_ twelve days in the ether atmosphere, they develope 
~ Mold and bacteria, seemed to have los 
_ the mold, that rendered the seeds unabl 
1899] EFFECT OF ETHER UPON GERMINATION 461 
placed in the ether atmosphere, 7. é., 48 hours after the corn had 
begun to germinate under the same conditions. Growth pro- 
ceeded very slowly in the atmosphere of ether, so that at the 
end of seven days, while the roots of corn and oats under nor- 
mal conditions were from 20 to 35™™ in length, the roots of corn 
in the atmosphere of ether measured only from 6 to 10™" and 
the roots of oats from 4 to 12™ (tables J and II). 
In the series of experiments in which 10% of ether were used 
[ it seemed to be impossible for the seeds to germinate, regardless 
ofthe length of time they were left in the atmosphere of ether. 
Some seeds were left fourteen days, and even longer, without 
showing any signs of germination. Whether the life of the 
seeds in this strong atmosphere of ether was destroyed or 
whether vital action was simply suspended, was the point next 
considered. After the seeds had remained from seven to ten 
days in the atmosphere containing 10° of ether, they were trans- 
ferred to an ether-free atmosphere and placed under the same 
conditions as the control experiments. At the expiration of © 
forty-eight hours a number of the seeds began to germinate. This 
was the same length of time required for germination by the 
seeds in the control experiment; hence it was concluded that 
the influence of ether for a period of seven days not only did 
not destroy the life of the seeds, but also did not injure them; 
1. ¢., the vital activity of the seeds seemed to be only suspended. 
When the seeds were left for twelve days in the atmosphere 
containing 10° of ether, and were then transferred to an ether- 
free atmosphere, they seemed to have lost their vitality. It was 
noticed, however, that after the seeds had remained ten or 
d patches of 
preld (mostly Penicillium), and white and yellow spots, which 
Proved upon examination to be patches of bacteria. However, 
those seeds which remained free, oF comparatively free, vos 
t their ability to germi- 
of the ether, and not of 
e to germinate. Similar 
of the seeds to 
hate, showing that it was the influence 
esults appeared both in regard to the inability 
