78 Mr. Schivelnliz on the Genus Viola. 



Though entirely unacquainted with this species, lound by 

 Mr. Nuttall, to whose indefatigable laboiii's the science is so 

 deeply indebted, on the plains of Missonri, and the only Vi- 

 ola he observed there, I have no doubt of its being a distinct 

 species ; that gentleman's talents for correct discrimination 

 being above praise. Botany, I conceive, owes fully as much 

 to him for his excellent distinctions, as on account of the 

 unsparing zeal with which he traverses our most inhospita- 

 ble wilds, to augment our knowledge. It flowers in May 

 and grows to the height of six inches ; it is allied to the for- 

 mer by all appearance. Mr. Nuttall describes it thus : 



V. caulescens, perennis, pubescens. Caulc simplici, 

 erecto, folioso. 



Foliis lanceolato-ovatis, integris, semiunciam latis, acutis, 

 nervosis opacis, in petiolum longum attenuatis, margine et 

 nervis minutim pubescentibus. Stipulls axillaribus longis, 

 lanceolato-linearibus, integris. Folio cum petiolo 3—4 unci- 

 ali, vix semiunciam lato. 



Floribus minoribus, luteis, extus purpurascentibus, \tt pr- 

 dunculis longitudine foliorum. Cahjcis laciniis lineari-lan- 

 ceolatis acutis. Stigmate capitato, glabriusculo, erostrato. 



The description seems to imply a considerable affinity to 

 our V. striata. 



The next species is the only American one of the subdi- 

 vision Stipulis pinnatifidis / most of the European ones are 

 alpine. 



29. Species. V. hicolor vel potins tcnclla. Muhk-n- 

 berg. 



JilUoU arvensis p. 302. n. 15. Pursch hicnlor p. 175. n. 22. 

 Kuttall hicolor p. 151. n. 19. Mutil- Cnt. arvensis n. 20. by specimen?. 

 Knv-York Cat. hicolor n. 12. Muhl Cat. lenrlln n. 23. by imperfect sperj- 

 mens, and confirmed by the citation in New- York Catal. RHfinesqop. 



This interesting Viola grows with us, along the river bot- 

 toms and in retired mountain vallies in such a manner as 

 to leave no doubt, that it is a true native. But from mv 

 knowledge of what the German botanists call bicolor^ 1 can- 

 not believe this plant the same, and have therefore prefer 

 red the name tenella, which Muhlenberg gave to some 

 younj^ specimens, 1 presume. The appearance of ours is 

 indeed very difllerent, early in spring, when it first begins 

 to blossom, from what it assumes at a later period. It ap- 

 pears in March, and is then overloaded with rotundale 

 spathulate leaves arising from the root and low steni--ii!id 



