On the Species of the Genus Primula in Essex. 171
abundance of hybrids between P. elatior and P. vulgaris.
Further in, and for some miles on in the same easterly
direction, plenty of True Oxlips, but no Primroses, will be
seen. If we next enter the wood on the left hand, or
western side (Westley Wood), plenty of Primroses will be
found, with a few plants of True Oxlip just on the nearest
edge. In Burnt End Wood, and all the other woods to the
westward, abundance of Primroses may be found, but no
True Oxlips. A reference to the map on page 174 will, I
hope, make this explanation clearer. I do not know of any
geological peculiarity which could account for this rigid line
of demarcation. At Hyde Wood, Little Yeldham, just on the
extreme N.E. edge of the Oxlip district, a very similar
mixture occurs. P. elatior abounds in all the woods for
many miles to the westward, and is, I believe, unmixed with
the Primrose; but in this wood the Primrose abounds, and it
inhabits the whole district to the E. and S.E.; also the
12-acre Wood and an adjoining one, both in Belchamp Otten
parish. Oxlips also occur sparingly in these two woods, and
more abundantly in the Hyde Wood, where, in a cut down
part this spring, I found the two species connected by a
great number of intermediate hybrids.
Cowslip.—The following localities are given in the 'Flora
of Essex':—
"(1) Walden, abundant; (2) Halstead, common; (3) near
Ongar, Springfield; (4) Walthamstow, Woodford, common;
Epping; (5) Meadows Shenfield; (6) South Essex; (7) Kel-
vedon ; (8) not found near Dedham, but in some parts of the
district (W. H. Coleman)."
This species seems to prefer a chalky soil, and, as might be
expected, is very abundant in N. and N.W. Essex, where either
chalk itself (as round Walden) or the Chalky Boulder Clay
comes to the surface. These conditions only extend as far
south as Chelmsford, and it is noticeable that the Cowslip is
almost absent from a very large area, composed of London
Clay, lying between that place and the Thames. I have no-
where met with it in this district, except sparingly and stunted
in a meadow near the old church of Laindon Hills, where it