This single error has led many into doubt, although 
other poets — even Chaucer himself, has used the 
term correctly ; and Gerard, in his remarks on this 
wild Rose, distinctly says, "" In English we call it 
Eglantine or Sweet-briar.” Perhaps we shall be 
told, that to as great a name, even amongst botan- 
ists, error, in this particular, has attached itself. 
Error is everywhere — perfection nowhere. Lin- 
neus himself attached this poetical name to the 
wrong species of Rose ; but he subsequently cor- 
rected his mistake. 
The descendant of the Eglantine, which we have 
figured, is known, not only as the Scarlet Briar, 
but also as La Belle Distinguee, or Lee’s Duchess, 
or La Petite Duchesse. The late Mr. Lee, of the 
Hammersmith nursery, first introduced it, some 
years ago, from Holland, and gave it the name of 
Duchess, which, as the florist’s name, should be 
retained. It is an exceedingly pretty Rose for 
general culture, especially if worked on standards. 
It is small-sized, but compact, and bright coloured. 
A small section of Roses, under the title Rubi- 
ginosse, has been established, of such species and 
varieties as agree with the Sweet-briar. About 
half a dozen distinct species have been recognised 
by botanists, as belonging to it ; whilst, of hybrid 
garden varieties, three times this number are 
acknowledged as belonging to Rubiginosa alone. 
These are the prominent points connected with 
the present section ; and as we intend, ere long, 
taking up another desirable variety of Sweet-briar, 
we shall then put our readers in possession of 
further particulars concerning them. 
