_Herbs or shrubs, of various aspect, distinguishable from_ Rosaceæ _by having copious albumen in the seeds, opposite as well as alternate leaves, and usually no stipules; the stamens mostly definite, and the carpels commonly fewer than the sepals_, either separate or partly so, or all combined into one compound pistil. Calyx either free or adherent, usually persistent or withering away. Stamens and petals almost always inserted on the calyx. Ovules anatropous. Tribe I. SAXIFRAGEÆ. Herbs. Leaves alternate (rarely opposite in n. 2 and 6). Fruit dry, capsular or follicular, the styles or tips of the carpels distinct. [*] Ovary 2- (rarely 3-) celled with axile placentas, or of as many nearly distinct carpels. 1. Astilbe. Flowers polygamous, panicled. Stamens (8 or 10) twice as many as the small petals. Seeds few. Leaves decompound. 2. Saxifraga. Flowers perfect. Petals 5. Stamens 10. Seeds numerous, with a close coat. 3. Boykinia. Flowers perfect. Stamens only as many as the petals, which are convolute in the bud and deciduous. Calyx-tube adherent to the ovary. Seed-coat close. 4. Sullivantia. Flowers perfect. Stamens 5. Calyx nearly free. Seeds wing-margined. [*][*] Ovary 1-celled, with 2 parietal placentas alternate with the stigmas. Sterile stamens none. 5. Tiarella. Calyx nearly free from the slender ovary. Petals entire. Stamens 10. Placentas nearly basal. 6. Mitella. Calyx partly cohering with the depressed ovary. Petals small, pinnatifid. Stamens 10. 7. Henchera. Calyx bell-shaped, coherent with the ovary below. Petals small, entire. Stamens 5. 8. Chrysosplenium. Calyx-tube coherent with the ovary. Petals none. Stamens 10. [*][*][*] Ovary 1-celled, with 3--4 parietal placentas opposite the sessile stigmas. A cluster of united sterile filaments at the base of each petal. 9. Parnassia. Sepals, petals and proper stamens 5. Peduncle scape-like, 1-flowered. Tribe II. HYDRANGEÆ. Shrubs. Leaves opposite, simple. Ovary 2--5-celled; the calyx coherent at least with its base. Fruit capsular. [*] Stamens 8 or 10. 10. Hydrangea. Calyx-lobes minute in complete flowers. Petals valvate in the bud. [*][*] Stamens 20--40. 11. Decumaria. Calyx-lobes small. Petals 7--10, valvate in the bud. Filaments subulate. Style 1. 12. Philadelphus. Calyx-lobes conspicuous. Petals 4--5, convolute in the bud. Filaments linear. Styles 3--5. Tribe III. ESCALLONIEÆ. Shrubs. Leaves alternate and simple. Ovary 2--5-celled. Fruit capsular. 13. Itea. Calyx 5-cleft, free from the 2-celled ovary, which becomes a septicidal capsule. Tribe IV. RIBESIEÆ. Shrubs. Leaves alternate and simple, with stipules adnate to the petiole or wanting. Fruit a berry. 14. Ribes. Calyx-tube adnate to the 1-celled ovary. Placentas 2, parietal, many-seeded. 1. ASTÍLBE, Don. FALSE GOATSBEARD.