106 FLOWER-FIELDS OF ALPINE SWITZERLAND 



ancient patois of the valley of Aosta, and I have 

 several times seen this more than suggested by 

 authorities in etymology. The fact remains, how- 

 ever, that the Rhododendron has become a rose 

 and has thus obscured to some extent the repute 

 and worth of the real Alpine Rose. In French, 

 the Rhododendron, though it is often known as 

 Rose des Alpes, is sometimes spoken of as Rue des 

 Alpes and Rosage. 



The Rhododendron is the Swiss national flower. 

 Nor am I sure but that this honour is not borne 

 almost entirely by R. ferrugineum. This is far more 

 widespread than is hirsutum, being far less difficult 

 in its likes and dislikes. For example, notwith- 

 standing that hirsutum loves limestone, it shuns 

 the Jura Mountains, whereas ferrugineum is 

 common in the Jura, though usually it is shy of 

 lime. And if the honours really are undivided, 

 they seem to be won by superior aptness, and the 

 laurel-wreath rests, I think, upon the more appro- 

 priate brow. For, of the two, ferrugineum best 

 typifies the Swiss national character — masculine 

 sturdiness, common-sensed sanity, void of fine 

 fastidiousness. The whole habit of ferrugineum 

 is more robust, more rigid, more resistant. It 

 seeks small clemency ; it has, so to speak, its 



