SAXIFRAGACEiE. 



303 



Currant JR.; the flowers larger, cam- 

 panulate, on longer pedicels, of which 

 the lowest, arising from the very base of 

 the raceme, are much longer than the 

 others. Calyx rather hoary outside. 

 Berries black. 



In woods, in northern, central, and 

 eastern Europe, and Russian and central 

 Asia, but less common in western Eu- 

 rope than the last two species. In Bri- 

 tain, although found in cool, shady 

 places, and boggy thickets, in various 

 parts of England, yet it is very doubtful 

 whether it be truly indigenous, as, like 

 the Gooseberry and the Currant, its cul- 

 tivation dates from a very early period. 

 Fl. spring. 



Fig. 371. 



XXXI. SAXIFRAGE FAMILY. SAXIFRAGACE^J. 



Herbs, or in exotic genera, trees or shrubs, with alternate or 

 opposite leaves, and no stipules. Calyx free, or more or less ad- 

 herent to the ovary, with 4 or 5 (rarely more) lobes or segments. 

 Petals as many, perigynons, or none. Stamens as many, or twice 

 as many (rarely more), perigynous. Ovary either adherent or in- 

 serted on a broad base, either 2- or 4-celled, or 1-celled, with 2 or 

 more parietal placentas, often lobed at the top, with as many 

 (rarely twice as many) styles or stigmas as cells or placentas. 

 Eruit a capsule. Seeds several, usually many, to each cell or pla- 

 centa ; the albumen usually copious, rarely none. 



An extensive family, ranging over nearly the whole world, and in- 

 cluding many shrubs and trees, such as the Hydrangeas, JEscallonias, 

 PhiladeljpJtuses (Syringas), Deutzias, etc., of our gardens, of which the 

 British herbaceous genera can give very little idea. The characters of 

 the Order are moreover somewhat complicated, there being several ex- 

 ceptions among exotic genera, besides those alluded to in the above 

 general character, and the limits to be assigned to it are by no means 

 satisfactorily settled. The four British genera differ from each other 



