VIOLETS. 128 



says are also probably distinct. They rejoice in the 

 names of Reichenbachiana and Riviniana. The main 

 differences are : 



Riviniana has many branched veins on the lower 

 petal, and the spur is yellowish. 



Reichenbachiana has a few simple veins, and the 

 spur is purple or lilac. 



I have found to my confusion that these charac- 

 teristics frequently cross each other, and that 

 branched veins, oftener than not, go along with a 

 purple spur. 



I cannot help thinking that these two forms, and 

 also canina simply depend on locality, on the nature 

 of the spot where they grow, and that they vary 

 accordingly, being more or less robust and luxuriant 

 as the surrounding conditions are more or less 

 favourable. I fear many of the specific descriptions 

 of plants are made with undue haste, and irom 

 'examination of a limited number of specimens. A 

 very large number ought to be carefully looked over, 

 including some from every kind of locality where the 

 flower is known to occur, before any description is 

 ventured upon ; if this were done I believe we should 

 certainly get fewer species. The remaining species 

 in this section are : 



2. The Cream coloured Violet (V. lactea) found 

 on mountains and boggy heaths, given by Miss 

 Pratt as distinct, but by Babington and Hooker as a 

 sub-species under canina. 



3. The Pansy (V. tricolor), which is too easily 

 recognised to require any special description. It is 

 common in cultivated fields ; and from it all the 

 varieties of our garden pansy have been produced. 



