148 
VII. 
On the Species of the Genus Primula in Essex ; with 
Observations on their Variation and Distribution, and 
the Relative Number and Fertility in Nature of the 
Two Forms of Flower. 
By Robert Miller Christy. 
[Read October 28th, 1882; revised Spring, 1888.] 
“ . . . . Pale Primroses 
That die unmarried, ere they can behold 
Bright Phoebus in his strength. . . . 
. . . Bold Oxlips.”— The Winter's Tale , Act IV. 
I.—Introductory Remarks. 
During the last six or seven years I have interested myself 
more or less in observing and collecting the numerous forms 
and varieties into which our common British Primulas so 
freely enter; and as during part of that period I have lived 
in the one small English locality in which alone grows the 
true Primula elatior of Jacquin (and that in the greatest 
abundance), I trust a few remarks on this singularly inte¬ 
resting genus of plants will prove of some value. 
A careful study of Mr. Darwin’s work, ‘ The Different 
Forms of Flowers on Plants of the same Species,’ has, more¬ 
over, led me to pay special attention to several points in the 
Natural History of the various members of the genus 
Primula , and it is also with the intention of giving my 
observations on these phenomena that I write this paper. 
All the references given hereafter are to the above-mentioned 
work, unless otherwise stated. 
Mr. Darwin very truly remarks that “ The claim of the 
three forms [ Primula vulgaris, veris, and elatior] to rank as 
distinct species has been discussed oftener and at greater 
