1898 | THE GERMINATION OF FERN AND MOSS SPORES a3 
been killed by the strong ether atmosphere. In the case of 
spores which had been in the ether for one hour, germination 
occurred in the light, but it was considerably retarded. In the 
dark no sign of germination was noted. 
From the above experiments it was quite evident that too 
strong a dose of anesthetic was administered. Another series 
of experiments was therefore conducted in which the spores 
were subjected to an atmosphere containing less ether. In order 
to supply the ether atmosphere, one part of ether was mixed 
with twenty of water. The cultures were then exposed to this 
atmosphere for one and three hours respectively. Those spores 
which had been in the ether atmosphere for one hour showed a 
very slight retardation of germination even in the light, but in 
the corresponding dark culture no germination whatever was 
noted. Those spores which had been in the ether atmosphere 
for three hours showed a very marked retardation, the period 
required for germination being extended from three to ten days. 
Those in the dark showed no germination. Another culture was 
treated in a slightly different way ; it was placed in the ether 
atmosphere for one hour, then in the dark for twenty-four 
hours, then in the ether atmosphere again for one hour, and 
from that time on in the dark under ordinary conditions. These 
cultures were kept in the dark for three weeks with the com- 
plete failure of the spores to germinate. In so far as the above 
experiments are concerned, ether retarded the germination of 
the spores even in the light, and had no effect upon their germi- 
nation in the dark. 
The non-nitrogenous food supply of spores is in the form of 
oils or fat. The first change of the fats in germination is appar- 
ently a decomposition into glycerin and fatty acid.” That the 
ultimate product from this food supply which is used in the 
first growth is a carbohydrate in the form of sugar may be sur- 
mised. At any rate the failure of the spores to germinate in 
the dark is due presumably to the fact that conditions are not 
afforded for the chemical changes which the reserve material 
*S Vines, Physiology of plants 173. 1886. 
