332 NOTES , 



On May 30, 1916, seeds from the same capsule were divided 

 into two lots, one of which was placed in water and the other 

 on mud in glass dishes exposed to the light in the Laboratory 

 at Peradeniya, in a room in which the temperature varies 

 from 71 to 81° F. The seeds sink in Water. On September 2, 

 1916, half of those in water were transferred to a similar dish 

 of water, which was subsequently kept in darkness. A thick 

 film of algae developed over the surface of the mud, and the 

 seeds in that dish were lost sight of. This set was discarded 

 in December, 1918, by which time none of the seeds had 

 germinated. 



A thin tough film of algse similarly grew over the bottom 

 of the dish which contained the seeds exposed to light, and 

 covered the seeds. This film was removed periodically. 

 No alga film developed in the dish kept in the dark. 



In December, 1918, the dish exposed to light was accidentally 

 moved to a position in which direct sunlight fell on it in the 

 early mommg, and the seeds were left dry for one or two days. 

 Water was again added, and in the course of a week the seeds 

 germinated (December 30, 1918). Half of the seeds kept in 

 water in darkness were then dried off, and after two days were 

 again immersed in water. None of these seeds, however, have 

 germinated up to date (March 4, 1920). 



The Water Hyacinth was introduced into Ceylon as an 

 ornamental plant. In that respect, however, though 

 undoubtedly handsome, it has the defect that the inflorescence 

 is of short duration. On the second morning, the stalk bends 

 over and either the whole or part of the flowers are plunged 

 l)eneath the surface of the water. This usually occurs, at 

 Peradeniya, by 8.30 a.m. 



In addition to the recorded methods of propagation, viz., 

 by seeds and by offsetts, a third has been observed at Pera- 

 deniya. When a plant is old and the lower part is a mass of 

 decayed leaf-bases, the terminal bud develops rootlets, 

 separates from the plant, and floats off to begin an independent 

 existence. — T.P. 



H. R. COTTLE, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, COLOMBO, CEYLON. 



