334 
PLANT-LORE OF SHAKESPEARE 
very small, they have no petals and, I believe, no scent, but 
they produce abundance of seed. 1 
I need say nothing to recommend the Violet in all its 
varieties as a garden plant. As a useful medicinal plant it 
was formerly in high repute—• 
“ Vyolet an erbe cowtli 
Is knowyn in ilke manys mowthe, 
As bokys seyn in here language, 
It is good to don in potage, 
In playstrys to wondrys it is comfortyf, 
W h oyer erbys sanatyf .”—Stockholm MS. ; 
and it still holds a place in the Pharmacopoeia, while the 
chemist finds the pretty flowers one of the most delicate tests 
for detecting the presence of acids and alkalies; but as to the 
many other virtues of the Violet I cannot do better than quote 
Gerard’s pleasant and quaint words : “ The Blacke or Purple 
Violets, or March Violets of the garden, have a great prerogative 
above others, not only because the minde conceiveth a certain 
pleasure and recreation by smelling and handling of those 
most odoriferous flowres, but also for that very many by these 
Violets receive ornament and comely grace ; for there be made 
of them garlands for the head, nosegaies, and poesies, which are 
delightfull to looke on and pleasant to smell to, speaking nothing 
of their appropriate vertues; yea, gardens themselves receive by 
these the greatest ornament of all chiefest beautie and most gallant 
grace, and the recreation of the minde which is taken thereby 
cannot but be very good and honest; for they admonish and 
stir up a man to that which is comely and honest, for flowres 
through their beautie, variety of colour, and exquisite forme, do 
bring to a liberall and gentlemanly minde the remembrance of 
honestie, comelinesse, and all kindes of vertues. For it would 
be an unseemely and filthie thing (as a certain wise man saith) 
for him that doth looke upon and handle faire and beautifull 
things, and who frequenteth and is conversant in faire and 
1 This peculiarity is not confined to the Violet. It is found in some 
species of Ox alls, Impatiens, Campanula, Eranthemum, Amphicarpea , &c. 
Such plants are technically called Cleistcgamous, and are all self-fertilizing. 
