ROSES. 131 



is something like a boy's top, bulging out below 

 and drawn in at the neck or upper part, as if con- 

 fined by a string ; and it opens at the upper part 

 to let out the ripe seeds. 



Ro'sa cani'na is distinguished from the other 

 Roses, by having oblong fruit ; the stalks which 

 bear the flowers smooth, but those supporting the 

 leaves prickly : and crooked prickles also on the 

 stem, two in every joint between the knots, placed 

 alternately on opposite sides. In the calyx two of 

 the divisions have teeth on both edges ; two have 

 none ; and the fifth has teeth on one edge only. 



EDWARD. 



How pretty the Dog-roses are ! I often wish 

 to bring some home ; but the thorns are so sharp, 

 that I can hardly pull them in the hedges. 



MOTHER. 



Roses are always accompanied by thorns, and 

 these lines were written to reconcile us to them : 



Why does the painful thorn presume 



To spoil the Rose's soft perfume ? 



It was by Providence intended 



Our pains and pleasures should be blended ; 



We smile to-day, to-morrow mourn, 



Nor find a rose without a thorn. 



The Sweet-briar, or Eglantine, is another species 

 of rose, Ro'sa rubigino'sa, which is common in 

 England; its flowers sometimes grow double, and, 

 K 2 



