GERMINATION OF SEEDS. I.— THE VITALITY 

 OF DORMANT AND GERMINATING SEEDS. 



THE term g-ermination is mostly used to connote re- 

 sumption of growth by dormant seeds ; this restric- 

 tion is neither etymologically nor physiologically defensible, 

 and is now merely a tribute to custom. Germination con- 

 notes resumption of growth by any dormant part of a 

 plant, for the rationale of this process is in all cases com- 

 parable, the particular case of seeds being merely one aspect 

 of its deconnotation. This article deals only with the ger- 

 mination of seeds to avoid undue extension, and primarily 

 with the ' vitality ' of dormant S(,:eds, since it is obvious that 

 the former is a function of the latter. 



Resistance to time. — Numerous statements have been 

 periodically made about the ' longevity ' of seeds ; the 

 majority are of little value from lack of detail or of sufficient 

 positive proof. The most notorious are those concerning 

 seeds from sarcophagi of Egyptian mummies. It is now 

 generally acknowledged that no adequate proof of their 

 germination has been produced, the reputed success of some 

 authors having been rather due to duplicity of Arab vendors 

 than genuineness of the seeds. Burgerstein (i) quotes 

 experiments of linger with indubitably genuine seeds. 

 Corns of Hordcnni hexastichon from the ruins of Thebes 

 were tested ; not one germinated. The same result was 

 obtained with corns of Triticuin out of tiles made of Nile- 

 mud and straw from the Darhur-pyramid near Cairo. 

 There is nothing extravagant in the idea that mummy-seeds 

 may retain potential life, but there is no proof that this is 

 so ; indeed, C. de Candolle (2) states that the wheat 

 was always sterilized apparently before introduction into 

 sarcophagi though no authority is given for this statement. 



That the treatment of this subject is not wanting in 

 humour is evident from that which follows : A well 

 was once sunk in the Lias of Shipston-on-Stour ; the next 

 year Glaucium luteuvi appeared on the rubbish from the 



