34 SAXIFRAGES 



neighbourhood, which have by botanists been described as distinct species. 

 The chief of these is a plant formerly called Hairy Saxifrage (»S'. Jiirsuta), 

 which has slightly hairy, oval, dark green leaves, scarcely cordate at the base, 

 and which appears to be intermediate between this and S. mnhrosa. It is 

 common on the Gap of Dunloe, in Kerry. The Kidney-shaped Saxifrage 

 varies not only in the amount of its hairiness, but also in respect of size, 

 and in the degree in which the margin of the leaf is toothed. 



* * Calyx spreading ; leaves not divided. 



4. Clustered Alpine Saxifrage (*S'. nivalis).- — Leaves all from the 

 root, somewhat leathery, inversely egg-shaped, shai^ply crenate ; calyx half 

 inferior ; flowers in a crowded head. Plant perennial. This alpine species 

 is from three to six inches high, and has large white flowers growing in a 

 compact cluster, and appearing in July and August. It is frequent among 

 the clefts of the high mountains of Wales, Scotland, and the Lake district. 

 Linnauis stated that the Alpine Saxifrage flowered in the regions of eternal 

 snow ; and later botanists have occasionally detected a prolific Aogetation 

 existing even under the snow of Arctic regions. Dr. Hooker mentions that 

 whilst at Tierra del Fuego he had observed a Pernettya mucronata in full 

 bloom in a spot from which the snow had been accidentally removed. 



5. Yellow Mountain Saxifrage (*S'. aizoides). — Leaves very narrow, 

 fleshy, fringed, the loAver ones crowded on the stem, the ii^iper scattered ; 

 stem branched, prostrate below ; capsule half superior. Plant perennial. 

 This beautiful Saxifrage, though absent from our lowland meadows, is very 

 abundant on mountains, especially near streams and rills. It is found in the 

 north of England, AVales, and Scotland, having in June and July bright 

 yellow flowers, spotted with reddish orange. The plant is sometimes called 

 Aizoon-like Saxifrage, or Sengreen Saxifrage. 



6. Yellow Marsh Saxifrage {S. hirculus). — Stem erect; leaves lanceo- 

 late, those from the root tapering into a leaf-stalk ; calyx inferior, fringed at 

 the margin ; petals obtuse, with two callous points near the base. Plant 

 perennial. It differs from the last species in having its flowers solitary, or 

 nearly so. These are large and handsome, of bright yellow, spotted with 

 scarlet at the base of the petals, and are produced from August to September. 

 The stem is from foiu" to eight inches in height, and the upper part is down3^ 

 The species, which is very rare, is found on wet moors in Scotland, Ireland, 

 and the north of England. 



7. Purple Mountain Saxifrage {S. oppositifdlia). — Leaves egg-shaped, 

 fringed, opposite, and closely crowded, so as to overlap each other ; flowers 

 solitary, terminal. Plant perennial. A lovely mouutain-flower is this 

 Saxifrage, occurring in alpine situations, fearless of snow or frost, and 

 opening its rich purple blossoms in May and June. Its habit is unlike that 

 of our other Saxifrages, as it forms straggling tufts on the moist alpine rocks 

 in the north of England, and on Snowdon and other Welsh mountains, 

 though its most frequent place of growth in this kingdom is in the Highlands 

 of Scotland. Like several other of our native Saxifrages, the northern range 

 of S. oppositifolia extends into the Arctic circle. Accustomed, as most persons 

 have long been, to consider the regions of the Polar Seas as drear and almost 



