s Violet_, V. canina, is also indigenous in the hills.

_Propagation_.--All varieties may be propagated by seed, but the most
usual method is by dividing the roots, or taking off the runners.

_Soil, &c._--The natural _habitat_ of the indigenous varieties is the
sides and interstices of the rocks, where leaf mould, and micaceous
sand, has accumulated and moisture been retained, indicating that the
kind of soil favorable to the growth of this interesting little plant is
a rich vegetable mould, with an admixture of sand, somewhat moist, but
having a dry subsoil.

_Culture_.--It would not be safe to trust this plant in the open ground
except during a very short period of the early part of the cold weather,
when the so doing will give it strength to form blossoms. In January,
however, it should be re-potted, filling the pots about half-full of
pebbles or stone-mason's cuttings, over which should be placed good rich
vegetable mould, mixed with a large proportion of sand, covering with a
thin layer of the same material as has been put into the bottom of the
pot; a top dressing of ground bones is said to improve the fineness of
the blossoms. They should not be kept too dry, but at the same time
watered cautiously, as too much of either heat or moisture destroys the
plants.

The _Pansy_ or _Heart's-ease_, V. tricolor, _Kheeroo, kheearee_, derives
its first name from the French _Pensee_. It was known amongst the early
Christians by the name of _Flos Trinitatis_, and worn as a symbol of
their faith. The high estimation which it has of late years attained in
Great Britain as a florist's flower has, in the last two or three years,
extended itself to this country. There are nearly four hundred
varieties, a few of which only have been found here.

_The characters of a fine Heart's-ease_ are, the flower being well
expanded, offering a flat, or if any thing, rather a revolute surface,
and the petals so overlapping each other as to form a circle without any
break in the outline. These should be as nearly as possible of a size,
and the greater length of the two upper ones concealed by the covering
of those at the side in such manner as to preserve the appearance of
just proportion: the bottom petal being broad and two-lobed, and well
expanded, not curving inwards. The eye should be of moderate, or rather
small size, and much additional beauty is afforded, if the pencilling is
so arranged as to give the appearance of a dark angular sp