OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 257 



Saxifraga Paradoxa. 



PARADOXICAL SAXIFRAGE; Nat. Ord. SAXIFRAGACE^J. 

 ONE of the less known and, perhaps, somewhat rare saxifrages ; 

 it is a curious, distinct, and beautiful form, being of that class 

 which the lover of the ornamental kinds most admires, for not 

 only is it attractive all the year round, but additionally so when 

 there cannot be seen any part of a growing or decaying flower 

 stem upon it, and when its silvery, but lax rosettes, with their 

 encrustments and glistening leaf dots, are perfectly matured, 

 which is the case during mid-winter. I fear the illustration 

 (Fig. 89), can give but a poor idea of the pleasing silvery-grey 



Fig. 89. SAXIFRAGA PARADOXA. 

 . (Two-thirds natural size.) , 



colour, which, when the specimen is dry, overlays foliage of a 

 dark and glossy green, to say nothing of the numerous and 

 regular spots which so charmingly enliven the specimens. I am 

 unable to learn to what species it is most nearly related ; i fcs 

 name, which doubtless has reference to its peculiar form and 

 habit, would seem to isolate it even from its parents, if such 

 are known; it, however, belongs to that section having thick 

 leathery leaves, ligulate, encrusted, arranged in rosette form, 

 and having excavated dots. Saxifraga lingulata, S. crustata, S. 

 Australis, S. longifolia, and S. carinthiaca belong to the same 

 section; but 8. paradoxa differs much in general appearance 

 from them all, and remarkably so in one or two respects, as, 

 indeed, it does from the whole genus, thus justifying its name. 

 The uneven length and arrangement of leaves, the casting off of 



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