O THE BOOK OP ROSES. 



It is a curious fact, that all the roses of 

 America, with the exception of the Montezuma 

 and stricta, might be classed under the same 

 species as the European Cinnamon rose. 



Asia has to boast a greater variety of species 

 of the rose than the rest of the earth united; 

 thirty-nine that admit of accurate definition 

 having been already established. Of these, 

 the vast empire of China, where both agri- 

 culture and horticulture are arts in high esti- 

 mation, has a claim to fifteen. 



First, the Rosa semperflorens, the leaves of 

 which have sometimes three leaflets, some- 

 times only one ; whose flowers are scentless, of 

 a pale dull pink, producing a pleasing effect 

 when half-blown. The Rosa sinensis, con- 

 founded by some botanists with the preceding, 

 but blowing at all seasons, of a far more 

 brilliant colour. The Rosa Lawranceana is a 

 beautiful little shrub, from three to five inches 

 in height, but unlike most dwarfs, whether of 

 the vegetable or animal creation, perfect in 

 symmetry and proportion. The Rosa multi- 

 flora attains, on the contrary, a growth of 

 fifteen or sixteen feet ; having small, double, 

 pale-pink blossoms, united on a single stem, 

 so as to form beautiful bouquets on the tree. 

 The Rosa Banksice extends its flexile branches 

 over rocks and hillocks, bearing a profusion of 

 small, very-double, yellowish white flowers, 



