PRIMULACE.^. 249 



three forms, which are well marked and pretty constant in cul- 

 tivation. The common flower-stalk in the Covrslip rises con- 

 siderably above the leaves, supporting an umbel of flowers ; 

 and in the single varieties, the corolla is small and cup-shaped 

 — features that are lost sight of in the double varieties, or 

 florists' Polyanthuses. From this form there are many varie- 

 ties, some of which are most beautiful things in their season, 

 and worthy a place among choice plants. The commoner 

 single sorts are suitable for planting in woods and on banks, 

 and about the edges of masses of shrubs. 



P. amo3iia {Beautiful F.) is perhaps the finest of the cortus- 

 oides section. The leaves are of the same form as those of P. 

 cortusoides, but narrower and less acutely toothed ; the flower- 

 stalks are stouter, and rise to the height of 9 inches or r foot ; 

 the umbels are larger, as are also the individual flowers, which 

 are bright lilac, with a clear pale eye. A moist but well-drained 

 position on rockwork is the most suitable for it, and peat and 

 loam, with plenty of gritty sand, the most congenial compost. 

 Flowers in March, April, and May. Native of the Caucasus. 



P. Auricula is the parent of the well-kno\\Ti varieties of stage 

 and border Auriculas. In its native habitats on the German, 

 Swiss, and Italian Alps, it is rather a variable plant, but not to 

 such an extent as to shadow forth, even remotely, the endless 

 and beautiful combinations that have sprung from it in the 

 florists' hands. Yellow and red are the most common colours 

 in nature, with purple occasionally ; and Selfs are more common 

 than variegated varieties, which is also true of the majority of 

 florists' varieties raised, only the variegated forms are the most 

 favoured. It would take more space than can be allowed here 

 to notice in detail the method of cultivating and raising the 

 finer varieties, which have been most favoured by florists ; and 

 it is the less necessary to do so, because treatises on the sub- 

 ject have been long in existence, and give details ample and 

 curious enough to satisfy the most particular inquirer. Almost 

 any of the varieties are worthy of cultivating, were it for no 

 other purpose than that of yielding early crops of cut flowers 

 out of doors. Where these are wanted in quantity, the frag- 

 rance and pretty colours of the Auricula render them very desir- 

 able. All that are suitable for this purpose may be grown in 

 the borders of the kitchen-garden, about the margin of shrub- 

 beries, &c. ; and they will succeed in any common garden-soil, 

 if not too heavy and wet. 



P. cortusoides (Cortusa-kaved P.) is a very pretty species 

 from Siberia. It forms compact tufts of bright-green, heart- 

 shaped, bluntly-toothed leaves; the flower-stalks, slender and 



