Tab. fe 
PRIMULA SINENSIS. 
Nat. Orv. Primulacee, Juss. Linn. Syst. Pentandria Monogynia. 
PRIMULA, Linn. Calyx tubulosus 5-dentatus persistens (corollé multd brevior in Awricula-Ursi J.). Corolla tu- 
bulosa 5-loba, fauce pervia. Stamina 5. Stigmal. Capsula apice 10-valvis. Numerus partium in hortis varius. 
Juss. Gen. 96. 
Primula calycibus inflatis 10-dentatis, corollis crenato-incisis. 2%. 
Primula sinensis. Sabine MSS. | 
Descr. Folia radicalia, humi recurva, pilis longis villosa, longé petiolata, rugosa, 5—7-loba, lobis rotundatis, crenato-incisis, 
subtus ad venas, ut et petioli, coloratis. ores scapo foliis subaquali hirsuto insidentes, umbellati, involucro foliaceo, appresso, 
polyphyllo. Pedicelli villislongissimis tecti. Calyz ovatus, inflatus, hirsutissimus, basi obtusus, 10-dentatus, 10-nervis, intus glan- 
dulosus, tubo corolle paulo brevior ; pallidé viridis, nervis et pedicello coloratis. Corolla hypocrateriformis, limbo plano 5-lobo: 
lobis crenato-incisis, supra intensé carmosinis, infra opacis, albido rubellis ; fauce lutea, glandulosa, fornictbus 10 abbreviatis 
clausa ; tubo infundibulari extus hirsuto, transversé plicato, diaphano, calyce multoties minore. Anthere 5, intra faucem inserte, 
subsessiles, anguste, ovate, lobis corolle opposite, super stigmate conniventes. Pollen ovale. Ovarium minimum, obovatum, 
uniloculare, placenta centrali, globosa, polysperma. Stylus cum ovario continuus, filiformis. Stigma 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 obtainin 
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 Europe, 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 fora 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 Rawes 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 large 
as they were at that time. 
We have already observed that the Chinese drawing appeared to represent a sort of Primrose, or something very 
like one. An examination of the plant ina fresh state has shown that it really possesses some of the essential charac- 
teristics of that genus; such as the flowers growing in umbels, and the 5-lobed hypocrateriform corolla, inclosing 
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 teeth, instead of a 
calyx with five teeth, and not inflated ; and the lobes of the corolla are lacerated, somewhat like those of Soldanella, 
instead of being entire. ‘I'he distinctive marks of genera in the natural order of Primulacee, to which it belongs, 
are so simple, that these points of resemblance will scarcely justify our retaining it in the genus where we have placed 
it. Others, however, may be ofa different opinion: we have, therefore, satisfied ourselves with indicating how it 
differs from Primula, and willingly leave the question to be decided at some future opportunity. 
{t is a curious fact, that in Corts, the only other instance in the order of a genus in which an inflated calyx occurs, 
that organ should have ten divisions also ; which, however differently modified, are absolutely analogous to the ten 
teeth in this plant ; each division being accompanied by a corresponding’ nerve. 7 
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATS. 
1. A flower laid open partially. 2. A portion of the tube of the corolla expanded, exhibiting the fornices and anthers. 3. A 
part of the same less magnified, showing the natural position of the anthers. 4. The anthers. 5. Pollen. 6. An entire calyx. 
7. Asection of the same, showing the ovarium. 8. Ovarium taken out. 9. A section of part of the same, to show the manner in 
which the ovula are attached to the placenta. 10. Upper part of the style and stigma. 
