THE WEIGHT OF THE EMBRYO 415 



the cavity, leaving only traces of the original central hollow. 

 The narrow fissure-like central cavity found in the albumen 

 of moist ripe fruits of other genera of the same tribe of 

 palms, such as Acrocomia and El<eis^ gives an indication of 

 a similar history of the young fruit. I may remark that even 

 the large cavity of the coco-nut may be sometimes nearly 

 obliterated. The kernel is so thick in a variety growing in 

 the Moluccas that there is scarcely any central space (Tropical 

 Agriculturist for 1833). 



It would be possible to greatly lengthen this chapter, 

 but I have approached the subject mainly as a preliminary 

 to the discussion of the rest-period in the next chapter. 

 Measurements of weight may have but little meaning in 

 themselves, but they acquire a significance when we arrange 

 them in order, as in the general table before given. The 

 indications of the separate seeds are full of suggestiveness. 

 Here we have a series of resting seeds, beginning with those 

 where the embryo constitutes only 20 1 00 of the weight of the 

 kernel (the other 1999 parts belonging to the albumen) and 

 ending with seeds where the embryo has appropriated all the 

 reserve-food, storing it either in its cotyledons or in other 

 parts of its substance. The series speaks eloquently of the 

 true relation between an albuminous and an exalbuminous 

 seed. But it is as concerns the rest-period of seeds that Therest- 

 the story of these figures has its most important lesson for 

 us, nature having imposed it on the young plant at all 

 stages of its early development. It is around the mystery 

 of the resting seed that the discussion in the following chapter 

 will chiefly centre. 



(i) Any discussion of the weight and size of the embryos of rest- 

 ing albuminous seeds must be beset with difficulties. Foremost comes 

 that concerned with the relation between the albuminous and 

 exalbuminous state, and it is assumed that the first is the primal 

 condition. Then there are the disturbing facts that not infrequently 



