SAXI* RAGING. 453 



The following genera are allied to the Saxifragaceaa : 



1. Parnassia (about 14 species ; P. palustris, Grass of Par- 

 nassus). The flower is slightly perigynous, and has S5, P5, 5 

 fertile sepal-stamens, and 5 petal-stamens, which are developed as 

 barren staminodes, palmately-lobed, and (3-) 4 carpels united in a 

 1-locular ovary with (3-)4 parietal placentae. Capsule. Protandrous. 

 The flower has a slightly oblique plane of symmetry, which is especially 

 shown during its development and in the order of sequence in which the 

 anthers dehisce: originally they lie closely round the gynoeceum; the anthers 

 dehisce extrorsely, first the one which is placed opposite the most external 

 sepal (the f arrangement is very distinct in the calyx), the filament elongating 

 so that the anther lies over the ovary, and this is followed successively by the 

 4 others in a zig-zag line ; the filaments bend backwards after the pollen is shed 

 and the anthers drop off, and the stigmas are not developed until this is com- 

 pleted. The barren stamens are palmately divided into an uneven number 

 (7, 9, II) of lobes, tapering from the centre towards the edge, and bearing 

 apparently glandular tips; their gland-like appearance is supposed to allure 

 flies to visit the flower, or they may act as a kind of fence which compels the 

 insects to enter the flower in a certain way, and thus effect pollination; the 

 honey is secreted on their inner side, and not by the gland-like tips. 



2. Adoxa moschatellina (Moschatel). This is a perennial, creeping 

 herb ; the horizontal rhizome has an unlimited growth, and bears, 

 in a scattered arrangement, both foliage-leaves, and white, fleshy 



FIG. 489. Portion of CephoZotiw /ollicuZaris: fc pitcher-like leaf with thick corrugated 

 edge (m) and lid (1) ; b foliage-leaf of the ordinary f orrn. 



scale-leaves. The aerial stem bears 2 opposite foliage-leaves and a 

 capitate inflorescence of 5 flowers, 4 placed laterally (in opposite 

 pairs) and 1 terminally. The flower is semi- epigy nous, the calyx 



