Proserpina, Volume 2 Studies of Wayside Flowers, While the Air was Yet Pure Among the Alps and in the Scotland and England Which My Father Knew

"Proserpina, Volume 2" by John Ruskin is a botanical study written in the late 19th century. The book focuses on the exploration and description of various flowers, particularly studying their characteristics, forms, and natural habitats, while also expressing Ruskin's personal reflections and emotions connected to these plants. Central to the opening portion is the violet, which serves as a gateway for Ruskin to discuss broader botanical principles and the beauty inherent in nature. The beginning of this volume introduces the violet and Ruskin's observations about its unique features, such as the bizarre bending of its stalk and the significance of its color. He reflects on how the flower interacts with its environment, often contrasting the violet with other flowers like the pansy. The narrative reveals Ruskin's blend of scientific inquiry and aesthetic appreciation, inviting readers to delve into the complexities and beauties of plant life. His writing combines detailed botanical descriptions with poetic language, setting the tone for a reflective exploration of nature throughout the volume. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Ruskin was an English polymath – a writer, lecturer, art historian, art critic, draughtsman and philanthropist of the Victorian era. He wrote on subjects as varied as art, architecture, political economy, education, museology, geology, botany, ornithology, literature, history, and myth.