ILLUSTRATIONS. 79 



little wing-leaflets on either side at the base, are profusely 

 decorated with spreading five-petaled flowers. 



The flowers — those of the single Dog Rose — consist of an 

 egg-shaped smooth-surfaced calyx-tube contracted towards 

 the tip, and dividing into a spreading limb of five, often un- 

 equal, sometimes lobate and almost leafy, segments. The five 

 petals are obcordate and generally pink, and within them the 

 numerous stamens are inserted around the mouth of the 

 calyx-tube, which latter encloses the numerous one-seeded 

 carpels. This part, that is, the calyx-tube, enlarges and ac- 

 quires as it ripens a certain degree of succulency, becoming 

 converted into the bright scarlet hips so commonly seen on 

 wild Rose bushes, and with which the branches are often 

 rendered gay after leaves and blossoms have passed away. 



There is considerable resemblance in the general aspect of 

 many of the plants of the Rosaceous family, which this Dog 

 Rose may be taken to illustrate, and certain Ranunculaceous 

 plants, of which the Buttercup is typical ; but they are really 

 very different both in structure and properties, and may always 

 be known by the position of the stamens, which in the Ra- 

 nunculaceous plants are set on quite distinct from the floral 

 envelopes — that is, calyx and corolla, but in the Rosaceous 

 family are set on to the calyx itself. 



*' ' There is uo flower that blows ' 

 — Such are the words of song — 

 * So lovely as the Rose ;' 



Nor thus, perchance, we wrong 

 The fairest blossoms that around may throng. 



*' O'er hedgerow green, in spring, 

 Where the mild breezes play, 

 The pale Wild Roses fling 

 Their lightly wreathing spray. 

 And show their petals fair by rude or lonely way. 



