428 



STUDIES IN SEEDS AND FRUITS 



Observations on the Growth during the Winter and Spring of 

 THE Fruits, Seeds, and Embryo of the Ivy (Hedera Helix). 



(Weights in grains and lengths in millimetres.) 



Explattation. — The observations of November 1908 to March 1909 were made from 

 collections obtained from the same plant by Mrs Mortimer at Redland, Bristol. Each 

 sample, consisting of from forty to sixty berries, was weighed at once, and subsequently 

 weighed and examined by me when the drying was complete some months after. 

 The other observations were made by me from fruits gathered at Salcombe in South 

 Devon. 



In the case of the Bristol fruits the data for the embryos were obtained after soaking 

 the seeds in water for a day. 



The water-contents indicated by the loss of weight of the berries when air-dried are 

 taken from the table at the end of Chapter XII. The entry for April 20, 1909, relates 

 to an observation made on fruits in the same stage in the following year. 



The diminution in the weight of the fruit in February and March is due to most of 

 the larger fruits having fallen. 



