New and noteworthy Species of Saxifraga. 



By John K. Small. 



Saxifraga occidentalis S. Wats. Proc. Am. Acad. 23 : 264. 1 888. 



This species was founded on plants collected on Vancouver 

 Island, by Prof. Macoun. It is a beautiful and distinct species 

 averaging one decimeter in height, with a purple hue which ex- 

 tends even to the petals and filaments ; it also possesses an abund- 

 ance of red or reddish tomentum on the lower surface of the 

 finely crenate leaves. This form is not as widely distributed as 

 indicated by Dr. Watson, when he states " the specific name is 

 given to the species as the western correlative of the common 

 eastern vS. Virginiensis ," nor is it the western correlative of the 

 latter s^qcxqs, Saxifraga Calif ornica,^ro^osed in the following year 

 holding that place. Saxifraga occidentalis is apparently confined 

 to Vancouver Island and the mainland in the immediate vicinity. 



Saxifraga Virginiensis Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. i : 269. 1803. 



Represents one of the most variable and perplexing species of 

 the genus Saxifraga, but notwithstanding its variability in habit, size 

 and flowers, there are two characters which serve to separate it 

 from its relatives in western North America, namely, the triangular 

 triangular-ovate or rarely almost lanceolate acute or acutish 

 calyx-segments, and the narrowly elliptic or elliptic-spatulate ob- 

 tuse or acute (rarely if ever notched) petals. 



