APPENDIX. 



BOTANICAL NOTES ON THE ROSE. 



[The writer of the following observations on the species of Roses is desirous of stating, at the 

 outset, that, in dealing with a subject which the most distinguished botanists regard as beset 

 with difficulties and doubts, he lays no claim to originality : in constructing this garland of 

 Roses, he has brought to the task " nothing of his own but the string which binds them 

 together." — M.~] 



Botanically considered, the family of Roses is as difficult as it is beautiful. In this view the 

 Wild forms only are comprehended, the botanist having nothing to do with the almost numberless 

 varieties originated by the florist. These Wild forms impersonate all that is elegant and beau- 

 tiful. The writer is not indeed inclined to discuss the question, whether the Single Wild Roses, 

 or the Double Garden Roses, are most deserving of notice. Whatever opinion may be formed on 

 that point, it is believed that no one will deny even to the Wild Roses of the woods all that is 

 here claimed for them. 



Few persons perhaps, at the present day, would care to collect and cultivate the botanical 

 species of Roses. It is not, in fact, with this in view, that the following brief descriptive notices 

 are here offered. Some of those who are interested in Rose-culture may, however, desire to 

 know somewhat of the extent of materials which the genus affords, especially in reference to the 

 means of hybridizing with the view to bring out new characters differing from those which pre- 

 dominate in our present cultivated varieties. By those who are imbued with feelings such as 

 these, especially if they are amateurs, the few particulars which follow, may be found useful. 

 The writer, however, by no means assents to the broad conclusion, that the original species of 

 Roses are all, or for the most part, unworthy a place in our gardens : many of them are very 

 beautiful objects, and there is among them such a great diversity of elegance, as the cultivated 

 varieties, with all their richness and splendour, are certainly deficient in. It is therefore assumed 

 at the outset, that there are many of the Wild Roses which are quite admissible into select Rose- 

 gardens ; and many more which the hybridizer might turn to his advantage. 



Moreover, the writer would urge a plea on behalf of Single Roses, which are very summarily 

 set aside as inferior to those having double blossoms. Even if only for the sake of variety, he 

 would submit that a Single Rose, highly coloured and finely formed — that is, floriculturally 

 modelled, or improved, as it is called — is a thing not to be despised. Who scouts the Austrian 

 Brier P 



It may be useful to the uninitiated if the application of some of the terms which, in the fol- 

 lowing notes, have been employed in reference to the different parts of the/plants, is briefly 

 explained : — 



Rootshoots, or surculi, are the strong one-year old shoots produced from the base of the plant, 

 and which do not usually produce any blossoms, except from the lateral shoots, which are most 

 commonly produced during the second season : the habit of these rootshoots is different, and this 

 helps to distinguish some of the species. 



Branches are the ramifications of the rootshoots or principal stems. 



Branchlets are the small lateral shoots produced in some instances from the stronger shoots 

 of the same season's growth. 



Arms are the rigid processes borne on the branches, &c. : it is used when prickles and setae 



