AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF 



Keats must surely have had this elegant plant in mind when 

 penning his famous ' Endymion ' where he writes : — 



' Oft have I brought thee flowers, on their stalks set 

 Like sweet Primroses, but dark velvet 

 Edges them round, and they have golden jets.' 



Cowslip (P. vera). — This favourite flower of our native fields, 

 decorating the uplands and lowlands with its pendent umbels of 

 fragrance, is said to have derived its name from their scented 

 resemblance to the breath of the cow ; perhaps from growing much 

 in pastures, and often meeting the Cow's -lip. Who that has lived in 

 rural districts where this dainty flower abounds, does not associate 

 with its name thoughts of joy and sweetness, of hours spent 

 rambling among meadows richly enamelled with these waving 

 tasselled blossoms, or of plucking handfuls to form scented posies, 

 or to manipulate an odorous ball scattering its rich perfume through 

 the air?. The roots also have a scent like Aniseed. Its most charm- 

 ing praises have been sung again and again by all flower-loving 

 poets. Here is an elegant definition : — 



' How exquisitely chaste 

 This rich display of flowers, 

 This airy wild of fragrance 

 So lovely to the eye, 



And to the sense so sweet ! ' — Andreini. 



Our great Shakespeare also depicts these blossoms as ^ fairy 

 favours ' in his ' Midsummer Night's Dream ' : — 



' I must go and seek some dewdrops here, 

 And hang a pearl in every Cowslip's ear.' 



Polyanthus (P. vulgaris, var.). — This species is one of our hardies 

 spring garden flowering plants, and is largely employed for thi«< 

 purpose. In habit it seems midway between the coloured Primrose 

 and the Cowslip, and possesses the charming attractions of both, 

 and when we take into account the variety and richness of its 

 colouring, the grace and elegance of its form, its agreeable odour, 

 easy propagation, and early time of flowering, it is justly entitled 

 to an important position in every garden. 



Oxlip (P. elatior) is another dainty variety of this delightful 

 family, that is not nearly so popular as it might be. It may be 

 ^described as a Cowslip, with umbels of Primrose blooms upon a 

 centre stalk. Like the Primrose, it seeks the thickets and hedgerows, 

 being seldom found in the open fields ; it bears the delicate odour of 



