2l8 



SAXIFRAGES. 



The leaves of B?'yophyllum., when placed on moist soil, 

 produce young plants from the notches on their margin. 

 This is supposed to illustrate the development of ovules, 

 which are normally " buds " borne upon the margin of 

 carpellary leaves. 



47. Natural Order, Saxifragece. — The Saxifrage Family. 



Herbs, shrubs, or trees with alternate or opposite simple 

 leaves. Ovary more or less adherent. Stamens usually ten 

 or fewer. 



Type — Garden Hydrangea {Hydj-angea horteiisis). 



A cultivated shrubby (Chinese) plant, with opposite, simple, 

 serrate leaves, and large, dense, cymose clusters of pale, rose- 

 coloured flowers (principally neuter). 



This temperate Family is referred to here partly on account 

 of a few tropical Indian representatives, and partly to direct 

 attention to the structure of the flowers of the species which 

 we employ as type. In the Garden Hydrangea the lobes of 

 the calyx are prone to enlarge inordinately at the expense 

 of; the essential organs of the flower, so that they nearly all 

 become barren, or neuter. The pale-pink colour of this 



