Ancient History of the Rose. 379 



be better, and the walk would have the appearance of being more 

 solid and secure, and it would, perhaps, also be less conspicuous 

 at a distance ; but we throw out the hint, as we do every other 

 where Mr. Wells's taste is concerned, with great doubts. One 

 valuable practice which is adopted at Redleaf is, that, in every 

 part of the garden scenery where the slope is considerable, the 

 walks are paved with brick, and have brick or stone edgings. 

 Some great advantages result from this practice. The walks are 

 never injured by rain, but rather improved by being washed 

 clean ; and, as no weeds can grow in them, nor can they get soft 

 with rain, nor powdery with dry weather, they never require 

 rolling. Gravel walks must be turned or partially renewed every 

 two or three years ; and the box, which is annually clipped, should 

 also be taken up and replanted, sometimes every six or seven 

 years. Brick or flagstone walks, or walks of asphalte, however, 

 with brick or stone edgings, if properly laid at first on a solid 

 foundation, and with such drainage as will admit of no water 

 stagnating beneath the bricks, will last ten or twelve years, 

 without any repairs whatever. 



Art. II. The Ancient History of the Rose. By Eandle Wilbra- 

 ham Falconer, Fellow of the Botanical Society, Edinburgh, &c. 



(Read before the Botanical Society, Jan. 11. 1838.) 



To the horticulturist the early history of the Rose may 

 form a pleasing subject of study, while, perhaps, the scientific 

 botanist will not find in it anything worthy of his attention. 



In the following pages no attempt has been made to identify 

 the kinds of roses mentioned by ancient writers, except in one 

 or two instances, as the descriptions given of them are much 

 too vague and indefinite to allow of any just conclusions being 

 formed in regard to their respective species. The chief objects 

 have been to enumerate and give the description of the roses 

 mentioned by ancient writers, to show the periods of their 

 flowering, their localities, the modes by which they were pro- 

 pagated, and the various uses to which they were applied. 



Among both the Greeks and Romans some attention appears 

 to have been paid to the cultivation of flowers, as offerings or 

 as ornaments ; as offerings in the temples of their deities, and 

 as ornaments on occasions of public or private festivity. The 

 Romans, however, appear to have esteemed flowers more than 

 the Grecians, and the origin of this greater regard for them ; 

 may not improbably be found in the imitation of that luxury 

 and splendour which the Romans had witnessed in eastern 

 countries. 



The rose is mentioned by Homer and by Anacreon. By 



