140 SAXIFRAGACE.ii. 



of the Pyramidal S. The leaves are narrow, linear, and en- 

 crusted, arranged in large speading star-like rosettes 8 or 10 

 inches in diameter. The flower-stems are stout, about 2 feet 

 high, clothed with glandular hairs, and bearing a rather close 

 pyramidal panicle of numerous white flowers. This is a very 

 handsome and striking plant, adapted to the same purposes as 

 the Pyramidal S., and rivalling it in the beauty and abundance 

 of its splendid inflorescence. The same soil and other require- 

 ments as the Pyramidal S. Flowers in July and August 



S. oppositifolia {Pu7'ple Spring S.) — This is a near relative 

 oibi/lora, and is the only spring-flowering species of the section 

 to which it belongs. It grows only an inch or two high, form- 

 ing weak straggling stems crowded with small dark-green thick 

 leaves as broad as they are long, thickening at the point, and 

 somewhat keeled or triangular there. The flowers are large, 

 solitary, fine bright purple, appearing in April, May, and June. 

 Native of Britain and many parts of Europe and temperate 

 and frigid Asia. It is a most distinct and beautiful plant, be- 

 coming a carpet of purple when in flower, and at other times 

 very pleasing in its diminutive carpet-like growth. It may be 

 cultivated on rockwork or border, in gritty moist loam, with 

 the greatest success in sunny positions. When grown in 

 borders it is advisable to put a few rough porous stones under 

 and about it, especially if the soil is of a very retentive nature. 

 The species retusa and Kochii are both allies of this, and are 

 pretty plants, being intermediate between oppositifolia and 

 bifiora; and as they furnish no decorative features distinct 

 from these, they need not be further noticed here. The 

 varieties S. 0. major, S. 0. alba, and S. 0. pallida, are worthy 

 of notice, 



S. purpurascens {Large-leaved purple S.) — I am doubtful if 

 this plant is now in cultivation; indeed I think it is not; but it 

 is so much superior to any other species of the large-leaved 

 section at present in cultivation, that I must here describe and 

 commend it to cultivators in the hope that, if lost, measures 

 may be taken to reintroduce it. It is related to crassifolia, 

 and similar in habit though not so coarse. The leaves are 

 broadly oval, smooth, bronze-green, and lustrous. The in- 

 florescence is on stout stalks, and like that of crassifolia, but 

 the flowers are dark purple or purplish crimson. It is a native 

 of northern India, and was introduced to Kew about the year 

 1856 or 1857, and flowered in 1858, when it was figured in 

 the ' Botanical Magazine.' My experience of it is too limited 

 to enable me to speak with confidence respecting its hardiness ; 

 but in that respect it is probably equal if not superior to 



