376 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



pended round the neck as an amulet, thought good against 

 venomous bites, and recommended as a sovereign medicine 

 for various diseases. In Britain it has fallen into disuse, 

 in spite of a pamphlet written expressly to recommend it, 

 directing the root to be tied with a yard of white satin 

 riband round the neck, and to remain there till the patient 

 recovered. 



Drayton, in the Muse's Elysium, calls it the "Holy 

 Vervain;" and in the same poem speaks of it as worn by 

 heralds : 



" A wreath of vervain heralds wear, 

 Amongst our garlands named. 

 Being sent that dreadful news to bear. 

 Offensive war proclaimed." 



" Black melancholy rusts, that fed despair 



Through wounds long rage, with sprinkled vervain cleared ; 

 Strewed leaves of willow to refresh the air. 

 And with rich fumes his sullen senses cheered." 



Davenant's Gondibert. 



VIOLET. 



VIOLA. 



VlOhEJEi PENTANDUIA MONOGVNIA. 



French, violette. — Italian, viola. 



The species of Violets are very numerous ; the Tri- 

 coloured or Pansy-violet has been noticed under its more 

 familiar name of Heart's-ease. At the head of the other 

 Violets ranks the Viola Odorata, or Sweet-violet — in 

 French, violette de Mars [March violet] ; violier commun : 

 and in Italian, viola Marzia ; viola mammoJa, — which is a 

 native of every part of Europe, in woods, bushes, and 

 hedges, flowering in March and April. In 1804, Mr. 



