268 STUDIES IN SEEDS AND FRUITS 



water-contents differs in character in the earlier and later parts 

 of the period covered by the scale. In the first portion, where 

 we are concerned with the living plant or its part, the decrease 

 in the percentage of water is merely due to the fact that during 

 the building-up processes involved in growth the solids increase 

 more rapidly than the liquid constituents. In the second 

 portion, when the plant or its part is dying and drying, there 

 is an actual loss of water, and this goes on until the plant- 

 substance, like all other dead vegetable materials, ceases to 

 give up water to the air and retains only the water of hygro- 

 scopicity. 



Such is the r61e played by water in the life of a plant, 

 either entire or in part, as stated in terms of the decrease 

 in the proportion of the water-contents. In active life this 

 decrease, as just observed, is only relative, and is due to the 

 more rapid increase of the solids. When the plant dies it is 

 absolute, and involves the loss of all the water required for 

 the processes of vitality. But between the period appropriated 

 by the living plant or its part and the period associated with 

 death and desiccation, there often seems to be an interval of 

 varying length characterised by repose. This is the rest-period 

 that appears to be claimed by all vegetable life, by the plant in 

 its entirety, and by the plant in its smallest constituent parts. 

 Though it is difficult to point to any plant or any part of a 

 plant that does not seem to undergo this so-called rest-period, 

 I am inclined to think that nature often merely cloaks, but 

 does not suspend the processes of growth. With fruits such 

 a period of repose, if it exists at all, must be very brief ; and 

 with the great majority of seeds, which soon lose their vitality 

 on being dried, I should be disposed to believe that the 

 period between the cessation of active growth and the com- 

 mencement of loss of vitality must be very short. 



Such are some of the considerations that present them- 

 selves when we reflect that the immature fruit holds more 

 water than the ripe fruit. They illustrate the great significance 

 that lies behind all experiments even of the simplest nature, 



