In preference to giving a slight history of the family at the commencement, I shall, as I describe them, at the risk of being tedious, give the supposed origin of most of the varieties; premising, that all those termed true perpetuals have, generally, a terminal cluster of buds at the end of each shoot, whether produced in spring, summer or autumn.

Antinous is a new rose, evidently between the French Rose and Crimson Perpetual, equalling that fine rose in form and fragrance, and surpassing it in beauty of colouring; but it partakes rather more than it ought to do of the French Rose, as it is not a True Perpetual. However, it often puts forth its fine crimson purple flowers in September; it will therefore be much esteemed, as we have hitherto been accustomed to roses of more sober hues in that pleasant month. Billiard, so named from a French rose amateur, is a pretty bright rose, very fragrant and double, and a True Perpetual. Belle Italienne approaches very near to the Crimson Perpetual, except that its flowers are larger, and not quite so double: this is also a True Perpetual. Bernard, or Pompon Perpetual, is a most beautiful new rose, with rather small flowers; but these are very double and finely shaped, of a delicate carmine colour: this is a True Perpetual, and a most desirable

rose.

The Crimson Perpetual, Rose du Roi, or Lee's Crimson Perpetual, deserves a few extra words of comment. This fine rose was raised from seed, in 1812, in the gardens of the palace of Saint Cloud, then under the direction of Le Comte Lelieur, and named by him Rose du Roi; owing, I suppose, to Louis the Eighteenth soon after that time being restored, and presenting an opportunity for the Comte to show his loyalty: it is not recorded that he changed its name during the hundred days to Rose de l'Empereur! It is asserted, that it was raised from the Rosa Portlandica, a semi-double brightcoloured rose, much like the rose known in this country as the Scarlet Four Seasons, or Rosa Pæstana which Eustace tells us, in his Classical Tour, grows among the ruins of Pæstum, enlivening them with its brilliant autumnal flowers. This is treated as a traveller's tale by one or two of our English botanists, and the Rosa Pæstana is said to have been originated from seed in England: but was that seed from Italy?

Every gentleman's garden ought to have a large bed of Crimson Perpetual Roses, to furnish bouquets during August, September, and October; their fragrance is so delightful, their colour so rich, and their form so perfect.

Couronne de Béranger is a purplish rose, very double, and of good shape; a True Per

petual. Crispata, or the Curled Perpetual, is one of those whimsies of nature, more curious than pretty. Each leaf is curled, and forms a ring, giving an odd appearance to the plant. De Neuilly is a hybrid Bourbon of great ex cellence, having all the peculiar beauty of the Bourbon Roses, with the fragrance of the Damask Rose. It is a most abundant autumnal bloomer, and ought to be extensively cultivated. De Rennes is a True Perpetual, of first-rate excellence, with large and very double flowers. Délice d'Hiver is a splendid rose, with large and finely shaped flowers, of that vivid rosecolour so much admired; also a True Perpetual. Désespoir des Amateurs, or Perpetuatis sima, had its origin in Italy, from whence it was ushered into France, with its high-sounding names, equally ridiculous; for, in reality, the rose, though pretty and fragrant, is much below many in this division. It is a hybrid of uncertain origin, and totally unlike any other rose in habit, which is dwarf and rather delicate.

Ernestine Audio is a new and fine variety, with large and very double flowers, of a bright rose-colour, which seldom open well. This is not a True Perpetual.

Flon, Gloire des Perpetuelles, and La Mienne, are roses of the same race or breed, and have the same leading features, differing only, and

that but little, in the size of their flowers. They are all True Perpetuals, and abundant bloomers, with a peculiar and pretty habit; for their foliage has a soft appearance, and, when the plants are covered with their brilliant red flowers, no Perpetual Roses are more beautiful. Ferox is quite unique, and very magnificent, having larger flowers than any other in this division; but it is not a certain autumnal bloomer. The White Four Seasons has an attractive name, but it does not deserve it, as it has not the habit of the True Four Seasons Rose, producing constantly terminal flowerbuds, but more like the Common White Damask, from which it is but little removed. The Grand Perpetual, or Fabert's, is a True Perpetual Rose of great excellence, requiring a rich soil and good culture to bloom in perfection. It has one great fault, the flowers produced in July are so large that they almost invariably burst, but its autumnal flowers are much more symmetrical. Grande et Belle, or Monstrueuse, is a rose of immense size and beauty, and generally a good and True Perpetual. Henriette Boulogne is a good rose,

but rather an inconstant autumnal bloomer, This, with some others, the French distinguish as roses that" remontante rarement," in con

*This difference is now found to be imaginary, and owing to local circumstances.

they say,

tradistinction to the True Perpetuals, which, "remontante franchement." Jean Hachette is a most immense rose, and very double, but not a True Perpetual. Jenny Audio is a new and rare rose, not remarkable for any peculiar beauty, but fragrant, and a True Perpetual. Josephine Antoinette is now an old variety, but a True Perpetual of great excellence. Louis Philippe, being introduced before Antinous, has had a large share of admiration its immense size, under proper cultivation, and its dark purple colour, make it even yet desirable; it is also a True Perpetual. Lodoiska and Madame Feburier are superb roses, and very large and double; but they are rather Inconstant Perpetuals. Marie Denise is a fine robust variety: its flowers resemble those of Lodoiska, but more double, and the plant approaches nearer to a True Perpetual than that fine rose. Pompon Four Seasons is a very old rose, as its name may be found in many old catalogues; still it is rare, and quite a gem, as it blooms well in autumn, and forms a pretty little bush.

Pulchérie is a pretty dark purple rose, very distinct, and a True Perpetual. Perpétuelle d'Angers is an old variety, a very free autumnal bloomer, and remarkably fragrant; but its flowers are not so finely shaped as those of some other varieties. Palmire, or the Blush Per