DESCRIPTION OF THE ROSE. 101 



On Mount Caucasus grows a single wild rose, from the 

 seeds of which have sprung the numerous family of the 

 Provence oft Cabbage roses, very double, very large, and 

 very fragrant. This race is remarkable for its tendency 

 to sport, from which have resulted some of the most sin- 

 gular and beautiful forms of the rose. For example, a 

 rose-colored variety of the Provence produced a branch 

 bearing striped flowers, and from that branch has been 

 propagated the Striped Provence. The Crested Moss is 

 the product of another of these freaks, being of the pure 

 Provence race. The Common Moss, and all its progeny, 

 have the* same origin; being derived, in alt probability, 

 from a sporting branch of one of the Provence roses. 



The family of the French Rose, or Rosa Gallica, is of 

 vast extent, and, though including many diverse shades 

 of color, some pale, some bright, others spotted, striped, 

 or marbled, is commonly recognized without much diffi- 

 culty by its family features. It is a native of Southern 

 Europe. 



The wild progenitor of the Damask or Damascus roses 

 is a native of Syria. The name Damask, by the way, is 

 popularly applied to deep-colored roses in general ; but its 

 floral signification is very different. In this group, for the 

 first time, we meet with a feature, which, desirable as it is, 



