1877. Of the several hundreds of species and varieties of
this genus, it is doubtless one of the best and most distinct as regards
its habit and rich flowers. So pronounced are its merit that, although I
have not grown it for more than four years or so, I can have no
hesitation in sounding its praise. It is possible that when it has
become better established in the collections of amateurs and others, and
when it has regained what may be termed its natural vigour, lost by the
too rapid propagation common to new plants, it may prove to be even
better than I have yet proved it. However that may be, there can at
present be only one opinion respecting it.

The rosette foliage is in the style of _S. longifolia_ and _S.
pyramidalis_, intermediate; the flowers are quite distinct, but they
remind one of the charming _S. mutata_, which is also a rosette form,
having a fine panicle of blossom. It is said to be a seedling from _S.
Nepalensis_ crossed by _S. cotyledon_ or _S. pyramidalis_, but, as the
cross was accidental, there must be some uncertainty; both parents are
evidently incrusted forms.

The flowers are 1/2in. across, corolla flat, petals richly spotted with
numerous bright red spots; they are much shorter than the petals of most
of the other incrusted varieties; they are also slightly reflexed in the
more matured flowers; the calyx, too, is less hairy and the segments
shorter than those of its reputed parents. The stem of my tallest
specimen is not more than 15in. high; the panicle is large, beginning
about four inches above the rosette. It is well branched, the flowers
being clustered at the ends of the branchlets. The whole panicle will be
about 10in. long and 6in. or 8in. through. As regards the foliage, I
only need add to what has already been stated, that the leaves are
arranged in somewhat lax rosettes, are strap, or tongue-shaped, evenly
serrated, and, in the winter bright at the edges, with frosted or
silvery markings; the flowers are so very attractive that casual
observers readily recognise their beauties amongst hundreds of other
Saxifrages, and they have not inaptly been compared with fine old china.

I ought not to omit mention of that rare quality possessed by this
Saxifrage, viz., a rich perfume.

Though it is perfectly hardy, it may be grown in pots with great
advantage, as then it can be the more closely examined; but if it is not
convenient to grow it in that manner, it may be planted either on
roc