SAXIFEiGACE^. 503 



usually 5, perigynous, alternate with the lobes of the calyx (fig. 431, 

 pp, p. 245), rarely 0. Stamens perigynous (fig. 431 e, p. 245), 5-10 

 or 00 , in 1 or more rows ; anthers lailocular, with longitudinal or 

 porous dehiscence. Disk often present, either annular or scaly. Ovary 

 more or less completely united to the tube of the calyx, consisting 

 usually of two carpels, cohering by their face (figs. 431 ; 432 o, p. 

 245), but distinct ahd diverging at the apex ; styles as many as the 

 carpels, distinct (fig. 432 t, p. 245) or combined ; stigmas capitate 

 (fig. 432 s, p. 245) or clavate. Placentas (fig. 432 p, p. 245) mar- 

 ginal (basal or apicilar), rarely central. Fruit generally a 1-2-celIed 

 capsule, the cells dehiscing at the ventral suture, and often divari- 

 cating when ripe, sometimes baccate. Seeds usually oo , rarely defi- 

 nite ; spermoderm often reticulated ; embryo small, in the axis of fleshy 

 albumen ; radicle pointing to the hUum. — Shrubs or trees, or herbs, 

 with alternate or opposite, usually exstipulate leaves. They are 

 generally natives of temperate climates, and some of them character- 

 ise alpine districts. The order has been divided into the following 

 sub-orders : — 1. Escallonie», petals and stamens 5 ; ovary inferior ; 

 style simple ; albumen oily ; evergreen shrubs, with alternate, simple, 

 exstipulate leaves, found in the temperate regions of South America, 

 often at a great elevation. 2. Cunoniese, petals 4-5 or ; stamens 

 8-10 or 00 ; ovary half inferior ; styles 2, distinct or combined; trees 

 or shrubs, with opposite leaves, having interpetiolary stipules ; found 

 in South America, the East Indies, south of Africa, and Australia. 



3. Hydrangese, petals 4-6 ; stamens 8-12 or oo ; anthers sometimes 

 biporose ; ovary more or less inferior ; styles 2-5, usually distinct ; 

 shrubs with opposite, sometimes whorled, exstipulate leaves, and 

 inflorescence frequently cymose, with the exterior flowers sterile and 

 dilated ; found chiefly in the temperate parts of Asia and America. 



4. Saxifragese, petals 5 or 0; stamens 5-10; ovary more or less 

 adherent ; styles usually 2, and distinct ; herbs, with alternate, 

 usually exstipulate leaves, found in the mountainous regions of 

 Europe, etc. Few of the plants are put to any use. Some of them 

 are astringent, and used for tanning ; others have bitter tonic proper- 

 ties. The glutinous exudation of a few of them is acrid. Escallonias 

 may be said to represent shrubby Saxifrages. They inhabit chiefly the 

 mountainous districts of Chili and the southern part of South 

 America. Escallonia macrantha and rubra axe grown in the milder 

 parts of Great Britain. The leaves of Hydrangea Thuribergii fiirnish 

 tea of a very recherche character, bearing the name of Ama-tsja in 

 Japan. In the entire order there are 60 known genera, and upwards of 

 500 species. Some include Philadelphacese and Francoacese in this order. 



Gephalotus is considered as an anomalous apetalous genus of the 

 order. It is allied also to Orassulacese, and by some authors it is in- 

 cluded in a separate order — Cephalote^. There is only one species. 



