SAXIFEAGACE^. 233 



2. Alternate Chrysosplene. Chrysosplenium alternifoliuixi, Linn. 



(Eng. Bot. t. 54.) 



Closely resembles the opposite C, but is usually of a paler colour ; the 

 leaves are always alternate, and the lower ones on longer stalks, and rather 

 more of a kidney-shape. 



In suuilar situations as the opiposite C, and much more common in Con- 

 tinental Europe, Russian and central Asia, and northern America, extending 

 into the Arctic regions. In Britain, on the contrary, much less common 

 than the opposite C., although pretty generally distributed. Fl. spring. 

 The two species are fi-equeutly foLmd growing together, but appear always 

 to retain their characters. 



III. FARNASSIA. PARNASSIA. 



Herbs, with a perennial stock ; entu-e leaves, mostly radical ; and erect, 

 annual flowering stems, usually bearing a single leaf, and a single terminal 

 flower. Calyx in the British species almost free, witli 5 segments. Petals 

 5, perigynovis. Stamens perigynous, 5 perfect and 5 imperfect, bearing, 

 instead of anthers, a tuft of globular-headed filaments. Stigmas 4, rarely 

 3, sessile. Capsule 1 -celled, opening in 4, or rarely 3, valves. Seeds very 

 numerous, without albumen, inserted on 4, rarely 3, parietal placentas, 

 opposite the styles, and in the centre of the valves. 



A few species are inhabitants of bogs and wet places in Europe, Asia, 

 and North America. The above characters are so well marked, that the 

 genus is not easily confounded witli any other, but its place in the Natiu-al 

 System has been much disputed. It has been most generally placed 

 amongst Thalamijlores, with the Sundeios, next to the Violet and Milkwort 

 families ; but its close affinity with Saxifrage and Chrysosflene has now 

 been fully proved, especially by the recent pubhcation of several curious 

 Himalayan species. 



1. Marsh Parnassia. Farnassia palustris, Lmn. 



(Eng. Bot. t. 82. Grass-of- Parnassus.) 

 Stock very short. Eadical leaves rather long-stalked, broadly heart- 

 shaped, glabrous as the rest of the plant. Stems 6 inches to a foot high, 

 with a single sessile leaf below the middle. Flower white, rather large. 

 Segments of the calyx ovate, spreading, 3 to 3^ lines long. Petals obovate, 

 spreading, near twice that length. Imperfect stamens at the base of each 

 petal, short and thick, with a tuft of 10 or 12 short, white filaments, each 

 bearing a little, yellow, globular gland. Capsule globular. 



In bog3 and moist heaths, throughout northern Europe and Eussian 

 Asia, becoming a mountain plant in southern Europe and west-central 

 Asia. Erequent in Britain. Fl. end of summer and autumn. 



IV. SUNDEVT. DEOSERA. 



Herbs, with long-stalked, radical leaves, covered with long, glandular 

 hairs or bristles ; the leafless flower-stems tenninating in a simple or forked 

 unilateral spike or raceme. Sepals 5, fi'ee from the ovary. Petals and 

 stamens 5 ; in the British species almost hypogynous, but in many exotic 



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