13^ SAXIFRAGACE^. 



effect in geometric arrangements in the flower-garden, although 

 this is not, I think, the most legitimate use of such a hand- 

 some flowering-plant. Its finest effects will be produced when 

 planted in warm sunny borders, in rich, light, moderately 

 moist, but well-drained soil ; and being a rock-plant, it is well 

 adapted to succeed on rockwork ; but as the most perfect 

 development of its fine panicles can only be produced under 

 favourable conditions, the soil should be good rich gritty loam, 

 and abundant moisture must be provided after growth com- 

 mences. It will grow, however, though something short of 

 perfectly, in less encouraging circumstances, and may be 

 planted in fissures, natural or artificial, where a little soil can 

 be secured for it to root in; and if the position is moist, it may 

 be planted on the crowns of rocks, and succeed in very little 

 soil indeed. It is well worth cultivating in pots for green- 

 house decoration, and also for rooms, and a considerable suc- 

 cession of bloom may be kept up for this purpose by having 

 batches brought in at different times successively, 



S. diapensioides (yDiapensia-like S.) — A very diminutive but 

 pretty and interesting species. It produces close tiny rosettes 

 of blunt, narrow, oblong, or linear grey leaves. Flower-stalks 

 are short, about 2 inches high, bearing a few white flowers, 

 appearing in June and July. Native of St Bernard, Mont 

 Cenis, Monte Rosa, and the Alps and Pyrenees, generally at 

 high altitudes. Most fit for ornamenting rockwork, associated 

 with other diminutive alpines apart from encroaching neigh- 

 bours ; and is fond of a litde peat, with light loam and plenty 

 of grit, and an abundant, or rather continuous, supply of mois- 

 ture in summer, or when growing. 



S. Geum {Kidney-leaved S.) — This species is indigenous to 

 Ireland, and well known in gardens as a border-plant. The 

 leaves are round or kidney-shaped, dark green and heart-shaped 

 at the base, and having a few scattered hairs on both surfaces. 

 The flowers are borne in elegant open panicles, are small, white, 

 or pink, spotted with deeper red. There are two well-marked 

 varieties of this plant in gardens, usually accounted species and 

 circulated under the names elegans and hirsuia; they are dis- 

 tinct as varieties, but insufiiciently so as species to be admis- 

 sible in any collection of distinct ornamental species. It is 

 a useful border-plant, and succeeds well in ver}^ ordinary soil 

 in shady places. 



S. granulata {Meadow S.) — This is another indigenous 

 species, quite distinct in every respect from any of the preced- 

 ing. The plant forms numerous small bulbs, by means of 

 which it is easily increased. The stem^s grow about 6 or 9 



