rock-rose (H. gidfdhmi). — Stems erect; leaves 

 long and narrow, the lower ones opposite and without stipules, the upper 

 ones alternate. This is one of the rarest of our wild plants, and the typical 

 form is known to occur only in the south and west of Ireland, and at Jersey 

 and Alderney in the Channel Islands. A sub-species (H. hreweri) occurs 

 only at Anglesea and Holyhead. It flowers from June to September. It is 

 a common species in France, Italy, Portugal, and Turkey. Its flowers are 

 yellow, with a deep-red spot at the base of the petals. 



4. Ledum-leaved Rock-rose {H. ledifdlmm). — Stem herbaceous, 

 slightly downy, with stipules ; leaves lance-shaped ; flower-stalks solitary, 

 opposite to the leaves ; capsule smooth and shining. Plant perennial. This 

 Cistus was reported by Hudson, as growing on Brean Downs, in Somerset- 

 shire, but the record has never been confirmed. 



5. White Rock-rose {H. polifolium). — Shrubby, procumbent, stipuled, 

 hoary ; leaves oblong, more or less rolled under at the margin ; racemes 

 solitary, terminal. Plant perennial. This white-flowered Cistus is very 

 rare, and is confined to stony places in the south of England, as at Torquay, 

 Babbicombe, and other places in South Devon; also on Brean Down, in 

 Somersetshire, where it is very abundant. Many a botanist of these neigh- 

 bourhoods goes forth to seek its blossoms in June and July, reminding one of 

 Wordsworth's words : — - 



" Happy in luy judgment, 

 The wandering herbalist, who, clear alike 

 From vain, and that worse evil, vexing thoughts, 

 Casts on these uncouth forms a slight regard 

 Of transitory interest, and peeps rouud 

 For some rare tiow'ret of the hills, or plant 

 Of craggy fountain ; what he hopes for, wins, 

 Or learns, at least, that 'tis not to be won : 

 Then, keen and eager as a tine-nosed hound, 

 By soul-engrossing instinct driven along 

 Through wood or open field, the harmless man 

 Dejiarts intent upon his onward quest ! 

 Xo fiow'ret blooms 



Throughout the lofty range of these rough liills, 

 Or in the woods, that could from him conceal 

 Its birth-place !" 



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