VIOLETS AND PANSIES 187 
themselves down, nearly flat. They want to 
smother the grass and other plants which seek the 
ground they occupy. Later in the year the grass 
may get above them, but by that time the leaves 
have laid in their stores, and, having done their 
work, are well satisfied to wither. The plants have 
plenty of life in their hidden roots ; the grass will 
wither, or be eaten up in good time, and when the 
time comes for next season’s Primroses they will 
be up betimes and get their business done before the 
grass can get above them. Messrs. the Primroses 
seem to say to the Grass: “‘ We will hold you down 
and keep you from stealing our good things until 
we have served our own turn, and then you may do 
as you please. When we have got all we desire to 
have, we don’t care what you do; even when you 
do your worst we can beat you ; we shall be here 
again next spring as vigorous, smiling, and deter- 
mined as ever.” 
There are Violets on the bank and all along the 
edge of the wood. These are not the Sweet Violets, 
but the Dog Violets (Viola canina) ; they have no 
sweet fragrance. Sweet Violets (Viola odorata) are 
rare in this district ; I know of only one place where 
they may be found. Wild Pansies (Vzola tricolor), 
which belong to the Violet order, are found in great 
abundance on the hill. We are sure to find some 
to-day, some of them quite yellow, others purple. 
That root of Pansies I have in the wild-flower garden 
at home was gathered from the hill; you know 
what fine flowers it is bearing; they are almost as 
big as some garden varieties.” I expect ‘they are 
thriving so well and growing so big on account of 
