VIOLA VIOLET. 99* 



Annual, biennial, or sliort-lived perennial, with short vootstock and 

 erect, angular, branching, leafy stem. Leaves narrowly oblong, ovate or 

 cordate, obtuse, slightly crenate ; stipules large, leaf-hke, deeply divided 

 into several linear or oblong lobes. 



Habitat. — A native of Euroj)e, the pansy has long been cultivated here 

 as an ornamental plant, and is familiar to every one as a florist's flower. It 

 has escaped from cultivation and become, to some extent, naturalized. In- 

 deed, some authorities believe that a variety of the species is indigenous. 

 When growing without cultivation it rapidly deteriorates in size but gains 

 as regards its medicinal activity, and hence the uncultivated plant only is 

 ofiicial. 



Parts Used. — Of Viola tricolor, the herb. — United States Pharmacopoeia. 

 The other species are not official, though V. pedata was so at one time, the 

 rhizome being employed. 



Constituents. — Very little is known of the constituents of the species 

 of violets here described. An alhed species, V. odorata, of Europe, has 

 yielded to analysis an alkaloid — violin — analogous to emetin.' All the 

 species are mucilaginous and emoUient, but beyond this, and the fact just 

 stated regarding V. odorata, their constituents ai'e yet to be investigated. 



Preparations. — None are official. They are chiefly emj^loyed in decoc- 

 tion, though there is a commercial fluid extract of V. tricolor. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — All species of the violet subjected to ex- 

 periment appear to be emetic and cathartic when administered in consider- 

 able doses. Their nauseating properties probably depend upon the pres- 

 ence of violin ; and to this and the mucilaginous property also existing 

 is doubtless due their expectorant eftect when administered in bronchial 

 and pulmonary affections. At present, however, little use is made of them. 

 The sweet violet of Em-ope is employed there in the preparation of a syrup, 

 which is used chiefly as a vehicle on account of its beautiful color and 

 agreeable odor. 



Quite recently Dr. Piffard called attention to the value of viola tricolor 

 as a remedy in crusta lactea, for which it was much used in Europe years 

 ago. Owing to his recommendation of the plant many other physicians 

 have subjected it to experiment, among them the writer, who, though less 

 enthusiastic in his praise of it than Dr. Piffard, feels sure that it exerts a 

 remedial influence upon this troublesome disease. 



CISTACE/E. 



Character of the Order. — Shrubs or herbs, often viscid. Sepals 5, un- 

 equal, persistent, the outer two often small and bract-like, sometimes want- 

 ing ; the inner three larger and somewhat twisted in the bud. Petals 5, 

 equal, hypogynous, very fugitive, crumpled in the bud, and twisted in a 



' See Rafinesque, vol. ii., p. 275. 



