THE ROCK ROSE. 



THE ROCK ROSE.— Safety. . 



The Cistus, or Rock Rose, bears some resemblance to 

 Chick Pea. Aristotle tells us that it is a powerful protection 

 against ghosts and phantoms, when held in the hand. The 

 petals of the flowers of C. villosus, are purple, large, and 

 spread open like the Rose. They commonly fall off on the 

 same day on which they open, a feature which Campbell 

 notes : 



" Thou wert working late, thou busy busy bee ! 

 After the fall of the Cistus flower.'' 



There is, however, a succession of new flowers daily for a con- 

 siderable time in May and June. In September and October, 

 also, they will bloom again, if the autumn be mild ; and their 

 flowers may be procured in winter by sheltering the plants 

 from frost. 



THE ROSE.— Beauty. 



Who, that has ever been endowed with the power of song, 

 has not sung of the Rose .' Poets- have not been able to 

 exaggerate her beauty, nor to sing her praises to perfection. 

 They have spoken of her, and with justice, as the daughter 

 of the sky, the ornament of the earth, and the glory of 

 Spring ; but what words have ever expressed the charms of 

 this lovely flower, her exquisite beauty, her matchless grace .? 

 When she spreads open her petals, the eye follows her 



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