The Cowslip 



all of unequal lengths. When irregularity 

 is pretty constant it is sure to mean some- 

 thing, as in the lop-sided form of the 

 Begonia leaves, or the unequally divided 

 corolla of the Speedwell. 



Essentially, the Cowslip and Primrose 

 are only the same plant in two different 

 forms, the one being convertible into 

 the other. The Primrose is the Cowslip 

 of the woods and sheltered lanes, the 

 Cowslip the Primrose of the fields. And 

 very interesting it is to observe how en- 

 tirely different is the expression of the 

 two original extremes, in many respects 

 so much alike, and even in the wild 

 state passing into each other by all sorts 

 of intermediate varieties. The Oxlip 

 and the Polyanthus, with its tortoise-shell 

 blossoms, are two of these intermediate 

 forms ; l the Polyanthus being a great 

 triumph of the gardener's art, a delight- 

 ful flower, quite a new creation, and 

 originally produced by cultivation of the 

 Primrose. Another example of this wide 

 difference in the expression of plants 

 which are essentially the same is seen in 

 the Dog and Scented Violets. 



1 [The Cowslip, Primrose, and Oxlip are quite distinct, 

 and are known as P. veris. P. vulgaris. and P. elatior. 



-H. N. E.] 



53 



