CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 177 
the multitude of natural species, garden forms or varieties, 
and hybrids of accidental birth or of scientific breeding, 
the genus is one of the wealthiest families of plants with 
which we have to deal, and it matters not how small or 
how large, how hot and dry, or how cool and shaded a 
rockery may be, there are Saxifragas well qualified to 
occupy places of importance and prominence among the 
choicest of its treasures. For pot culture, or for pans 
in the alpine house or frame, Saxifragas of many kinds 

A Typica ‘‘ ENCRUSTED ” SAXIFRAGE (SECTION EUAIZOONIA). 
are among the most desirable subjects, whilst many are 
as happy and effective in an ordinary bed of soil as upon 
an elaborate rockery. The remarkable diversity of form 
among Saxifragas is evidenced by the fact that the family 
is divided into no less than sixteen distinct groups, and a 
study of these groups is both interesting and of practical 
value, for it is noteworthy that throughout the whole range 
the members of any particular group are akin in their 
habit of growth and cultural requirements. More often 
we find in catalogues the genus is divided into two or three 
M 
