rose. 255 



to the reputed effects of the root in curing the bite of a mad 

 dog ; hence the common English name. The shrub is also 

 known by the name of Common Briar, and in some parts Canker 

 Rose ; and the fruit is termed hips, or heps. 



The common Wild Rose is the Eglantine of some writers, 

 although this appellation more correctly belongs to the Sweet- 

 Briar. Chaucer has a word in praise of it, — 



" As swete as is the bramble floure 

 That bereth the red hepe." 



Shakspeare mentions its flowers by the name of canker- 

 blooms. He is certainly wrong in affirming that they yield " no 

 odour after death ; " the water distilled from them is esteemed 

 by some superior to the common rose-water ; and there are 

 perhaps not a few who prefer the chaste and elegant fragrance 

 of the wild rose, to the richer and heavier perfume of her courtly 

 sister. 



" The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem 

 For that sweet odour which doth in it live. 

 The canker -blooms have full as deep a dye 

 As the perfumed tincture of the roses, 

 Hang on such thorns, and play as wantonly, 

 When summers' breath their masked buds discloses. 

 But for their virtue only is their show, 

 They live unmoved, and unrespected fade : 

 Die to themselves ; — sweet roses do not so : — 

 Of their sweet deaths are sweetest odours made." 



It seems that poets must endeavour to heighten the praise of 

 one object, by disparaging another. The very name Canker- 

 Rose, is a term of reproach and inferiority : — 



" To put down Richard, that sweet lovely rose, 

 And plant this thorn, this canker, Bolingbroke." 



Qualities and general Uses. — The petals of the Dog-Rose 

 fresh gathered and distilled afford a fragrant perfumed water. 

 The dried leaves have been particularly recommended as a 

 substitute for foreign tea. They impart to water by infusion a 

 fine colour, a sub-astringent taste, and a slightly aromatic 

 odour. Gleiditsch states, that the green leaves of this and other 

 species of rose are useful in currying fine leather. The bark 

 of the stems according to Sieffert, imparts to wool a dark brown 



