PRIMULA ELATIOR IN BRITAIN. 175 
intergrade that (as stated above) some botanists have been 
led to regard the two as one highly-variable species. This, 
however, seems to me quite unjustifiable ; for the intermediate 
forms are, without any reasonable doubt, hybrids ; and, although 
hybridity among plants may certainly be regarded as evidence of 
more or less near relationship, few or none will argue that it 
necessarily shows specific identity. 
There is, moreover, much circumstantial evidence that the 
intermediate forms are really of a hybrid nature :— 
(a) That the hybrid is always present wherever the two 
reputed parents grow in close proximity ; 
(+) That it never occurs where either or both of the reputed 
parents are absent ; 
(c) That it is variable in form, presenting (as already stated) 
almost every conceivable intermediate form between the 
two reputed parents ; 
(d) That it is never abundant, and is always more or less 
scarce and sporadie in its appearance ; and 
(e) That it remains in flower (according to my observations) 
Tor a longer period than either of the two reputed 
parents, whieh may, I think, be regarded as probable 
evidence of sterility due to hybridism. 
Moreover, direct evidence upon the point is forthcoming; for 
Darwin, by means of actual experiment, proved to his complete 
satisfaction that the “ Common Oxlip " was really a hybrid *. 
ltmay, therefore, now be considered to be conclusively established 
that the many intermediate forms between the Primrose and the 
Cowslip are really hybrids. 
As to which plant, if either, usually stands as the female 
parent, I am unable to say with certainty. I believe that both 
șpecies do so occasionally, but the Primrose much the more 
MN i : This I infer from the fact that the hybrid plants are 
— i growing among Primroses, and in places (such as 
they we. edge-banks) specially suited to the Primrose ; whilst 
in open comparatively seldom found growing among the Cowslips 
in its Meadows. At the same time, it must be admitted that, 
‘nflorescence, the more common form assumed by these 
* 
Journ, Linn. 
Soc. 451 ; ‘The Different 
Forms of Flowers, oc., Bot. vol. x. (1868) pp. 437-451 ; and ‘ The Ditte 
&c. (1877) pp. 55-71. 
