P R I M U L A elatior.'
O xlip .
P E N T 'A N D R 1 A Mimogynia.
G en. C har. Capf. i-celled, fuperior. Tube of the
corolla cylindrical, mouth pervious. Stigma glo-
bofe.
S pec. C har. Leaves dentated, wrinkled. Stalk many-
flowered. Border of the corolla flat.
Sy n . Primula elatior. With. 234. Sibth. 7a.. Symons's
Syn. 53.
P. veris [2. Linn. Sp. P I. 204.
P. vulgaris (2. Hudf. 84.
P. inodora. Relh. 81.
P. pratenfis inodorata lutea. Rail Syn. 284.
fJ['H E Oxlip, or Greater Cowflip, is much lefs frequent than
the two moll common kinds of Primula figured in tab- 4 and 5
of this work, but neverthelefs occurs here and there in woods,
thickets, or paftures, flowering in April. We received this
fpecimen from the Rev. Mr. Hemfted, who juftly obferves
that the flowers are by no means inodorous, but have a very
grateful fmell.
In defcribing the Primrofe, we expreffed a fufpicion that the
Oxlip might be a variety of that rather than of the Cowflip,
or poffibly an hybrid between the two. We are ftill much
inclined to the latter opinion, and that it has originated from a
v Primrofe impregnated by a Cowflip; its external habit, the
contraction towards the middle of the leaf, and the umbellate
flower-ftalk indicating (according to Linnaeus’s ingenious idea)
the father) while the bloflom itfelf, in form, colour and fcent,
moft refembles its mother. See Linn. DiiT. on the Sexes of
Plants, Land. 1786. However this may be, the Oxlip is propagated
by feed, which is the cafe with fome other mule plants,
as Geraniums. It alfo increafes fall by its perennial root.
Haller charafterifes it as having only the outer flowers nodding,
while thofe of the Cowflip all droop ; but the flat limb of the
corolla affords a much better mark. The fame author calls the
umbel a racemus, not from ignorance, but he aimed at confe-
quence by ufing terms different from thofe generally adopted.