AURIC'ULA (Lat. dim. of auris, ear, so named on account of a fancied resemblance of the leaves to the ears of an animal), Primula anricula. A plant of the same genus with the primrose, little grown in America. but valued in England for the fragrance and beauty of its flowers. The aurieula is a native of the Alps and other mountains of the middle and south of Europe, and of sub-alpine situations in the same countries. It is found also on the Caucasus and the mountains of Syria. It grows in shady and moist places. In the wild state it has compara tively small flowers, of a simple yellow' color, on short stalks, forming an umbel. It has been greatly improved by cultivation. Red, pink, crimson, apple-green, and mulberry are the chief colors which the ditTerent varieties exhibit. :More than 1200 varieties have been cultivated, and new ones are from time to time raised from seed. Some of them are entirely of one color, others of two or more ; some are delicately shaded, and some variegated. The flowers of desirable varieties are large and almost round, with the white or yellow eye of the centre dis tinct, and its color does not mix with the ground color. The seape must be tall, and the full umbel
of erect flowers rise entirely alcove the leaves. The green margin adds much to the beauty of many varieties. The aurieula blooms in April and Slay, and often also a second time in the end of autumn. It succeeds best in a rich, light soil. The finer varieties are cultivated in pots. They ought, previous to flowering, to stand in an airy, sunny situation. They are propagated by offsets, generally in the latter part of August. When aurieula is to he raised from seed, care ought to be taken to select the finest flowers, which are encouraged to ripen their seeds by exposure to sun and air. They might to be pro tected from heavy rains by hand-glasses placed over them. The seed is sown either in autumn or spring, usually in boxes placed under shelter or in a slight hotbed.