314 ALPINE FLOWERS. Part IL 



occurs in a wild state are by no means necessary to succeed 

 with it in gardens. It grows very freely on rockwork in gritty 

 or sandy soil, in well-drained positions in rich light loam, may 

 be increased by division, cuttings, or seed, and should be seen 

 in every select rock-garden. 



SAXIFEAGA C^SIA. — Silver Moss. 



This resembles an Androsace in the dwarfness and neatness 

 of its tufts. I have met with it on the Alps, in minute tufts, 

 staining the rocks and stones like a silvery moss, and on level 

 ground, where it had some depth of soil, spreading into beautiful 

 little cushions from two to six inches across. It is easily known^ 

 either in cultivation or in a wild state, by its exceeding dwarfness 

 and neatness, and by its three-sided, keeled leaves, regularly 

 margined with white crustaceous dots. It bears pretty white 

 flowers, about the third of an inch in diameter, on thread-like 

 smooth stems, one to three inches high. A native of the high 

 Alps and Pyrenees, it thrives perfectly well in our gardens in 

 very firm sandy soil, fully exposed, and abundantly supplied 

 with water in summer. It may be also grown well in pots or 

 pans in cold frames near the glass ; but, being very minute, no 

 matter where it is placed, the first consideration should be to 

 keep it distinct from all coarse neighbours, and even the smallest 

 weeds will injure or obscure it if allowed to grow. Flowers in 

 summer, and is increased by seeds or careful division. 



SAXIPEAGA CERK'SO-S-S:^-ULiK.— Horn-leaved Saxifrage. 



A FINE and ornamental species of the mossy section, with 

 very dark highly-divided leaves, stiff and smooth, with horny 

 points ; the flowers pure white, and abundantly produced in loose 

 panicles in early summer, the calyces and stamens covered with 

 clammy juice. It quickly forms strong tufts in any good garden 

 soil, and is admirably adapted for covering rockwork of any 

 description, either as wide level tufts on the flat portions or 

 pendent sheets from the brows of rocks. May also be used with 

 good effect in borders. A native of Spain ; increased by seed 

 or division. 



