THE ALPINE PRIMULACEiE. 73 



is a very attractive species, which grows profusely from rocky 

 fissures aud ledges, and which seems a very definite and dis- 

 tinctive form. It has a lateral inflorescence, aud the corolla is 

 always a beautiful purple colour. It is a strong plant, with 

 large, thick, ovate or slightly obovate leaves on long petioles. 

 The leaves are irregularly toothed on their upper half. This 

 plant is named — 



Primula viscosa, All. 



„ lati/olia, Koch. 



„ hirsuta, Vill. 



„ graveolens, Hegetsch. 



It is certainly not viscous, it is not markedly broad-leaved, and 

 it is not specially hairy ; and it is not strictly described by either 

 authority, and would certainly not be recognised by their de- 

 scription as a true type of either. M. Bouvier, in his Flora, 

 very satisfactorily gives a description of P. graveolens, Hegetsch, 

 much in keeping with my specimens; but he ignores altogether 

 in his list " hirsuta " and " latifolia," making graveolens and 

 viscosa distinct species. This seems a very reasonable and 

 satisfactory elimination and definition. This plant I have re- 

 peatedly exhibited to the Society. 



The species which I have collected aud exhibited as Primula 

 viscosa, Vill., is certainly distinct in many points from the last. 

 The plant is smaller, the flowering stem is shorter, and the 

 leaves are sub-orbicular, suddenly contracting into a short, broad 

 petiole. The leaves are provided on the margin, and more or 

 less on both sides, with glands which exude a viscous fluid, 

 ■ which makes the handling of the plant unpleasant. 

 ^^^ The corolla is light pink or white, when pink having a white 

 ^^K throat, and is odoriferous. The peduncles, the pedicels, and 

 ^^m calyx are also exceedingly viscous, and are all covered with 

 ^^B small glandular hairs. The inflorescence is that of an umbel, 

 ^^B and not lateral. This species is named — 

 ^^K Primula viscosa, Vill. 



^^H villosa, Koch. 



^^F hirsuta, All. 



^^B It is found very plentifully on the rock faces above Davos, and 



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