482 Lxxxvii. PEiMULACEJ). (J. D. Hooker.) [Primula. 



Okdek lxxxvii. FRIiaTTXiACBS:. (By J. D. Hooker.) 



Perennial, rarely annual herbs. Iieaves all radical, or if cauline opposite 

 alternate or whorled, exstipulate. Flowers hermaphrodite, regular. Oafyv 

 inferior (except Samolm), 6- rarely 4-9-cleft. Corolla hypogynous (except 

 Samolus, in Olaux), rotate bell- or funnel-shaped 6- rarely 4-9-cleit. 

 Stamens on the coroUa-tuhe, opposite its lohes (hypogynous in Olmix), with 

 sometimea alternating staminodes, filaments usually short ; anthers 2-celled, 

 dehiscing longitudinally. Ovary 1-celled ; style shorter long, stigma undivided ; 

 ovules many, usually amphitropous on a free central plAcenta. Capsule dehiscing 

 transversely or by valves, few or many-seeded. Seeds minute, usually angular, 

 often sunk in the placenta, albumen fleshy or horny; embryo transverse. — 

 Species about 80, chiefly N. temperate and alpine. 



Tkibb I. Primuleee. Corolla-lobes imbricate. Ovary superior. 

 * Capsule dehiscing by valves. 



Corolla salver- or funnel-shaped, tube long. Stamens on the corolla- 

 tube, anthers obtuse 1 . Pbimuia. 



Corolla salver-shaped, or almost rotate, tube very short. Stamens 



on the corolla-tube, anthers obtuse 2, Andhosace. 



Corolla funnel-shaped. Stamens at the base of the corolla, anthers 

 acuminate 3. Cobtusa. 



** 



Capsule cireumseiss at the top. 

 Corolla 7-lobed 4. BRTOCAEPnM. 



Tkibb II. Ziyslmachleae. CoroUor-lobes contorted. Ovary superior. 



* Capsule dehiscing by valves. 



CoroUa 5-6-cIeft 6. Ltsimachia. 



Corolla 6. GtAux. 



** Capsule cireumseiss. 



Corolla 5-partite, exceeding the calyx 7. Anaoaixis. 



Corolla 4-5-lobed, shorter than the calyx 8. Centunculus. 



Tbibe III. Samoleae. Corolla-lobes imbricate. Ovary J-inferior. 

 Herbs, leaves alternate 9. Samolus. 



1. PXlXniUX.A, Linn. 



Perennial scapigerous herbs. Flowers umbelled or whorled, rarely solitary, 

 often dimorphic, one form having the stamens low and stigma high in the corolla- 

 tube, the other having the stamens high and stigma low. Calyx 5-cleft. 

 CoroUa funnel- or salver-shaped, throat naked or with folds opposite the lobes 

 (annulate) ; lobes 6, spreading or incurved. Stamens 6, included ; anthers obtuse. 

 Ovary ovoid, obovoid or globose. Capsule globose, oblong or cylindric, 6- 

 valved j valves simple or 2-fid. Seeds angular or subglobose, peltately attached, 

 — Species about 80 ; distribution of the order. 



The natural classification of Primula is a difficult task, owing to the great varia- 

 bility of all the organs. I quite believe that various of the Himalayan species are 

 but highly developed states of European and N. Asiatic ones, but to demonstrate this 

 it would be necessary to compare living speoimen.<!. Of the two natural divisions of 



