54 SWISS FLOWERS. 



35, 36, 37, and 38. Saxifraga.— Saxi- 

 frage. 



(PLATES XX., XXII., and XXIII.) 



The Saxifrages, which form one of the most charac- 

 teristic families of Swiss flowers, are not so striking in 

 their colour as many of their companions, but are remark- 

 able for the beauty of their growth, the wide range in which 

 they are found, and the variety of their species. Indeed, 

 the latter makes them a perplexing study for the young 

 botanist, especially if he endeavours to enter into some of 

 the unnecessary varieties that have been named. There 

 are, however, broad distinctions which help to remove the 

 diflficulty. In general, they may be said to prefer the higher 

 ranges of the mountains, and some of them are among the 

 highest climbers of all. S. retusa is found near the Vin- 

 cent-hut on Monte Rosa; and S. moschata, or muscoides, 

 on St. Theodule and on the Grands Mulets, 10,000 feet high„ 

 It is impossible to do more than make a selection from the 

 twenty-five, or more, species which may be found. They are 

 characterised by their five petals, ten stamens, and two styles. 



Among those which are distinguished by their root-leaves 

 being in rosettes, we select the most noble of the whole 

 family, S. cotyledon (Fig. 35), of whose size and form 

 our figure gives but a very poor idea. Its large rosettes, 

 often from six to eight inches across, are formed of 



