1 34 SAXIFRAGACE/E. 



peculiar grey, encrusted, margined leaves, which are often 

 arrange.d with the greatest symmetry in rosettes — resembling 

 in styL\ the Houseleeks already described, and in a certain 

 degree fitted for the same purposes — and in which the com- 

 pound inflorescence of the Saxifrages reaches its greatest de- 

 velopment. Another section is characterised by the brightest 

 and softest green leaves, producing the same effect when 

 planted on banks as that of the verdant mosses ; and these are 

 very floriferous, although their inflorescence is much more 

 simple than that of the first-mentioned group. The very diminu- 

 tive and interesting opposite-leaved group is beautiful in flower 

 and useful in its straggling mat-like growth, and the large- 

 leaved species form a strikingly distinct section of useful border- 

 plants. The London Pride, and the few species that closely 

 resemble it, are pretty graceful plants, having features distinct 

 from all the foregoing groups, and are very useful plants for a 

 variety of purposes. S. g?'amdata and S. Hircichis are each 

 distinct from any already mentioned and from each other, and 

 they are the handsomest of their respective groups at present 

 in cultivation. There are other distinct groups, but these in- 

 clude the most ornamental and useful species ; and amongst 

 them are to be found many plants of great elegance and beauty, 

 many at present very little used in the larger and best gardens, 

 but sparingly confined to those of amateurs and cottagers, or 

 in many cases only to be found in botanic gardens and a few 

 nurseries. There will be occasion aftenvards to notice particu- 

 larly the requirements of certain species with respect to their 

 use and culture ; and all that need be said on the subject of 

 culture at present is, that they are easily propagated by division, 

 but in the case of the very small kinds some extra care will be 

 required in the operation, so as not to divide too minutely, and 

 always to secure a little root with each part. If seed should be 

 resorted to as the means of increasing stock, or making addi- 

 tions to the collection, it should be sown in spring in small 

 pots in a cold frame, and afterwards pricked out into nursing- 

 beds as soon as they are fit to handle easily, or into pots if 

 only small numbers are wanted, afterwards transferring them, 

 when strong enough to take care of themselves, to their per- 

 manent quarters. 



S. aizoides {Si7iaUer Yelloiu Mountain S.) — This is a slightly- 

 tufted species, with narrow, bright-green, thick, and rather 

 leathery leaves. The flower-stems ascend to the height of 

 about 6 inches, bearing loose few-flowered panicles of bright 

 yellov/ blossoms in July and August. It is a widely-distri- 

 buted plant in alpine and arctic districts of Europe, Asia, and 



