72 VIOLA PYROLJEFOLIA. 



We may not claim for this Patagonian Yiolet the same interest as that which 

 attaches to the modest fragrant flower, with whose name so many delightful 

 associations are intermingled; and the amateurs of its more showy sister — the 

 Pansey — may perhaps turn from it in disdain; but, although it lacks the 

 delicious perfume of the one, and the rich velvety lines of the other, yet we are 

 sure that from those ' general lovers ' for whom every plant possesses an interest, it 

 will obtain a welcome, not only for its geographical associations, but also for the 

 neatness of its blossoms and foliage, a character which it shares in common with all 

 the plants of this pretty genus. 



Like the better known species, it seeks the shade, and nourishes best in a cool 

 border, in a mixture of peat and loam, or any light soil, rich in decayed 

 vegetable matter. It is propagated by runners, by division, or by seed, which it 

 often ripens. It may be cultivated in a pot, as readily as the Viola odorata and 

 Heartsease ; and, Like them, will produce its flowers in the winter season, when 

 protected from its chilling influences; but, in any case, it should be placed out 

 doors in a cool, shady place, during the warmest months of the year. 



We have hitherto scarcely alluded to the medicinal uses of the plants we have 

 figured ; but it would be inexcusable, in speaking of the Yiolet tribe, to omit to 

 notice the well-marked and valuable properties of most of the members of this 

 order. These properties are chiefly emetic, and reside in the roots of nearly all 

 the species. They are most evident in the genera peculiar to South America ; but 

 even our European species, including the Sweet Violet, V. odorata, and the Dog 

 Yiolet, V. canina, possess it in a less degree. The roots of two or three species of 

 Ionidium are sold in Brazil as substitutes for Ipecacuanha ; though the true plant 

 of this name belongs to a very different family of plants, the Cinclionacece. The 

 syrup of Sweet Yiolets is reputed laxative, and is also occasionally employed by 

 Chemists as a test for acids and alkalies ; by the former of which its purple tint is 

 changed to red, and by the latter to green. 



The structure of the flowers of the genus Viola is highly curious, especially of 

 the stigma and anthers. The first named organ, which terminates the style, is 

 hooded or inflated, having an orifice at its summit for the reception of the pollen. 

 It is readily seen in the Viola tricolor, or Wild Pansey, as well as in the cultivated 

 plant. The anthers are remarkable for a spur-like appendage at their back, of a 

 green colour, and of considerable relative length. In the Sweet Yiolet these spurs 

 are very conspicuous ; they are found, however, only on the two nearly sessile 

 anthers at the bottom of the flower. 



The specific term of the plant we have figured, pyroleefolia, implies a resemblance 

 in the foliage to that of some species of Winter Green fPyrolaJ, neat little plants 

 belonging to the heath order, and which are found in moist woods in some parts of 

 England. 



