46 
be a spray of whitethorn in blossom. Some persons 
can readily discern one powerful odour where others 
eitber perceive it but sligbtly, or are entirely insensible 
to the impression, although in other instances their 
organ of scent may be acute. But though the perfume 
of the Violet is sometimes hurtful, several parts of this 
plant possess médicinal qualities, and it is applied to 
other uses by different nations. “ A custom is still 
prévalent in Greece of colouring the eye-lids blue, 
and a word signifying 4 having violet eye-lids ’ passes 
in that country as a complimentary epithet.”* This fact 
has been considered to afford the most probable solution 
of the passage in Shakspere : 
“ Violets dim. 
But sweeter than the lids of Juno’s eyes 
Or Cytherea’s beauty.” 
Sir Walter Raleigh thus addresses the white Violets, 
those “ pretty daughters of the earth and sun ; ” 
Sweet Violets, love’s paradise, that spread 
Your gracious odours, which you couched bear 
Within your paly faces, 
Upon the gentle wing of some calm-breathing wind 
That plays amidst the plain! 
* Withering’s Botany.' 
