CLASS X. ORDBB II.] SAXIFRAGA. 609 



inches long. Leaves from the root numerous, spreading, on long 

 slender footstalks, mostly smooth, sometimes downy, kidney-shaped, 

 from three to five deep lobes, ovate, acute, the middle one larger than 

 the rest, smooth, bright green, somewhat succulent, the leaves of the 

 stem iu the upper part ovate lanceolate. Flowers terminal, solitary. 

 Calyx half superior, the limb in five ovate erect segments, smooth. 

 Corolla of five ovate petals, white, scarcely longer than the calyx. 

 Stamens with simple filaments and two celled anthers, " curiously 

 reticulated or dotted." Style very short. Stigmas capitate. Capsule 

 large for the size of the plant, ovate, pale green, sub-membranous, 

 awned at the apex, with short styles, and widely opening its terminating 

 valves. 



Habitat. Wet rocks, and the sides of alpine rivulets on the moun- 

 tains of Scotland ; rare. Near the summit of Ben Nevis and Ben 

 Lawers, but rare. Plentiful on Loch-na-gar, in Forfarshire. Mr. 

 Drummond. Loch Rannoch. Mr. Somerville. 



Perennial ; flowering from July to September. 



The two last species are both natives of the mountains, and afford 

 an admirable illustration of the adaptation of the various forms of 

 plants to their different places of growth. The S. rivularis is found on 

 the margins of the mountain rills or wet rocks, and in fact flourishes 

 only where there is an abundant supply of moisture ; it, therefore, has 

 fibrous roots and creeping stems, perfects its flowers, forms large cap- 

 sules, and is plentifully supplied with good seeds : thus by the double 

 means of its creeping stems and seeds securing its further increase; but 

 the S. cernua, as it grows only on dry rocks and barren places, exposed 

 to all the vicissitudes of heat, cold, moisture, and drought, other pro- 

 visions for the purpose of its propagation, would seem a priori necessary ; 

 and such we find to be the case ; for the roots, it will be seen, are long 

 and fibrous, to penetrate the crevices of the rocks, and twine amongst 

 loose stones, and are also furnished with the means of forming bulbs 

 on their roots, which not only are stores to supply the plant with 

 nutriment when needed, but also to form separate plants. The stems 

 are, moreover, provided with a considerable number of small bulbs in 

 the axis of the upper leaves, which are scaly abortive flowers, and 

 these, when falling upon the ground, have the power of putting out 

 roots and stems, and by this means also is the species propagated ; so 

 that although the circumstances of the situation of growth render 

 it doubtful whether it might perfect its seeds, it, like its companions on 

 the mountain, is secured by the same double means of propagating its 

 species, though attained in a very different way. Other species of 

 Saxifrage are also provided with the same means of increase as the 

 S. granulata, S. bulbifera, &c. ; and in various species of grasses the 

 same ends are attained, but by somewhat different means; but all 

 point out the infinite wisdom, and the incomprehensible power of that 

 mighty Being, the Creator of all things, who " causes the bud of the 



