LONDON PRIDE 



207 



FIG. 44. Flower of London 

 Pride, showing the pistil, the ten 

 stamens, half of which have lost 

 their anthers, and the petals. 



rosettes. When old they contain much of a peculiar red 

 pigment, soluble in water ; this pigment is frequent in 

 leaves and shoots which are 

 much exposed to cold. New 

 rosettes as they form are 

 pushed outwards by runners, 

 and it is chiefly in this way 

 that the plant spreads. The 

 flowers are carried in branched 

 cymes. Both the flowers and 

 the flower-stalks are defended 

 by innumerable glands, which 

 pour forth a sticky secretion, 

 hindering the approach of ants 

 and other small creeping in- 

 sects. As in most saxifrages, 

 the stamens ripen successively, 

 and when ready to discharge their pollen bend inwards, 

 taking the position best calculated to dust an insect- 

 visitor. The two stigmas are pressed together until the 



stamens have dis- 

 charged their pollen, 

 and self-pollination 

 is thus avoided; 

 nearly all saxifrages 

 avail themselves of 

 the same contrivance. 

 London Pride is 

 chiefly pollinated by 

 a small fly, which is 

 very common in 

 gardens from early 

 spring to late summer 

 (Ascia podagrica, 

 fam. Syrphidae). This fly is less than a quarter of an inch 

 long, dark-coloured, and recognised by the thighs of the 

 long hind legs, which are thickened and distinctively 



FIG. 45. Pistil of London Pride, in side- 

 view ; on the left side the unripe stigmas are 

 pressed together ; on the right side the ripe 

 stigmas are fully expanded. 



