16 



upright umbel. Calyx, one-third of the length of 

 the tube of the corolla, bell-shaped, toothed, mealy, 

 as is also the scape. Tube of the corolla gradually 

 widening upwards, not contracted at the neck ; bor- 

 der concave, the segments emarginate but not deeply, 

 and not cut to the neck. The most common colours 

 are yellow or red, but it is found also purple and 

 variegated, with a white eye, powdered with meal. 

 Capsule, one-celled, spherical or nearly so, flatted a 

 little at top, of a coriaceous-cartilagenous substance, 

 sprinkled with meal ; six-valved. 



It is a native of the mountains of Switzerland, Aus- 

 tria, Styria, Carniola, Savoy, and Piedmont ; also 

 about Astracan. It flowers in April and May. In 

 its wild state it is much less mealy than when culti- 

 vated. 



We are not aware of any chemical analysis of this 

 plant. It certainly has no active principle in its 

 composition. The mealy powder, which so charac- 

 terises this plant, seems of a resinous nature, and well 

 calculated to repel excessive moisture. 



VARIETIES. 



The varieties of the Auricula are divided into two 

 groupes, Selfs and Edged, of which we will give sepa- 

 rate and descriptive lists. Alpines, although really 

 Auriculas, are not admitted as such by florists. 



