VIOLACE.E. 63 



is even a finer species, and about as rare. It grows about the 

 same height, and is very compact and neat in its style. The 

 leaves are cut into seven narrow lobes, the basal and the central 

 ones usually deeply notched. The flowers are large, dark blue, 

 carried well above the leaves on stout stalks. Best adapted 

 for rockwork decoration in deep moist sandy soil, in shade. 

 Native of North America. Flowers in late spring and early 

 summer. 



V. pennata {Feather-leaved Violet). — This is a south European 

 species, with much of the habit of the two preceding. The 

 leaves are broadly ovate in outline, and divided almost to the 

 midrib, giving the appearance of a broadly-pinnate leaf, and 

 the divisions are notched at the point. The flowers are smaller 

 than in either of the two preceding, nor are they thrown so 

 high above the foliage, but they are rich dark violet, and in this 

 respect they are superior to those of the others. It requires 

 the same treatment in cultivation, and is adapted to the same 

 purposes as palmata and pedata, and flowers about the same 

 time. 



V. pyrolaefolia, syn. Viola lutea ( ]Vi?iter green-leaved Violet). 

 — This is a Patagonian species, and one of the handsomest of 

 the family. It grows in tufted masses, producing bluntly-egg- 

 shaped leaves with a heart-shaped base, toothed and hispid, 

 as is every part of the plant outside the corolla, and inside also 

 it is somewhat bearded. The flowers are large, bright yellow, 

 on slender stalks, but raised considerably above the foliage ; 

 the lower petal is beautifully pencilled with narrow dark-red 

 lines. Suitable only for warm partially-shaded positions on 

 rockwork or for pot-culture, and delights most in rich fibrous 

 loam with a good allowance of grit in it. 



V. tricolor (Pansy or HearVs-ease). — The garden varieties of 

 the Pansy are so familiar, and so much admired by everybody, 

 that they scarce require praise or description; the mere mention 

 of their name is suflicient recommendation. It is less of the 

 finer florists' varieties or show sorts that I would speak, than of 

 the Fancy or Belgian and bedding ones. They will be found 

 most useful for planting in the front line of the mixed border 

 and on rockwork. The Fancies bloom very freely and for a 

 long period if the soil is moist and rich; and they present most 

 novel and pretty colours and unions of colours. But for con- 

 tinuity of bloom and general decorative usefulness and hardi- 

 ness all kinds of Tansies are eclipsed by the bedding sorts. 

 The Cliveden blue and yellow were the first of the race to 

 which general attention was drawn, but they are now rapidly 

 increasing in numbers and in improvement, and no doubt will 



