500 STUDIES IN SEEDS AND FRUITS 



laginous fluid. The stones of Acrocomia are black, very hard, 



and thick, and are used as ornaments, as in the case of Aleurites 



in the Pacific. In A. lasiospatha the stone is 3 to 4 mm. thick, 



and in A. sclerocarpa 4 to 5 mm. 

 Bactris. — This is a species common at river-mouths in Trinidad. 



The outer husk is very vv^atery, and probably the fruit will 



display the regime of the coco-nut. 

 Elieis guineefisis. — A peculiar drying regime is probably displayed on 



account of the abundant oil in the fruit. 

 The characteristic drying regime of drupaceous fruits is illustrated 



in the table by Cocos nucifera and Acrocomia (see below under 



Prunus). The water in the cavities of the green fruits of this 



tribe of palms is discussed on p. 414. 



(33) Poinciana regia^ p. 325. — Owing to the hard woody character of 



the dry pod there was considerable difficulty in ascertaining the 

 data. A disturbing cause is to be found in the failure of some 

 of the seeds, their place being occupied by ligneous tissue. 



(34) Primula veris^ pp. 323, 326. — The columella is included in the 



pericarp-proportion and may be dift'erentiated thus : — 



Pericarp proper 

 Moist fruit -J Columella 

 ( Seeds 



I 



I Pericarp proper 

 Dry fruit < Columella 

 ( Seeds 



The regime of the drying fruit, including the columella in the peri- 

 carp, is worked out on p. 323. 



With regard to the number of seeds in a capsule, the average was 

 placed at 62 for a fruit from the following data : — 



Three sets of ten capsules from three j ^^ 



different localities . . .I^o " 



( 680 „ 



1850 „ 



(35) Prunus communis (Sloe), p. 325. — The materials for determining 

 the drying regime of this fruit are given on p. 325, where the 



