ROSACEA. 273 



This genus is very extensive, containing upwards of 150 species, and almost 

 innumerable varieties. They are all shrubby and prickly plants, with pinnate 

 leaves, sometimes, but rarely, reduced to a single leaflet. They are, with 

 scarcely an exception, found in the northern hemisphere, and between 20° 

 and 70° latitude. The greater portion are natives of Europe and Asia ; in 

 North America, according to Torrey and Gray, there are about 15 species, 

 but Rafinesque, in a monograph on the subject (Ann. Sci. Phys. v.), extends 

 the list to more than double this number. In Africa, there are very few spe- 

 cies found. Those of Europe, North America, and Northern Asia are very 

 closely allied, but the Chinese and Indian have a totally different habit and 

 aspect. In a work of the character of the present, it would be out of place 

 to dwell on the history and attributes of this " queen of flowers," but a few 

 general observations may be allowed. 



The name is supposed to be derived from the Celtic rhudd or red, or ros, 

 from whence also are derived the names of a number of other plants, as 

 Rhus, Rubia, Rubus. The rose has been cultivated from the earliest ages, 

 as even in the times of Herodotus and Theophrastus, the flower had become 

 doubled ; and Pliny speaks of several kinds, among which is the Sweet briar 

 and Hundred-leaved rose. In consequence of this long attention to it, the 

 varieties have not only become almost interminable, but it is utterly impos- 

 sible to trace them back to their original stocks. Numerous and magnificent 

 works have been published on this genus, but no two of the writers agree in 

 their opinions as to either varieties or species. 



Some of these plants are recognised as medical by the different authorities, 

 but their qualities are rather those of a negative than of a decided character, 

 and the preparations from them are more employed as excipients and for fla- 

 vouring and aromatising, than as remedial agents. 



1. R. gallica, Linn. — Leaflets rigid, elliptical, smooth. Prickles unequal. Calyx 

 ovate, finely glandulose, hispid. Fruit sub-globose, coriaceous. 



Linn., Sp. PI. 704; Redoute, Les Roses, i. 73, 135, &c. ; Stephenson 

 and Churchill, ii. 99; Lindley, Mon. 68. 



Common Names. — Red Rose ; French Rose ; Provence Rose. 



Foreign Names. — Rose de Provins, Fr.; Rosa domestica, It.; Essig- 

 rosen, Gr. 



Description. — In a cultivated state it is about three feet high, the creeping roots send- 

 ing up many stems, armed with fine, short, straight prickles. The leaves consist of two 

 or three pairs of leaflets, with a terminal one, on very short petioles ; they are ovate, rigid, 

 doubly serrate, smooth, of a dark shining green above, and pale and downy beneath. The 

 stipules are linear-lanceolate, pointed, entire, downy, and glandular. The flowers consist 

 of a few spreading petals, of a deep and peculiar red tint, golden-yellow at base. The 

 segments of the calyx are downy, and sometimes fringed at the margin with a row of 

 linear-lanceolate leaflets. The stamens have roundish, yellow anthers. The fruit is sub- 

 globose, and of a pale crimson colour. 



This species is a native of the south of Europe, but is common in our 

 gardens, flowering in June and July. A great number of varieties have been 

 described and figured by writers, some of which are very unlike the original 

 species. The parts used are the petals of the buds, deprived of their white 

 claws. These leaves are much more astringent than those of the flower when 

 fully expanded. When dried, they have a purplish red colour, an agreeable 

 odour, and a bitterish and astringent taste. The colour is destroyed by the 

 action of light and air, and they should therefore be kept in close boxes or 

 canisters. They contain tannin, gallic acid, volatile oil, a peculiar colouring 

 matter, some salts, &c. 



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