I70 ROSA CAROLINA. SWAMP ROSE. 



which arc now known to be of little consequence in the Rose, 

 although they may perhaps be of seme weight in other genera. 



Of all our native species, the Rosa Carolina is perhaps the 

 most variable, not only as a garden plant, but even in its wild 

 state. Like other Roses in their natural condition, it has nor- 

 mally only five petals ; but flowers with a larger number are not 

 unfrequently found, and Humphrey Marshall, in his " Arbustum 

 Americanum," published in 1785, describes a perfectly double 

 Rose, which seems to be identical with our species, although he 

 calls it R. Pcnusyhauica plena. Rafmesque, indeed, seems to 

 have found several double forms. He notes not less than seven 

 different varieties, to which, in accordance with the custom of 

 his day, he gave Latin varietal names, such as corymbosa, uni- 

 Jlora, alba, crccta, and pimpincllifolia, which latter, he says, may 

 have single or double flowers, and very small leaves. He adds 

 by way of conclusion : " There are many varieties, several of 

 which have produced double flowers in gardens." These varie- 

 ties were, no doubt, first discovered in a wild state, and then 

 transplanted to the garden, although our author states that they 

 are found in cultivation. 



Among the many varieties mentioned by Rafinesque, the 

 white one {alba) is especially interesting in connection with 

 the legendary history of the Rose. From the various stories 

 of the birth of this flower, it is evident that the original Rose 

 was conceived to be white, and that the colored varieties were 

 looked upon as a departure from the state of nature. This idea 

 is embodied in the following lines by one of the poets : — 



"As erst, in Eden's blissful bowers, 

 Young Eve surveyed her countless flowers, 

 An opening rose of purest white 

 She marked with eye that beamed delight. 

 Its leaves she kissed, and straight it drew 

 From beauty's lip the vermil hue." 



But whatever may have been the fact in regard to the Roses 

 of the primeval world, it is nevertheless true that, among our 



