THE PRIMROSE. 39 



this, the commonest, species in the genus, while this 

 frequency of occurrence is itself in turn dwelt on in the 

 specific name vulgaris. The English name primrose con- 

 veys a reference again to the earliness of its appearance ; 

 it is in France the primevere. The flower is a great 

 favourite of the poets Shakespeare, Milton, Cowper, Burns, 

 Goldsmith, Beaumont and Fletcher, all speak of it. 



"When found at all the primrose will ordinarily be met 

 with in profusion : woods, hedgebanks, railway embank- 

 ments, and pastures are its favourite spots ; and there are 

 few more beautiful or characteristically rural sights than 

 a long stretching hedgerow or coppice starred over with 

 thousands of these delicate blossoms. April and May are 

 the best months to go in quest of it, though in sheltered 

 situations it may in mild winters be found in blossom even 

 during the opening days of the year. 



The plant must be so well known to all our readers 

 that little verbal description of it appears necessary. Great 

 numbers of the roots are transported each spring into 

 London and other large towns, and in many a back street 

 and squalid alley the pot of primroses is a link between the 

 present and the past, and recalls many an association anent 

 the bygone days to those whose lot now confines them to 

 very different surroundings. 



In some parts of the country, more especially in 

 South Wales, a variety having pink blossoms is common, 

 but never so common in any locality as to supplant the 

 better-known colour, and though in some localities 

 hundreds of plants of the pink variety may be met 

 with, the typical species will always be found to be still 

 more abundant. 



The roots of the primrose are emetic in medicinal 



