On the Species of the Genus Primula in Essex. 149
length than that of almost any other plant." Various
reasons will account for the interest attaching to these
species, among which may be mentioned their "hetero-
stylism," their near relation to one another, the frequency
with which they hybridise, their great tendency to variation
in several directions, the ease with which they may be
brought under cultivation, and, lastly, the fact of their
flowering at an early period of the year when few other
species are in bloom. Most gardeners cherish some species or
variety belonging to this genus, whether it bear the name of
"Primula," Polyanthus, Auricula, Cowslip, Primrose, or
Oxlip; whilst the numerous paragraphs appearing from
time to time in the botanical journals, recording some
strange sport or variation, all testify to the general interest
taken in the subject.
In spite, however, of the attention which has been bestowed
on the Primulas, there are few plants in this country which
have been so long and so persistently confused and con-
founded, one species with another, and this in spite of the
publication in 1877 of the 'Forms of Flowers,' which treats
of the subject in a most complete and masterly manner.
Half a century ago, before so much was known not only of
the genus Primula itself, but of botanical science in general,
this was to a large extent excusable; but there are, even at
the present day, numbers of persons who still hopelessly con-
fuse them.1
In order, therefore, that I may be clearly understood from
the outset, I wish to state that in this paper I am concerned
with three true and distinct species, which are as follows:—
(1.) The Common Primrose : Primula vulgaris, Hudson.2
(2.) The True, Bardfield, or Jacquin's Oxlip: Primula
1 I do not, of course, here allude to botanists, but to the general public,
who, as I know but too well from personal experience, still invariably
confound the hybrid oxlip (Primula veri-vulgaris) with the true oxlip
(P. elatior, Jacq.), even in the district where the latter grows wild.
2 I have adopted this specific name in spite of a friendly protest from
Prof. Boulger in favour of the Linnean one, acaulis, which has the
priority, but, as Darwin uses vulgaris, I sin in good company and with
my eyes open.