54 



FLORA HISTORICA. 



flower, but never observed this change, although 

 the change of colour from the common sulphur to 

 a red tint was frequent. It is probable that the 

 Polyanthos may have sprung from both the Prim- 

 rose and the Oxlip. Experience proves it to be a 

 permanent variety ; for however nature sports with 

 its tints, we have not known it return to either the 

 common Primrose or the Oxlip. 



The Polyanthos, which has been so much im- 

 proved by cultivation during the last century, may 

 justly dispute the prize of beauty with any Euro- 

 pean flower, when we take into account the variety 

 and richness of its colouring, the grace and elegance 

 of its form, its mild and agreeable odour that has 

 never been known to offend : its easy propagation, 

 hardy nature, and early time of flowering, make it 

 a welcome inmate in every flower-garden, and in 

 no part of the world is it so successfully cultivated 

 as in England, particularly by the zealous florists 

 of Lancashire and Cheshire, who have, in the in- 

 stance of this flower, left the Dutch bloemist con- 

 siderably in the background. The neighbourhood 

 of Manchester and Macclesfield is justly celebrated 

 for producing the finest specimens of this flower, 

 and in these manufacturing districts the criterion 

 of a fine Polyanthos is ascertained with as narrow 

 a scrutiny as the sportsman regards his pointer or 

 setter dog. 



