plant
may be grown otherwise than in a bog, but it should not want for depth
of rich soil. This I believe to be a more important condition than a
boggy situation, inasmuch as I have grown my specimen for three years on
the top of a dry mound; but the soil is good rich loam, and fully 5ft.
deep; and to show that this strong-growing subject needs a good depth of
soil, I may mention that I had occasion to dig up a piece, when it was
found, for the operation, to require both the strength and tools that
trees demand, the fibrous parts being deep and tough. When fairly
established it makes rapid growth, and when in full leaf it proves very
effective. Its propagation is easy with healthy plants; a length of the
creeping root, with a crown to it, should be cut from the parent stock
just before growth commences in early March. If planted as indicated in
the foregoing remarks, and kept shaded with a leafy branch for a month
or two, there need not be any fear about young plants becoming
established the first season.

Flowering period, June.

Saxifraga Purpurascens.

LARGE-LEAVED PURPLE SAXIFRAGA, MEGASEA _section_;
_Nat. Ord._ SAXIFRAGACEAE.

A rare plant of great beauty. It is figured here without flowers, as I
consider it in finer form then than when in bloom. Fine as its flowers
are, much resembling those of _S. cordifolia_ and _S. crassifolia_ (also
of the _Megasea_ section); the brightness and colouring of its leaves in
autumn are such as to render it distinct from all the other species. I
need only ask the reader to note the fine foliage indicated in the cut
(Fig. 91), and inform him that in the autumn it turns to a glossy
vermilion colour, and I think he will admit that it will not come far
short in beauty of any flower. The species is a recent introduction from
the Himalayas, and in this climate proves all but evergreen (if tinted
foliage can be so called) and hardy. The latter quality has been doubted
by some, but by others re-asserted. My present specimen was planted in
the open garden in the spring of 1880, since which time it has withstood
22deg. of frost.

The flowers are produced on stout stems, 8in. high, arranged in branched
heads, of a rose or rosy-purple colour, and bell-shaped. They are,
however, soon damaged by unfavourable weather, and there is little about
the plant at that period to render it more attractive than its fellows;
its finer qualities are developed as more genial weather prevails. Wh