30 
NAT. ORDER. PRIMDLACE^. 
vary with different shades of purple, and have been found entirely 
"white. 
Primula longifolia — Long-leaved Bird's-eye Primrose. This 
species bears a great affinity to the last-mentioned, but the leaves 
differ in form, color, and manner of growth ; when fully grown being 
about twice the length of those of the other ; they are not mealy, 
the under side being as green as the upper, and they have a greater 
tendency to grow upright ; the scape is shorter and thicker ; the 
flowers form a similar umbel, but each is smaller, and in point of 
color much less brilliant. Upon the whole, though superior in size^ 
it is inferior to that in beauty. It flowers early in May. 
Primula coriusoic^es ^Cortusa-leaved Bird's-eye Primrose. This 
species, in the wrinkled appearance of its foliage, approaches the 
Primula vulgaris, whilst in its inflorescence, the color of its flowers, 
and solitary scape, which rises to an unusual height, it bears an 
affinity to the Primula farinosa. In the winter it loses its leaves 
entirely, and forms a sort of bulbous hybernacle under ground; this 
circumstance is necessary to be known, as it subjects the plant to be 
thrown away as dead. This is a native of Liberia, and flowers in 
June and July. 
Primula marginata — Silver-edged Primrose. This, in its fari- 
naceous tendency, accords with the Primula aricula, but is far from 
being like it in its wild state, the leaves being much narrower ; the 
flowers larger, and of a different color ; the flowers approaching in 
color to that of the lilac : it becomes mealy, particularly on the edges 
of the leaves. This is a delicate pretty plant, with a pleasing musky 
smell, and flowers in March and April. It is said to be a native of 
the Alps. 
Primula aricula — Aricula or Bear's Ear. This plant possesses 
fleshy leaves, succulent, with the edges mealy, serrated, or entire ; 
the adult ones serrate above the middle ; the petioles leafy or winged ; 
leaflets of the involucre unequal, wide, lanceolate or blunt ; flowers 
very sweet smelling, four or five in number, in an upright umbel ; 
