46 



CENTAURY. ERYTHR&A. 

 COMMON CENTAURY. Erythr&a centaurium. 



Plate 2, fiy. 20. 



Found in flower from July to ' September, on dry pastures, 

 chiefly -Where the soil is chalky, as in Essex, Kent, c., 'growing 

 about a foot high, quite upright, seldom branched, except in its 

 flowers, which are borne in corymbs or loose heads. The co- 

 rollas of a fine pink color, (now and then white.) The limb or 

 flat part is cut into five equal acute divisions, and the tube about 

 twice as long as the calyx. The leaves are in pairs, rather 

 distant from each other. 



O.S. Dwarf Branched Centaury, Dwarf Tufted Centaury, and Broad 

 Leaved Tufted Centaury, all rare ; and found on the sea shore, chiefly in 

 the northern counties. 



PRIMROSE. COWSLIP. PRIMULA. 

 COMMON PRIMROSE. Primula vulyaris. 



Plate 3, fig. 1. 

 Flowers flat, one on each stalk. 



The " meek and soft- eyed Primrose." The " emblem of 

 childhood.". One of the " first and earliest flowers of the 

 .season.".- Who does not know and love the pale Primrose ? 

 Nature's modest child which reminds us even in the midst of 

 winter that balmy spring approaches. So common too and 

 easily obtained ! We need only look at the first hedge-row or 

 mossy wood, and we shall observe 



" A smiling knot 



Of early Primroses, upon the warm, 

 Luxuriant, southern bank appears 

 Amid the sunny luxury of grass." Carrington, 



" Beneath the sylvan canopy the ground 



Glitters with flowery dyes the Primrose first 



Jn mossy dell, return of spring to greet." Gisborne. 



COWSLIP. PAIGLE. Primula veris, 



Plate 3, fig. 2. 

 Flowers concave, several on a stalk. 



Beautiful thou art, lovely Cowslip, with thy rich yellow 

 flowers, spotted with orange, inclosed in their green swelled 

 calyces, and nodding to the earth ; but doubly beautiful when 



