distinct, and beautiful form of Saxifrage; there
seems, however, to be some confusion in reference to its nomenclature.
That it belongs to the _Megasea_ section there can be little doubt, so
that its synonym (_M. ciliata_) is fairly descriptive; but when it is
said to be _identical_ with _S. ligulata_, also of the _Megasea_
section, the difficulty of recognising the form illustrated as such is
very great indeed. It is also supposed to be a _variety_ of _S.
ligulata_, and though it has many important dissimilarities, it has also
many affinities. So much does it differ from _S. ligulata_ that it seems
to be fully entitled to the specific honours which some authorities have
given to it. It differs from _S. ligulata_, described by Don, in being
rough and hairy on both sides of the leaves; in other respects it
agrees, more especially in the colour of the flowers, which is uncommon.
It may be the _Megasea ciliata_ of Haworth, which Don refers to under
_S. ligulata_, or it may be a distinct form of the latter, as, on the
authority of Dr. Wallich, of the Botanical Gardens of Calcutta, the
species has varieties. Wherever its proper place may be in its numerous
genus, the name at the head hereof is a good descriptive one. It is an
Indian contribution, hailing from the mountains east of Bengal. In this
climate it endures our winters, though it is not one of the hardiest of
its tribe. It has not long been cultivated in this country, and is
rarely met with. Its distinct habit and fine flowers render it
desirable, and it will with many be more so on the score of its
peculiarities. A few of the latter may be mentioned here. Anthers very
large, and brick-red before becoming pollenized; scapes and
scape-sheaths nearly smooth, though all other foliar parts are hairy;
stipules very large and fully developed whilst the leaves are in their
rudimentary stage. When not in flower the plant has a strong resemblance
to _S. sarmentosa_, which belongs to another section, but _S. ciliata_
has features belonging to both sections. The habit, however, is more
flat, and leaves more oval, and if, as has been hinted, this is a
hybrid, it may not be without some relationship to that species, which
is also of Asian origin. Further, on the authority of Murray, _Sax.
sarmentosa_ is identical with _S. ligulata_; so that, if we may suppose
_S. ciliata_ to be a distinct variety of _S. ligulata_, and the latter
to have such affinity to _S. sarmentosa_ that Murray