PRIM ULA AURI'CULA. 
AURICULA. Fletcher’s Mary Ann. 
Class. Order. 
PRNTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
PRIMULACE*. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Cultivated 
Switzerland 
6 inches. 
Apr. May. 
Perennial. 
in 1597. 
No. 345. 
Primula, from primus, first; in allusion to its 
early flowering. Auricula, from auris, an ear; a 
name given to this genus on account of a fancied re- 
semblance of its leaves to the ears of an animal. It 
appears that the ancients had no fixed or established 
appellation for the Auricula; every one, as Parkin- 
son says, having given it a name according to his 
own conceit. Matthiolus, who lived in the early 
part of the sixteenth century, recognized the term 
auricula ursi, or Bear’s-ear; hence. Auricula has 
become established amongst us. 
This plant w as raised by J. Fletcher, of Hockley, 
near Birmingham, and has rarely failed to take the 
first prizes, wherever it has been shown ; unless in 
competition with the same florist’s Ne plus ultra, an 
incomparable flower, for which he refused ten gui- 
neas a plant in its second season. 
The culture of Auriculas, as practised by florists 
who are eminent for the production of first-rate 
flowers, requires considerable experience to render 
its votaries proficient in all its details. 
By many florists the preparation of a proper com- 
post is considered to be of the very first importance. 
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