362 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 



arc the primary distinctions. In the propagation of distinct varieties 

 of Auriculas, great reliance is placed upon offsets, and to obtain plenty 

 of these the " crown " or top part of the plant is cut off the fleshy root- 

 stock and potted separately. This treatment causes a number of side- 

 shoots to break all round, and these become the offsets, which are taken 

 off early in autumn and struck in pots. The most approved soil for 

 Auriculas is a compost, all the ingredients of which have been carefully 

 selected and stored for about twelve months prior to mixing. Here is 

 tlio recipe: Take of good fibrous loam, four parts; cow -manure, 

 thoroughly rotted, one part; leaf-mould, one part; silver sand, one part; 

 season, so to speak, with a little charcoal or broken 03'ster-shells. Well 

 mix before using. 

 Description of Plate 171. Frimula vulgari'^, the Common Primrose, 



Plates 171-176. and some of its varieties. Fig. 1 is an enlarged section 

 through a flower. 



Plate 172. P. variahUls, the Polyanthus, in two of its shades of 

 colouring. Fig. 1 is a section of flower with the anthers near the top 

 of tube ; 2, with anthers more than half-way down. 



Plate 173. P. Auricula, the Auricula. The yellow flowers are of 

 the normal size and colour of the species, the others are of cultivated 

 forms. Fig. 1 is a section of flower. 



Plato 174. P.japonica, the Japanese Primrose, with upper portions 

 of flowering stems, and the flowers in distinct whorls. Fig. 1, section. 



Plate 175. P. sinensis, Chinese Primrose. Fig. 1, section through 

 flower, showing disproportion between breadth of corolla - tube and 



SOWBREADS 



Natural Order Primulace^. Genus Cyclamen 



Cyclamex (Greek, ki/Jdikos, circular; alluding to the spirally twisted 

 flower-stalk when the fruit is ripening). A genus of eight or nine 

 species of tuberous-rooted herbs, with broad, stalked, radical leaves and 

 nodding pink, lilac, or white flowers. These are borne singly on an 

 erect, naked scape, bent over at the summit. The calyx is five-lobed, 

 the corolla with a short tube, a thickened throat, and five large lobes 

 turned back over the calyx. The five stamens are attached to the 

 bottom of the corolla-tube ; the ovary is globose, with a short, simple 

 style and stigma. The species are natives of South Europe, North 

 Africa, and Western Asia ; one a doubtful native in Kent and Sussex. 



