Plate 9. 
VOLUNTEER AURICULA. 
Primula Auricula , var. 
There are few garden flowers more beautiful than the Auri¬ 
cula, when in a well-bloomed vigorous condition; and this is 
especially true of that group of them known amongst florists as 
Selfs, or whole-coloured varieties,—those in which the whole of 
the belt formed by the marginal lobes is of one colour. The 
colours in the flowers of this group are usually dense, with a 
peculiar richness, which renders them exceedingly beautiful. 
The classes of white-edged, green-edged, and grey-edged flowers 
all have their admirers, and all comprise varieties of great 
beauty, with exceedingly curious markings and variegations; 
but for those outside the 44 fancy,” the rich-coloured seifs have 
undoubtedly the greatest charms. It is to this latter group 
that the subject of our illustration belongs. 
Auricula Volunteer , which was raised in Scotland, by Mr. 
Richmond, made its first public appearance at one of the recent 
spring meetings of the Royal Botanic Society, at which it was 
rewarded by a first-class certificate. It was subsequently (April 
26th) exhibited to the Floral Committee of the Horticultural 
Society, and obtained another first-class certificate; so that its 
merits have been freely recognized. On both occasions it was 
exhibited by Mr. Turner, of Slough, from whose plant our draw¬ 
ing was made. Beautiful as that illustration is, it fails to give 
—for no art can depict it—the peculiar richness of the natural 
flower. 
The plant is of vigorous habit, producing bold massive trusses 
of flowers. These flowers are individually large, of a deep 
Plate 9.—Primula Auricula, var. Yoluxteer: flowers large, self-co¬ 
loured, deep mulberry-purple ; paste even, pure, and well-proportioned. 
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