PRIMROSE FAMILY 315 



dn", chaffy calyx. — Sea-shores and the tops of mountains ; common. 

 — Fl. April — October. Perennial. 



2. 5. plaiitaghiea. a larger, smooth species,, with broader, 3 — 5- 

 veined leaves, occurs in Jersey. — Fl. June — August. Perennial. 



Ord. XLVII. Primul.\ce.e. — The Primrose Family 



Herbaceous plants, mostly low-growing, inhabiting principally the 

 colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and ni lower latitudes 

 ascending to the confines of perpetual snow. The leaves are 

 e.xstipulate and mostly simple ; the flowers, polysymmetric and 

 perfect. The calyx is inferior, except in the Brookweed (Sdmolus), 

 persistent and s-cleft, or rarely 4-cleft, or in the Chickweed 

 Winter-green [TrioitdUs) 7-cleft : the corolla of as many lobes as 

 the calyx, but in the Sea-Milkwort (Glaiix) absent. The siainens 

 equal in number the lobes of the corolla, and are opposite to 

 them : the syncarpous o-cary is r-chambered with a free central 

 placenta and numerous ovules, a single style, and a rounded, un- 

 lobed or, as it is called, "capitate " stigma. :Several of our most 

 faYOurite wild flowers are members of this Order. The Primrose, 

 the name of which is corrupted from prinierolles, priinerida, or 

 primula, meaning the earliest little flower, is the welcome har- 

 binger of spring ; the Co\Yslip is scarcely lesS: prized for its rural 

 associations than for its beauty and fragrance ; and the Scarlet 

 Pimpernel, or " Poor Man's Weather-glass,'' \& as trusty a herald 

 of summer weather as the Primrose of spring. The Polyanthus. 

 Auricula, and other species of Prinnda are garden fayourites, and 

 seyeral species of Cyclamen are commonly grown in conseryatories. 

 The PrimiddcecB haye few medicinal properties of importance : 

 the flowers of the Co^y5lip are made into 'a pleasant soporific 

 wine ; and the leayes of the Auricula (Primul'a Auricula) are used 

 in the Alps as a remedy for coughs. 



1. HoTTONl.A. — Calyx inferior, 5-cleft almost to the base ; 

 corolla salyer-shaped, with a short tube : cafsule with 5 yalyes 

 cohering at the top. 



2. Primula. — Leaves radical : fltnccrs in uipbels : calyx inferior, 

 tubular, 5-cleft ; corolla salver- or funnel-sh'aped, with a long, 

 cylindrical tube : capsule 5-yalycd, with 10 teeth. 



*3. Cyclamen. — Stem a large corm ; leaves radical : flowers 

 solitary : calyx inferior, bell-shaped. 5-cleft ; corolla with a short, 

 bell-shaped tube and refiexed. long. 5-cleft liAb : capsule opening 

 with five teeth. 



4. Lyslmachia. — Leaves cauline : calyx inferior, 5-cleft to the 



