696 



fact, funnel-shaped within and without, somewhat as it is in P. Auri- 

 cula. The limb of the corolla is sometimes flat, more usually cupped 

 or funnel-shaped (another point of resemblance to the cowslip), and 

 in colour intermediate between that and the primrose, as we usually 

 see it in our commonly so-called oxlips. The flowers are pleasantly, 

 but not powerfully scented, and are drooping (at least the outer ones) 

 as in the cow T slip, of which the corolla has less the form than of the 

 primrose, but is hardly more than half the size of the latter, and the 

 segments are less rounded or more abrupt, and do not overlie each 

 other, but are separated by an evident space their entire length in 

 most instances, an appearance which the umbellate variety of P. vul- 

 garis often assumes, and which cannot therefore be held distinctive of 

 the Bardfield plant. The scapes differ much in degree of hairiness, 

 but in general are very densely clothed with woolly pubesence. In 

 the length of the style and position of the stamens this plant varies 

 like others of the genus, and indeed is too much like those old and 

 early favourites, the primrose and cowslip, to be satisfactory to the 

 lovers of broad, tangible, immutable distinctions. It must, notwith- 

 standing, be allowed the merit of being a well-marked form, as per- 

 manent probably as either of its congeners, but I have seen some va- 

 rieties of the latter that have looked very like the Bardfield plant, and 

 the fact of its growing alone, unmixed with common cowslips or prim- 

 roses, is no greater proof of specific difference than in the case of 

 these two last, which, as is well known, will overspread whole dis- 

 tricts, flourishing side by side, or arrogating one or the other exclusive 

 possession of entire provinces or even kingdoms. Gaudin* remarks 

 of P. elatior, " Priori (P. acauli) utique nimius affinis, ut in specimini- 

 bus quibusdam characteres diagnostici fere omnino evanescant." He 

 might have added that it comes as near to P. veris as to P. acaulis, 

 and is almost as exactly intermediate betwixt them as are many of 

 our false oxlips. The same excellent botanist notices the extremely 

 acute calyx segments of P. elatior, " calyce acutissimo," as part of his 

 specific character. The only tolerably certain figure I can find of P. 

 elatior in the works of the older botanists is that of Clusius, ■ Rari- 

 orum Plantarum Historia,' p. 331, left-hand figure. That of 'Flora 

 Danica,' tab. 434, may admit of doubt. 



Hottonia palustris. In ditches, drains and ponds. To present 

 appearance an extremely rare plant in Hants, and certainly not native 

 to the Isle of Wight. Abundant in a pool called the Lake, in a green 



*F1. Helv. ii. p. 84. 



