132 ENGLISH BOTANY. 



the calyx, sub-erect. Calyx 5-sided-prisraatic ; teeth nearly two-fifths 

 the length of the tube, narrowly triangul^-lanceolate, acute. Limb of 

 the corolla about tmce as broad across as the length of the tube, 

 rotately spreading; segments suborbicular, flat; throat slightly con- 

 tracted, with 5 folds. Capsule ovate-ovoid, as long as the calyx tube. 

 Pubescence on the pedicels and angles of the calyx of long shaggy 

 jointed hairs. 



In woods, hedgebanks, meadows, and the borders of fields, and by 

 the sides of streams. Very common, and universally distributed. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Perennial. Spring, early Summer. 



Rootstock thick, with fleshy scales, formed by the bases of decayed 

 leaves. Leaves in a rosette, when full gro^v:l from 4 to 9 inches long, 

 attenuated towards the base, so that the lower part may be described 

 either as a winged petiole or as the narrowed base of the lamina, 

 the margins faintly denticulated, and in addition commonly scolloped 

 towards the base, re volute when j'oung, rugose, from the veins being 

 impressed on the upper side, and prominent beneath. Scape always* 

 undeveloped. Bracts at the base of the pedicels linear, gradually 

 tapering to the acute point. Pedicels when full grown 3 to 6 inches 

 long, clothed with hairs longer than the diameter of the pedicels. 

 Calyx I to 1^ inch long, with a sharp angle runnmg doAvn from each of 

 the teeth, and upon this angle there are hairs similar to those on the 

 pedicels; the margins of the teeth have similar but rather shorter 

 hairs. Corolla li to 2 inches across, pale yellow with an orange- 

 yellow mark at the base of each segment, sometimes more or less 

 purple or rarely white ; segments deeply notched or obcordate at the 

 apex; throat with a groove in tlie middle of each segment, and a 

 slightly raised bilobed boss between each of the grooves. Fruit 

 pedicel lying on the ground. Fruit-calyx with the segments sub- 

 connivent over the capsule. Plant green, the leaves paler beneath, 

 and when young often thickly clothed mth arachnoid hairs. 



Common Primrose. 



Frcncli, Primevere duvrintcmps. German, Himmelsclilussel-ScMiisselhlume. 



The ordinai'ily accepted etymology of tlie name of this well-known plant, as signi- 

 fying the first spring flower, is objected to by Dr. Prior, who writes thus: "Primrose, 

 from Pryme roUes, the name it bears in old books and MSS. The Grete Herbale 

 says, ' It is called Pryme Rolles of pryme tyme, because it beareth the first floure in 

 pryme tyme.' It is also called so in Frere Randolph's catalogue. Chaucer writes it 

 in one word, jprimerole. This common plant affords a most extraordinary example 



* A plant differing solely by the presence of a scape sometimes occurs, but I 

 suspect it to be a hj'brid, as I never knew it to be met with in districts were P. offi- 

 ciuulis docs not grow. 



