4. The Rose of _Jericho_, that flourishes every year just about Christmas Eve, is famous in Christian reports; which notwithstanding we have some reason to doubt, and are plainly informed by _Bellonius_, it is but a Monastical imposture, as he hath delivered in his observations, concerning the Plants in _Jericho_. That which promoted the conceit, or perhaps begot its continuance, was a propriety in this Plant. For though it be dry, yet will it upon imbibition of moisture dilate its leaves, and explicate its flowers contracted, and seemingly dried up. And this is to be effected not only in the Plant yet growing, but in some manner also in that which is brought exuccous and dry unto us. Which quality being observed, the subtilty of contrivers did commonly play this shew upon the Eve of our Saviours Nativity, when by drying the Plant again, it closed the next day, and so pretended a double mystery: referring unto the opening and closing of the womb of _Mary_. There wanted not a specious confirmation from a text in _Ecclesiasticus [SN: _Cap. 24._], Quasi palma exultata sum in Cades, & quasi plantatio Rosæ in Jericho_: I was exalted like a Palm-tree in _Engaddi_, and as a Rose in _Jericho_. The sound whereof in common ears, begat an extraordinary opinion of the Rose of that denomination. But herein there seemeth a mistake: for by the Rose in the Text, is implied the true and proper Rose, as first the Greek [SN: φύτα τοῦ ῥόδου.], and ours accordingly rendreth it. But that which passeth under this name, and by us is commonly called the Rose of _Jericho_, is properly no Rose, but a small thorny shrub or kind of Heath, bearing little white flowers, far differing from the Rose; whereof _Bellonius_ a very inquisitive _Herbalist_, could not find any in his travels thorow _Jericho_. A Plant so unlike a Rose, it hath been mistaken by some good _Simplist_ for _Amomum_; which truly understood is so unlike a Rose, that as _Dioscorides_ delivers, the flowers thereof are like the white Violet, and its leaves resemble _Briony_.