111.] 



VIOLA HIRTA AND CAN IN A. 



55 



force these capsules into the ground, and thus sow 

 their own seeds. I have not, however, found this to 

 be the case, though as the stalk elongates, and the 

 point of the capsule turns downwards, if the earth be 

 loose and uneven, it will no doubt sometimes so 



FIG. 38. Viola, canina. 



a, bud ; b, bud more advanced ; c, capsule open, some of the seeds are already 

 thrown. 



happen. When the seeds are fully ripe, the capsule 

 opens by three valves and allows them to escape. 



In the Dog Violet ( V. canina, Fig. 38) the case is 

 very different. The capsules are less fleshy, and, 

 though pendent when young, at maturity they erect 

 themselves (Fig. 38, c), stand up boldly above the 

 rest of the plant, and open by the three equal valves 



