202 On the Species of the Genus Primula in Essex. 
very slight in the Oxlip, but I found two umbels out near 
Walden on Nov. 18th, 1882. I have never heard of either 
red or white flowers. 
There are several slight, yet constant, characters by which 
I believe this plant may invariably be distinguished from the 
Hybrid Oxlip, and other forms and species ; and I fully agree 
with Mr. Darwin, who remarks (‘ Forms of Flowers,’ p. 72)— 
“ In general appearance it differs so much from the Common 
Oxlip (Hybrid) that no one accustomed to see both forms in 
the living state could afterwards confound them; but there is 
scarcely more than a single character by which they can be dis¬ 
tinctly defined, namely, their linear oblong capsules, equalling 
the calyx in length.” This is certainly a good means of dis¬ 
tinction, although it seems to have been omitted from ‘ English 
Botany.’ The capsules of the Cowslip and Primrose are, in 
length, seldom more than If times their breadth; while in 
the Oxlip they are often 3 or 3f times as long as they are 
broad, and their tops project nearly one-third of their length 
beyond the calyx. 49 Nevertheless the shape of the capsules 
varies a little, some being shorter and thicker, while others 
are longer and narrower; but I have not been able to 
connect these differences with the two forms. When com¬ 
pared with the Hybrid Oxlip, the following differences are 
most noticeable:—the peduncle is more slender, the calyx 
fits far more tightly round the corolla-tube, the shape of the 
umbel is far more graceful, the petals are widely funnel- 
shaped, and not saucer-like; while they do not overlap at 
their edges, as those of the other species often do. The petals 
are of a pale buff-colour, totally distinct from the tint of the 
other species. The character, however, which I believe to be 
the most reliable one is the complete absence in the True Oxlip 
but this was exceptional. Plenty, however, were open by the beginning 
of March; by the 25tli they were about in perfection. About the middle 
of April they began to go off, and were over by the end of the month. In 
1883 a very few came out at the beginning of March, but, cold weather 
intervening, the majority did not appear till April, and they were over by 
the end of the month. 
49 See Ann. Nat. Hist., vol. ii. (1848), pp. 164—166; also Trans. Edinb. 
Bot. Soc., iii. (1850), pp. 69—70. 
