but fringed on the margin. Flowers composed of six yellow petals. Height about 6 inches. Native of the Tyrol.

S. californicum (Californian Houseleek).-A very handsome species, with broad hemispherical rosettes, composed of oblong, glaucous, brown-tipped leaves, terminating in an abrupt sharp point. Flowers purplish, composed of twelve or more spreading petals, appearing from June till August.

S. Funckii (Funck's Houseleek). — Leaves in rather large rosettes, oblong, with an abrupt sharp point, downy above and below, and fringed with long hairs. Flowers pink, with usually twelve petals, appearing in July and August. Native of the mountains of Tyrol, Carinthia, and Salzbourg.

S. globiferum (Globular Houseleek).-The rosettes in this are rather small, and open in the old ones; very small, close, and globular in the young offsets. Leaves lance-shaped, smooth above and below, but fringed. Flowers yellow, few, but very large; petals more than twelve.

S. hirtum (Hairy Houseleek). - Leaves oblong, acutely pointed, hairy on both sides, and fringed. Flower-stems from 9 inches to foot high. Flowers white; petals six, the tips hairy; appearing in July and August. Native of Italy and Austria.

S. montanum (Mountain Houseleek).—The rosettes are close and compact. The leaves are oblong, widening somewhat upwards, but terminating in an abrupt sharp point, and fringed. Flower-stems 6 to 9 inches high. Flowers dull rose or purple ; petals twelve; appearing in July and August. Native of the Alps. S. soboliferum (Hen-and-Chicken Houseleek).—In this the rosettes are close and compact, composed of oblong, wedgeshaped, sharp-pointed leaves with fringed margins. Flowerstems about 6 inches high. Flowers pale yellow; petals six, fringed. Native of Germany.

S. tectorum (Common Houseleek).—The rosettes are large and hemispherical, composed of oblong lance-shaped leaves, terminating in a sharp rather abrupt point, the margins fringed. Petals twelve or more, pink; appearing in early summer, and continuing late. Native of many countries of Europe, high on mountain-ranges, and not uncommon on walls and house-tops in Britain.

SAXIFRAGACEÆ.

This is an extensive family, especially so in hardy herbaceous perennials. There are only five or six genera, comprising orna

mental hardy herbaceous species at present represented in gardens, and there is no great prospect of increase in these by importation; but in species there is good reason to believe that there are many more to come; and judging by what we already possess, we may expect that new introductions will be good, and worth receiving. But there are already many species in cultivation, and amongst them will be found selections adapted to many purposes in out-of-doors gardening, and in-doors too, but that does not lie in our way at present. Saxifraga is the most numerous in species, and is altogether the most valuable in an ornamental sense. Astilbe and Hoteia are nearly allied, and together furnish a few species elegant alike in flower and foliage. Francoa is worth a place in mixed borders. Parnassia is both curious and beautiful, and Drosera (by Mr Bentham and others, included in this order), though not high in ornamental value, is peculiarly interesting, and therefore worthy of some notice here, for the sake of those who have the facilities and scientific enthusiasm essential to its successful culture. There are other hardy herbaceous genera, such as Henchera, Tellima, Mitella, &c., interesting enough botanical subjects, but not popularly so, and being very inferior decorative plants, they are unworthy of farther notice. The whole of the selected genera are easily propagated by seed and by division, and some species of Saxifraga and Francoa may also be increased by cuttings, but division is the simplest and handiest way once stock is in hand. Other particulars of culture will be noticed under the various genera and species as they turn up.

Astilbe. Only two or three species of this genus are known to cultivation. They are elegant rather than showy plants, with handsome compound leaves and branching racemes of very small but numerous flowers. They are best fitted for the mixed border, flourishing in a mixture of peat and loam and sand, well drained, yet requiring much moisture during the growing season. They may also be planted on the margins of lakes and streams, for which their graceful style fits them well.

A. decandra (Decandrous A.)-This species grows about 2 or 3 feet high, with large, spreading, twice-ternate leaves; the stems, stalks, and both surfaces of the leaflets, clothed with long rusty hairs. Flowers creamy-white, in long somewhat branched racemes resembling some of the herbaceous spiræas, appearing in July and August. The plant is a native of Carolina. It is hardy enough to exist in any part of the country from year to year; but it suffers often in spring in cold wet localities which are subject to late frosts, after having made some growth.

A. rivularis (Brook A.)—This plant resembles the last, but is taller, and the flowers are dusky brown, in the same style of inflorescence, appearing in July and August. Height about 4 feet. Native of North America. Hardier than the last, and suitable for the same purposes.

A. rubra (Red A.)—This species is of the same character as the preceding, but is nearer the first than the last. It grows about 22 or 3 feet high, with densely-hairy stems, and leafstalks and leaves, and the hairs being crimson give the plant a striking appearance. The flowers are red, in the same character of inflorescence, and appear about the same time as the others. Native of Nepal. I have had no experience of this striking plant north of London, and cannot recommend it as hardy in the north.

Francoa. This is a genus of very few species, all from Chili. They are all very much alike in aspect, and all suitable only for mixed borders or larger rockworks. They prefer rich welldrained light loam and a sunny position.

F. sonchifolia (Sowthistle-leaved F.)-This species forms compact tufts of leaves similar in form to those of the Sowthistle, as the name implies; but they are dark green, and softly but not densely downy. Flower-stems 2 or 3 feet high, unbranched, bearing a terminal raceme of rosy-purple flowers, appearing in July and August.

Besides the above there are two other species in gardens— viz., F. appendiculata and ramosa, both worthy of culture in large collections; and there is a white variety of the former, which cannot, however, be considered an acquisition, being rather dusky.

Hoteia japonica, syns. Spiræa and Astilbe japonica.—This is the only representative of the genus in gardens in this country. It forms handsome, rather crowded, masses of biternate dark-green shining leaves, the stalks and leaflets clothed with short rusty hairs. The flowers are produced in graceful pyramidal panicles, pure white, as also are the ultimate pedicels, but gradually in descending the stalks become bright rosy-red or purple, thus giving an additional charm to the plant. Flowers in June and July. The plant is a native of Japan, and, like the Astilbes, it is unsuitable for cold wet localities. It delights in light, rich, well-drained soil, and is fond of peat; and if attempted in the north, it should be accommodated with a good sunny position. It is becoming very fashionable as a pot-plant for greenhouse decoration, and few plants used for that purpose are more attractive when it is well done; and it may be forced with ease and success if care is taken not to overdo it with temperature. Height 1 to 11⁄2 foot.

Parnassia. This is a beautiful and peculiar genus, comprising few species. The beautiful arrangement of the stamens-five fertile or perfect, and five imperfect, the latter surmounted by filaments and balls-will reward a deeper than mere casual examination. They are dwarf plants suitable for culture in moist soil, either in shade or sunshine; but abundant moisture is of the first importance in whatever aspect the plants may be located. They are, in fact, natives of sandy bogs and wet hillsides, and prefer an oozy condition as regards moisture, otherwise they appear indifferent to the kind of soil. Easily increased by division; but should seed have to be resorted to, it should be borne in mind that, in common with most bogplants, the seed of these should be sown as soon as ripe; or if to be transported a distance, let them be put in some moist medium, and be kept moist till they are finally committed to the earth where they are to remain, or in pots in a cold frame; ultimately, when big enough, to be transferred to permanent quarters.

P. asarifolia (Asarum-leaved Grass of Parnassus). — This species grows about 1 foot high, forming tufts of dark-green, roundish, kidney-shaped root-leaves smooth and shining. The flower-stems are erect and naked, except for one leaf placed about halfway up each stem, bearing one large five-petalled white flower. Flowers in July and August. Native of North America.

P. caroliniana (Carolina Grass of Parnassus). In this species the principal superficial distinction is in the leaves, which are roundish, oval, heart-shaped. The flowers and arrangement of stamens are very similar to the last, but the flower-stems are usually stronger and taller. Flowers about the same time as preceding. Native of North America.

P. palustris (Marsh Grass of Parnassus).-This is a British species, and quite distinct from either of the preceding, The colour of the flowers is the same, but the leaves are smaller and are acutely heart-shaped. The imperfect stamens have ten or more small yellow globular bodies attached to their tops, instead of three, as is the case with the other two species. The plant is, besides, smaller than the others, rarely exceeding 9 inches high. Flowers in July and August.

Saxifraga (Saxifrage). This genus is pretty well known, being not uncommon in various forms in gardens generally throughout the country. It comprises, however, a large number of species which are not by any means familiar occupants of gardens. There is great diversity of character of foliage and inflorescence amongst the species. There is a large group with

peculiar grey, encrusted, margined leaves, which are often arranged with the greatest symmetry in rosettes-resembling in style the Houseleeks already described, and in a certain degree fitted for the same purposes-and in which the compound inflorescence of the Saxifrages reaches its greatest development. Another section is characterised by the brightest and softest green leaves, producing the same effect when planted on banks as that of the verdant mosses; and these are very floriferous, although their inflorescence is much more simple than that of the first-mentioned group. The very diminutive and interesting opposite-leaved group is beautiful in flower and useful in its straggling mat-like growth, and the largeleaved species form a strikingly distinct section of useful borderplants. The London Pride, and the few species that closely resemble it, are pretty graceful plants, having features distinct from all the foregoing groups, and are very useful plants for a variety of purposes. S. granulata and S. Hirculus are each distinct from any already mentioned and from each other, and they are the handsomest of their respective groups at present in cultivation. There are other distinct groups, but these include the most ornamental and useful species; and amongst them are to be found many plants of great elegance and beauty, many at present very little used in the larger and best gardens, but sparingly confined to those of amateurs and cottagers, or in many cases only to be found in botanic gardens and a few nurseries. There will be occasion afterwards to notice particularly the requirements of certain species with respect to their use and culture; and all that need be said on the subject of culture at present is, that they are easily propagated by division, but in the case of the very small kinds some extra care will be required in the operation, so as not to divide too minutely, and always to secure a little root with each part. If seed should be resorted to as the means of increasing stock, or making additions to the collection, it should be sown in spring in small pots in a cold frame, and afterwards pricked out into nursingbeds as soon as they are fit to handle easily, or into pots if only small numbers are wanted, afterwards transferring them, when strong enough to take care of themselves, to their permanent quarters.

S. aizoides (Smaller Yellow Mountain S.)-This is a slightlytufted species, with narrow, bright-green, thick, and rather leathery leaves. The flower-stems ascend to the height of about 6 inches, bearing loose few-flowered panicles of bright yellow blossoms in July and August. It is a widely-distributed plant in alpine and arctic districts of Europe, Asia, and