puts it as
identical, the chief difference between our subject and the form
generally accepted as _S. ligulata_ is accounted for, viz., the hairy
and rougher surfaces of the leaves, which are traits of the well-known
_S. sarmentosa_. If these remarks prove nothing, they may serve to show
the difficulty of recognising the various forms and species of so
popular a genus from reading alone, it having been so extensively
treated of, and the classifications being so varied. Its study, when the
species are being cultivated, is simply delightful, compared with the
confusion of book study alone; and yet it is no uncommon thing, when
forming a collection of Saxifrages, to receive three or four different
forms from different sources under the same name, and each perhaps more
or less authorised. The student by growing this genus of plants will
reap other pleasures than that of identification, and in a few years
time will find in his own garden (as the outcome of growing allied
species) new forms springing from seed, and scattered about the beds and
walks in a pleasing and suggestive manner. (See Fig. 84.)

[Illustration: FIG. 84. SAXIFRAGA CILIATA.

(One-fourth natural size; (1) two-thirds natural size.)]

The present subject has bell-shaped flowers, arranged in short-branched
panicles, each flower 3/4in. across, and sometimes, when well expanded,
quite an inch; the colour is a delicate pink-tinted white; petals
obovate and concave, inserted in the calyx, clawed, sometimes notched
and even lobed; stamens long as petals, inserted in throat of calyx,
stout, green changing to pink; anthers large and brick red when young;
styles massive, joining close together, turgid, nearly long as stamens,
and pale green; stigmas, simple, beardless, turning to a red colour;
calyx bell-shaped, five-parted, wrinkled; segments slightly reflexed and
conniving or joining; scapes 4in. to 6in. high, stout and smooth,
excepting solitary hairs; bracts, leaf-like; leaves oval or cordate,
2in. to 4in. long, wrinkled, slightly waved, and toothed, conspicuously
ciliated or haired on the margin, whence the specific name "_ciliata_."
Both surfaces are also furnished with short stiff hairs, the whole leaf
being stout and flatly arranged; leaf stalks short, thick, and furnished
with numerous long hairs, and ample stipules, which are glabrous, but
beautifully ciliated. Roots, woody, and slightly creeping on the
surface. Habit of foliage reflexing, forming flat mas