ully orange-coloured
anthers. The ovary is prominent, and of a pale yellow. Besides the above
features, the flowers, which mostly look sideways and are quite an inch
across their broadest parts, have one very long petal at the low side,
and the two next are at right angles with it, less than half its size,
the two upper ones being still less; the effect is both unusual and
pleasing. The leaf stalks are long, stout, and of a succulent nature,
semi-transparent, and slightly furnished with longish hairs; the
stipules are ample, and of a bright red, which colour extends for a
short length up the stalk. The leaves are kidney-shaped, 2in. to 5in.
across, eight or ten lobed, toothed and reflexed; they are furnished
with solitary stiff hairs, are of good substance, and a very dark green
colour, but herbaceous. The habit of this species is neat and very
floriferous; therefore it is a valuable plant for in or outdoor
gardening; but owing to its late season of flowering outside, the
blossom is liable to injury. A bell glass, however, will meet the case;
it should be placed over the plant, but tilted slightly, when there are
signs of frost--the flowers will amply reward such care. If the bloom
can be cut clean, a good cluster will vie with many orchids for delicacy
and effect.

[Illustration: FIG. 86. SAXIFRAGA FORTUNEI.

(One-fifth natural size; 1 and 2, full size.)]

I find it to do well in fat loam, and with the same kind of soil in
pots, which comes in for placing in cold frames when frost threatens. I
find it one of the easiest plants possible to manage--in fact, it needs
no care to grow it; still, many amateurs fail to keep it, I suppose from
taking it into a warm greenhouse, where it is sure to dwindle. It is
readily propagated by division of the crowns, which should be done in
spring.

Flowering period, October until strong frosts.

Saxifraga (Megasea) Ligulata.

_Nat. Ord._ SAXIFRAGACEAE.

One of the large-leaved species (see Fig. 87) compared with others of
the _Megasea_ section, its leaves are strap-like, as implied by the
specific name. It is sometimes called _Megasea ciliata_, but there is a
large-leaved species, commonly called _S. ciliata_, which is very
distinct from this one, and it is all the more important that they
should not be confounded with each other, as _S. ciliata_ is not very
hardy, whilst this is perfectly so, being also one of our finest
herbaceous perennials. It comes to us from Nepau