PRIMULA CONFERENCE. 



191 



afraid, but few living plants from abroad have been received, 

 but we could not expect more in such a season as this. We have, 

 however, what is very valuable to us, and that is a quantity 

 of seed of various species. As far as my experience shows, 

 there is but one of that batch of seed alluded to by the 

 Secretary that we have not been able to cause to germinate, 

 and that is Primula Elwesiana. If this Conference had been held 

 this time next year perhaps we might then have a great many 

 new things to show out of that batch of seed ; I merely mention 

 its receipt now as one of the practical results from which we 

 may hope much interest in future. I have the greatest pleasure 

 in proposing a vote of thanks to the several foreign and colonial 

 botanists who have contributed in any way to the success of our 

 Conference. 



Professor Michael Foster : I suppose, coming from the 

 chair, the motion hardly needs seconding, but I imagme that the 

 Secretary to the Conference will send up the resolution to the 

 Council, in order that it may be transmitted to the foreign 

 botanists in a formal manner. 



The resolution was agreed to [and formal votes of thanks 

 were subsequently sent. — Ed.]. 



The Chairman : I now call on Mr. Shirley Hibberd to read 

 his paper on the " History of the Auricula." 



Mr. Shirley Hibberd, before entering upon the subject of his 

 Paper, laid before the Conference, on behalf of Mr. Dewar, an 

 interesting series of drawings and tracings of various species of 

 Primula, forming a valuable collection of illustrated memoranda 

 concerning these plants. This duty discharged, Mr. Hibberd 

 proceeded to give orally the substance of his paper, the full text 

 of which is subjoined : — 



Ox the Origin and History of the Florists' Auricula. 

 By Shirley Hibberd, Esq., F.R.H.S. 



In treating the origin and history of the Florists' Auricula, in 

 the interest of the Primula Congress, it is a matter of plain pro- 

 priety to remark that I discoursed on the same subject in this 

 place on the 25th of April, 1882, and the text of my thesis was 

 published in the horticultural papers. With the present import- 

 ant task before me, I have again reviewed the history of the 

 flower that takes highest floral rank amongst the Primulas, and 



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