421 



each flower-stalk, at lirst small, compressed, and protecting the flower 

 with its foot-stalk; but afterwards becoming larger, and uul'olding 

 into lobes, like those of the fig, which are thickish, smooth, internally 

 of a deep glaucous green, externally of a whitish glaucous colour 

 with frequent veins, most conspicuous on the outside; on jielioles 

 which are tlal and slightly grooved on the inside, and convex on the 

 outside. Three or four flower-stems arise from each root, and sire 

 surrounded at the base by oblong, membranaceous, tender, striated 

 scales: the root, leaves, and flowers have no smell. It is a native of 

 America, and flowers here in the beginning April. 



There are varieties with single flowers, with semi-double flowers, 

 and full flowers. 



Culture. — This plant is readily increased by parting the roots, 

 and planting ihem out in the borders or other places where they 

 are to remain, in the autumnal season, when the: leaves and stems 

 decay. 



They should have a loose soil, with a mixture of bog earth and 

 rotten leaves, and sheltered situation, not too much exposed to the 

 sun: the roots should not be parted oftener than every two years. 



They aflbrd variety in the liorders, clumps, and other parts among 

 other low-growing bulbous-rooted plants. 



2. SAXIFRAGA CRASSIFOLIA. 



OVAL-LEAVED SAXIFRAGE. 



This genus contains plants of the low hardy herbaceous peren- 

 nial kind. 



It belongs to the class and order Decandria Digi/uia, and ranks 

 in the natural orner of Succuknta. 



The characters are: that tlie calyx is a one-leafed perianth, five- 

 parted, short, acute, permanent: the corolla has five petals, sj)read- 



