258 



REVIEW. 



already established. Of these, the vast empire of China, where both agricul- 

 ture and horticulture are arts in high estimation, has a claim to fifteen. 



"First, the Rosa semperflorens, the leaves of which have sometimes three 

 leaflets, sometimes only one ; whose flowers are scentless, of a pale dull pink 

 producing a pleasing effect when half blown. The Rosa sinensis, confounded 

 by some botanists with the preceding, but blowing at all seasons, of a far 

 more brilliant colour. The Rosa Laurenceana is a beautiful little shrub, 

 from 3in. to 5in. in height, but, unlike most dwarfs, whether of the vegetable 

 or animal creation, perfect in symmetry and proportion. The R. multiflora 

 attains, on the contrary, a growth of 15 or 16 feet ; having small, double, pale, 

 pink blossoms, united on a single stem, so as to form beautiful boquets on 

 the tree. The R. Banksiae extends its flexile branches over rocks and hil- 

 locks, bearing a profusion of small, very double, yellowish white flowers, 

 remarkable for their violet-scented fragrance. 



" The R. microphylla is a favourite garden shrub of the Chinese, under the 

 name of Haitong-hong, having small, double, pale pink flowers, and a foliage 

 of peculiar delicacy. 



"Cochin -Chin a, situated between the 10th and 20lh degrees of latitude, 

 possesses all the roses of China, and, in addition, several indigenous species ; 

 among others, the R. alba, found also in Piedmont, in France, and various 

 other parts of F.urope ; and the R. spinocissima, bearing flesh colored flowers. 

 Japan, between the SOth and 40th degrees of latitude, has all the roses of 

 China, besides a peculiar species, the R. rugosa, the solitary flower of which 

 bears some resemblance to the Kamstcahatken rose. 



" The southern provinces of Asia, comprehending those of India, offer many 

 curious species to our own observation. The north of Hindostan possesses 

 six ; two of which are also found in China, and two in Nepal. The R 

 Lyellii, which bears transplantation to our own climate, and is remarkable for 

 the profusion of its milk white flowers during the greater part of the summer, 

 and the E. Brunonii, whose petals are of the same snowy whiteness, rank 

 high among the roses of India. In approaching the southern provinces, we 

 find the R. macrophylla, somewhat resembling the alpine roses of Europe ; 

 the flowers whitish, but streaked with pink towards the extremity ol the pe- 

 tals ; the R sericea, of which the surface of the leaflets has a satiu texture, 

 and the flowers are solitary and drooping. 



" The parched shores of the Gulf of Bengal are covered during the spring, 

 with a beautiful white rose, found also in China and Nepal. The flowers of 

 the H. involucrata are white, solitary surrounded with a collar of three or 

 four leaves, out of which they seem to emerge ; while in vast thickets of the 

 heantifol R. sempeflorens (a native also of China) the tigers of Bengal and 

 crocodiles of the Ganges are known to lie in wait for their prey. 



" In the gardens of the Kandahar, Samarcand, and Ispahan, the R. arborea 

 is cultivated in great profusion by the Persians. This shrub which attains a 

 considerable size, is covered during the spring with an abundance of white 

 and scented blossoms. The R. berberifolia is also common in these provinces 

 Tbis shrub differing so completely from every other species of rose that 

 botanists experience some hesitation in classing it among the number [it is 

 now Lowea berberifolia, see Arb. Brit., ii. p. 812], has simple single leaves, 

 and yellow star-shaped flowers, variegated, like a cistus, at the base with 

 spots of deep crimson. The R. damascena, transported to Europe from Da- 

 mascus by the Crusaders, affording to our gardens an infinite number of 

 beautiful varieties, adorns the sandy deserts of Syria with its sweet and 

 brightly tinted flowers. At the extremity of Asia, towards Constantinople, 

 the R. sulphurea displays its very double flowers of a brilliant yellow. 



"The north-west of Asia, which has been signalised as the father land of 

 the rose tree, introduces to our admiration the R. centifolia, the most esteem- 

 ed of all, and celebrated by poets of every age and country, with which the 

 fair Georgians and Circassians adorn their persons. 



(to be continued.) 



