BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
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generally supposed to bo the wild form of the Polyanthus. The Oxlip is a perennial, flowering in April; and it 
is generally found growing in woods and thickets where the plants form a shade and the ground is somewhat 
moist. It appears to be the connecting link between the Primrose and the Cowslip, as it has the flower and 
fragrance of the one, and the long-stalked umbel of the other. 
3.—THE COWSLIP. 
Synonymes. —P. officinalis, Jacq. ; Paigle. 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 5 ; 2nd ed., t. 277 ; and our fig. 3, in 
PI. 46. 
(Primula vkris, Lin.) 
Specific Character. — Leaves toothed, wrinkled, contracted to¬ 
wards the middle. Stalk many-flowered. Limb of the corolla 
concave. (Smith.) 
Description, &c. —The Cowslip is abundant on every bank in early spring, though it prefers a clay soil, 
and an open situation. The beauty of the flowers have long made the plant a favourite with the poets, and the 
following verses addressed to Cowslips are by Mrs. Ilowitt:— 
“ Oh ! fragrant dwellers of the lea, 
When first the wild wood rings 
With each sound of vernal minstrelsy, 
When fresh the green grass springs ; 
What can the blessed spring restore 
More gladdening than your charms ? 
Bringing the memory once more 
Of lovely fields and farms.” 
Clare, the Northamptonshire poet, celebrates them in the following lines :— 
“ Bowing adorers of the gale, 
Ye Cowslips, delicately pale, 
Upraise your loaded stems; 
Unfold your cups in splendour—speak ! 
Who decked you with that ruddy streak 
And gilt your golden gems ? ” 
And Milton speaks of— 
“ Cowslips wan, that hang the pensive head.” 
The Cowslip is a perennial, and it flowers in April and May. It is used, as is well known, to make wine, 
and its qualities are said to be slightly soporific. 
4.— THE BIRD’S-EYE, OR MEALY PRIMROSE. (Primula farinosa, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 6 ; 2nd ed., t. 278. j Limb of the corolla flat ; mouth with a notched border. Stigma 
Specific Character. —Leaves toothed, even ; powdery beneath. ! undivided. (Smith.) 
Description, &c.— This beautiful little plant is only found in moist meadows, and by the side of mountain 
torrents in the north of England and south of Scotland. It is a perennial, and it flowers in June and July. 
5.—THE SCOTTISH PRIMROSE. (Primula scotica, Hook.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot. Supp., t. 2608; 2nd ed., t. 278*; and both sides. Limb of the corolla flat; mouth with a notched border. 
out fig. 4, in PI. 46. Stigma five-cleft. (Smith.) 
Specific Character. —Leaves finely toothed, even; powdery on 
Description, &c. —Nothing can more closely resemble a miniature Auricula than this elegant little plant, 
which is only found in the north of Scotland. The leaves and stems are both powdery, and the flowers very 
small. The plant is a perennial, and it flowers in July. 
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