394 LXXVIII. PHILADELPHE.E. 



Saxifrayeee, divided here into five sub-orders, are connected more or less closely with a good 

 many families. The true Saxifragcce approach Crassulacece in aestivation, diplostemony and insertion 

 of the corolla, capsular fruit, herbaceous stem and cymose flowers. They resemble Lythrariece in 

 their perigyuous petals which are imbricate in aestivation and isostemonous or diplostemonous, and in 

 the capsular fruit ; but in Lythrariece the embryo is exalbuminous. There is also an evident analogy 

 between some genera (Hoteia, Lutkea, Astilbe} and Spiraea Aruncus belonging to Rosaceee. Besides the 

 resemblance in habit, the corolla is polypetalous, imbricate, perigynous, polyandrous or diplostemonous ; 

 the carpels are distinct (at least in Lutkea), and open by the inner edge, the leaves are alternate, and in 

 Hoteia clearly stipulate. We have indicated the affinities of Hydrang&e with Philadelphece (see this 

 family). They also recall, by habit and inflorescence, the genus Viburnum, belonging to Caprifoliacece ; 

 but in Hydrangea the sepals become petaloid, and in Viburnum the corolla is enlarged. For a comparison 

 between Escalloniece and Cunoniaccce on the one hand, and Hamamelidece on the other, see the latter 

 family. The Saxifragece have also some points of resemblance with Pamassicce (see this family). Finally, 

 we must notice a real relation between Excallotiiecc and Grossulariece ; in both the petals are isostemonous 

 and imbricate in aestivation, the ovary is inferior and one-celled ; there are two styles, and the embryo is 

 albuminous, the stem woody, and the leaves alternate. But in Grossulariece the placentation is more 

 clearly parietal, the fruit a berry, the testa of the seed gelatinous, the embryo minute, and the leaves 

 palminerved. 



Near Sa.rifrayece should be placed the little group of Diamorphece (consisting of Diamorpha and Pen- 

 thoruni), placed by most authors in Crassulace<e, from which it differs in its many-celled ovary, and 

 especially in its habit ; it may be allied on the one hand to Saaifragete, and on the other perhaps to 

 Pongatium (Sphenoclea, of Gaertner), which Jussieu placed near Portulaccce [a nionopetalous genus or 

 order placed near Campanulacea]. 



The different tribes of this large family occupy different countries. The true Saxifragcee mostly 

 inhabit the high mountains of the northern hemisphere, and are most fully represented in America ; they 

 are very rare in the tropics and antarctic regions. Cunoniece are frequent in the south temperate zone ; 

 they are less common in tropical America, and have never been found north of the tropic. Hydraiigece 

 are not rare in upper India, Japan and South America, but become so in Peru and Java. Escallvniece all 

 belong to America, and are for the most part trans-tropical. [Various genera are natives of Australia, 

 New Zealand, tropical and temperate Asia, South Africa, and the islands of Mauritius and Madagascar.] 



The useful properties of Saxifragece are unimportant. The mucilaginous acidulous leaves and the 

 root-bulbs of Saxifraga granulata were formerly praised as powerful lithontriptics. S. tridactylitis was 

 employed in diseases of the liver, and Chrysosplenium was a reputed tonic. The resinous buds and 

 aromatic leaves of the Escalloniece are similarly employed in Peru and Chili. [The leaves of various 

 Hydrangeas make a highly esteemed tea in Japan. Wdnmannia yields an astringent bark, used both as 

 a medicine and for tanning purposes.] 



LXXVIII. PttlLADELPEE^E. 



(MYBTI, partim, Jussieu. PHILADELPHE^:, Don.) 



COROLLA polypetalous, epigynous, valvate or contorted in (estivation. STAMENS 

 double or a multiple of the number of the petals. OVAEY inferior, many -celled, with 

 many-ovuled central placentas. OVULES pendulous or ascending, imbricate. FRUIT a 

 capsule. SEEDS with a membranous loose testa. EMBRYO albuminous, axile. STEM 

 woody. LEAVES opposite. 



Erect SHRUBS. LEAVES opposite, simple, petioled, quite entire or toothed, deci- 

 duous, exstipulate. FLOWERS $ , regular, white, [often] sweet-scented, in a terminal 



