VIOLET ( a genus of herbaceous plants, mostly perennial, of the natural order violacem. They have a short stem, or are stemless, having in the latter case a short root stock (rhizome); the leaves are alternate, and have long stalks; the flowers have five petals, different in form and size, the lowest having a spur behind. Nearly 200 species have been described, natives chiefly of northern temperate countries. Several species are much cultivated in gardens, some as V. tricolor, on account of their beautiful flowers; others, as Y. odorata, on account of their fragrance. V. tricolor, the PANSY, PANSY VIOLET, HEART'S EASE, is very abundant in fields, meadows, woods, etc., in Britain and in most parts of and the n. of Asia; it is also found in North America, although it has probably been introduced there from the old world. It is a very variable plant, its flowers differing much in size and color, but is readily distinguished by its large lyrato pinnatifid stipules. The stem is somewhat triangular, branching, and diffused. In some of its most common forms, this plant is a mere despised weed, with small flowers: other wild forms have much larger flowers; and to it are referred the large and beautiful garden pansies, the varieties of which are innumerable. The pansy (Fr. pewee, probably from the drooping attitude of the flower, suggestive of thoughtfulness) is one of the finest of florists' flowers, and no flower has been more improved by species has of late years been introduced into cultivation, V. altaica, a native of Siberia, and by itself, or by hybridization with Y. tricolor, has become the parent of many garden pansies. In a wild state, it has oval leaves, and large yellow or purple flowers. The finest garden pansies are not preserved or propagated without great diffi culty, and require most careful cultivation, without which they quickly relapse to their wild forms. Florists demand that a pansy shall have a round, flat, and very smooth
edge, the petals thick and velvety, the three lower petals alike in their ground color, the lines or pencilings in the center bright and distinct, the two upper petals—which always differ in color from the others—perfectly uniform, the flower measuring at least an inch and a half across.—The SWEET-SCENTED VIOLET (V. odorata) is common in grassy places in England, and throughout Europe and the n. of Asia, The flowers are either of a deep blue color or more rarely white. Several other species, with pale blue flowers, and destitute of smell, are common in meadows and woody glades in Britain and other parts of Europe.—The Don VIOLET (V. canine) is one of the most common ornaments of hedgebanks.—North America has a number of species, one of which, V. blander, is sweet scented. The Himalayas produce a number of species very similar to those of Europe. The roots of several species of•violet were formerly used in medicine, They contain a bitter alkaloid, violine, which acts as an emetic and purgative. The petals of the sweet scented violet are used for the preparation of juice or syrup of violets, which is used as a gentle purgative for children, and also as a chemical test, being reddened by acids, and rendered green by alkalies. The bruised leaves of V. tricolor are sometimes used as a remedy for ringworm.—The DOG'S TOOTH VIOLET (erythronium dens mills) has no con nection with this genus, but is a very beautiful flower of the natural order liliacece.