DESCRIPTION OP THE ROSE. Ill 



silent interpreters of hearts too full to find a ruder utter- 

 ance. 



For the rest, they are, in the main, very hardy, very 

 easy of culture, and often very beautiful. 



Rosa Centifolia. This is the family of the old, well- 

 known, and deservedly admired Cabbage Rose. Its ances- 

 tors, as we have seen, grew on Mount Caucasus ; though 

 some have supposed that it is a native of the south of 

 France : hence the name Provence, by which it is often 

 known in England, though it is never so designated in 

 France. The French, translating its Latin name, Rosa 

 Centifolia, or the Hundred-leaved Rose, commonly call 

 it Rose a Cent Feuilles. It is supposed to have been 

 known to the Romans, and to have been one of their 

 favorite roses ; and it was introduced into England before 

 the end of the sixteenth century, where at least, until 

 these latter days, it has been greatly admired and prized. 

 Recently, however, the introduction of the families of 

 hardy, ever-blooming roses, has thrown the Cabbage and 

 all its compeers into the shade. Nevertheless, it is one of 

 the most desirable of flowers ; and even those who are dis- 



