ses; smaller or
supplementary scapes are sent up later than the main scape, from the
midst of the stipules, bearing flowers in ones and twos. The blossom,
which is effective and very beautiful, is also sweetly scented, like the
hawthorn.

As already hinted, this is not one of the most hardy Saxifrages, but I
have twice wintered it out on gritty beds, well raised, also on
rockwork, under a warm south wall; and, as such positions can be found
or made in most gardens, it would be advisable to try and establish this
distinct and lovely spring bloomer. Lime and sandstone grit mixed with
loam and leaf soil I find to be the best compost I have yet tried for
it; in fact, until a dry situation and a little lime were given, it
proved a shy bloomer. It is now quite the reverse, notwithstanding that
the roots were divided during the previous autumn. Fogs and rain are its
greatest plagues, owing to its hairy nature; the glass and wire
shelters should be used for this most deserving subject. Propagated by
division of the woody semi-creeping roots during early autumn; each
division should have a crown and some roots, when they may be planted in
their permanent quarters.

Flowering period, March to May.

Saxifraga (Megasea) Cordifolia.

_Nat. Ord._ SAXIFRAGACEAE.

A first-class herbaceous perennial, grown for over a hundred years in
English gardens; it comes from Siberia, and consequently, it is very
hardy in this climate. The _Megasea_ section of the Saxifraga is a very
distinct genus; there are several forms with but slight distinctions in
the section, but the species now under notice may be readily
distinguished from its nearest known relatives, first by its extra size
in all its parts, next by its wrinkled heart-shaped leaves.

The flowers are produced on stout stems nearly a foot high, a section of
which will cut the size of a sixpenny piece; the rose-coloured flowers
are perfectly developed before they push through the many-times
over-lapped foliage; they are neatly arranged, the branching stems
sometimes giving the panicle of blossom the form and also the size of a
moderate bunch of grapes. Just at this stage the flowers, to be most
enjoyed, should be cut before the weather spoils their delicate colour.
The fine pale green calyx, which is also conspicuous by its handsome
form and extra length, is far from the least important feature of this
flower, especially at the above-mentioned stage. The leaves are 6in. to
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