538 



PRIMULACEAE 



Floral diagram of Primula 

 acaulis (after Eichler). 



as in Myrsinaceae explains the antepetalous position of the sta. as due 

 to the abortion of the originally outer 

 whorl. Much discussion took place 

 on this subject in former times, espe- 

 cially after Pfeffer's discovery of the 

 peculiar development of the corolla 

 from the backs of the sta. (see 

 Eichler, Bliithendiag. or Asa Gray, 

 Struct. Bot. p. 197). Ovary superior 

 or half-inferior (Samolus), syncarpous 

 with free central placenta, typically of 

 5 cpls., but this is not easily proved, 

 as no partitions (cf. Caryophyllaceae) 

 are found in the ovary and the style 

 and stigma are simple. The capsule 

 splits into 5 valves, and monstrous 

 fls. with 5 leaves in place of the ovary 

 occur ; hence \ve may perhaps assume 

 5 cpls. Ovules oo , spirally or in 

 whorls on the placenta, semi-anatro- 

 pous. The morphology of the free-central placenta has also been 

 a subject of dispute (see Pax in Nat. Pfl., or Eichler, Bliithendiag.}. 

 A great number of the P. have heterostyled flowers (Primula, 

 Hottonia, Glaux, Androsace, &c., q. v. for details). 



The fruit is a capsule, dehiscing in various ways, but usually by 

 teeth at the tip, one opposite to each sepal. Seeds few or many ; 

 embryo small, in fleshy endosperm. Chief genera: Primula, Andro- 

 sace, Soldanella, Hottonia, Samolus, Lysimachia, Trientalis, Glaux, 

 Anagallis, Cyclamen. 



Primulales. The 2nd order (EP.) of Sympetalae. The 5th order 

 (BH.) of Gamopetalae. 



Primulina Hance. Gesneriaceae (i). i China. 



Primulinae (Warming). The 3rd order of Sympetalae. 



Prince's feather, Amaranthus. 



Princewood bark (W. I.), Exostemma. 



Principes. The 5th order of Monocotyledons. 



Pringlea Anders. "ex Hook. f. Cruciferae (i). P. antiscorbutica R. Br. 

 (Kerguelen cabbage), the only sp., has the habit of a cabbage, with the 

 fls. borne on lat. axes. It grows only "on the tempestuous shores of 

 Kerguelen's I., where winged insects cannot exist, because at every 

 flight they run the risk of being drowned. Under these circumstances 

 the plant has become modified for fert. by wind, acquiring exserted 

 anthers and long filiform stigmatic papillae. It still retains traces of 

 its descent from entomophilous ancestors ; for while on the great part 

 of the island it is devoid of petals, it occurs abundantly in shaded places 

 with petals" (Miiller). 



Pringleochloa Scribner (Opizia p.p. EP.). Gramineae (i i). i Mexico. 



Pringleopnytum A. Gray (Berinia p.p. EP.). Acanth. (iv. B). i 

 Calif. 



Prinos Gronov. ex L. = Ilex Tourn. p.p. (Aquifol.). 



Prinsepia Royle. Rosaceae (v). i Himalaya. 



