288 PENTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. Primula. 
as Mr. Aikin observed to me; and Curtis tells us, that by cultivation it 
may be brought to throw up a long common fruit-stalk like the Oxlip; 
which countenances the idea of the latter being a variety of this. Leaf¬ 
stalks when fully grown, longer than the leaves. (Blossom pale yellow¬ 
ish, or sulphur-colour; delicately fragrant. Leaves radical, irregularly 
toothed, numerous, rugose. E.) 
Var. 2. Liver-coloured. Blossoms a red liver-colour. 
Hedge banks and pastures; between Penzance and Treveylea, Cornwall. 
(Felton Woods, Northumberland. Mr. Winch. Allesley, Warwickshire. 
Rev. W. T. Bree, in Purt. Mid. FI. E.) May. 
Common Primrose. (Irish: Bainne bo bliughtain. Welsh: Briallu cyf- 
fredin ; Tewhannog fechan. Gaelic : Sograch E.) P. veris y. acaulis. 
Linn. P. sylvestris. Scop. P. vulgaris. Huds. Woods, hedges, thickets, 
and heaths, particularly in a clayey soil, (growing generally in tufts. E.) 
P. April—May.* 
(Var. 3. White-flowered. Blossoms perfectly white, with a yellow eye. 
Cornwall. With. Allesley. Rev. W. T. Bree. E.) 
P. ela'tior. Leaves wrinkled and toothed: stalk many-flowered: 
outermost flowers drooping: border of the blossom flat. 
* (An agreeable wine is prepared from Primroses, not very unlike that made from 
Cowslips, but considered still more delicate in flavour. E.) Gerard reports that a dram 
and a half of the dried roots, taken up in autumn, operates as a strong but safe emetic. 
Sheep and goats eat the plant. Cows are not fond of it. Horses and swine refuse it. 
Linn. Silk worms may be fed with the leaves. Trans. Soc. of Arts, ii. p. 157. Few 
spots are more attractive amid the general revival of nature than 
“ Where the hardy Primrose peeps 
From the dark dell’s entangled steeps.” 
“ Oh, who can speak his joys when Spring’s young morn 
From wood and pasture opened on his view; 
When tender green buds blush upon the thorn, 
And the first Primrose dips its leaves in dew.” Clare. 
Few flowers are connected with more agreeable associations. The maiden’s youthful prime 
has, not inaptly, been compared to 
- c< the meek 
And soft-eyed Primrose 
And Shakspearc, in more pensive musing, contemplates them as emblems of premature 
decay, between childhood and maturity, 
- et pale Primroses , 
That die unmarried, ’ere they can behold 
Bright Phoebus in his strength.” 
Varieties single and double, and of different tints, are cultivated in gardens, but none'are 
more elegant than the double lilac. “ It is however,” observes Miss Kent, “the Sulphur- 
coloured Primrose which we particularly understand by that name: it is this Primrose 
which we associate with the cowslips and the meadows: it is this which shines like an 
earth-star from the grass by the brook side, lighting the hand to pluck it. We do indeed 
give the name of Primrose to the Jilac flower, but we do this in courtesy : we feel that it is 
not the Primrose of our youth ; not the Primrose with which we have played at bo-peep in 
the woods ; not the irresistible Primrose which has so often lured our young feet into the wet 
grass, and procured us coughs and eludings. There is a sentiment in flowers; there are 
flowers we cannot look upon, or even hear named, without recurring to something that has 
an interest in our hearts ; such are the Primrose, the Cowslip, the Daisy, &c.” E.) 
