290 THE PRIMROSE FAMILY. [Primula. 



and the absence of folds usually to be seen in the orifice of the corolla 

 in the Primrose and Cowslip, a Continental plant occurring in some of 

 the eastern counties of England ; but the distinctness is scarcely 

 proved satisfactorily. t 



2. P. farinosa, Linn. (fig. 652). BiroVs-eye P. — Stock tufted as in 

 the last, but the leaves much smaller, often not an inch long, glabrous 

 above, and usually covered underneath with a white, mealy, minute 

 down, also observable on the peduncle and calyx, and only disappear- 

 ing on a few very luxuriant specimens grown in the shade. Peduncle 

 much longer than the leaves, with a compact umbel of small pale -lilac 

 flowers, with a yellow eye ; the lobes of the corolla rather narrow, and 

 deeply notched. 



In mountain pastures, in all the great mountain-ranges of Europe and 

 Asia, penetrating far into the Arctic regions ; found also in Greenland 

 and the northern United States. Not uncommon in northern England, 

 more rare in Scotland, but not recorded from Ireland. A small form 

 from northern Scotland, with broader leaves, and shorter and broader 

 lobes to the corolla, is the P. scotica, Hook. 



III. CYCLAMEN. CYCLAMEN. 



Perennials, with a globular, tuberous rootstock, and radical leaves, 

 and 1-flowered peduncles. Calyx 5-lobed. Corolla with a campanu- 

 late tube, and 5 lobes closely reflexed over the calyx. Capsule globular, 

 opening in 5 valves. 



A very distinct genus, comprising but few species, from southern 

 Europe and western Asia, many of which are in cultivation. 



1. O. europaeum, Linn. (fig. 653). Common C, Sowbread. — Rootstock 

 forming a tuber, varying from \ to near 2 inches in diameter, according 

 to age and station. Leaves on long stalks, heart-shaped, more or less 

 angular and toothed ; often of a purple or violet colour underneath. 

 Peduncles radical, spirally rolled inwards after flowering, so as to bury 

 the capsules in the earth. Flower rather large, white or rose-coloured, 

 fragrant or scentless, drooping from the summit of the peduncle, with 

 the oval or oblong lobes of the corolla turned upwards. C. hedercefolium, 

 Willd. 



In woods, on banks, and under rocks, in southern Europe and western 

 Asia, and, having been long cultivated in flower-gardens, has established 

 itself in a few localities in Kent and Sussex. Fl. autumn. In its native 

 country it varies much in foliage, in the precise shape of the orifice of 

 the tube and of the lobes of the corolla, as well as in the time of 

 flowering ; and it is believed that two at least of the supposed species 

 founded upon these differences have been gathered in England appar- 

 ently wild. 



IV. LYSIMACHIA. LYSIMACHIA. 

 Perennials, with erect or trailing stems, opposite or whorled leaves ; 

 the flowers usually yellow, either solitary on axillary pedicels or collected 

 in terminal or rarely axillary racemes or clusters. Calyx deeply 5-cleft. 

 Corolla rotate or campanulate, deeply 5-lobed. Stamens 5. Capsule 

 opening in 5 or 10 valves. Occasionally the parts of the flower are in 

 sixes instead of fives. 



