Dicotyledons with Polypctalous Flowers . 
11 
Natural Order 
VIOLACEiE. Tab. 9. 
Diagnosis.— Herbs (or shrubs or trees in extra-European genera) with 
alternate stipulate leaves. Stamens hypogynous, definite: anthers with 
the connective projecting at the apex. Ovary 1-celled, with 3 parietal 
placentas. Seeds albuminous. 
Distribution.' —Excepting the large herbaceous genus Violet (Viola), which is generally diffused 
throughout temperate regions and cooler parts of the Torrid zone, Violaceae are principally tropical, 
about one-half of the genera being peculiar to the tropics of the New World. The arborescent species 
are all extra-European. 
One British Genus ; Species, 5. 
FLOWERS axillary, solitary or cymose. 
Sepals 5 ; in Violet nearly equal, projecting at the base. 
Petals 5 ; in Violet the lower one broader and spurred at the base. 
Stamens 5 ; the connective always produced above, and the two lower ones each with a tail-like appendix 
projecting into the spur of the lower petal. 
Fruit usually opening in three valves, each bearing a placenta upon the middle. In Sweet Violet ( Viola 
odorata) and its allies, the ordinary spring flowers-do not generally ripen seed ; later in the season minute hermetically 
closed flowers, usually concealed amongst the withered leaves, which never expand and which are self-fertilised, 
develope seed in abundance. 
USES, &c.—The root of many of the Violaceae possesses emetic or purgative properties, and on this account 
they have been employed in medicine. Garden Pansies, so various in the coloured marking of their petals, are 
derived from Viola tricolor and V. altaica. Two long-spurred species, V. calcarata and V. cornuta, also the Yellow 
Pansy (V. lutea), are useful ornamental border plants, and the Sweet Violet (V. odorata) is a universal favourite. 
