114 LETTER VIII. 



scattered hairs, which give them a shaggy aspect, on 

 which account gardeners have named the plant the 

 Wig Tree ; it is probable that this excessive production 

 of hairs is caused by the sap, which was destined to 

 nourish the fruit, not having any employment in those 

 stalks the fruit of which is not foraied, and expending 

 itself in the production of this extraordinary quantity 

 of hair." 



The genera hitherto mentioned are upon the whole 

 better adapted to give a student a correct notion 

 of the character of the Rose tribe, than the Rose 

 itself. It is now necessary that we should examine 

 this charming flower, in the construction of which 

 you will find as much to admire as in its external 

 attractions. The leaves and stems of Roses are 

 sufficiently like those of the Bramble, to render it 

 unnecessary for me to insist upon any peculiarities 

 in those parts. In the flower much seems to difier, 

 although in reality but little essential diflerence 

 exists between Roses and other Rosaceous plants. It 

 has a calyx of five divisions, some of which are very 

 like small leaves. To these succeed five petals ; and 

 w ithin the latter is a great number of stamens, which 

 grow from the side of the calyx. You will not at 

 first sight perceive any pistils : in the centre, indeed, 

 is a tuft of stigmas, but no ovaries are visible ; upon 

 further search, however, you may discover, espe- 

 cially if you press the flower forcibly between the 

 finger and thumb, that the styles project through the 

 neck of an oblong green body, which being below 

 and on the outside of the calyx, looks like an inferior 



