THE COMMON PRIMROSE 



primrose or the cowslip is the more advanced, for 

 some might say that the cowshp, by reason of 

 developing its long stalk and holding up its blooms 

 more conspicuously to the insects, has attained a 

 higher development than its relative the primrose. 



It happens, however, that of the four or five 

 species of British primulas all bear their flowers on 

 leafless stalks, such as that of the cowslip, with the 

 single exception of the common primrose. Now, 

 seeing that the primrose has particularly selected 

 the sloping hillside as its home, it is obvious that 

 its flowers w^ould there be visible to the insects 

 without requiring the use of a long stalk. On the 

 other hand, the cowslip that chooses the lower 

 pastures needs its stalk to make its blossoms con- 

 spicuous. Moreover, the primrose having no 

 length of stalk to develop would have more 

 material to utihse in the formation of its flowers ; 

 hence we find the flowers of the primrose much 

 larger than those of the cowshp. 



In northern England the Bird's-eye Primrose 

 (Pri7mda farinosa) is sometimes found, which is a 

 mountain-loving species of Europe, Asia, and even 

 of the Arctic regions. According to the principles 

 stated above, this species — growing on mountain 

 sides — should scarcely need a flow^er-bearing 

 stem. In fact, however, it possesses one much, 

 longer than its leaves. But, owning to their 

 habitat, these plants have to protect themselves 

 against heavy dews, and w^e therefore find that 

 this species, along with other plants of quite 

 different families, have their foliage protected by 



75 



