394 ALPINE FLOWERS. Part II. 



Primrose in character. There ate various forms, not usually so 

 ornamental as the varieties of the Polyanthus, but more worthy 

 of culture than the true Oxlip of the Eastern Counties. In a 

 wild state the common Oxlips are rather rare, and, according to 

 Mr. Syme, " generally occurring whenever the Primrose and the 

 Cowslip grow together, but never found in districts inhabited 

 by only one of the parents." ', When cultivated in gardens, the 

 positions and treatment that suit the Polyanthuses and Primroses 

 will also suit the Oxlip. 



P. suaveolens of Bertolini is a variety of the Cowslip found 

 in many parts of the Continent, and not sufficiently distinct 

 or ornamental to merit cultivation. 



P. elatior is the true as distinguished from the common 

 Oxlip. It is not a very ornamental species,' the flowers being of 

 a pale buff yellow, and it is readily distinguished by its funnel- 

 and not saucer-shaped corolla, which is also quite destitute 

 of the bosses which are present in the Primrose and Cowslip. 

 It is, found in woods and meadows on clayey soils in the 

 Eastern Counties of England, particularly in Essex, Suffolk, and 

 'Cambridgeshire. It is of easy culture, and most suitable for 

 botanic gardens, or collections of interesting plants, being 

 neither distinct nor ornamental enough for very limited collec- 

 tions of ornamental kinds only. This plant is also known by 

 the name of the Bardfield OxUp. 



PEIMTJLA 'StJJlTSXi'BX.— Large-leaved Primrose. 



This is quite removed from other cultivated Primroses, inas- 

 much as it seems to grow all to leaf and stem, whereas many 

 of the other kinds often hide their leaves "with flowers. It is at 

 first sight more like a specimen of Semperyivum arboreum than 

 a Primrose, the leaves, almost as strong as those of young cab- 

 bages, being toothed and springing from a thick stout stem, which 

 generally rises sufficiently above the ground to be visible. In 

 April the bright yellow flowers appear in a bunch at the top of a 

 powdery stem, emit a' cowslip-like perfume, and are sufficiently 

 ornamental, though they rarely seem to fulfil the promise of the 

 vigorous-looking plant. I have seen it flourish healthfully in 

 rich light soil as a border-plant in various parts of these islands, 

 so that nothing more need' be said of its culture, and established 

 plants are easily increased by division. It is well suited for 



