CORTUSALES.] 



PRIMULACE^. 



645 



Fig. CCCCXXXII. 



Coris and Aiiagallis, all genera of Primworts ; so that the distmctive characters cannot 



be absolutely relied upon. I think, however, that the two Orders really la-e different, 



and that Coris and Lubinia are but the usual instances of loss 



of chax-actei', such as are to be found in almost all Natiu*al 



Orders. M. Duby also points out a relation to Purslaneworts, 



found in a supposed genus of that Order called Cypselea ; but 



that plant is certaudy no Purslanewort, for it has 5 sepals ; 



and the resemblance traced between it and Primworts is very 



indistinct. The collateral affinities of Primworts are much 



greater with Nightshades and Diapensiads, to both wliich they 



are similar in habit. 



Many cases of anomalous structure occui* among these plants. 

 Samolus is remarkable for having an inferior ovary, and barren 

 stamens altematmg with the lobes of the corolla. Similar sta- 

 mens are present in Lysimachia ciliata, hybrida, and others. 

 Apochoi'is and Pelletiera have the petals distinct, and they ai'o 

 hardly united in even Asterolinon and Naumburgia. 

 Glaux is remarkable for bemg absolutely apetalous. A 

 frequent peculiai-ity among the genera is to have that 

 kind of fruit which Botanists call a Pyxis. 



Common in the northern and colder pai'ts of the globe, 

 growing in marshes, hedges, and groves, by foimtains and 

 rivulets, and even among the snow of cloud - clapped 

 mountains. The genus Douglasia was found by the 

 traveller whose name it bears, blossoming while covered 

 with snow, on the Rocky Mountains of America. Prim- 

 worts are uncommon within the tropics, where they 

 usually occupy either the sea shore or the siunmits of the 

 most lofty hills. The genus Samolus is common in New Holland. 



As beautiful objects of cultm-e, these rank among those which are most highly prized, 

 both on account of their bright but modest-looking flowers, the earliest harbingers of 

 spring, and also for the sake of theii' fragrance. Some of them have powerful 

 active principles. Tlie flowers of the CowsUp, Primula vei'is, possess well-marked, 

 sedative and diaphoretic properties, and make a pleasant soporific wine ; its fresh root 

 has a smell resembling Anise, and was formerly employed as a tonic nervine, and also 

 as a diuretic. The leaves of Primula Auricula are used in the Alps as a remedy for 

 coughs. Soldanellas are slightly purgative. Samolus Valerandi is bitter. Cyclamens 

 are called Sowbreads, because they are the favourite food of the wild boars of Sicily ; 

 yet they are very acrid plants, especially the root, whose acrimony is not much 

 perceived at the fii'st tasting, but soon becomes intolerable. — Smith. It has been used 

 medicinally, its action bemg that of a drastic purgative, and foraierly it ^yas much 

 esteemed as an emmeuagogue ; but •whether its reputation was owing to its actual 

 powers or to its placentiform root is doubtful. Sibthorp tells us that the modern Greeks 

 use the bruised root of Cyclamen persicum as a means of driving the Sepia octopodia 

 out of its holes. It is said that these roots, notwithstanding their acridity, are eatable 

 and innoxious when dined or roasted. AnagalUs arvensis and cserulea, the Mouron of 

 the French, have had some reputation in cases of madness. They appear to possess 

 energetic powers, for Orfila destroyed a dog by making him swallow 3 drachms of the 

 extract ; it was found to have inflamed the mucous membrane of the stomach. A 

 sunilar result was obtained by Grenier. It has been prescribed in epilepsy and 

 dropsy. Coris monspeliensis was employed in the medicine of the Spanish monastic 

 orders as a most efficacious vuhierary, when dried and reduced to powder.— i?o^ Rer;. 

 vii..536. It has also been prescribed in syphilitic cases. 



Fig. CCCCXXXIII. 



GENERA. 



I. Primulid.?;. 



Douglasia, Lindl. 

 Androsace, Toumef. 



Arctia, Linn. 



Andraspis, Duby. 

 Macrosyphonia, Duby. 

 Gregoria, Duby. 



Aretia, Gaudin. 



Vitaliana, Sessl. 

 Dionysia, Fcnzl. 



Primula, Linn. 



Auricula, Endl. 



Aleuritia, Endl. 



Auganthus, Link. 

 Cortusa, Linn. 

 Cyclamen, Toumef. 

 Dodecatheon, Linn. 



Meadia, Catesb. 

 'oldanella, Toumef. 

 ilaux, Toumef. 



I Pelletiera, St. Hil. 

 I Asterolinon, Link et Hfs. 

 Naumburgia, Monch. 



Thyrsanthus, Schrank. 

 Lysimachia, Monch. 



Eusepale, Daudo. 



Neolysia, liaudo. 



Bcmardina, Baudo. 



Alaga, Baudo. 



Palladia, Monch. 



Lerouxia, Merat. 



Godinella, Lestib. 



Ephemi'rum, Reichnb. 

 Apochoris, Vuby. 

 Steironema, Raf. 

 .Vnagzanthe, Jiaudo. 

 Trientalis, Linn. 

 Coxia, Endl. 



Lubinia, Link. etOtto. 

 Lubinia, Vent. 



Fig CCCCXXXII.— Section of the flower of Samolus Valerandi. 

 Fig. CCCCXXXIIL— Pyxis of Anagallis arvensis. 



