KOSE OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 355 



Eoses being expensive, is seldom obtained from the shops pure, 

 being mixed with oil of geranium or even olive oil. 



Rose Acacia (Rdbinia Mspidd), a strong -growing, stiff - 

 branched shrub of the Bean family (Leguminosse), native of 

 North America, seldom exceeding 6 or 8 feet in height, having 

 winged leaves, and pretty pink papilionaceous flowers, cultivated 

 in gardens as an ornamental shrub. 



Rose Apple (Uugenia Jamhos), a small -sized tree of the 

 Myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native of the East Indies, and culti- 

 vated in many parts of the tropics ; it is very common in the 

 gardens of Madeira. There are few trees that combine so 

 eminently the beauty of flower, fruit, and foliage ; and nothing 

 can exceed the loveliness and delicate appearance of the fruit, 

 which is about the size of a hen's egg. Although one or two may 

 be eaten with some relish, the overpowering perfume and taste 

 of rose-water together mth the want of juice render it unpalat- 

 able. A preserve is, however, made of the fruits. 



Rose Bay, or Oleander. (See Oleander.) 



Rose, Christmas. (See Hellebore.) 



Rose, Jamaica Wild (Blahea trinema), a climbing plant of 

 the family Melastomace^, adhering to trees by its aerial roots. 

 It was introduced into Kew in 1789, and its pretty pink flowers 

 make it a favourite stove plant. 



Rose of Jericho (Anastatic^ Sierochuntica), an insignificant 

 annual of the Cabbage family (Cruciferse), consisting of several 

 small-branched stems, 4 to 6 inches in length, rising from a tap- 

 root, and at first lying prostrate ; its flowers are white and small, 

 and seated in the axUs of small leaves. After the seeds are per- 

 fected, the stems become dry, hardened, and incurved, meeting 

 each other, and forming a hollow skeleton ball, which by the 

 force of the wind is loosened and blown about the desert, and is 

 supposed to be the " wheel " and ^' rolling thing " spoken of in 

 Ps. Ixxxiii. 13, and Isaiah xlii. 13. It grows abundantly in the 

 regions about Jericho, and is to a certain extent held sacred by 

 the natives, as upon the application of moisture it again expands, 

 retaining this property of expanding and contracting for many 



