42 B 



Canadian Arctic Expedition, 1913-18 



developed from the centre of which the flower-bearing stem arises. The primary- 

 root dies off at an early state but becomes substituted by long, slender, secondary 

 roots proceeding from the rhizome close beneath the rosette. 



Figure M. 

 1. Saxifraga steUaris L. var. comosa Poir.; natural size; specimen from West Greenland. 2. Petal 

 of same; enlarged. 3. A bulblet of same; enlarged. 4. A bulblet of S. cemitaL.; enlarged. 

 5. A germinating bulblet of same; enlarged. 6. iS. radiaia Small; natural size; specimen 

 from Herschel island. 7. Petal of same; enlarged. " 8. S. dedpiens Ehrh. from Cockbum 

 point; natural size. 9. A leaf of same; enlarged. 



An arctic variety of this species is the so-called comosa (Fig. M: 1, 2, 3) in 

 which most of the flowers are transformed into small bulblets. These bulblots 

 represent an important means of vegetative reproduction since they are able to 

 develop new individuals when separated from the mother-plant, thus reminding 

 of S. cernua L. of the section Nephrophyllum. When the bulblet germinates, 

 it produces a short, ascending rhizome, terminated by a rosette of typical leaves, 

 and an inflorescence bearing few flowers but many bulblets. 



