THE ROSE. 283 



proved varieties lately introduced by florists. There is a 

 point of perfection that cannot be surpassed in the im- 

 provement of any species of plant. An additional num- 

 ber of petals does not always increase the beauty of a 

 flower. In the scale of all kinds of perfection, both 

 physical and moral, there is a degree beyond which im- 

 provement is only the addition of insipidity. 



THE EGLANTINE, OR SWEETBRIER. 



The Eglantine is the poetical name of one of the most 

 charming species of rose, generally known in this coun- 

 try as the Sweetbrier, noted for its scented foliage and 

 its multitude of thorns. This species seems to occupy a 

 mean between the tree-roses and the climbers. It often 

 mounts to a considerable height, supporting its posi- 

 tion by its thorns. I have seen a Sweetbrier growing 

 wild upon a juniper to the height of fifteen feet, and 

 covering the whole tree. The flowers are small and of a 

 pale crimson, having less sweetness than the common 

 rose. The American Sweetbrier has paler flowers and a 

 smaller leaf; the English plant has larger flowers of a 

 deeper color, and more luxuriant foliage. The American 

 species, however, attains the greater height ; it is more 

 fragrant, and more abundant in flowers. 



THE SWAMP ROSE. 



There is not a sweeter or more beautiful plant, in its 

 native fields, than the common Wild Rose of our meadows. 

 It flowers early in June, clustering in all wild pastures 

 and in all neglected fields, forming beautiful sponta- 

 neous hedge-rows by the sides of fences, and groups and 

 beds of shrubbery in all wild lands. The Swamp Rose 



