BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
57 
that of the nymph Ion. This genus was placed by Linnaeus in the class Pentandria, on account of its five 
stamens ; and in the order Monogynia, from its single style. The flowers of some of the species are still used 
medicinally ; and the roots of others are said to act as a strong emetic. 
1.—THE SWEET VIOLET. (Viola odokata, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 619 ; 2d ed., t. 329 ; and our fig. 1, heart-shaped, nearly smooth, as well as their foot-stalks. Sepals 
in PI. 13. obtuse. Lateral petals with a hairy central line. ( Lindley .) 
Specific Character. —Stem none, producing runners. Leaves 
Description, &c. —Few flowers are better known than the Sweet Violet ; and no one has ever been a greater 
favourite with the poets. The general appearance of the Violet is well known, but the curiosity of its botanical 
construction would never be guessed by any one unacquainted with the subject. The calyx consists of five 
distinct sepals which stand up round the flower, so as to form a sort of hollow cup ; in the centre of which is the 
corolla, the five petals of which seem to have nothing extraordinary in their appearance at first sight; but when 
examined closely, it will be found that the lower petal has its claw drawn out behind into a spur, which projects 
through two of the sepals, and that the two side petals are curiously furred at the base, so as to form a triangular 
roof-like opening in the centre of the flower, through which may be seen a small pale green ball. As there is 
no other appearance either of pistil or stamens, the student in botany will naturally ask what can have become 
of these important organs? The stamens will be found by opening the spur, when five very curious anthers will 
be discovered, which appear to grow out of the receptacle without any filaments. The filaments, however, are 
not wanting; but they are placed above the anthers, and dilated so as to have the appearance of a hood of pale 
brown membrane or skin. Two of the anthers have, in addition, a long tail, which is concealed in the spur of 
the flower. The pistil consists of a large ovary, with a narrow style, bent in its narrowest part and swelled out 
at the tip into the hollow ball seen through the opening in the centre of the flower. This ball has an opening 
in front, under which lies a kind of shutter-like lip, which completely conceals the stigma. It will thus be seen 
that though the violet appears such a simple flower, nothing can be more complicated than its botanical 
construction. The seed-vessel is also curious, as it looks like a smooth shining berry, partially covered by the 
calyx till the seeds are ripe, and then it bursts open with an elastic spring and divides into three valves, each of 
which has a membrane bearing four rows of seeds down its centre. 
The poetical merits of the Violet consist in its simple elegance, its fragrance, and its apparently modest 
concealment of itself amongst its foliage. This has delighted the ppets from the opportunities it has given them 
of comparing the plant to a beautiful maiden hiding herself from observation, and yet unable entirely to conceal 
her charms. Thus, one poet says:— 
“ Thou sbalt be mine, tbou simplest flower, 
Tenting thyself beneath the bower 
Thy little leaves have made ; 
So meekly shrinking from the eye, 
Yet mark’d by every passer by— 
By tliiDe own sweets betrayed. 
Dear emblem of the meek-eyed maid, 
Whom, nurtur’d ’mid retirement’s shade, 
The world hath never known— 
Who loves to glide unseen along, 
Unnotic’d by the idle throug 
Whom Fashion calls her own.” 
The Rev. II. Stowell. 
I 
