CALTCIFLOR^. 



539 



Natural Order 85. Saxifragace-i:.— The Saxifrage Order.— 

 General Character.— i/^ez-is with alternate leaves {Jig. 927), 

 which are entire or lobed, stipulate or exstipulate. Calyx of 4 

 or 5 sepals more or less united at the base (fgs. 610 and 928), 

 inferior, or more or less superior (^figs. 610 and 928). Petals 4 

 or 5, perig\Tious, alternate with the lobes of the calyx (fig. 928), 

 sometimes wanting. Stamens 5 — 10, perigynous {fig. 928) or 

 hypogynous ; anthers 2 -celled, with longitudinal dehiscence. 

 Dink usually evident, and either existing in the form of 5 scaly 

 processes, or annular and notched, hypogynous or perigynous. 

 Ovary superior, or more or less inferior (figs. 610 and 928), 

 usually composed of 2 carpels, coherent below, but more or less 

 distinct towards the apex ; 1 or 2-celled ; styles equal in number 

 to the carpels, distinct, diverging. Fruit capsular, 1— 2-celIed, 

 usually membranous. Seeds small, numerous (fig. 928); embryo 



Fig. 927. 



Fig. 928. 



Fig. 927. Saxifraga tridacti/Utcs. The leaves are trifld and wedge-shaped, 



and the flowers arranged in a racemose cyme Fig. 928. Vertical section 



of the flower Fig. 929. Vertical section of the seed. 



(fig. 929) in the axis of fleshy albumen, with the radicle towards 

 the hilum. 



Diagnosis. — Herbs with alternate leaves. Flowers unsym- 



