1870. ] 
A PLEA FOR AN AURICULA REVIVAL. 
85 
sometimes two or three leaves are developed. These • leaves are filiform, very 
slender, longer than the scape, which is cylindrical and shortly vaginate; and the 
flowers are nearly sessile, creamy white, with a crenulate corona of the same 
colour, an inch in length. The stamens are curved or decimate, and the style is 
exserted or projecting. The colour of its blossoms, and their fragrance, will 
certainly render the plant a favourite in gardens, where it will contrast admirably 
with the deep yellow of the common Hoop-Petticoat and its allies, wdiich are too 
seldom seen in cultivation. 
These plants constitute the genus Corhularia of Haworth, a group of Narcissi 
in which the habit of the plant is dwarf and slender, the divisions of the perinth 
remarkably narrow, and the tubular corona comparatively large and very 
prominent. They are all floral gems.—M. 
A PLEA FOR AN AURICULA REYIYAL. 
i^NCE upon a time the Auricula was looked upon by many florists as the 
prince of flowers, but now, alas ! it seems to be almost forgotten, at 
least, so far as English florists are concerned. I well recollect the time 
when, in Lancashire and Yorkshire alone, we could count upon at least a 
hundred enthusiastic growers and exhibitors of the Auricula, many of them at the 
same time being growers of another favourite, the Polyanthus^ which was usually 
exhibited at the same time, and in this way a spirit of emulation was kept up 
amongst the growers of both. But now, if one was to take a tour through the two 
counties above named, I do not suppose that a minute search would discover 
half-a-dozen of Auricula-growers of any note. And not in these counties alone, 
but throughout England, the same want of energy prevails, though why it is so 
I cannot comprehend. True, indeed, three-fourths of the older Auricula-fanciers 
have gone hence, without leaving yo^^ng ones in their places. I only know of 
two amongst those departed ones who have bred florists, and neither of these 
happen to be Auricula-fanciers, although they are spirited growers of Tulips and 
Carnations. 
From what I hear, I believe that the Auricula fancy is more alive in 
Scotland than in England, and that some of the growers there have been labour¬ 
ing hard for years in seedling-raising, Avith the result that many superb varieties 
have been produced, which will in certain points, I believe, surpass some of the 
oldest favourites. Indeed, I feel confident of such being the case, for during the 
last three or four years I have been favoured by some of my Scotch friends with 
pips of their seedlings, and many of them are first-class varieties, such as would 
please the most exacting fancier, even though he may be more or less prejudiced 
in favour of old varieties. I believe that some of these new sorts will leave many 
of the older ones quite in the shade. 
What is most needed is that a little of the old Auricula-fancier’s spirit should 
be stirred up in England, so as once more to bring the old hobby into life and 
