90 GERMINATION 



the leaf buds. After the first leaves had emerged above 

 soil and could take in the air charge the usefulness of such 

 a synapse would disappear and the plumule would be 

 functionally as well as anatomically continuous with the 

 root. It is not easy with very young seedlings to get 

 accurate galvanometric tests but when I have, as I believe, 

 got a reUable reading the plumule exhibited a positive 

 reaction, whereas in an older plant it is always negative. 



It has been impressed upon me so frequently that the 

 seed contains nutriment for the sustenance of the seedling 

 that I have expected to find constant shrinkage of the 

 seed substance as growth proceeded. Very many experi- 

 ments have been made but I have not seen any evidence 

 of such shrinkage. 



The seedling shown in the last drawing was washed free 

 of soil, cut in section and the plumule shortened- 



The sketch is taken nearer the plant than the last but is 

 of the same seedling. 



Growth had taken place from the knob and the connection 

 was from the sides and not from the centre of the seed as 

 in the case of the Acorn and Hazel Nut. 



I am giving the ages of these seedlings but the relative 

 progress made by them depends not so much on the factor 

 of time as upon the condition of the seed when sown. Some 

 seeds are more advanced, more mature than others, and 

 therefore make better headway. 



