52 



Wordsworth also, with his fine perception of beauty, remarks 

 that, 



" A Violet by a mossy stone, 



Half hidden from the eye. 

 Fair as a star, when only one, 

 Is shining in the sky." 



All prize it as the emblem of modesty, and when of a white 

 color, as it sometimes is, as the emblem of candour and inno- 

 cence ; all love it for its sweetness, and all admire it for its 

 beauty. 



" Sweet flower? spring's earliest, loveliest gem, 



While other flowers are idly sleeping, 

 Thou rearest thy purple diadem, 

 Meekly from thy seclusion peeping: 



" Thou, from thy little sacred mourd, 



Where diamond dew-drops shine above thee, 

 Scatterest thy modest fragrance round, 

 And well may nature's poet love thee. 



" Thine is a short swift reign I know, 



But here thy spirit still pervading ; 

 New Violet's tuft again shall blow, 

 Then fade away as thou art fading. 



" And be renewed the hope now blest. 



Oh ! may that hope desert me never, 

 Like thee to sleep on Nature's breast, 



Then wake again and bloom for ever." Bowring. 



DOG VIOLET. Viola canina. 



Plate 3, fig. II. 

 Leaves heart-shaped. Fl. stems not from the root. Calyx sharp. 



Common in woods and on banks. A good deal like the last, 

 but the flowers are without scent, and do not grow direct from 

 the root ; but the plant is Furnished with a leafy stem, at the 

 joints of which the flower stalks arise, each bearing a single 

 purple or white flower, inclosed in a calyx, the parts of which 

 are sharp pointed. 



" Deceitful plant, from thee no odours rise, 



Perfume the air, or scent the mossy glade, 

 Altliough thy blossoms wear the modest guise 

 Of her, the sweetest offspring of the shade. 

 Yet not like hers, still shunning to be seen, 

 And by their fragrant breath, alone betrayed. 



C. H. Towmend, 



