ab. 
PRIMULA SINENSIS. 
Nar. Orv. Primulaces, Juss. Linn. Syst. Pentandria Monogynia. 
PRIMULA, Linn. Calyx tubulosus 5-dentatus persistens (coroll4 multd brevior in Auricula-Ursi J.). Corolla tu- 
bulosa 5-loba, fauce pervid. Stamina 5. Stigmal. Capsula apice 10-valvis. Nwmerus partium in horlis varius, 
Juss. Gen. 96. ie | 
+ none er 
Primula calycibus inflatis 10-dentatis, corollis crenato-incisis. %. 
Primula sinensis. Sabine MSS. 
Descr. Folia radicalia, humi recurva, pilis longis villosa, longé petiolata, rugosa, 5—7-loba, /obis rotundatis, crenato-incisis, 
subtus ad venas, ut et petioli, coloratis. ores scapo foliis subequali hirsuto insidentes, umbellati, 7zvolucro foliaceo, appresso, 
polyphyllo. Pedicelli villislongissimis tecti. Calyx ovatus, inflatus, hirsutissimus, basi obtusus, 10-dentatus, 10-nervis, intus glan- 
dulosus, tubo corolle paulo brevior; pallidé viridis, nervis et pedicello coloratis. Corolla hypocrateriformis, /imbo plano 5-lobo : 
lobis crenato-incisis, supra intensé carmosinis, infra opacis, albido rubellis ; fauce luted, glandulosé, fornicibus 10 abbreviatis 
clausa ; tubo infundibulari extus hirsuto, transversé plicato, diaphano, calyce multoties minore. Anthere 5, intra faucem inserte, 
subsessiles, anguste, ovate, lobis corolla opposite, super stigmate conniventes. Pollen ovale. Ovarium minimum, obovatum, 
uniloculare, placenta centrali, globosa, polysperma. Stylus cum ovario continuus, filiformis. St¢gma capitatum, concaviusculum. 
Fructus ignotus. 
One of the many objects which occupy the attention of the Horticultural Society is the introduction of ornamental 
plants to the gardens of this country, and the free distribution of them when procured ; a purpose which the rare 
union of wealth, interest and liberality, which it possesses, cannot fail to ensure its attaining most successfully. The 
knowledge of what plants of this description particular regions produce, was obviously one step towards obtaining 
them. But as it is difficult to form a very correct idea of their beauty from the appearance they assume when dried, in 
which state only a great proportion of tropical vegetables is known to residents in Kurope, it was determined by the 
Society that a person should be employed in making drawings of plants in the countries where they grow. For several 
reasons China was selected for a beginning ; and particularly as being the residence of John Reeves, Esq. a corre- 
sponding and very active member of the Society, under whose immediate superintendence the draughtsman could be 
placed. By the direction of this gentleman, a considerable number of drawings have already been sent to England 
and many of the plants they represent introduced. Among those which were received in the year 1819, was a 
drawing of what appeared to be a very handsome gigantic species of Primula, accompanied by dried specimens 
which confirmed the general accuracy of the figure. The attention of the Society was so strongly attracted by its 
beauty, that it was immediately ordered to be sent home. Seeds and a plant were accordingly procured at 
Canton by Mr. Reeves ; but the latter unfortunately. perished during its passage, and the seeds, of which there was 
an abundance, did not vegetate. Captain Reeves has, however, been subsequently more fortunate ; having succeeded 
in bringing a plant over alive, which he presented to his relation Thomas Palmer, Esq. of Bromley Kent Last 
autumn this plant produced an imperfect flowering stem ; and this spring has broken forth in great beauty. The 
inflorescence, however, has not yet attained its full size; for in China the umbel of flowers is compound instead of 
simple, and as much more beautiful as it is larger. A superb drawing has been made from the plant for the Horti- 
-cultural Society, by Mr. Hooker ; of which the Council has most liberally allowed us to avail ourselves, with the ap- 
probation of Mr. Palmer. We should not omit to state, that the leaves represented in our plate were sketched last 
autumn; and the flowers added this spring. Mr. Hooker informs us, that at present the leaves are not half so larg 
as they were at that time. 
Fe are Bee observed ce ae Chinese drawing appeared to represent a sort of Primrose, or something very 
2 0 on or the plant ina fresh state has shown that it really possesses some of the essential charac 
teristics of that genus ; such as the flowers srowing in umbels, and the 5-lobed hypocrateriform corolla sincere 
the stamens. ‘There are, however, some other points in which it differs so widely from Primula, that it ‘may fairly 
be doubted whether it should not constitute a distinct genus. It has an inflated calyx with ten ae ee a 
calyx with five teeth, and not inflated ; and the lobes of the corolla are lacerated sat See like those eS "ide a 
instead of being entire. The distinctive marks of genera in the natural order of Primulacee, to ahh t hee 
are so simple, that these points of resemblance will scarcely justify our retaining it in the eenus cehaes -s h ee oe 
it. Others, however, may be of a different opinion : we have, therefore satisfied ourselves vith i re a oe 
differs from Primula, and willmely leave the question to be decided at some future opaortunttet Sapna Cane 
_ It is a curious fact, that in Corts, the only other instance in the order of a genus in which an inflated calyx occurs, 
oe pe ee have ten divisions also ; which, however differently modified, are absolutely analogous to {! { 
: Ee ee : ; ’ Vane OUS le ten 
eeth in this plant ; each division being accompanied by a corresponding nerve. : 
) 
argre 
EXPLANATION OF THE Prater. 
\ 
1. A flower laid open partially. 2. A portion of the tube of the 
\ ye # corolla expanded iting face 
part of the same less magnified, showing the natural position of the anthers. : A. Theater : Spa aus SUS © 
7. A section of the same, showing the ovarium. 8. Ovarium taken out. 9. A section of p Pee iho me cee aeehtine calyx, 
which the ovula are attached to the placenta. 10, Upper part of the style and stigma art onthe same; 10 show the manne ig 
