COEOLLIFLOE^:. 301 



of chorisis, according to which the stamens are outgrowths from the 

 petals. On the other hand, it has been urged that the petals are out- 

 growths from the stamens and are not autonomous organs. In Samolus 

 we have the calyx partially adherent to the ovary. In some foreign 

 genera the petals are either nearly or quite distinct. In Trientalis 

 europce.a the lobes of the calyx, corolla, and the number of stamens vaiy 

 from 5 to 9. In Glaux the corolla is absent, and the calyx coloured. 



The ordinary floral formula would be S ^ G5 , that of Samolus 



| S5P~5 A5 + 5G5. 



The relations to Plumbaginaceas are very close, both in the structure and 

 the habit of many kinds, as between Androsace and some Primula) and Ar- 

 meria, &c. ; but the solitary ovule of that family is a distinctive character. 

 The Primulacese are still nearer to the exotic Order Myrsinaceae as regards 

 the structure of the flowers ; but those are trees or shrubs with berrv-like 

 fruits, and have minor characters of distinction noticed under that Order. 

 They approach Solanaceae in habit, but not in structure. 



Distribution. A considerable family, the species of which are chiefly 

 found in temperate and cold parts of the Northern hemisphere, in alpine 

 regions or on the sea-shore when in lower latitudes. 



Qualities and Uses. The Cowslip (Primula veris) and other species 

 appear to possess sedative properties. The Soldanellce are slightly purga- 

 tive. The Cyclamens have a fleshy tuber which is more or less acrid ; 

 and Cyclamen, europceum is said to be a drastic purgative. The most re- 

 markable quality is perhaps the beauty of the flowers, for which a great 

 number are cultivated, especially species of Primula, which includes the 

 Cowslip, the Primrose proper (P. vulgaris], the Polyanthus, a garden 

 variety of this, the Oxlip (P. elatior), the Auricula (P. Auricula, from 

 the Alps), the Chinese Primrose (P. prcenitens], the Japan Primrose (P. 

 faponica), &c. Many dwarf species of Primula and Androsace are "alpine 

 plants," as is also Soldanella. Glaux and Samolus belong to salt-marshes; 

 Hottonia to freshwater brooks, having feathery submerged leaves; the 

 Lysimachice mostly grow in wet places. Many of the genera are repre- 

 sented in our native flora ; while Androsace, Dodecatheon, and Soldanella, 

 which are mostly alpine plants, are commonly cultivated. 



MYRSINACEJE are so closely related to Primulaceae in the structure of 

 the flowers that no absolute character of distinction can be drawn there- 

 from, since the imbedding of the ovules in the placenta, general here, 

 occurs in several Primulaceous genera, for example in Anagallis. But the 

 Myrsinaceae are of shrubby or tree-like habit, and their fruit is fleshy. 

 They belong chiefly to the islands of the Southern hemisphere ; and some 

 of them are cultivated in this country as evergreen shrubs requiring pro- 

 tection in winter. The seeds of some species of Theophrasta and Myrsine 

 are nutritious ; and the berries of some plants of the Order are edible, 

 although others are said to be cathartic. 



include a genus of plants growing on sea-shores in the 

 tropics, and rooting from the seed-vessels like Rhizophoraceae, and con- 

 sidered to form a distinct Order by some writers. JEyiceras differs from 



