LXXVIII. PHILADBLPHE^. 



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

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

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

 their perigynous petals which are imbricate in ajstivation and isostemonous or diplostemonous, and in 

 the capsular fi-uit ; but in Lythrarieee the embryo is exalbuminous. There is also an evident analogy 

 between some genera (Hoteia, Lutkea, Astilbe) and Spirma Aruncus belonging to BosaceiB. Besides the 

 resemblance in habit, the corolla is polypetaJous, 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 Hydrangea with Philadelphea (see this 

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

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

 between Escallaniece and Cunoniacem on the one hand, and Hamaindidea on the other, see the latter 

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

 we must notice a real relation between Escalloniece and Grossulariecs ; in both the petals are isostemonous 

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

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

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

 palmi nerved. 



Near Saxifragem should be placed the little group of Diamoi-phecB (consisting of Biamorpha and Pen- 

 thorum), placed by most authors in Crassulacece, from which it differs in its many-celled ovary, and 

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

 Pohgatium (Sphenoclea, of Gaertner), which Jussieu placed near Portulacece [a monopetalous genus or 

 order placed near Campanulaceee^. 



The different tribes of this large family occupy different countries. The true Saxifrages 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. Cimonies are frequent in the south temperate zone.; 

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

 are not rare in upper India, Japan and South America, but become so in Peru and Java. MscaUonies 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 Saxifrages are unimportant. The mucilaginous acidulous leaves and the 

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

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

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

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

 a medicine and for tanning pui'poses.] 



LXXVm. PntLADELPHE^. 



(Mykti, partim, Jussieu. — pHiLADELPHE.a)5jDo»i.) 



Corolla polypetahus, epigynous, valvate or contorted in aestivation. Stamens 

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

 many'ovuled central placentas. Ovules pendulous or ascending, imbricate. Fkuit a 

 capsule. Seeds with a membranous loose testa. Embryo albuminous, axile. — Stem 

 woody. Leaves opposite. 



Erect SHRUBS. Leaves opposite, sitnple, petioled, quite entire or toothed, deci- 

 duous, exstipulate. Flowers ^ , regular, white, [often] sweet-scented, in a terminal 



