THE BOOK OP ROSES. 57 



its maturity. It is globular in the Rosa par- 

 vifolia, yet top-shaped in its variety, the double 

 Pensylvanian rose, and surmounted by a long 

 throat in the single Pensylvanian. In the 

 tomentosa it is sometimes long, sometimes oval, 

 sometimes cone-shaped, on the same tree; 

 sometimes hairy, sometimes naked. In the Rosa 

 alba maxima multiplex, (of Prevost,) the seed- 

 vessel of the central flower of the cluster is 

 hairy and glandulous, and the others perfectly 

 smooth. 



OF THE BRACTEAL OR FLORAL LEAVES. 

 These afford no positive specific character, being 

 sometimes present, sometimes absent in the 

 same species. For instance, they are to be found 

 on the divided flower-stalks of a cluster of roses; 

 yet the same tree, and even the same branch, 

 produces solitary flowers in which they are 

 wholly wanting. The Alpine rose has no floral 

 leaves when growing in a natural state, but 

 acquires them when regularly pruned. In point 

 of form, they do not vary ; nevertheless, on the 

 Pyrennean rose they are found on the same 

 tree both round and obtuse, oval and pointed. 



OF THE PEDUNCLE OR FLOWER-STALK. The 

 flower-stalk varies strangely in length. In the 

 Provins rose it is sometimes extremely long, 

 and sometimes scarcely distinguishable. It is 

 only with respect to inflorescence that it admits 

 of study. Rose-trees produce their flowers more 



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