204 On the Species o f the Genus Primula in Essex. 
between them. The circumstance has a little surprised me, 
knowing that most of the stations where P. elatior occurs are 
characterised by an entire absence of P. vulgaris; and although 
the former is frequently accompanied by P. veris, I have never 
seen or heard of an example of hybridity between them.” 61 
With this exception, I believe P. elatior has not previously been 
recorded as hybridizing with the other species in this country. 
I first met with plants which I considered to be hybrids 
between the Oxlip and the Primrose several years ago, and 
have seen them every spring-time since. I have met with 
them abundantly in Grim’s Ditch and Madghob’s Wood, near 
Saffron Walden; in the Hyde Wood, Little Yeldham; in 
lesser quantities in several other woods; and with introduced 
Primroses in a garden at Bardfield. All these localities, 
except the last, are on the edge of the Oxlip district, where 
the plants are mixed with Primroses, the latter plant, as 
already stated, being absent from the district occupied by 
P. elatior. It may be objected that I have not proved by 
cultivation and experiment as did Darwin, 62 that my plants 
were hybrids, but I think the following reasons are sufficiently 
conclusive:—(a) they never occur in the interior of the elatior- 
district, but they grow on the verge of that district where the 
Oxlips intermingle with Primroses; ( b ) I have never seen 
similar specimens growing away from the Oxlip district; 
(c) whenever found, I have seen both parents growing within 
a few yards; [d) they are in all respects intermediate between 
the two forms ; (e) they are certainly not Hybrid Oxlips 
[P. veri-vulgaris), from which they are at once distinguished 
by their colour, general appearance, and the tight-fitting 
calyx—the calyx in the Cowslip and most of its hybrids being 
widely inflated ; (/) their colour, size, smell, non-overlapping 
petals, and contraction of calyx are intermediate between the 
parents ; (g) among them sometimes may be found examples 
51 Darwin states that P. elatior and veris have been known rarely to 
hybridize in the Alps. There are specimens at Kew of P. elatiori-vulgaris 
from “Le Mont snr Lausanne, 13-4-77,” and of P. elatiori-veris labelled 
“ Sivirriez, near Fribourg, and Rennaz, Vaud, 1874 and 1877.” 
52 1 regret that a number of experimental intercrossings were rendered 
useless from a cause over which I had no control, 
