192 LANGUAGE AND 
The Polyanthus is twin sister to the Auricula , 
and both of them belong to the primrose clan. 
The former is the hardier, but less admired, of 
the twain, and will survive the coldest and wet¬ 
test seasons. Like all the plants of its genus, it 
is an early blower, being one of the first flowers 
that welcome in the spring. 
“ The polyanthus of unnumbered dyes,” as 
Thomson calls it in his “ Seasons,” is asserted 
to be merely a variety of the field primrose, 
produced by the skill of the gardener. It was 
known, however, to the ancients by the name 
of “ Paralysis,” and was believed to have sprung 
from the ashes of a youth of that name, who 
pined to death for the loss of Melicerta, who, to 
escape the mad fury of Anthamas, King of 
Thebes, plunged into the sea and was drowned. 
The Auricula , significant of a ichisper , was 
formerly known to botanists as Auricula ursi , or 
“ bear’s ear,” from the shape of its leaves : it was 
also formerly spoken of as “ mountain cowslip.” 
In its original state it is either yellow or white, 
and the skill of the florist has brought it to its 
present rich hues of brown or purple, some¬ 
times edged with green or centred with gold. 
Thomson talks of 
“Auriculas, enriched 
With shining meal o’er all their velvet leaves,” 
