PRIMROSE. 49 



vera. The German name Friihlings blume lias a 

 similar signification. 



As we enumerate twenty distinct species of 

 Primula, we shall notice them under various heads, 

 first confining ourselves to the Primula vulgaris, 

 or common Sulphur-coloured Primrose, which has 

 lent its name to distinguish a delicate pale yellow 

 colour slightly tinted with green. 



In tracing back the nativity of flowers, we are 

 greatly assisted by the mythological writings of the 

 ancients^ for without these records we should have 

 pronounced them all as being the children of Nature ; 

 and the relationship which this favourite flower 

 bears to the gods would have remained unknown, 

 as well as the history of its origin. 



The Primrose was anciently called Paralisos, 

 after the name of a beautiful youth who was the 

 son of Priapus and Flora, and who died of grief 

 for the loss of his betrothed Melicerta, but was 

 preserved by his parents by being metamorphosed 

 into this flower, which has since divided the favours 

 of the poets with the Violet and the Rose. Clare 

 says — 



O, who can speak his joj's when Spring's young morn 

 From wood and pasture opened to his view ; 



When tender green huds blush upon the thorn, 

 And the first primrose dips its leaves in dew. 



VOL. I. D 



