204 STUDIES IN SEEDS AND FRUITS 



considerably more. It is likely that further investigation 

 may bring the behaviour of the Bauhinia seeds into line 

 with that of other seeds. It would appear from the table 

 that as a general rule, although the coats of the per- 

 meable seed shrink more than those of the impermeable 

 seed, both double their weight in the swelling process. 

 On the other hand, the kernels of permeable seeds, though 

 shrinking less, only double their weight when swelling for 

 germination, whilst the kernels of impermeable seeds shrink 

 more and increase their weight threefold in the swelling 

 process. 



It becomes at once apparent from all the tabulated results 

 that the resting state leaves its impress on the germinating 

 seed, especially with reference to the behaviour of the coats. 



The impress But the impress is also evident in the contrasts in appearance 

 presented by the coverings in the pre-resting seed and in the 

 see< ^ sw U en f r germination. In the pre-resting state the 



tion. coats are usually thick, moist, fleshy, easily marked by the 



finger-nail or cut with a knife, and elastic or yielding. In the 

 swollen seed on the eve of germination the seed's coverings 

 are thinner, relatively dry, tough, and unyielding. With a 

 seed like that of Entada scandens these characteristics are well 

 displayed, and we may take it as a good example of the 

 mechanism of germination in seeds of this type. In the 

 pre-resting or so-called unripe state we have a white, moist, 

 flabby seed with coats 3 to 4 millimetres thick. In the 

 swollen, germinating stage we have a dark brown seed with 

 tougher and drier coverings between 2 and i\ millimetres 

 thick. 



But a more important indication of the impress of the 

 resting state appears when we compare the changes in weight 

 with the changes in size. The seed on the point of germi- 

 nation is usually rather smaller than the so-called unripe 

 or pre-resting seed. This is brought out in the measure- 

 ments for four leguminous seeds in their several stages below 

 given. 



