294 The Primrose. 



PRIMULA— THE PRIMROSE. 



Natural Order, Primulace« ; Linnaean System, Pentandria, Monogynia. 

 Generic Character : — Corolla salver shaped, with an open orifice; calyx 

 five-cleft, tubular ; stamens five, enclosed in the tube of the corolla ; stigma 

 globose ; capsule ten-toothed at the apex. 



P. Auricula. — Leaves obovate, smooth, serrated ; scape many-flowered, 

 about as long as the leaves. — PL 42. 



The genus Primula derives its name from Primus, the first— 

 on account of the early flowering of many of the species. Per- 

 haps there is no genus which contains a greater number of well 

 known and much admired flowers. Some of these, under the 

 names of Cowslip, Oxlip, Primrose, Polyanthus, and Auricula, 

 witli their numerous varieties, have formed the most common 

 ornaments of the garden for hundreds of years. No plants have 

 received in a greater measure the attention of florists, whose 

 treatises have given minute instructions for the cultivation and 

 propagation of the different varieties. It is only, however, with 

 the species which is known to every body as the Auricula, that 

 we have here to do. 



The Auricula is a native of the Alps of Switzerland and the 

 neighboring mountainous countries, whence it was brought to 

 England in 1596, and was originally called the French, or 

 Mountain Cowslip. In a very short time it became a favorite, 

 and Parkinson, in 1629, enumerates twenty varieties, which he 

 considers the best, though, he says, " many other varieties are 

 to be found with those who are curious concervers of these 

 delights of nature." The most common colors of the Auricula 

 in its wild state, are yellow and red, sometimes purple, and 

 occasionally variegated or mealy. In cultivation the varieties 

 are innumerable, and some are of exquisite beauty and fra- 

 grance. The leaves in different varieties differ nearly as much 

 as the flowers. Near most of the manufacturing towns of Eng- 

 land, and many in Scotland, the culture of this plant forms a 

 favorite amusement of the weavers and mechanics. Lanca- 

 shire ha-s long been famous for its Auriculas. It is no uncom- 

 mon thing there for a working man who earns three or four 



