
a Sea 



Igo1] EFFECT OF HYDROCYANIC ACID GAS 259 
affinity for moisture and for the seed, and eventually penetrates 
the seed even after the treated seeds have been exposed to the 
ordinary atmosphere. However, not all of the gas remains on 
the outer surface of the seed nor in the moisture sorrounding it, 
since a marked influence of the gas could be observed in those 
seeds that were first treated with the gas and then washed. 

a b 
6.—a, seeds in gas from 0.108" KCN per cubic foot for six hours, then 
washed and placed in gas-free atmosphere ; growth practically normal; 4, seed in gas 
from 0.258" KCN for eighteen hours, then washed and placed in gas-free atmosphere ; 
¢, Seeds in gas from 0.258" KCN per cubic foot for twenty-four hours, then washed and 
placed in gas-free atmosphere.— Photographed at end of two weeks. See table VIII. 
Conclusions.— Seeds, whether in the dry or moist condition, 
are capable of absorbing hydrocyanic acid gas from the sur- 
rounding atmosphere, whether the amount of gas in the atmos- 
phere is large or small per cubic foot. The gas thus absorbed 
has a marked influence upon the germination of the seeds and 
upon the subsequent growth of the seedlings. This influence is 
exerted upon the embryo or upon the enzymes or upon the 
