104 ROSA GALLICA 



is globose or ovoid, smooth, scarlet, and crowned with the per- 

 sistent calyx-segments. 



Habitat. This species grows in a wild or semi- wild state 

 throughout Europe, except the northern parts (which include the 

 British Isles and Scandinavia), and extends to Greece, the 

 Crimea, and Armenia. It has been in cultivation from a remote 

 period, and there are very numerous double garden varieties of 

 various shades of colour, which have not, however, the fragrance of 

 E. centifolia. R. pumila, Linn, f., is generally recognised as the 

 original wild form. For use, R. gallica is grown near Mitcham, 

 in Surrey, and also in Oxfordshire and Derbyshire. The name 

 Provins is taken from a small town so called in France, where in 

 the middle ages a variety of this rose was grown which was 

 greatly esteemed ; at the present day it is extensively cultivated 

 for use at places in Holland and near Paris. Probably R. gallica 

 is not specifically distinct from R. centifolia. 



Lindl., Monog. Eos., p. 68 ; Seringe, in DC. Prod., ii, p. 603 ; 

 Boiss., Fl. Orient., ii, p. 676 ; Fliick. & Hanb., Pharmacogr., 

 p. 230; Lindl., Fl. Med., p. 228. 



Official Part and Names. ROSJE GALLICS PETALA ; the fresh 

 and dried unexpanded petals (B. P.). The dried petals (Rosa 

 Gallicfs Flores) of the unexpanded flowers (I. P.). ROSA GALLICA; 

 the petals (U. S. P.). 



Collection and Preparation. Red Rose Petals are directed in 

 the British Pharmacopoeia to be collected from plants cultivated 

 in Britain ; and at Mitcham, where this plant is principally culti- 

 vated, and where it is incorrectly designated as the Damask 

 Rose, the petals are thus collected and dried : The flower- 

 buds are gathered just before expansion, when they are about 

 the size of a large nutmeg ; the petals are then cut off near 

 the base, leaving their whitish claws attached to the calyx. They 

 are then carefully and rapidly dried by the heat of a stove ; 

 and when dried they are gently sifted to remove the stamens 

 and other extraneous substances, and are then ready for the 

 market. It is these dried petals of the unexpanded flowers 



