30 NAT. ORDER. — PRIMULACEjE. 



vary with different shades of purple, and have been found entirely 

 "white. 



Primula longifolia — Long-leaved Bird's-eye Primrose. This 

 species bears a great aflinity to the last-mentioned, but the leaves 

 differ in form, color, and manner of growth ; when fully grown being 

 about twice the length of those of the other; they are not mealy, 

 the under side being as green as the upper, and they have a greater 

 tendency to grow upright ; the scape is shorter and thicker; the 

 flowers form a similar umbel, but each is smaller, and in point of 

 color much less brilliant. Upon the whole, though superior in size, 

 it is inferior to that in beauty. It flowers early in May. 



Primula corfusowZcs —Cortusa-leaved Bird's-eye Primrose. This 

 species, in the wrinkled appearance of its foliage, approaches the 

 Primula vulgaris, whilst in its inflorescence, the color of its flowers, 

 and solitary scape, which rises to an unusual height, it bears au 

 affinity to the Primula farinosa. In the winter it loses its leaves 

 entirely, and forms a sort of bulbous hybernacle under ground ; this 

 circumstance is necessary to be known, as it subjects the plant to be 

 thrown away as dead. This is a native of Liberia, and flowers in 

 June and July. 



Primula marginata — Silver-edged Primrose. This, in its fari- 

 naceous tendency, accords with the Primula aricula, but is far from 

 being like it in its wild state, the leaves being much narrower ; the 

 flowers larger, and of a different color ; the flowers approaching in 

 color to that of the lilac ; it becomes mealy, particularly on the edges 

 of the leaves. This is a delicate pretty plant, with a pleasing musky 

 smell, and flowers in March and April. It is said to be a native of 

 the Alps. 



Primula aricula — Aricula or Bear's Ear. This plant possesses 

 fleshy leaves, succulent, with the edges mealy, serrated, or entire ; 

 the adult ones serrate above the middle ; the petioles leafy or winged ; 

 leaflets of the involucre unequal, wide, lanceolate or blunt ; flowers 

 very sweet smelling, four or five in number, in an upright umbel ; 



