Retrospective Criticism. 759 



bank of violets." * On trials however, I cannot perceive that 

 the blossoms possess any fragrance, though the leaves, when 

 slightly bruised, appear to me to emit a faint smell of cucum- 

 ber. In stating this, however, I am far from meaning to call 

 in question the accuracy of Mr. Turner's observation ; and 

 must remark that the circumstance of my not being able to 

 perceive any fragrance in the blossoms of the wood anemone 

 is no conclusive proof that they are destitute of scent. For 

 there are some plants whose flowers prove highly odoriferous 

 to particular individuals, while, to others, who yet are not 

 deficient in the ordinary sense of smell, they appear perfectly 

 scentless. Of this kind is the well known Persian iris (/Vis 

 persica L.\ which ornaments our borders in the spring. I 

 remember, as a boy, that a friend of mine was so partial to 

 the odour of this plant (which he said resembled that of 

 violets), that he was in the habit of growing the roots in pots, 

 and placing them in his study. To these specimens I have 

 repeatedly applied my nose, but never could perceive in them 

 the slightest scent, though my friend assured me they per- 

 fumed the whole room. The circumstance, too, has lately 

 been brought to my recollection, of a lady, who disliked the 

 odour of violets, ordering a pot of the Persian iris to be 

 removed out of the room, because she could not bear its 

 powerful scent. And, as a further corroborating instance, I 

 extract the following from a letter I have just received from a 

 lady, whose attention I had called to the subject, and who 

 resides near town, and takes great delight in her garden. 

 " I bought," says my correspondent, " a pot of Persian irises 

 at Colvill's, and perceived the scent of them as I brought 



them home, on the floor of Mr. 's open carriage ; neither 



he nor Lady could smell them. When I got home, 



my little boy, who met us at the door, exclaimed, " How- 

 sweet ! they smell like a bunch of violets. " I think their 

 fragrance is strongest in the sunshine. Purposely, with a 

 view to try the experiment afresh, and with a new individual 

 specimen, I last autumn bought a root or two of the Persian 

 iris at Messrs. Noble's shop in Fleet-street, and planted them 

 in a pot. They produced flowers this spring, which, as usual, 

 appeared to me to be entirely scentless. Out of about ten 



* There is a general and delightful fragrance (let it arise from what it 

 may) very perceptible in woods at most seasons of the year, and particu- 

 larly in spring, which can hardly fail to have attracted the notice of those 

 who are at all conversant with woodland districts. May not this sylvan 

 perfume, with which the whole atmosphere of the wood is charged, have 

 been too hastily attributed by Mr. Turner to the copious blossoms of the 

 wood anemone ? 



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