64 THE ASSOCIATIONS OF FLOWERS 
green lane of England, which it haunts not? Its name, 
derived from the word primus (the first), happily ex- 
presses one of its charms. If we value the autumn 
flowers because they are the last, because they are soon 
to leave us, still more do we delight to welcome the 
blossoms of spring. Long summer days are approach- 
ing; we may anticipate pleasant walks in 
“ Each lane and alley green, 
Dingle or bushy dell of the wild wood,’’ 
and hope soon to revel in the profusion of trees and 
flowers. 
There are five species of primrose indigenous to Great 
Britain, and the simple beauty of the whole family has 
led to the cultivation in the garden of several others. 
The double lilac primrose especially, is very generally 
the companion of the crocus on the garden-bed. No 
primrose banks grace the warm countries lying between 
the Tropics; but on the top of elevated mountains, or 
in spots where the temperature of the air is reduced by 
the sea-breeze, a few stray primroses appear. The vivid 
flowers that delight in sunshine are seldom contrasted 
by so pale a hue as that worn by these little blossoms^ — 
for white flowers are found most in northern lands, or 
in the early season of temperate climes. In moderately 
tempered regions, however, our little primrose is common, 
delighting peculiarly in the moist clayey soil of the mea- 
dow of wood. The root of this flower, as well as that 
of the cowslip, has a strong scent of anise ; and persons 
who like this odour, often gather the root in March and 
dr}' it. It is said to impart the flavour of wine. 
On one of those rocky mountains of America, above 
whose summits the clouds roll in solemn darkness, or by 
their dense whiteness seem to mingle with the wide 
canopy of snow, the botanist Douglas found a primrose, 
almost concealed by the fleecy mantle — a species which 
has been named in honour of the discoverer, the Douglas 
Primrose. 
‘‘ Tree nor shrub, 
Dare that drear atmosphere; no Polar pine 
