LESIONS IN IluTANY. 



401 



LESSONS IN BOTANY. X \ \ I 



SECTION LVI.-PEIMULACEJE, OE I'KIM l.woRTS. 



-lict : Calyx free or rarely adherent ; corolla mono- 

 petaloun, hypogynous or perigynons, regular ; stamens inserted 

 ill "!! the corolla, tli.-ir number equal to 

 the parts of the corolla and opposite to its 

 lobes; ovary unilooular ; pin. 

 free; ovules curved, seldom reflexed; fruit 

 capsular; seeds numerous, dicotyledonous, 

 albuminous. 



The Primulacece derive their name from 

 the genus Primula, so called because its 

 species flower in the spring. They are for 

 the most part herbaceous, annual or pe- 

 rennial, having a Kgneona or tuberous 

 rhizome. 



embryo straight in the asis of a fleshy ""mrr. lyiaff 



the hilnm. 



The 1'rim ulatea principally inhabit the temperate regions of 



the northern hemisphere, especially Europe and Asia. They 



not only please toe eye by the beauty of their flowers, bet aim 

 contribute something to the resources of 

 medicine. The common primrose (JVi. 

 mula mUyoru) is well known to all from 

 its yellow flowers and broad green leaves, 

 which are seen in the hedges in sheltered 

 nooks even before the departure of winter. 

 Theoowslip (Primula vmi) is distinguished 

 by the smallness of its flowers, which form 

 on umbel (Fig. 205). The flowers of this 

 plant act as a sedative, and are used in 

 making a kind of wine of a soporific cha- 

 racter. The auricula, or bear's ear, as it 



205. THE COWSLIP (PRI1CULA 

 VERI8). 206. THE HAIRY 



DATE PLUM (DIO8PYRU3 

 HIESCTA). 



The stem is usually sub- 

 terraneous and short. The 

 leaves are in some species 

 radical and fasciculated, 

 in others cauline and op- 

 posite, or verticillate, or 

 alternate, and devoid of 

 stipules. Flowers com- 

 plete, either solitary or 

 * arranged in umbels on the 

 summit of a shaft, or ar- 

 ranged in cymes springing 

 from the axillae of the 

 leaves, occasionally termi- 

 nal in spikes. Calyx mono- 



sepalous, usually five partite. Corolla rotate, campannlate, or 

 infundibuliform, contorted in {estivation, sometimes absent. 

 Ovary composed of as many carpels as there are lobes to the 

 calyx. Placenta free central, for the most part globular, and 

 communicating with the summit of the ovary by arachnoid 

 filaments. Style and stigma simple. Fruit a capsule trans- 

 versely or longitudinally dehiscent. Seeds ordinarily peltate; 



52 N.E. 



207. cointov BOUT (: 

 ). XML 

 OUTS ( 



SATIVA). 



is called in some part* of 

 the Continent, is employed 



parts of the Alps as a 

 remedy for consumption. 



It is equally good with all 



..... . ..... 



times as a remedy f or that 



All the members of tho 

 primrose tribe are in great 



plant*, more especially the 

 auriculas. From theee 

 plants, which are natives of 

 the Alps, horticultural skill has developed several varieties. The 

 cyclamen (Cyclamen Kuropenun) possesses radical leaves which 

 are covered with white spots above, and red on their lower sur- 

 face; the corolla has a roseate tint, and in all the species of this 

 genus the tube of the corolla is turned towards the ground, 

 whilst its limb or free portion is directed towards the sky. 

 The root of the cyclamen, or sowbread, is eaten greedily by the 



