194 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. lxxvii. 



vening region thoroughly explored, one might speculate 

 on causes which had brought about the existence of similar 

 types in a genus at so great a distance. But that same 

 region is to be the hunting-ground of the coming genera- 

 tion from whose exploration many geographical and 

 phyletic problems of plant life will receive a solution, and 

 I am confident that on limestone areas of high altitude 

 in that area, forms of Primula will be found binding 

 together the species of this group now found in regions so 

 far apart. 



In the matter of nomenclature — am I to retain the name 

 Bullatae of Pax's section for this remodelled group into 

 which I place three of the species of Pax's section, adding 

 six others ? As I said at the outset of this communication, 

 we are only groping at present for phyletic groupings in 

 the genus. I hope to present for the consideration of the 

 Society at future meetings some remarks upon the char- 

 acter and relationship of other species of the genus, and in 

 course of these I shall, in the light of recent discoveries, 

 bring forward evidence — as in some cases has been already 

 done by others — requiring much modification of the group- 

 ings presented by Pax, which were a great advance upon 

 all that preceded his work. In the circumstances, I think 

 it is better therefore to indicate the group I have been 

 dealing with by a distinct designation, and that I propose 

 is Suffruticosae— recalling the predominant and vegetative 

 feature of the species. 



Of the species that are before the Society I need only 

 say further : — 



The best known one is P. Forrestii, Balf. fil.. found by 

 Mr. Forrest in Yunnan. It is the only member of the 

 group in cultivation. Unfortunately it is not quite hardy 

 in our climate. It resents the damp of the winter, as do 

 so many of these high alpine primulas. P. Forrestii, Balf. 

 fil., may be taken as a type of the yellow-flowered forms 

 with long scape carrying the umbel far above the leaves. 

 P. bullata, Franchet, and P. rufa, Balf. fil., are two species 

 from Yunnan nearly allied to P. Forrestii, Balf. fil. Like 

 it, they have yellow flowers : P. bullata, Franchet, marked 

 by its golden farina without hairs, whilst in P. rufa, Balf. 

 fil., the farina is associated with hairs. In P. bracteata, 



