1 36 SAXIFRAGACE.E. 



work, in light gritty soil, but not averse to the level border in 

 light rich soil if moist, yet well drained. A few stones inserted 

 in the surface about it when planted will be found beneficial, 

 as preventive of excessive evaporation, and consequent fluctua- 

 tions of temperature, which are inimical to the continued well- 

 being of these natives of frigid homes. 



S. cassia {Grey S.) — This is another small species, and nearly 

 related to the last. The plant produces minute tufts of blunt, 

 grey, encrusted leaves, somewhat triangular. The flower-stalks 

 are 2 or 3 inches high, bearing a few pure-white flowers in June 

 and July. Native of lofty positions on the Alps, Apennines, 

 and Pyrenees. An interesting and pretty species, requiring a 

 moist sunny position on rockwork. 



S. caespitosa {Tu/fed S.) — This species forms close compact 

 cushions of lively-green leaves, cut into several bluntish lobes. 

 The flower-stems rise from 2 to 4 inches high, bearing several 

 white flowers. This is one of the handsomest of the tufted 

 moss-like section ; but is variable, and on some of its extreme 

 variations specific characters have been founded by different 

 botanists. The forms so distinguished are perhaps satisfactory 

 scientifically, but practically there is only embarrassment atten- 

 dant on the culture of them in the same collection. The names 

 groefilaiidica^ palmata^ and others, have been applied to differ- 

 ent forms of this species ; but they all partake in different 

 degrees of the close-tufted habit of the species, although they 

 may and do vary in points of some consequence to science, 

 but of little importance to the cultivator, whose main considera- 

 tion is decoration. The best of the forms that have been so 

 distinguished are the two just named. S. ccespitosa is a native 

 of various alpine countries of Europe, and a not very common 

 native of Britain. Both the species and the related forms suc- 

 ceed in almost any garden-soil, and in any situation, and are very 

 attractive plants for the front lines of herbaceous borders, while 

 they are beautiful coverings for sunny moist banks, and are not 

 altogether averse to a little shade. 



S. ceratophylla {Hom-kaved S.) — This is one of the \\2Xi(^- 

 ^ova^'iXQi Saxifragas. It forms symmetrical tufts of intense green, 

 rigid leaves, divided into several horn-like segments. The 

 flowers are produced in graceful panicles, are snow-white, and 

 appear in May and June. Native of Spain, and succeeds in 

 any soil and position, but worthy of the best. 



S. crassifolia, syn. Megasea crassifolia ( Thick or large-kaved 

 S.) — This is one of a limited but very distinct group of species 

 characterised by very large leaves. It grows from 9 inches to 

 I foot high, producing bold masses of large, broadly oval, dark- 



