WHERE TO FIND THEM. 387 



itself upon us, except when its numbers make all the 

 hill-sides blue, when he must be blind indeed, and insen- 

 sible to floral beauties, who fails to notice it. About 

 twenty species are natives of the northern United States, 

 of which about thirteen are found in New England. 

 The colors are white, blue, and purple, in various shades, 

 and yellow. Those most commonly met with are, 



Viola lanceolata (Lance-leaved Violet). This is one of 

 our most common species ; petals white, the lower ones 

 slightly veined with lilac ; it is generally found in meadows. 



Viola llanda. Very nearly resembling the last, and 

 often running into it ; the leaves are roundish instead 

 of lanceolate, and the flowers more fragrant ; color white. 

 Between this and the last almost every variety of leaf 

 occurs. 



Viola acuta, or primulcefolia seems to be intermedi- 

 ate between the last two ; the flowers are white and 

 small. A native of damp meadows. 



Viola cucullata (Common Blue Violet). Too well 

 known to need description ; the flowers vary much in 

 size and color, being deep or pale purple, nearly white, 

 or variegated with white. Common in damp grounds. 



Viola palmata seems only to be a fine variety of the last. 



