nd in every way it is reliable. It may be
readily propagated by divisions. The procumbent stems will, in strong
patches, be found to supply rootlets in abundance. These may be
transplanted at almost any time of the year.

Flowering period, March and April.

_S. opp. alba_ is a white flowered variety of the above. It is not found
wild. Other dissimilarities are the smaller parts throughout the whole
plant, and the less straggling habit. The white petals show up the dark
orange anthers finely. There are other varieties of the above type, but
their points of difference are so slight as not to need description for
garden uses. It may, however, be useful to give their names: _S. opp.
major_, _S. opp. pyrenaica_, _S. opp. retusa_, _S. opp. pallida_. All
the above varieties may be grown like the common form; their uses,
propagation, and blooming period are the same, with the exception of
_pyrenaica_, which not only flowers a little later, but is less rampant,
and not nearly so easy to propagate. I have imagined that a little
limestone has helped it, bits of which are placed over its roots.

Saxifraga Paradoxa.

PARADOXICAL SAXIFRAGE; _Nat. Ord._ SAXIFRAGACEAE.

[Illustration: FIG. 89. SAXIFRAGA PARADOXA.

(Two-thirds natural size.)]

One of the less known and, perhaps, somewhat rare saxifrages; it is a
curious, distinct, and beautiful form, being of that class which the
lover of the ornamental kinds most admires, for not only is it
attractive all the year round, but additionally so when there cannot be
seen any part of a growing or decaying flower stem upon it, and when its
silvery, but lax rosettes, with their encrustments and glistening leaf
dots, are perfectly matured, which is the case during mid-winter. I fear
the illustration (Fig. 89), can give but a poor idea of the pleasing
silvery-grey colour, which, when the specimen is dry, overlays foliage
of a dark and glossy green, to say nothing of the numerous and regular
spots which so charmingly enliven the specimens. I am unable to learn to
what species it is most nearly related; its name, which doubtless has
reference to its peculiar form and habit, would seem to isolate it even
from its parents, if such are known; it, however, belongs to that
section having thick leathery leaves, ligulate, encrusted, arranged in
rosette form, and having excavated dots. _Saxifraga lingulata_, _S.
crustata_, _S. Australis_, _S. longifolia_, and _S. carinthiaca_ belong
to the