56 PARSONS ON THE ROSE. 



MOSS ROSES. 



The Moss Rose was introduced into England from Hol- 

 land in the sixteenth century, and is first mentioned by 

 ]Vliller, in 1727, by whom it was supposed to be a sport of 

 the Provence Rose, which opinion has been confirmed by 

 modern botanists. Its peculiarities are the delicate prick- 

 les which crowd its stem, and the beautiful mossy cover- 

 ing of its calyx. This mossy appearance has been deemed 

 by some a mere lusus naturcfi^ and by others the work of 

 an insect similar to that Avhich produces the Bedeguar, or 

 Rose-gall. The former opinion, however, prevails ; and 

 this freak of nature cultivators have succeeded in fixing 

 and perpetuating in a great number of varieties. The 

 first Moss Rose known in France was said to have been 

 introduced there by Madame de Genlis, who brought it 

 with her on her return from England. In 1810, scarcely 

 more than one variety was known, and now there exist 

 more tlian a hundred. Of these, the best and most dis- 

 tinct are the following ; 



A Fcuilles Pourpres. — A distinct rose. The flower is 

 bright red, and the young leaves are red. 



Baronne de Wasscnaer. — This has a good form, bright 

 red color, and flowers in clusters. 



Captain Ingram. — Flowers of a dark, velvety purple. 



Comtesse de Murinais. — A vigorous habit. Its color is 

 pale flesh, changing to pure white, and it is one of the 

 best of the white Mosses. 



Common. — This is the old Rose-colored Moss, which 

 has been generally cultivated in gardens. It grows well, 

 blooms freely, is well covered with moss, and is one of 

 the best of the old varieties. 



Cristata. — A very singular and beautiful variety, said 

 to have been discovered in the crevice of a wall at Fri- 

 burg, in Switzerland. Rivers classes it with the Provence 



