84 



Journal of the Mitchell Society 



[August 



composed of thick-walled hemicellulose 

 cells. From the micropylar end of the 

 endosperm a cylindrical cavity extends 

 in which the embryo is located. This 

 structure of the seed of persimmon re- 

 sembles the structure of the seed of Iris 

 which also shows dormancy and has been 

 investigated by Crocker. ^ 



In the autumn of 1921 some seeds 

 were collected from mature fruits and 

 were left to dry in the laboratory. As 

 soon as these were thoroughly dried, 

 which required about one week, some 

 were put under germinating conditions 



tion'^tiirou^if the''''seir?rpe?s1mmon intact while from othcrs the testa and 

 showing testa, t, and cap, c. ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ gudospcrm wcrc removed 



before placing them under similar conditions. After a few days some 

 of the treated seeds showed signs of germination while among the un- 

 treated seeds no germination was obtained. This led to an examination 

 of the treated seeds. It was found that in all the seeds where germ- 

 ination had become evident the cap which covers the radicle had been 

 removed in the removal of the testa. After soaking a few seeds for 

 two clays the testa covering the micropylar end and the underlying 

 cap were carefulh^ removed, and after leaving these seeds under 

 germinating conditions for three days all began to germinate while 

 the intact seeds did not germinate at all. Several attempts have been 

 made to germinate fresh seeds with testa intact but in all cases the re- 

 sults have been negative. However, among seeds which have been 

 lying on the ground or in soil for a year or two, a low percentage of 

 germination is usually obtained. 



1 Crocker, William, Role of seed coats in delayed germination, Bot. Gaz. 42: 265-291. 1906. 



