SWEET VIOLET. 
What the origin of the word Viola is, 
cannot be precisely determined. It has been 
tabled, however, that the Greek name of the 
plant, I ov (ion), is taken from the circum¬ 
stance, that, when the nymph Io was changed 
by Jupiter into a cow, this plant sprang from 
the earth to become her food. From the same 
fable the term Viola is supposed to have had 
its origin, viola being formed from vitula 
(which means a young cow) by dropping 
the t.” 
“ The Viola odorata, or Sweet-Violet, is a 
native of every part of Europe, in woods, 
hushes, and hedges, flowering in March and 
April. The flower varies in colour, though 
■most commonly a deep purple: it is sometimes 
of a pale purple, sometimes a red purple, 
flesh-coloured, or quite white; but it is al¬ 
ways delightfully fragrant. 
“ The growth of the Sweet Violet is not 
confined to Europe ; it perfumes the paler 
groves of Barbary during winter, it flourishes 
in Palestine, and both Japan and China 
boast of this fragrant flower. llasselquist 
tells us that it is one of the plants most es¬ 
teemed in Syria, and particularly on account 
of its great use in sherbet, which is made with 
violet sugar.” 
