186 violace^:. 



turned to one side. Ovules numerous, horizontal, in two 

 or more series upon each placenta, anatropous. 



Capsule crustaceous or chartaceous, one-celled, many- 

 seeded, three-valved, loculicidal ; the valves bearing the 

 nerviform placenta? on their middle, conduplicate as they 

 dry, so as to project the seeds elastically when they close. 

 Seeds globular or obovoid, indefinite, with a smooth crusta- 

 ceous testa, marked with a distinct raphe and an orbicular 

 impressed chalaza, often carunculate at the hilum. Albu- 

 men fleshy. Embryo straight, in the axis and occupying 

 almost the whole length of the albumen : radicle cylindri- 

 cal, next the hilum : cotyledons oval, flat, parallel with the 

 raphe, foliaceous in germination. 



Herbs either caulescent with annual roots or perennial 

 rootstocks, or acaulescent from scaly-toothed rootstocks ; 

 the leaves petioled, involute in vernation, alternate ; the 

 stipules foliaceous, persistent. Peduncles or scapes axillary 

 and solitary, bibracteolate, incurved at the apex, one-flower- 

 ed. Many produce apetalous or cryptopetalous and fertile 

 radical flowers durinsr the summer. 



Etymology. The ancient Latin name of the Violet, of obscure origin. 



Geographical Distribution, &c. A large genus, belonging chiefly to 

 temperate regions, and principally to the northern hemisphere. There are 

 over twenty species indigenous to the United States proper. 



Properties as in the order generally. Some are highly prized for their 

 beauty or their unequalled fragrance. 



PLATE 80. Viola sagittata, Ait. ; — of the natural size, in flower. 



1. Diagram of the flower in a transverse section. 



2. The petals, displayed. 



3. Section of a flower through the ovary, enlarged. 



4. Stamens in place, but separated, and pistil ; enlarged. 



5. Inside view of one of the upper stamens. 



6. Outside, and 7, inside view of one of the lower (spurred) stamens. 



8. Magnified pistil ; the ovary transversely divided. 



9. An ovule, more magnified. 



10. Pod, with the calyx, enlarged ; 11, same, dehiscent. • 



12. A seed, more enlarged ; and 13, same, vertically divided. 

 14. Embryo detached, turned flatwise, and more magnified. 



