SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rosa, germinibus oblongis, sæpeflorens, racemosa, fragrans; pedunculis petiolisque hispidis, et glandulosis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis; foliolis oblongis, subtus villosis.

Rose, with oblong seed-buds, often flowering, clustered, sweet-scented; the peduncles and petioles are hispid and glandular; the prickles of the branches are scattered and straight; the leaflets are of an oblong form, and villous beneath.

Thiscluster-flowered Variety is undoubtedly the most attractive of that species of Rose denominated Monthly. To its fine abundant and frequent bloom is attached a fragrance of unequivocal sweetness, for which it is much esteemed. It bears so great a resemblance to the Damask Rose, that we are strongly induced to regard it as a continuation of that species, and have but little doubt, if the flowers were dried and analysed, they would be found to contain the same medicinal virtues. The title of Monthly is certainly a term of latitude with regard to its flowering; for, in the literal sense, it should imply a perpetually blooming Rose; which undoubtedly a Rose must be that blossoms every month; but this is by no means the case with the present species, although in mild seasons it may be found in bloom in December or January; which gives it a decided superiority over many of the summer species.

Our figure was taken from a fine blooming specimen in the month of September, at the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton.

Rosa, germinibus sub-rotundis, læviter glandulosa, pedunculis hispido-glandulosis, sæpe florentibus, racemosis, læte rubro-purpureis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis.

Rose, with roundish seed-buds, slightly glandular, peduncles hispidly glandular, often blooming, clustered, and of a bright red purple; leaflets are ovate, and villous beneath; the prickles of the branches are scattered and straight.

Thisvery desirable Rose was introduced from France under the title of La Rose de quatre Saisons, and which we conceive to be an appropriate term, as it refers with some degree of accuracy to the frequency of its flowering. For although it is not in flower all the year, yet it is found blooming in every season; a circumstance of rare occurrence, and (the Chinese or Indian Rose excepted) only to be found in the species called the Monthly Rose, from which analogy alone, the Rose of the four Seasons has been by many supposed to be only the Clustered-flowered Monthly under a new name; but to this it has not the slightest affinity except in its foliage, being in every other respect most particularly distinct. It is also a scarcer rose, and by no means so well known as it deserves to be.

The figure was taken from a fine plant in the nursery of Messrs. Loddiges, Hackney.

Rosa, germinibus sub-globosis, incarnatis; pedunculis petiolisque hispidis et glandulosis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis.

Rose, with nearly round seed-buds, flesh-coloured; the peduncles and petioles are hispid and glandular; the prickles of the branches are scattered, and straight; the leaflets are egg-shaped, and villose beneath.

Ofall the numerous variations in the Province Rose, this is the most delicate variety; and as a well-known and much-admired (although only a slight) variety of the Red, it is highly deserving of a separate figure.—This specimen represents the most general character of the Blush Province. As we have two florescent varieties of this pale delicate character, from the same species, whose slight distinctions have no doubt lent their aid to swell the train of superfluous novelty,—the Author is in hopes, by the observations he has already made on the variations of the same Rose by different modes of culture, joined with the further inspection he shall be enabled to make in the course of the ensuing summer, that it will be in his power to ascertain with accuracy the difference between the mere florescent varieties of growth, and those actually distinct in their character, independent of that circumstance.

Rosa, germinibus globosis; floribus magnis, et eleganter variegatis; pedunculis hispidis; caule et petiolis hispidis et aculeatis; foliolis sub-ovatis, subtus villosis.

Rose, with globular seed-buds; flowers large, and elegantly striped; peduncles hispid; the stem and petioles are hispid and prickly; the leaflets are nearly egg-shaped, and villose beneath.

Thiselegant Striped variety of theRosa Gallicais certainly more attractive than its original, theofficinalis. Its fine red stripes acquire a comparatively superior brilliance, by their contrast with the white; from which analogous circumstance we believe the name ofRosa Mundihas been originally derived from a collateral reference to that celebrated lady in the reign of Henry the Second, commonly called Fair Rosamund (signifying Rose-mouth). Thus, like the Rose, the colour of her lips was heightened by the comparative delicacy of her fair complexion; and which the Author has no doubt will be considered as a fair excuse, however remote or questionable the etymology. Like all other variegated Roses, an exactitude of character is never to be expected; we having sometimes seen it more divided than our figure represents, and at others so much less so as to be nearly one half white, and the other red.

The drawing was made from fine plants in the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton.

Rosa, germinibus globosis; floribus magnis, marmoreis; pedunculis hispidis; caule petiolisque hispido-aculeatis; foliolis sub-ovatis, subtus villosis.

Rose, with globular seed-buds; the flowers are large, and of a marbled character; peduncles hispid; the stem and petioles are hispidly prickly; the leaflets are nearly egg-shaped, and villous beneath.

ThisMarbled Variety of theofficinalis, or French Red Rose, is, like the Striped, a variety of colour only: for although all the three Roses appear distinct from each other when in flower; yet, when out of bloom, it is scarcely possible to distinguish the one from the other. We have sometimes observed the foliage of this variety more undulated or waved than the others; a trifling difference, if it is even a constant character;—but most likely a mere casualty of growth. It is exactly of the same bushy habit as the other two; and, like them, equally subject to mildew in the autumn.

Our drawing was made from a fine plant, in luxuriant bloom, at the nursery of Mr. Shailer, King’s Road, Chelsea.

Rosa germinibus subrotundis; pedunculis petiolisque hispidis et glandulosis; floribus semi-duplicibus; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis, sub-reflexis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis, serraturis glandulosis.

Rose with roundish seed-buds; peduncles and petioles hispid and glandular; flowers semi-double. The prickles of the branches are scattered, straight, and slightly bent back. The leaflets are ovate, villous beneath, with glandular serratures.

Thisfine Semi-double Province Rose is at present but little known, being nearly of as recent a date as the Single, although not quite so rare—but in beauty by no means inferior; and when regarded as a connecting link in the symmetrical arrangement of this very numerous species, it will doubtless be considered as a valuable acquisition. Amidst their numerous variations of flower, very little if any difference is observable in the foliage, except what is incident to the health or age of the plant. The leaves are invariably composed of leaflets of from one to three pairs, with a terminating or end one: but those having three pairs are mostly confined to the lower part of the plant; and frequently those leaves at the base of the footstalks of the flowers have only the abortive rudiments of what would have been one pair of leaflets, had not the luxuriance of its blossoms absorbed the nourishment that would otherwise have brought them to maturity.

The figure was made from a plant at the nursery of Mr. Shailer, King’s Road.

Rosa germinibus subrotundis, parvifloris, incarnatis, in medio profunde rubris; foliolis ovatis, acutis, et parvis; subtus villosis, marginibus serrulatis, glandulosis; caule et petiolis aculeatis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis.

Rose with roundish seed-buds, small-flowered, flesh-coloured, and of a deep red in the centre. The leaflets are ovate, sharp-pointed, and small; downy beneath, with small sawed glandular margins. The stem and petioles are prickly: the prickles of the branches are scattered, and straight.

Thiselegant minor variety of the Dwarf Rose has been, and still continues to be, regarded as superior to most, equal to any, and surpassed by no one, of this enchanting genus at present known. It is an evident variety of the Rose de Meaux, an equally beautiful Rose, but whose flowers are larger, and deficient in the fine deep red eye;—the principal specific distinction, in the present plant, and which is thought to give it a decided superiority. But whether this distinction be a permanent character, is certainly at present a matter of doubt; for in several instances we have seen it lose this central distinction, and attain the full height of its original. Yet against this observation we are acquainted with two exceptions: one of them, a plant in the nursery of Mr. Shailer; the other, a plant in the nursery of Messrs. Loddige; neither of these plants having for years grown beyond a foot in height, nor have the proprietors ever been able to propagate them. It is therefore not improbable, that upon comparing them with the present figure when in fine bloom, there may be found a sufficient distinction to enable us to subjoin another figure of it, under the title ofminima, or smallest variety.

The drawing was made from a plant at the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton.

Rosa germinibus subrotundis, parvifloris, incarnatis, æqualibus; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis; marginibus serrulatis, glandulosis; caule et petiolis aculeatis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis.

Rose with roundish seed-buds, small-flowered, flesh-coloured, and equal. The leaflets are egg-shaped, villose beneath, with sawed glandular margins. The stem and petioles are prickly: the prickles of the branches are scattered and straight.

Thisvariety was introduced from France by Mr. Williams, a nurseryman residing near Paris. It is of a compound character; the leaves and the colour of the flowers resembling theRosa nana, but in point of size much more like thenana minor, or Pompone Rose; yet differing again from that, in the great regularity of the petals—(whence the nameæqualiflora)—a trivial distinction, and yet the most prominent feature allowed us by way of discrimination. Nor should we have adopted it, had we not seen at the nursery of Messrs. Colville a number of plants of exactly the same uniform description; which induced us to regard it as a permanent character. If it should prove so (which time alone can ascertain), the name will be sufficiently discriminative: but in case the flowers should enlarge, that circumstance might probably disorganize the symmetry of the petals, and it would then have no distinguishing mark to separate it from the de Meaux; between which and the Pompone Rose it is certainly a variety. But whilst so many variations are allowed among the larger Roses, the lesser ones (but not less estimated) may with propriety claim an equal right to be admitted, particularly as they are so few, compared with those of larger magnitude.

Rosa, germinibus globosis, pedunculisque hispidis; petiolis aculeatis; foliolis oblongis, acutis, serratis; caule glabro; spinis ramorum sparsis, et oppositis.

Rose, with round seed-buds and hispid peduncles; petioles prickly; leaflets oblong, sharp-pointed, and sawed; stem smooth; spines of the branches are scattered, and opposite.

ThisRose, so well known by the appellation of the Great Burnet-leaved, is estimated as a variety of the Carolina; but in our opinion the resemblance is not very powerful. Probably a more minute investigation of some of the intermediate varieties at some future period may enable us to throw some further light on the subject. It is a very shrubby and rather dwarfish-growing plant, inclinable to spread; and although not particularly attractive, is by no means deficient in beauty. It continues a long time in successive bloom, and is possessed of a very handsome double-flowered variety.

Our drawing was made from a plant at the nursery of Messrs. Colville.

Rosa, germinibus globosis, pedunculisque hispidis; foliolis ovatis, acuminatis, serratis, glabris; spinis ramorum oppositis, rectis, rubris.

Rose, with round seed-buds, and hispid peduncles; the leaflets are of an ovate form, sharp-pointed, sawed, and smooth; the thorns of the branches are opposite, straight, and red.

Thishandsome Single Rose is supposed to be one of the varieties of the Carolina, and for that reason, we believe, called the Pennsylvanian Rose, and perfectly well known under that title; although we think the plant bears very little affinity to the Carolina Rose, and is perhaps nearer allied to the Austrian than any other. It certainly bears a considerable resemblance to the Burnet-leaved variety of the Carolina; but has much more of the character of a brier attached to it, and is generally estimated as the most desirable variety.

It is in fine bloom from the middle of June to the end of August. There is a delicate variety of it with double flowers.

Our figure was made from the nursery of Messrs. Colville.

Rosa, germinibus globosis; pedunculis et petiolis hispidis; floribus multiplicibus, equalibus; foliolis ovatis, acutis, parvis, subtus villosis, marginibus serrulatis; caule fruticoso; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis.

Rose, with round seed-buds; peduncles and petioles hispid; flowers with many folds, and equal; leaflets ovate, sharp-pointed and small, hairy beneath, with finely sawed edges; stem shrubby; the spines of the branches are scattered and straight.

Thisbeautiful Dwarf Rose is certainly a very distinct species, and generally known by the appellation of Burgundy Rose. It is an early-blooming Rose, and makes a brilliant appearance. The flowers are very double, of a rich red purple when in perfection, but of a paler or bluer colour when retiring. It is very easily distinguished from any other dwarf Rose, by the striking resemblance which it bears to the Ranunculus, and from which a good specific name might have been derived, had not the leaves (ever the most appropriate characteristic) furnished an unexceptionable title, recently adopted by professor Willdenow in his Species Plantarum.

Our drawing was made from fine plants at the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames.

Rosa, germinibus globosis, glabris; pedunculis et petiolis glabris; foliolis ovatis, crenatis, glabris; floribus albis; caule et ramis aculeatissimis; aculeis rectis, sub-albidis.

Rose, with smooth round seed-buds; peduncles and petioles of the leaf smooth; the leaflets are egg-shaped, notched, and smooth; flowers white; the stem and branches are very prickly; the prickles straight, and nearly white.

Variousare the opinions of cultivators with regard to what part of the world this Rose is in reality indigenous. Its general appellation with us is Common Scotch Rose; but Professor Afzelius, in his Observations on Swedish Roses, claims it as a native of Sweden, finding great fault with Linnæus for the inaccuracy of his description in confounding thepimpinellæfoliawith thespinosissima; an error, we have little doubt, originating merely from having two names for one individual plant. There are two slight variations from this plant: the one rather a taller plant, whose flowers and leaves are of a more luxuriant growth; the other and most material is one, said to be of recent importation from Holland, whose leaves are narrower, nor are the spines quite so numerous or perfectly straight as on the truespinosissima, but yet it is evidently the same plant. This slight variation of clime and culture, it is not at all improbable, might be the cause of the above confusion: we have so frequently seen it growing wild on the waste lands within ten miles of London, that, although it may be a native of Sweden, it nevertheless seems quite at home in Britain. The single flower beneath represents what is called a Striped Variety; but it is often so nearly white, that, until its character is more determined, we shall decline a separate figure. It is very hardy, of a lively appearance, but no great beauty. It is an early Rose, and possessed of several very handsome varieties.

Our figure was made from the nursery of Mr. Williams, Turnham Green.

Rosa, germinibus globosis, glabris; pedunculis et petiolis glabris; foliolis ovatis, crenatis, glabris; floribus marmoreis, purpureis; caule et ramis aculeatissimis; aculeis rectis, albicantibus.

Rose, with round seed-buds, and smooth; peduncles and petioles smooth; the leaflets are ovate, notched, and smooth; the flowers are marbled, and of a purple colour; the stem and branches are very prickly; the prickles straight out, and of a whitish colour.

Thisfine Marbled Variety of thespinosissimais certainly much more desirable than its original, but is by no means so abundant; and we think it is a smaller or more dwarf-growing plant: but not having seen more than two plants of it in bloom, we cannot be quite certain of its character in that particular. The flowers are somewhat smaller than in the White, and one of the specimens in bloom at the nursery of Malcolm and Co., Kensington, still smaller than our figure of it, but fully equal in beauty and richness of colour to the plant from which our figure was made at the nursery of Messrs. Loddige, Hackney; but so variable are the Striped and Marbled Roses, that we cannot expect them often to stand the test of comparison. It is an early blooming Rose, but not of long duration; beginning to flower the latter end of May, and seldom lasting more than three weeks.

Rosa, germinibus subrotundis; floribus minutis, incarnatis, in medio profunde rubris; foliolis ovatis, acutis, et parvis, subtus villosis, marginibus serrulatis, glandulosis. Frutex pygmæus; caule et petiolis aculeatis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis.

Rose, with roundish seed-buds; flowers very small, flesh-coloured, and of a deep red in the centre; leaflets egg-shaped, sharp-pointed, and small, hairy beneath, with finely sawed glandular margins. It is a dwarf shrub; stem and petioles prickly; the spines of the branches are scattered and straight.

Thiselegant little plant proves, as we imagined it would, distinct from the minor variety, whose flower and leaves we find subject to vary both in size and colour, but in the present true original species they are not. At present it is a very scarce Rose, and likely so to continue, from the difficulty annexed to its cultivation.

Our figure represents one-third of the entire and only plant in the collection of Messrs. Loddige, Hackney, the whole plant exhibiting an equal degree of luxuriant bloom. It very rarely attains the height of one foot; but this year it had not exceeded five inches, which gave an addition of singularity to its appearance. It begins to flower nearly at the same time as the Rose de Meaux, but does not remain quite so long in bloom.

Rosa, germinibus subrotundis, pedunculisque læviter hispidis; floribus profunde rubris, semperflorentibus; petiolis aculeatis; foliolis oblongis, acuminatis, glabris; caule viridi, glabro, ad basin spinoso.

Rose, with roundish seed-buds, and slightly hispid peduncles; flowers of a deep rich red colour, ever-blooming; petioles prickly; leaflets oblong, sharp-pointed, and smooth; stem green, smooth, and thorny towards the base.

Thismost beautiful species is perhaps the only one that could with any degree of propriety be termed an Ever-blooming Rose, theindicaexcepted, and which is by some supposed to be only a variety of the present plant; an idea probably resulting from the congeniality of their continual bloom: but admitting it to be only a pale variety of this dark Rose, there must be at least one or two intermediate varieties not yet imported, to smooth the gradual descent from its original; or otherwise the China Roses must be as distinct in their varieties as the generality of other Roses are in their species. It is a Rose of extreme latitude, particularly in the growth of its foliage. When cultivated in a pot, it is frequently not a fourth part of the size our figure represents; whilst on the contrary in the conservatory of G. Hibbert, esq. from whence our figure was made from a plant ten feet high, some of the foliage on the lower part of the plant was full three times the size we have delineated.

To the late G. Slater, esq. of Knots Green near Laytonstone, we are indebted for the introduction of this fine plant, in the year 1792.

Rosa, germinibus ovatis; calycibus et pedunculis muscosis; petiolis ramulisque hispidis, et glanduloso-viscosis; floribus incarnatis; spinis ramorum numerosis, rectis.

Rose, with egg-shaped seed-buds; empalements and peduncles mossy; petioles and younger branches hispid, and glandularly viscous; flowers of a flesh-colour; the spines of the branches are scattered and straight.

Ourfigure represents a delicate Pale Variety, of the common, old, (but ever favourite) species, taken from the nursery of Mr. Shailer of Little Chelsea, and at present considered as a rare plant; but which we regard as only a variety of colour, considering the latitude of growth to which Roses in general are subject, and the present species in particular, whose beautiful original when cultivated in a pot instead of the open ground experiences a diminution both in its mossy character and the brilliance of its colour, but frequently acquires a much more graceful habit from the confinement of its situation: and as the Rose is as much noticed under this treatment as in any other mode of culture, the Author has carefully selected from a number of fine specimens one of luxuriant but rapid growth; that, aided by its rich and higher coloured original, may serve as a criterion to ascertain the variety of form and character with which it may at different times meet the eye.

Rosa germinibus ovatis, pedunculisque hispidis: floribus confertis, pallide carneis: foliis patentibus: foliolis lato-ovatis, acuminatis: caule et petiolis aculeatis.

Rose with egg-shaped seed-buds, and hispid peduncles. Flowers crowded, of a pale flesh colour. Leaves spreading. Leaflets broadly egg-shaped and sharp-pointed. Stem and petioles prickly.

Therecannot be a Rose better known than this delicate species, under the title of The Maiden’s Blush. It is considered, among the Garden Roses, as the second in progressive routine from the wild species, but must certainly be ranked among the first in beauty. Our figure represents what is called the Clustered variety; an appellation we have not adopted, as it would have compelled us to have given two other nominal varieties; the one, whose flowers are rather smaller; the other, with flowers less crowded. But when the latitude of growth that appertains to this luxuriant tribe is considered, they may with propriety be regarded as the variations of culture only.

During the months of July and August this Rose is in the greatest perfection. We have frequently remarked the foliage of this Rose, upon most old plants, to be of a very dark or blackish green; but, on the younger ones, to be nearly the same in colour as the minor variety.

Rosa germinibus ovatis, pedunculisque hispidis: floribus numerosis parvulis, pallide carneis: foliis patentibus: foliolis ovatis, acuminatis: caule et petiolis aculeatis.

Rose with egg-shaped seed-buds, and hispid peduncles. Flowers numerous, smallish, and of a pale flesh colour. Leaves spreading. Leaflets egg-shaped and pointed. Stem and petioles prickly.

Thisminor Variety of the Maiden’s Blush, like the larger one, is said to possess two equally trivial variations. The only observable distinction in this variety is the very small size of its flowers, compared with the preceding figure. Yet, as it delineates the latitude of growth annexed to this species, it stands in no great need of an apology. But how we could have apologized, in a satisfactory manner, for the introduction of four more intermediate varieties, we know not; but rather think we must have borrowed the specific character of the present species, and blushed for their intrusion. The specific we have adopted is only retained among cultivators for this minor Variety, doubtless with the intention of preserving an appearance of greater distinction.

From fine plants in the nursery of Messrs. Whitley, this species has been delineated.

Rosa inermis, germinibus oblongis: pedunculis petiolisque hispidis: corollis saturate rubropurpureis: foliis glabris: foliolis ovatis, acutis, serratis: caule ramisque glabris: fructibus pendulis.

Rose unarmed, with oblong seed-buds, and hispid petioles and peduncles. Blossoms of a deep red purple. Leaves smooth. Leaflets ovate, sharp-pointed, and sawed at the edges. Stem and branches smooth. Fruit pendulous.

Thisthornless Rose may be almost considered as the exception to an otherwise general rule. A specific so unequivocally good seldom occurs; and yet this Rose, in the Hortus Kewensis, bears the name ofpendulina, from its pendulous fruit; a character common to several other species. But had we not found this Rose to be as well known under the name ofinermis, as by the title ofpendulina, we should not (although for the better) have thought ourselves so well justified in altering it; regarding names of no further value than as they give us the most immediate direction to any object we may be in search of. It is an early-blooming Rose with single-flowers of the finest purple colour; and frequently blooms a second time in the autumn; but its flowers then are not so large as in the early part of the season.

Our figure was drawn from a large plant in the nursery of Mr. Shailer.

Rosa germinibus globosis, lucidis, et sericeis, ad basin bracteis sericeis dentatis instructis: floribus albis: foliis buxeis: foliolis sub-ovatis, serrulatis, lucidis: pedunculis et petiolis aculeatissimis: caule aculeatissimo, tomentoso: ramis flexuosis, patentibus.

Rose with round seed-buds, shining, and silky, furnished at the base with silky toothed floral leaves. Flowers white. Leaves resembling box. Leaflets nearly egg-shaped, finely sawed, and shining. Peduncles and petioles very prickly. Stem very prickly and downy. Branches flexuose and spreading.

Thisperfectly distinct species of Rose was introduced from China to this country by Lord Macartney, on his return from his embassy to that court. It is perfectly known under the title of Macartney Rose, and also by the name oflucida, which we have retained: not that we think it is the best name that might have been applied; forlucidais by no means the exclusive character of the present species, and the appellative ofbuxifoliaorbracteatawould have been more appropriate, as they could not have been well applied to any other Rose at present known. But, probably, at a future period, some variety of this species, either imported or cultivated in this country, may enable us to make use of these specifics.

Our figure was taken from a luxuriant specimen of this fine training Rose, communicated by the Hon. W. Irby.

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