304 



THE SAXIFRAGE FAMILY. 



in many essential points, but are all distinguished from the Rose family 

 by the definite stamens and want of stipules, from that and the Crassula 

 family by the carpels united into a single ovary, and from the Lythrum 

 family by the distinct styles and the more adherent ovary. 



Petals none 2. Cheysosplene. 



Petals 5. 



Stamens 10, all bearing anthers. Styles 2 .... 1. Saxifrage. 

 Stamens 5, bearing anthers ; 5 barren, with a tuft of 



globular-headed filaments. Stigmas 4 3. Paenassia. 



Stamens 5 only. Styles 6 or 8 (3 or 4, each deeply 2- 



cleft) 4. Sundew. 



I. SAXIFRAGE. SAXIFKAGA. 



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 to the ovary at the base, with 5 teeth or seg- 

 ments. 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, 

 abundant 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 the Ant- 

 arctic Circle, whilst a few descend to the hot limestone rocks of the 

 Mediterranean region. 



Leaves all opposite and small. Low, spreading plant. 



Flowers purple 1. Purple 8. 



Leaves alternate or radical. 

 Flowers yellow. 



Calyx spreading, adherent at the base. Stem bear- 

 ing several flowers 2. Yellow 8. 



Calyx reflexed, free. Stems 1 -flowered .... 3. Marsh S. 

 Flowers white or pink. 



Calyx adherent at the base, the lobes erect or spreading. 

 Stem much branched at the base, with procum- 

 bent or densely tufted barren shoots. Leaves 

 narrow, simple or 3-lobed. 

 Leaves or their lobes acute. Tufts loose ... 4. Cut-leaved S. 

 Leaves or their lobes obtuse. Tufts dense . . 5. Tufted S. 

 Stems simple or branched, without barren shoots at 

 the base. 



