VIOLA. 1R1 



and if I can find their special name, it may perhaps be substi- 

 tuted with advantage for ' stipule' ; but I have not wit 

 enough by me just now to invent a term. 



29. Whatever we call them, the things themselves are, 

 throughout all the species of violets, developed in the run- 

 ning and weedy varieties, and much subdued in the beautiful 

 ones ; and generally the pansies have them large, with spear- 

 shaped central leaves ; and the violets small, with heart- 

 shaped leaves, for more effective decoration of the ground. I 

 now note the characters of each species in their above given 

 order. 



30. I. VIOLA REGINA. Queen Violet. Sweet Violet. ' Viola 

 Odorata,' L., Flora Danica, and Sowerby. The latter draws 

 it with golden centre and white base of lower petal ; the Flora 

 Danica, all purple. It is sometimes altogether white. It is 

 seen most perfectly for setting off its colour, in group with 

 primrose, and most luxuriantly, so far as I know, in hollows 

 of the Savoy limestones, associated with the pervenche, which 

 embroiders and illumines them all over. I believe it is the 

 earliest of its race, sometimes called 'Martia/ March violet. 

 In Greece and South Italy even a flower of the winter. 



"The Spring is come, the violet's gone^ 

 The first-born child of the early sun. 

 With us, she is but a winter's flower ; 

 The snow on the hills cannot blast her bower, 

 And she lifts up her dewy eye of blue 

 To the youngest sky of the selfsame hue. 

 And when the Spring comes, with her host 

 Of flowers, that flower beloved the most 

 Shrinks from the crowd that may confuse 

 Her heavenly odour, and virgin hues. 

 Pluck the others, but still remember 

 Their herald out of dim December, 

 The morning star of all the flowers, 

 The pledge of daylight's lengthened hours, 

 Nor, midst the roses, e'er forget 

 The virgin, virgin violet." * 



* A careless bit of Byron's, (the last song but one in the * Deformed 

 Transformed ') ; but Byron's most careless work is better, by its innate 



