Some violets are yellow, some purple, some white; some are large, others are small; the leaves are sometimes deeply cut and some are not cut at all. There are so many differences among the violets that many kinds ("Species" is a better word) are recognized. All of these are enough alike in some essential characters that they are unmis­takably related. Each one shows its relationship to its group. Such an aggregation is known as a genus and is given in this case the name Viola which is the Latin word for violet. Just as the Smiths have their John, William and Mary, so there are Viola odorata, Viola pubescens, Viola pedata, Viola tricolor, and many others. These scientific names are made up of a Latin noun the genus. It is always capitalized. The word following is the species and is a Latin adjective modifying the generic noun or a noun in apposition with it. The species name often reveals some important character of the plant. Thus the four violets named above are respectively, very fragrant, have hairy stems, have leaves resembling a bird's foot, or are variously colored (pansy). The word or abbreviation following the species is the "authority" or "author" and tells what scientist proposed this scientific name. Zoologists have ruled that all species names begin with a small letter; some botanists prefer to follow that same plan. Scientific names are underscored or printed in italic type.

   A few basic plant facts have been quickly mentioned. There is much to be known about plants and many excellent books to tell it. The reader whether a beginner or one who has long loved plants Is wished a continuing of happy experiences with these, our faithful friends.