OTTO OF ROSES. 163 



MARV. 



Which is the species from which the otto of roses is 

 made 1 ? 



MRS. F. 



Otto of roses is made from the petals of the hundred- leaved 

 rose (Rosa centifolia}, which species is also used exclusively 

 in the distillation of rose water. The genuine otto of roses 

 is not, it is said, prepared by distillation, but by putting a 

 quantity of carefully picked rose leaves into a clean jar or cask, 

 with just sufficient water to cover them. The vessel is then 

 set in the sun for a few days, and in about a week the otto (a 

 butyraceous oil) collects in the form of a scum upon the sur- 

 face, and is removed by a piece of cotton.* 



Roses are also used in medicine. Confection of roses is 

 made of the petals of the red rose (Rosa gallica), and Conserve 

 of hips from the pulp of the berries of the Dog-rose (Rosa 

 canina}. 



ESTHER. 



I have heard it said, that the dog-rose is so called from its 

 fruit being eaten by dogs. 



So it is asserted; and certainly the rose being called by the 

 same name in English, French, and Italian, and the hips being 

 also, I am told, designated, among the Tartars, by a name 

 signifying dog-fruit, seem to bear out the assertion: at the same 

 time, I must say, I never heard of dogs eating them. 



FREDERICK. 



But, I have, aunt; for I have given the hips of the dog-rose 

 to dogs, and they do not refuse to eat them, though they did 

 not seem to care much about them. 



MRS. F. 



That these animals are often fond of fruit, I know by 

 experience; for I have myself seen a dog gather the goose- 



* Brande's Manual of Pharmacy. 



