166. THE SAXIFRAGE FAMILY, [Sawifraga. 
stigmas as cells or placentas. Fruit a capsule. Seeds several, 
usually many, to each cell or placenta; the albumen usually 
copious, rarely none, : 
An extensive family, ranging over nearly the whole world, and including 
many shrubs and trees, such as the Hydrangeas, Escallonias, Philadelphuses 
(Syringas), Deutzias, etc., of our gardens, of which the British herbaceous 
genera can give very little idea. The characters of the Order are more- 
over somewhat complicated, there being several exceptions among exotic 
genera, besides those alluded to in the above general character. The three 
British genera differ from each other in many essential points, but are all 
distinguished from Aosacee by the definite stamens and want of stipules, 
from them and from Crassulacee, by the carpels united into a single ovary, 
and from Lythrariee by the distinct styles and the more adherent ovary, 
Petals none. : ° : : : : A : ‘ . 2, CHRYSOSPLENIUM, 
Petals 5. 
Stamens 10, all bearing anthers. Styles 2 ; . 1. SAXIFRAGA, 
Stamens 5, bearing anthers; 5 barren, with a tuft of 
globular- -headed filaments. Stigmas 4, ‘ . 8, PARNASSIA. 
I. SAXIFRAGA. SAXIFRAGE. 
Herbs, either annual or more commonly with a perennial tufted stock, 
with radical or alternate or rarely opposite leaves, no stipules, and terminal 
flowers either solitary or in cymes or panicles. Calyx free, or more or less 
adherent at the base, with 5 teeth or segments. Petals 5. Stamens 10, 
inserted with the-petals at the base of the segments of the calyx. Ovary 
2-celled, superior or more or less inferior, with 2 distinct styles, Seeds 
several in each cell, with a small embryo in a fleshy albumen. 
A numerous genus, consisting chiefly of mountain or rock plants, abun- 
dant in all the great mountain-chains of the northern hemisphere, some 
species ascending to the highest Alpine or furthermost Arctic stations, 
others extend along the great chain of the Andes to Tierra del Fuego, 
whilst a few descend to the hot limestone rocks of the Mediterranean 
region. 
Leaves all opposite and small. Low spreading plant. Flowers 
purple. A : : , : , d . 1. &. oppositifolia. 
Leaves alternate or radical. : 
Flowers yellow. 
Calyx spreading, adherent atthe base. Stem! pepning several 
flowers . : : : . 2. 8. aizoides. 
Calyx reflexed, free. Stems l-flowered |. : ‘ : . 38. 8S. Hirculus, 
Flowers white or pink. 
Calyx adherent at the base, the lobes erect or spreading. 
Stem much branched at the base, with procumbent or 
densely tufted barren shoots. Leaves narrow, simple 
or 3-lobed. 
Leaves or their lobes acute. Tuftsloose . ‘ . . 4, S. hypnoides. 
Leaves or their lobes obtuse. Tufts dense . . 5, S. cespitosa, 
ig simple or branched, without barren shoots at the 
ase. 
Perennials, with the radical leaves larger, and longer 
stalked. 
Lower leaves rounded or palmate, Flowers solitary 
or panicled, 
