338 DICTIONAKY OF POPULAR i^TAMES PRANGOS 



belonging to the Bean family (Leguminosae), attaining a height 

 of 2 feet, having winged leaves. It is common in some of 

 the United States and in ETorth-West America. Its tuberous 

 roots form a considerable article of food to the native population, 

 but it is rather insipid. 



Prangos {Prangos pahularia), a perennial of the Carrot 

 family (Umbelliferas), having a stem a few feet in height, with 

 finely-divided leaves, and umbels of yellow flowers. It is a native 

 of Tibet, where it is extensively used as a fodder for sheep, 

 goats, and oxen ; they are very fond of it, and soon get fat u.pon 

 it. It is not so much esteemed in Cashmere, where grass is 

 more abundant than in Tibet. About 1840 it came into special 

 notice in this country under the name of hay, and attempts were 

 made to introduce it as a forage-plant, but it did not succeed. 



Prickly Pear. {See Indian Fig.) 



Pride of India. {See Bead Tree.) 



Primrose {Primula mdgaris), a perennial herb of the Prim- 

 rose family (Primulacese). This, with the Cowslip (P. officinalis) 

 and Oxlip (P. elatior), are natives of this country, and in general 

 favour as early spring flowers. {Ste Polyanthus.) P. chinensis, 

 native of China, was introduced about forty years ago. Of this 

 there are now many fine varieties, with double flowers, varying in 

 colour from pink to pure white. It is extensively cultivated by 

 florists as a decorative plant, as is also the more recently intro- 

 duced species P. jajponiccL P. siUdmensis, and other showy 

 species, native of the Himalayas, have been recently introduced. 

 P. villosa, P. marginatay P. integrifolia, P. calycina, P. lielvetica, 

 and P. Auricula {sec Auricula), natives of Switzerland, are 

 favourites with cultivators of alpine plants, to which may be 

 added P. farinosa and P. scotica, natives of this country. 



Privet, also known by the name of Prim, a bushy, simple- 

 leaved shrub of the Olive family (Oleacese), native of this 

 country, and generally throughout Europe. It seldom exceeds 

 8 to 10 feet in height ; its wood is hard, and although small is 

 used in turnery. It is much planted in this country as an 

 ornamental plant, and for forming hedges where strength is not 



