to the above kinds in all its parts. Its blooming
period is in early summer, but specimens often grow in size and beauty
for three or five years without producing flowers. The foliage is the
more admired feature, and is at its greatest beauty in December.

The flowers are borne in handsome panicles, in the style of those of _S.
pyramidalis_, which are about 18in. high. The blossom is of the kind
common to this section. The leaves are long, narrow, toothed bluntly,
and spotted with silvery dots; the whole leaf is greyish; the habit is
rigid and of even arrangement; the rosettes are of all sizes, from 2in.
to 10in. in diameter. At 3in. to 6in. they are attractive, and as they
grow larger, they become conspicuous in their beauty. It is not
desirable to have them flower, inasmuch as the rosettes are then
destroyed, though the plants do not die. Of course, if a specimen "shows
bloom" it cannot be helped, but rather than lose a season's produce of
young stock I would nip out the "lead," and so cause offsets to be
produced instead of flowers.

In the rock garden this is one of the most telling subjects that can be
introduced; not only does it love to have its roots amongst the stones,
but it is a form which harmonises and yet contrasts finely with such
shapeless material, and, further, relieves the sameness of verdure of
other plants in a more than ordinary degree. It will grow in borders or
beds, but looks nowhere so well as on rockwork. True, its uses are
limited, but then they are exceedingly effective. I have grown this
subject in almost every kind of soil and compost, and it has done well
in most; stiff clay-like loam appears too cold or wet for it; on the
other hand, a sandy loam, mixed with leaf soil, grows it finely; perfect
drainage is the desideratum, in no matter what position it is planted.
It may be increased in various ways--1st, By seeds, which may be bought,
as it is carefully harvested abroad; 2nd, from offsets, as already
stated; and, 3rd, from offsets produced by cutting out the leaves in two
or more parts, so as to let the light in at the collar. This method may
seem heartless, and it certainly spoils the specimen; it is a mode to be
followed only where there are spare old plants and young stock is
needed.

Flowering period, June and July.

Saxifraga Macnabiana.

MACNAB'S SAXIFRAGA; _Nat. Ord._ SAXIFRAGACEAE.

This is a new and very beautiful variety, called after Mr. MacNab, who
raised it in