SAXIFRAGACE^E. SAXIFRAGE TRIBE. 241 



calyx downy; leaves sharply 3 5-lobed, dotted with 

 glands beneath. The Black Currant of gardens ; occa- 

 sionally wild in damp woods. Easily distinguished, at 

 all seasons, by the strong perfume of its buds and 

 leaves. Fl. April, May. Shrub. 



* K alpinum (Tasteless Mountain Currant) has the 

 stamens and pistils on separate plants ; the flowers also 

 grow in erect clusters, with very long bracts at the base 

 of each. It grows in the mountainous parts of England 

 and Scotland. 



ORD. XXXVIL SAXIFKAGACE/E. - THE SAXI- 

 FRAGE TRIBE. 



Sepals 5, rarely 4, more or less united at the base ; 

 petals equalling the sepals in number, inserted between 

 the sepals, rarely ; stamens 5 10 ; ovary of two 

 united carpels ; styles 2, usually spreading in opposite 

 directions ; capsule 2-celled, opening on the inside ; 

 seeds numerous. This Order is principally composed of 

 herbaceous, mountainous plants, with tufted foliage, and 

 glandular stems. They abound in temperate and cold 

 climates, but are not found in tropical countries. The 

 genus Saxifraga (Saxifrage) is an extensive one, and 

 contributes greatly to the beauty of the vegetation high 

 up in the mountains ; but some species grow on old 

 walls, by the sides of rivulets, and in moist meadows. 

 Chrysosplenium (Golden Saxifrage) has no petals. Few 

 of the plants belonging to this tribe are applied to any 

 use. Most of them have slight astringent properties, 

 and some few are bitter and tonic. 



1. SAXIFRAGA (Saxifrage). Calyx in 5 divisions ; 

 petals 5 ; stamens 10 ; styles 2 ; capsule 2-celled, 2- 

 beaked, opening between the beaks ; seeds numerous. 

 (Name in Latin signifying rock-breaker, many of the 

 species growing in crevices of rocks.) 



2. CHRYSOSPLENIUM (Golden Saxifrage). Calyx in 

 4 divisions ; petals ; stamens 8, rarely 10 ; styles 2 ; 



R 



