PRIMULACE^. 253 



Other respect! resembling P.farinosa: is by botanists considered 

 as only a well-marked variety of that species. 



P. Sikkiinensis {Sikkim F.) — This is one of the best of the 

 yellow-flowered species, and is very distinct from the last 

 named. The leaves are oblong, rather blunt at the points, 

 unequally toothed. The flower-stems rise to the height of i 

 foot or more, bearing rather loose umbels of large pendent 

 flowers of a pale-yellow or sulphur colour. Succeeds best on 

 rockwork well drained, in soil the same as recommended for 

 F. Stuai-tii. It is, however, very impatient of damp in winter, 

 though equally fond of it in summer, and in cold wet localities 

 it would be advisable to keep a plant or two in pots in a dry 

 cold frame to prevent loss of stock. Flowers in May and 

 June. Native of the Himalaya. 



P. Stuartii {Stuarfs F.) — This is perhaps the finest of the 

 yellow-flowered Primulas. It is a vigorous species, with long 

 lanceolate acute leaves, sharply serrated, and covered below 

 with pale sulphur-coloured meal. Flower-stems also mealy, 

 rather stout, about i foot high, bearing an involucrate umbel 

 composed of many large yellow flowers ; involucre composed 

 of many smallish leaves. The rockwork is most congenial to 

 this species ; it delights in abundant moisture in the growing 

 period, but in winter it is very impatient of wet. Flowers in 

 June and July. Native of Nepaul. 



P. verticillata ( Whorhd F.) — This is a beautiful and elegant 

 species, with the peculiarity, as implied in the specific name, of 

 bearing the flowers in whorls. The leaves are oblong, almost 

 lanceolate, sharply sen-ated, and mealy underneath — tube of 

 the corolla long, and the colour yellow. It is a very desirable 

 species, but requires the protection of a dry cold frame during 

 winter in this climate. Flowers in March and April. Native 

 of Egypt. Same soil and treatment in summer as the fore- 

 going. 



P. villosa, syn. P. ciliata ( Villous-leaved F.) — A dwarf 

 handsome plant. The leaves are obovate, the margins toothed 

 on the upper half, and fringed with glandular hairs all round. 

 Flowers purple, borne in considerable heads, and appearing in 

 April and May. Native of the Southern Alps and Pyrenees. 

 Best fitted for rockwork adornment. 



P. vulgaris (Fri7?irose), — ^The Primrose is distinguished from 

 the Cowslip by the flower-stalks having the appearance of 

 springing directly from the root, and bearing each only one 

 flower : there is, however, a common foot-stalk so short as to 

 be concealed by the leaves. The corolla in the Primrose is 

 larger than that of the Cowslip, and flat. There are many 



