OF THE COCOANUT DURING GERMINATION 353 
crown” ; sharply tapered to the point of surface penetration. The 
fibers about the stem were tightly pressed together. The neck of 
the absorbing organ was very woody and fibrous in character. 
Absorption. of the endosperm at the proximal end was quite 
marked; distal portion undiminished. Milk cavity largely filled by 
the absorbing organ. A small space at the distal end remained, 
containing viscid white material full of large oil globules ; quantity 
less than 10 c.c.—doubtless concentrated milk. It was strongly 
acid in reaction from acid phosphate, reduced Fehling’s solution, 
_ gave only a faint biuret reaction and was free from starch. The 
inner surface of the endosperm in the distal portion was soft, having 
the consistency of lard. 
The weight of the whole shoot, minus the roots, in the fresh 
condition was 28.1 grams. Dry, the weight was 4.25 grams or 
15.1 per cent. of the fresh substance, indicating a presence of 84.9 
per cent. of water in the original plant. 
B. This nut, although germinating for the same period of time, 
was not quite as far advanced as the previous one, having shoots 
that were just emerging from the husk. The stem was thicker, 
however. In most respects its internal condition was exactly the 
Same as that of the first. The fluid in the distal cavity was less in 
_ quantity, not as turbid, contained less oil—otherwise was the same 
as that of the previous nut. 
The weight of the entire plumule was 38.8 grams. Dried, 
it weighed 5.75 grams. Thus it contained 14.8 per cent. of solid 
matter and 85.2 per cent. of water. 
Il. Analyzed—1. Growth continued for eight months. The 
cotyledon entirely filled the cavity. About half of the endosperm 
was absorbed ; practically all of that proximally except a thin 
layer. The distal residue of endosperm appeared to be normal in 
taste and appearance except on the surface, where the soft layer 
Previously referred to—one fourth the entire thickness—could 
again be seen. The outer surface of the cotyledon, that part in 
contact with the endosperm, was much corrugated ; the whole 
organ, solid but spongy, sweet and agreeable to the taste, pyriform. 
In the tables on page 354 and 355 the results of our analyses for 
this nut are indicated by the numeral I. 
