Primulacee—Primutla. 273 
is endless in its variations, though limited to various shades and 
combinations of purple, red, and yellow. There is a curious 
variety called the Hose-in-hose, remarkable for the calyx being 
an almost exact counterpart of the corolla. Another race of 
cultivated varieties belongs to the Primrose, agreeing with 
that in having the flower-umbels sessile. The flowers are 
larger, however, in the so-called typical form, and hence it has 
received the name grandiflora. The varieties in cultivation are 
more or less double, and range from nearly pure white, yellow 
and lilac to deep crimson. 
3. P. Sinénsis (fig. 201). Chinese Primrose.—This species 
is almost hardy, or perhaps quite in favoured localities of the 
South-west. In cultivation it is usually restricted to the 
conservatory and window, where it forms one of the most 
attractive objects throughout the Winter. 
4. P. Auricula (fig. 202). Common Auricula.—Probably no 
other Alpine plant has received so much attention from 
British gardeners as the 
present, having been in cul- 
tivation for nearly three 
centuries, and many of the 
best varieties having been 
raised in this country. It 
differs from its nearest allies 
in having oblong-lanceolate 
or obovate more or less mi- ¢ 
nutely glandular - toothed 
fleshy and glaucous mealy 
leaves. The flowers are 
normally yellow and some- 
what velvety, but from the 
effects of culture they have 
assumed all the shades of 
yellow, maroon, and purple, 
the latter sometimes almost black, and in some there are 
tints of greyish green or blue, due in part to the presence of 
a glaucous meal like that on the foliage. The most esteemed 
varieties combine two or three different tints arranged in 
concentric circles. They are divided into several groups, 
according to the disposition of the colours. The English 
classification includes five variations, namely: 1. Green-edged. 
2. White-edged. 3. Grey-edged. 4. Selfs; and 5. Alpines. 
Z 
Fig. 202. Primula Auricula, (} nat. size.) 
