56 



PAESOXS OX THE EOSE. 



MOSS EOSES. 



The Moss Rose ^ras introduced into Eno-land from Hoi- 

 land in the sixteenth century, and is first mentioned by 

 JNliller, in 172T, by whom it was supposed to be a sport of 

 the Provence Rose, which opinion has been confirmed by 

 modern botanists. Its peculiarities are the deUcate prick- 

 les which crowd its stem, and the beautiful mossy cover- 

 ing of its calyx. This mossy appearance has been deemed 

 by some a mere lusus naturc^^ and by others the work of 

 an insect similar to that which produces the Bedeguar, or 

 Rose-gall. The former opinion, however, prevails ; and 

 this freak of nature cultivators have succeeded in fixinor 

 and perpetuating in a great number of varieties. The 

 first Moss Rose known in France was said to have been 

 introduced there bv Madame de Genlis, who broug^ht it 

 with her on her return from England. In 1810, scarcely 

 more than one variety was known, and now there exist 

 more than a hundred. Of these, the best and most dis- 

 tinct are the following : 



A Feuilles Pourpres, — A distinct rose. The flower is 

 brio:ht red, and the vouno- leaves are red. 



Baronne fie Wassenaero — This has a good form, bright 



red color, and flowers in clusters. 



Captain Ingram. — Flowers of a dark, velvety purple. 



Comtesse de .Hurinais. — A vigorous habit. Its color is 

 pale flesh, changing to pure white, and it is one of the 

 best of the white Mosses. 



Common. — This is the old Rose-colored Moss, which 

 has been generally cultivated in gardens. It grows well, 

 blooms freely, is well covered with moss, and is one of 

 the best of the old varieties. 



Cristata. — A very singular and beautiful variety, said 

 to have been discovered in the crevice of a wall at Fri- 

 burg, in Switzerland. Rivers classes it with the Provence 



