76 



STUDIES IN SEEDS AND FRUITS 



The same effect is produced by puncturing or filing through 

 the shell, though, as shown in the results tabulated below, the 

 change is much more gradual. Here the total increase of 

 weight is the result of the combined absorptive capacities of 

 the kernel and its coverings. 



Results of Filing into the Shell or Hard Covering of the 

 Seeds of Guilandina bonducella, stated as a Percentage of 

 the Original Weight of the Seeds (34 to 35 Grains). 



* The seed with shell intact, weighing originally 35-06 grains, varied only between 

 35-04 and 35-08 grains during the period. 



t After the experiment both germinated readily in 4 to 5 days, and produced healthy 

 plants. 



By comparing the changes which these seeds experienced 

 in the first three or four months we find : — 



{a) That the seed with shell intact varied only at the rate 

 of YoVo °^ ^^^ weight during these twenty-four 

 months, a result probably instrumental and too small 

 to be noted in the table ; 



(b) That the seed with shell filed halfway through gained 



io*4 per cent, in weight ; 



(c) That the seed with its kernel exposed by filing through 



into the seed-cavity gained 1 1 per cent. 

 I shall have to return again to this subject when further 

 discussing these matters in Chapter VI ; but some additional 

 remarks may here be made. 



