1886. | BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 247 
Expulsion of the seeds of Sporobolus eryptandrus.*. -The caryopsis of 
most Graminez contains a seed which firmly adheres to the pericarp. Sporo- 
bolus and some others have long been known as ex- 
still adhering to various portions of the glumes and 
branches of the panicle. One of my special students, 
at my suggestion, has made a few experiments to de- 
termine the mode in which the seed escapes. Inside 
tion. When about ready to escape or at a certain 
stage of maturity, if water be applied to the gS 
in a short time the seeds come forth. A 
panicle was wet and in 30 minutes 27 seeds easailae : 
in 37 minutes 40 seeds had escaped. In another case 
other cases seeds were seen to escape in six minutes, and in one c 
and one-half minutes, If the ovary is carefully removed from the floral glume 
and palea, and water is applied, the seed usually escapes a little quicker than 
when left in the flor 
On applying water the ovary may be seen to slowly enlarge till it bursts 
slowly, and if the glumes are still near the ovary the seed moves upward and 
usually adheres to some part of the panicle. A slight sprinkling or a heavy 
dew would bring the seeds out, but a heavy rain would wash them down at a 
time when the condition would be favorable for germination. Several other 
Species, as I judge from herbarium specimens, expell and hold their seeds in a 
similar manner. The action of the water on the ovary seems to be purely me- 
chanical and is explained in well known works on physics. The water enters 
the ovary faster than the gum can escape. The ovary is flattened and splits 
On the side next the palea.—W. J. BEAL. 
The Biology of er trees with special reference to the 
ments of forestry {—It most necessary for forestry purposes to thor- 
oughly understand the bias of the timber tress to be propagated, as in- 
judicious methods of propagation, selection of ausolinble species and im- 
proper after-treatment may occasion heavy financial loss, the results being 
for forestry purposes out of the 420 
absence of knowledge as . the true value not only of the timber, but 
rowing capacities of our 
A classification may be made into dominant species, which are capable of 
*Read before the Botanical Club of the A. A. A.S., Buffalo meeting, 1886. 
+ Portion of an abstract, by the author, of a paper read before A, A. 8., Buffalo 
meeting, 1886. < 
