24 The Violet. 



egg-shaped, with the narrow end towards the stem,- and of a 

 bluish purple color, except at the claws, which are somewhat paler; 

 they have an exceedingly agreeable odor, and somewhat bitter 

 taste, both of which can be obtained from them by boiling water. 

 The infusion is often used by chemists for testing acids and alka- 

 lies, being reddened by the former, and rendered green by the 

 latter. Besides its beauty, it is cultivated for medical use in our 

 gardens ; for which purpose the blossoms should be collected 

 before they are fully blown, and rapidly dried, either by a heated 

 room or by exposing them to a current of very dry air. The 

 officinal preparation is a syrup, to make which, take of 



Fresh Petals of the Violet, two pounds ; boiling; water, five pints. Macerate 

 for twenty-four hours; then filter the liquor through fine linen, without ex- 

 pression; lastly, add twenty-nine ounces of sugar to every pint, and form a 

 syrup. — [Dub. P.J 



It has a bright blue color, and the flavor of the flower ; given 

 to infants in the dose of a quarter of an ounce, it will act as a 

 gentle laxative ; though we must say, not as well as barley water. 

 Hasselquest tells us that this is one of the plants most esteemed 

 in Syria, particularly on account of its great use in making violet 

 sugar, of which Sorbet is composed. The most popular Sherbet 

 of the Turks, and which is drunk by the Grand Seignior himself, 

 is made of sugar and Violets. It is the emblem of Modesty. 



The next in order is the Sweet White Violet — Viola 

 Odorata Alba, which is merely a variety of the purple, differ- 

 ing from it but in color. They were originally all white, but culti- 

 vation changes the color, and makes the plant more fragrant ; it 

 is the emblem of Candor and Innocence. A careless observer 

 would be apt to overlook the Violet altogether, as they never 

 obtrude themselves into notice, but still retain the bashful timidity 

 of the nymph whom Diana changed into one of them, by partially 

 concealing themselves in their abundant foliage. A story is told 

 of its being given as a device to an amiable and witty lady, of a 

 timid and reserved character, with the motto, " 11 faut me 

 chercher" — I must be sought after. In medicinal properties, it 

 of course closely simulates the other. 



The last we shall mention is the Pansies, or Hearts Ease — 

 Viola Tricolor. It has an angular spreading, divided stem, 

 with oblong, deeply scalloped leaves, the appendages at the base 

 of the stalks ranged opposite each other, with the odd terminal 

 leaf largest. It has been well remarked that the tints of this 



