VIOLET. G7 



stigma, which bends its hook into the groove, as if 

 to partake of the effluvia of the nectar. 



The stigma of the Sweet Violet, when attached 

 to the seed-vessel, is not unlike the Ostrich in shape, 

 but when the corolla and the calyx are carefully 

 removed, leaving only the parts of fructification 

 attached to the receptacle, a most beautiful miniature 

 bird is represented ; the stigma formed the head 

 and beak, the anthers make a golden breast, whilst 

 their tongues appear like a pair of green wings. 



It was the Violet which induced John Bertram, 

 a quaker of Pennsylvania, to study plants. He had 

 employed his time in agricultural pursuits without 

 a knowledge of botany, but being in the field one 

 day he gathered a Violet, examined its formation, 

 and reflected upon it until he became so pre- 

 possessed with the flower that he dreamed of it. 

 This circumstance inspired him with a desire of 

 becoming acquainted with plants; he therefore 

 learned for that purpose as much Latin as was ne- 

 cessary, and soon became the most learned Botanist 

 of the new world. 



The Violet is the precursor of floral odours, 

 which so successively follow each other after the 

 departure of their sweet harbinger, as to lessen our 

 regret for the loss of its fragrant blossoms. Both 

 the White and the Purple Violet have had their 

 flowers doubled by the art of cultivators, and they 



