THE VIOLETS. 



PIG. XV. Viola cucullata : 1, the corolla displayed ; 2, the cdd petal ; 3, the sta- 

 mens, &c. ; 4, the ovary and style ; 5, section of a seed ; 6, section of a flower of V. 

 rotundifdlia ; 7, section of ovary ; 8, the capsule wide open, the valves covered with 

 seeds. 



crowned Athens." The Romans had their "Dies Violaris," the day devoted to 

 decking the graves with flowers. An old English herbalist says, " Verie manie of 

 these violets receive ornament and comelie grace, for there he made of them gar- 

 lands for the head, nosegaies and posies, which stirre up a man to that which is 



comely and honest." Who cannot respond to these lines of Willis : 



"There is tome 



A daintiness about these early flowers 

 That touches me like poetry. They bloom 

 With such a simple loveliness among 

 The common herbs of pasture, and breathe out 

 Their loves so unobtrusively, like hearts 

 Whose beatings are too gentle for this world." 



