207 



Seedlings have been described and figured by Likdmark. 

 During the first year an epicotyledonary shoot is formed, about 

 5 mm. in height, and with short internodes ; during the second 

 year this becomes prostrate, its internodes elongate and it 

 branches. 



The shoots evidently may remain for several years in a 

 vegetative stage until they terminate in a (usually) solitary flower. 

 But they may also flower during the second year. The flowers 

 which first expand often occur embedded between the foliage- 

 leaves of the shoot (Fig. 25 A); the succeeding flowers may 

 be raised into the air to a greater or lesser height, upon 

 stems with elongated internodes (Fig. 24, A, H). 



^^ 



Fig. 26. Saxifraga oppositifoUa. 



A, A flower with very short stamens ('about '.i). B, Stigma of the same flower, ripe, but 



without pollen (West Greenland ; June 29, 1884). C, Germinating poUen from another flower. 



D, Stamens and pistil (about *, i) from a closed bud (West Greenland ; May 18). 



(Drawn by E. W.) 



The flowers pass the winter in a well-developed condi- 

 tion (Fig. 26 D). H. Jonsson found, in December, petals and 

 stamens which were already coloured. 



The diameter and the size of the flower vary on the 

 whole widely. From Spitzbergen Ekstam reports 9 — 11 ram., 

 and, exceptionally, 18 — 20 mm.; Axderssox and Hessel>un as 

 much as 18; similar measurements were made in Greenland. 

 This must evidently be connected not only with a difference of 

 age, but also with the conditions of life. 



The colour of the petals varies greatly. Some of the 



