of the
scape. Flowers and leaves develope at the same time, the latter being
8in. long and of irregular arrangement.

The exceedingly floriferous character of this otherwise handsome primula
renders it one of the very best subjects for the spring garden; it
should have a place in the most select collections, as well as in more
general assemblages of plants, for not only does it take care of itself
when once properly planted, but it increases fast, forming noble tufts a
foot in diameter, than which few things give a finer effect or an equal
quantity of flowers at a time when they are not too plentiful. As
already hinted, it should have a somewhat drier position than _P.
denticulata_, but by no means should it suffer from drought, and a
little shade will be beneficial. Propagated by division during the
growing season, immediately after flowering being the best time.

Flowering period, March and April.

Primula Scotica.

SCOTTISH PRIMROSE; _Nat. Ord._ PRIMULACEAE.

This charming little member of the British flora very much resembles the
native Bird's-eye Primrose (_P. farinosa_), which is very common in some
parts. It is not uniformly conceded to be a distinct species, but many
botanists believe it to be such. As a matter of fact, it is different
from _P. farinosa_ in several important points, though they are not seen
at a mere glance. That it has darker flowers and a more dwarf and sturdy
habit may, indeed, be readily seen when the two are side by side. Size
and colour, however, would not in this case appear to be the most
distinctive features. The seed organs differ considerably. "In _P.
farinosa_ the germen is broadly obovate and the stigma capitate; here
the germen is globose and the stigma has five points." But there is
another dissimilarity which may or may not prove much to the botanist,
but to the lover of flowers who tries to cultivate them it is
all-important. Whilst _P. farinosa_ can be easily grown in various soils
and positions, in the same garden _P. Scotica_ refuses to live; so
fickle, indeed, is it, that were it not a very lovely flower that can be
grown and its fastidious requirements easily afforded, it would not have
been classed in this list of garden subjects. Here it begins to blossom
in the middle of March at the height of 3in. In its habitats in
Caithness and the north coast of Sutherland it is considerably
later--April and May.

The flowers are arranged in a crowded umbel on a short