136
ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY.
when cauline whorled, opposite, or alternate. Stipules none. Flowers either on radical scapes umbelled, or variously arranged in the axils of the leaves, or forming terminal racemes or spikes.
Affinities. These are certainly with Mysineacece, in which the stamens, as here, are opposite the lobes of corolla, and the placenta free. Indeed so nearly are they related, that some eminent Botanists propose uniting them as parts of one order, distinguished rather by I habit than characters, the one, Primalacece, being herbaceous while Mysineacece are shrubbv and arboreous. Were habit to be altogether rejected as an element in the construction of orders, this would be right, but, following the present fashion in Botany, I am inclined, with Lindley, to view this as being as distinct an order as many now generally admitted without question. It is quite true that in other orders we find similar anomalies in respect to habit which are overlooked in them, but, as these are for the most part confined to single genera, they do not carry the same weight. Here we have two large groups of plants the one generally herbaceous and peculiarly extratropical in its habits, the other arboreous and woody and to an equal degree tropical in its. De Candolle mentions Lentibulariece, as another nearly related order. If the views I have ventured to propose under that order, as to its affinities, be correct the relationship must be viewed as remote, and I believe it is remote, though it must be admitted they agree to a considerable extent in habit and, therefore, that Gesneracece may, like LentAbularieos, be looked upon as an analagous, though hardly an allied order. Lindley adds "the collateral affinities are much more with Solanacece, and Diapensiece to both of which they are similar in habit 1 ' than with Portulacece, as suggested by Duby. According to my views of natural affinities, which may however be very imperfect, I can see but little of even analogy between Primalaceag and any of the three orders named.
Geographical Distribution. As remarked already this is a peculiarly extra-tropical order, so much so indeed, that some species of Primula exist almost on the limits of perpetual congelation, and all the family seek a low temperature. But while this is the case, we yet find that it exists in different degrees ; one half of the family seeking lower thermometrical ranges than the other. The genera Primula, Androsase, and Trientalis are all early flowers in Europe. While Lysimachia, Anagallis and Mycropyxis, flower late in summer. The latter are found in the more temperate regions of the tropics, not the former. Of the whole order, about 215 species are named, two only are referred to our Peninsular flora, but two others are known to me, the one here figured and a species of Micropyocis. Europe and Northern Asia, are their principal centres, but Africa, America and New Holland, participate.
Properties and Uses. On this subject little seems known, or rather I should say they are nearly destitute of active properties.
As objects of ornamental culture, the Primulas can scarcely be excelled in their chaste, unassuming forms and colours, and being all early flowering plants, their beauties are enhanced by having at that season so few competitors, but they are ill adapted on that very account for culture, on even the highest and coldest peaks of our southern mountains, Lysimachia Lesche- naultii, the L. Clemensoneana of Wall. List, a native of the Neilgherries and Pulney mountains, is however a rather handsome species, and being a free grower in the garden, though quite a marsh plant in its native localities, is extensively introduced into gardens on the Neilgherries. The one here represented has, as seen in its native pastures, but little beauty to recommend it, however well it may look on paper, still it seems probable, that if introduced into the parterre and well cultivated it might also become a favourite.
Remarks on Genera and Species. A flora possessing only three or four species furnishes little scope for reflection under this head. M. Duby, in De Candolle's Prodromus, names 8 Indian species of Lysimachia, only one of which appertains to the Peninsula, the one here figured is a second; the others are all from the Northern provinces. Ceylon has one or two distinct from the Peninsular species, apparently unknown to Duby, as I do not find he refers to them. The other genera found so far south are Anagallis and Mycropyscis, of the former there is one found
