ughs, or to relieve a sore throat.

The flowers have been commended for the cure of epilepsy and
nervous disorders; they are laxative when eaten in a salad. The seeds
are diuretic, and will correct gravel. The Sweet Violet contains the
chemical principle "violin" in all its parts. A medicinal tincture (H.)
is made from the entire fresh plant with proof spirit. It acts usefully
for a spasmodic cough, with hard breathing; also for rheumatism of
the wrists especially the right one.

This Violet is highly esteemed likewise in Syria, chiefly because of
its being chosen for making the violet sugar used in sherbet. That
which is drunk by the Grand Signior himself is compounded of
sweet violets, and sugar.

From the flower may be pleasantly contrived a pretty miniature bird,
by carefully removing the calyx and corolla, leaving only the
stamens and pistil attached to the receptacle; then the stigma forms
the bead and neck, whilst the anthers make a golden breast, and their
tongues appear like a pair of green wings.

Mademoiselle Clarion, a noted French actress, had a nosegay of
violets sent her every morning of the season for thirty years; and to
enhance the value of the gift, she stripped off the petals every
evening, being passionately devoted to the flower, and took them in
an infusion as tea.

Pliny recommended a garland of sweet violets as a cure for
headache. The Romans made wine of the flowers; and Napoleon the
Great claimed the Violet as _par excellence_ his own, for which
reason he was often styled, _Le pere du violette_. This floral
association took date from the time of his exile to Elba. The
Emperor's return was alluded to among his adherents by a pass
[594] word, "_Aimez vous la Violette? Eh, bien! reparaitra au
printemps_."

The scentless Dog Violet (_Viola canina_) is likewise mildly
laxative, and possesses the virtues of the _Viola odorata_ in a lesser
degree.

The Water Violet is "feather foil" (_Hottonia palustris_).

VIPER'S BUGLOSS.

The Simpler's passing consideration should be given to this tall
handsome English herb which grows frequently in gravel pits, and
on walls. It belongs to the Borage tribe (see page 60), and, in
common with the Lungwort (_Pulmonaria_), the Comfrey, and the
ordinary Bugloss, abounds in a soft mucilaginous saline juice. This
is demulcent to the chest, or to the urinary passages, being also
slightly laxative. Bees favour the said plants, which are rich in
honey. Eac