VIOLETS. 121 



inclined to follow the classification given by Miss 

 Anne Pratt as the simplest, viz., into two sections: 



(a) Those having no evident stem. 



(6) Those with very evident stems. 



Under the former those in which the stem is 

 apparently absent are included three species easy 

 to distinguish : 



1. The Sweet Violet (Viola odorata) flourishing 

 in a few localities near us. Mr. Hy. Birch found a 

 bank covered with them near Castle Hill. 



2. The Hairy Violet (F. liirta) without scent, and 

 commonly referred to the Dog violet group. It is 

 recognised by the rough hairs covering the leaves 

 and leaf stalks, and two small leaf-like organs called 

 bracts are found on the flower-stalk always below the 

 middle ; the same organs exist in the Sweet Violet, 

 but are above the middle of the stalk. F. kirta is the 

 prevailing form at the East Cliff end of the Warren, and 

 is generally distributed elsewhere ; it appears fond of 

 a chalky soil. 



3. The Marsh Violet (F. palustris), paler in 

 colour than violets usually are,. sometimes lilac, very 

 abundant in marshy spots in Scotland, and the 

 mountainous districts of England. Occasionally it 

 is scented. 



In all these three species the green leaves enlarge 

 considerably for some time after flowering, a pecu- 

 liarity which most of us have doubtless noticed in 

 the garden violets. In the second section violets 

 with an evident stem which continues to lengthen 

 as it throws off flower stalks, are included four 

 species : 



X. The Dog Violet (V. canina). Here our 



