v.] HOTTONIA, LYSIMACHIA, ANAGALLIS. 133 



introductory chapter (ante, p. 33). The majority of the 

 species are dimorphous, but not all (Scott, " Proc. Linn 

 Soc.," vol. viii. 1864). In Primula Stricta, according 

 to Axell (" Om Anord. for cle Vax Befrucktning "), 

 when the flowers first open, the anthers are already 

 mature, and are attached to the tube of the 

 corolla, some distance above the as yet immature 

 stigma. Gradually, however, the pistil elongates, 

 bringing the stigma to the same height as the 

 anthers. 



Hottonia palustris, though so unlike Primula in 

 habit and appearance, is also dimorphous, and agrees 

 with the former genus very nearly in the relative 

 positions of the stamens and pistil in the two forms. 

 The difference was noticed by Sprengel, who says 

 (p. 103), " I think this is not accidental, but a provision 

 of nature, though I am not in a position to point out 

 the advantage of it." 



Lysimachia vulgaris produces no honey. In this 

 species Mil Her has observed the existence of two ex- 

 tremes (connected, however, by intermediate forms) ; 

 one, more conspicuous, which rarely or never fertil- 

 ises itself ; the other less conspicuous frequenting 

 shady places, and habitually self-fertile. 



Of the genus Anagallis (the Pimpernel) we have, 

 according to Bentham, two species only, A. arvensis 

 and A. tenella. The former, however, contains two well- 

 marked varieties, one blue and the other red, which 

 do not cross, and are considered by some botanists as 

 distinct species, under the names of A. cczrulea, and 

 A. arvensis. Whether it may be more convenient to 

 treat them as true species or as mere varieties, it must 

 at least be admitted that they differ considerably. 



