SAXIFRAGACE^. 71 



The extreme forms of this are very different from S. Geum and 

 S. hirsuta, but there seems an imperceptible gradation from the 

 one to the other, and probably they ought to be considered merely 

 as sub-species. The leaves in S. umbrosa are more spathulate, with 

 much broader petioles, which are whitish or very pale-green, not 

 tinged with flesh-colour as in the other two species above named. 

 Professor Babington gives as a distinctive character that the petioles 

 of S. Geum and S. hirsuta are channelled above, while those of 

 S. umbrosa are flat above ; but this does not convey a good idea of 

 the diflference between them. In S. Geum and S. hirsuta the upper 

 surface of the petiole is flat, but along either edge there is a ledge 

 formed by a line decurrent from the lamina. In S. umbrosa the 

 petiole itself is flat or slightly channelled, but the decurrent edge 

 slopes gradually into it, not standing up like a distinct ridge on each 

 side. The flowers of S. umbrosa are usually a little larger and more 

 often dotted with red, and the red dots are more numerous ; the 

 plant is more glabrous, the lamina of the leaves in all the specimens 

 I have seen being quite destitute of hairs, and the midrib is paler. 



A form with irregularly doubly-serrate leaves has been found 



near Killarney, but it appears to be rather a monstrosity than a 



true variety. ri t i -n i 



•^ Common London-Fride, 



French, Saxifrage Orahragee. 



The appearance of this pretty plant is -well known in all gardens, and it was culti- 

 vated as an ornamental addition to our rockeries and flower-borders long before it was 

 recognized as a native plant. Being one of the few pretty flowers that will endure a 

 smoky atmosphere, or flourish in or near our great metropolis, it has been called appro- 

 priately London- Pride. Dr. Prior mentions, however, that this name was given to it 

 in reference to a Mr. London, who first brought it into cultivation. It is also sometimes 

 called St. Patrick's Cabbage, and None so pretty. 



SPECIES(?) VIL— SAXIFRAGA ANDREWSII. Harvey. 



Plate DXLVIII. 

 Rootstock branched. Leaves in lax radical rosettes, narrowly 

 oblanceolate, gradually and imperceptibly attenuated at the base 

 into the petiole, finely dentate - serrate ; petioles short, broad, 

 scarcely separable from the attenuated bases of the leaves. Scape 

 leafless. Elowers in compact long-stalked corymbose cymes, com- 

 bined into an elongate panicle with numerous branches. Bracts 

 strap-shaped, shorter tlian the pedicels, which as well as the scape 

 are clothed with gland-tipped hairs. Sepals combined at the base, 

 where they adhere to the base of the ovary, the free portion much 

 longer than the calyx-tube, strap-shaped, oblong, spreading-reflexed. 

 Petals more than twice as long as the sepals, elliptical-oblong. 

 Pflaments subulate. Capsule two-thirds superior. 



