REPORT ON THE 



attempted in the present paper to deal with the sub-species, varieties, 

 hybrids, and synonyms, which will be found in Mr. Dewar's catalogue, 

 classified in their relation to these specific types, as here briefly defined. In a 

 complicated genus like Primula it is much the best plan to begin by learning 

 thoroughly the clearly distinguishable species, and afterwards to work out the 

 subordinate types, and to attempt to classify them in their proper order in 

 relation to the primary types. In those difficult genera, with which horti- 

 culture has so largely to deal (such as Narcissus, Primula, Lilium, Iris, Crocus, 

 Pelargonium, Fuchsia, Odontoglossum), unless this be done, and the different 

 grades of individuality according to the rules of systematic botany be kept 

 distinct as far as possible, we soon slide into confusion. 



A Synopsis of the European Species of Primula, with their 

 Distribution. 

 By J. G. Baker, F.E.S. 



Group I. Primulastra. — Young leaves revolute, never mealy beneath. 

 Calyx strongly ribbed. Flowers yellow. 



1. P. vulgaris, Hudson (Primrose). — Leaves narrowed gradually to the 

 base. Umbel sessile ; pedicels long. Calyx-teeth lanceolate. Corolla-limb 

 large, pale yellow. — Distrib. : Throughout Europe, except the Mediterranean 

 region. 



2. P. elatior, Jacquin (true Oxlip). — Leaves narrowed gradually to the 

 base. Peduncles elongated ; pedicels short. Calyx-teeth lanceolate. Corolla- 

 limb large, pale yellow ; throat without folds. — Distrib. : Throughout Europe, 

 except the Mediterranean region. Differs from the hybrid Oxlip by its more 

 villose calyx and paler corolla, not plicate at the throat. 



3. P. officinalis. Scopoli (Cowslip). — Leaves narrowed suddenly at the 

 base to a winged petiole. Peduncles elongated ; pedicels short. Calyx-teeth 

 deltoid. Corolla-limb smaller, deeper yellow ; throat plicate (with folds). — 

 Distrib. : Throughout Europe ; rare and not typical in the Mediterranean region. 



Group II. Aleuritia. — Leaves often mealy beneath, revolute when 

 young. Calyx not ribbed. Flowers lilac. 



4. P. farinosa, Linnams. — Leaves small, crenulate, mealy below. Pedicels 

 and calyx also mealy. Calyx-tube campanulate ; teeth as long as the tube. 

 Corolla-tube short. — Distrib. : Northern and Central Europe, mountains of 

 Spain. 



5. P. stricta, Hornemann. — Differs from farinosa by leaves not mealy 

 beneath, pedicels and calyx not mealy, flowers fewer. — Distrib. j Mountains of 

 Scandinavia and Northern Russia. 



G. P. sibirica, Jacquin, var. finmarchica, Jacquin. — Leaves broader than 

 in farinosa, entire, not mealy beneath. Pedicels longer. Calyx-tube oblong ; 

 teeth much shorter than the tube. Corolla-tube short. Flowers few. — 

 Distrib. : Mountains of Scandinavia. The type known in Siberia only. 



7. P. frondosa, Janka. — Leaves large, thin, not mealy beneath. Calyx-tube 

 campanulate ; teeth lanceolate-deltoid, as long as the tube. Corolla-tube 

 short. — Distrib. : Mountains of Thrace. Very rare. 



8. P. longiflora, Allioni.— Leaf like that of farinosa, usually mealy beneath. 

 Calyx longer, both tube and teeth. Corolla-tube 1 inch or more long. Corolla- 

 limb k — | inch in diameter. — Distrib. : Mountains of Central Europe. 



