40 



STUDIES IN SEEDS AND FRUITS 



Comparison of the Swelling Capacities of Albuminous and Ex- 

 albuminous Seeds of Species of Leguminos^, the Resting 

 Seed being taken as i. 



Since the proportional weight of the seed-coats varies 

 (c) Differ- greatly between different species, a subject discussed in 

 proportional Chapter IX, it is possible that this may determine the varia- 

 ^^lf^*^°t*^^ tion in the swelling capacity. A cursory reference to the 

 results there tabulated will make it apparent that this is not 

 the case. This is sufficiently indicated by the comparison 

 made below, from which it is to be inferred that in leguminous 

 seeds with similar swelling capacities, the coverings may con- 

 stitute as little as 24 per cent., and as much as 61 per cent, of 

 the entire weight. 



Comparison between the Swelling Capacities of the Seeds of 

 Four Leguminous Plants and their Seed-coat Ratios. 



A noticeable feature in Table A is the small shrinking 



((/) The seeds ratio of the seeds of moist or pulpy indehiscent fruits of the 



legume?*" berry type. I was rarely successful in getting them to 



germinate ; but in the successful cases of Jnona murkata (the 



Soursop) and of Citrus decumana (the Shaddock), it will be seen 



that the swelling ratio is similarly small, and no doubt this rule 



