296 POPULAR GARDEN FLOWERS 



The Primrose is equally interesting as a wild and 

 as a garden flower. Etymologists trace its name from 

 flor de prima vera (first flower of spring), through the 

 abbreviation prima vera and the affectionate Italian 

 extension primaverola. Thus the latter became prime- 

 verole (French) and primerole. From this stage the end 

 is soon reached, as primeroles readily become Prim- 

 roses. The name "rose" disappears, as it must in- 

 evitably do, for it derives from rhod, red, and has no 

 natural connection with primrose. 



Students of folk-names are often struck by some 

 similarity, the meaning of which is not obvious. Thus, 

 my attention was arrested by hearing the peasantry of 

 East Kent speak of the hedge plant Privet (Ligustrum) 

 as Prim. Singular to say, Primrose was an old name 

 for Privet, and it has lasted in an abbreviated form 

 to this day. Tusser, in his " Five Hundred Points of 

 Good Husbandry," tells us that 



" Now set ye may 

 The Box and Bay, 

 Hawthorn and Prim, 

 For clothes trim." 



Privet is the accepted popular name of Ligustrum 

 vulgare, L. ovalifolium, and other species in these days, 

 and Primrose is reserved for the beautiful little spring 

 flower in which the great writers of the past delighted. 

 Dozens of extracts trom the poets could be made to 

 show their love of the flower. 



Beaumont and Fletcher wrote of the 



" Primrose, first-born child of Ver, 

 Merry springtime's harbinger, 

 With her bell's dim," 



in "The Two Noble Kinsmen." 



