166 



VIOLA PALMAENSIS. 



Somewhat shrubby, branched, pubescent ; leaves linear-lanceolate remotely toothed ; stipules 

 lacmiated, almost the length of the leaf, jagged divisions obscurely toothed near the base; 

 sepals linear-lanceolate, ciliated, spur incurved, petals obovate, the upper ones subemarginate, the 

 lateral ones bearded at the base ; ovary angular. 



Descr. — Suffruticose, about a foot high, branched, pubescent. Leaves linear-lanceolate, den- 

 tate, tapering into a long petiole. Stipules nearly the length of the leaf, jagged divisions 

 toothed near the base. Scape smooth, nearly twice the length of the leaves. Bracts two, 

 scarious, situate about an inch below the flowers. Calyx five-parted, divisions linear-lanceo- 

 late, acute, ciliate, more or less notched at the base. Flowers nodding, of a purplish-blue 

 colour. Petals obovate, the lower one somewhat cuneate, yellow at the base, and bearded. 

 Anthers five, shorter than the style, tipped at the apex with brown. Style linear. Stigma 

 capitate, bearded, more or less hollow in the centre. Ovarium obscurely angled. Seeds 

 numerous. 



This distinct suffruticose species of Viola was received from Mr. Makoy. of 

 Liege, at the Birmingham Botanic Garden, in the year 1837. It is probably 

 quite hardy, a small weak plant having stood the severity of last winter in a 

 cold frame without the slightest injury. Plants in the open ground of the above 

 establishment, in the middle of this present month (December), have not as yet 

 a single leaf injured. It is well worthy of cultivation, as it flowers freely from 

 July to November. It will grow in any common garden soil, and may be 

 increased by cuttings of the tenderest young shoots, which should be placed in a 

 little heat. 



Plants composing this genus are to be found both in the North and South 

 temperate zone, but by far the greater number in the Northern department. 

 Their distribution is pretty nearly as follows : — forty-eight to America, thirty- 

 five to Europe, three to Africa, ten to Asia, two to Australia, and two whose 

 country is doubtful. 



The violet tribe, which comprises about eighteen genera, has been known, from 

 a very early period, to possess important medicinal virtues. The roots of all 

 plants of this order are more or less emetic ; but this property is less powerfully 

 developed in the European than in the South American species. Several of these 

 are used as substitutes for ipecacuanha. Our common wild scentless violet has the 

 reputation of being exceedingly efficacious in the cure of some cutaneous affections, 

 and is probably worthy of a more frequent trial than it has hitherto received in 

 this country. 



The dissection in the plate shows a flower with the petals removed ; a. the 

 globular stigma with its aperture ; b. the seed-vessel. 



