VIOLACE^. 15 



terminal portion becoming the rootstock of the young plant, which 

 thus commences a separate existence. Scapes produced from the 

 axils of the leaves, 2 to 4 inches high, with two small nearly- 

 opposite lanceolate denticulated bracts about, or above the middle. 

 Flowers drooping, ^ to f inch across, bluish purple, lilac, or 

 white. In the white variety the lateral petals are often destitute of 

 the little hairy tuft, and in this state it is the Viola imberbis of 

 Leighton, but it seems to be rather a state than a true variety. In 

 the purple flowers the lower petal has darker lines at the base, but 

 in the white these are not present. Spur of the lower petal very 

 short, blunt. Capsule about f inch in diameter, roundish, almost 

 truncate or retuse at the apex. Plant rather deep green ; the 

 petioles, margins and veins of the leaves, the peduncles, the edges 

 of the sepals, and the capsule, with short scattered hairs. 



Sweet Violet. 



French, Violette Odorante. German, Wohlriechendes Veilchen. 



To describe the Violet, or to write of the qualities and iiseful properties of a flower 

 so surrounded with the atmosphere of poetry and sentiment, is a somewhat difficult 

 task; yet this pretty flower is not only valued for its beauty and delicious scent, but 

 has its reputation in the practice of the healing art even at the present day. A syrup 

 is made from the petals which is a favourite remedy for infantile disorders, and is 

 certaiuly less dangerous than many which are administered by those who believe in 

 doses. The root is a powerful emetic, and is frequently used to adulterate ipecacuanha. 

 A dose of from forty to fifty grains of the powdered root acts powerfully. M. BouUay 

 has discovered the presence of a principle called violine in all parts of the plant, analagous 

 in external characteristics to the emeta of ipecacuanha, and possessing the same emetic 

 properties. It is an alkaline substance, and forms salts by its union with acids ; it is 

 soluble in alcohol, but hardly so in water. The flowers of the Violet yield their purple 

 colour to water, and form a good test for the presence of acids in the same way as 

 litmus is used. In olden times they were used as remedies in many disorders, and were 

 supposed to be especially serviceable to the eyes and in ague. Vitruvius tells us that 

 the flowers were not only used to adulterate or counterfeit the celebrated blue of Athens, 

 but were also employed to " moderate anger, to cure ague and inflammation of the 

 lungs, to allay thirst, procure sleep, and comfort and strengthen the heart, as well as 

 for cooling plaisters," besides being worn in garlands as a charm against the " falling 

 sickness " and headaches. Pliny gives a long list of their virtues, aflirming they are 

 good for inflammation, cooling to weak eyes, quinsey, swellings, &c., and recommends 

 the blossoms to be worn as garlands for the preservation of the head. The seeds were 

 formerly believed to counteract the efiect of a scorpion's sting. " Violets," says Gerarde, 

 " have a great prerogative above others, not only because the mind conceiveth a certain 

 pleasure and recreation by smelling and handling those most odoriferous flowers, but 

 also for that very many by these Violets receive ornament and comely grace ; for there 

 be made of them garlands for the head, uosegaies, and posies which are delightful to 

 look on and pleasant to smell to, speaking nothing of their appropriate vertues. Yea, 

 gardens themselves receive by these the greatest ornament of all, chiefest beauty and 

 most excellent grace; and the recreation of the mind which is taken hereby cannot be 

 but very good and honest; for they admonish and stir up a man to that which is comely 



