466 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [JUNE 
ungen uber die Entleerung der Reservestoffbehalter.’”* In the 
other test tubes where larger quantities of ether were used, there 
seemed to beno appreciable difference in the time required for 
the transformation of the starch when compared with the con- 
trol tubes. This also agrees with the observations of Puriewitsch: 
and others; hence it would seem that the inactivity caused by 
the ether atmosphere is due to the influence produced upon the 
living protoplasm. 
SUMMARY. 
1. A weak atmosphere of ether tends to hasten the time of 
germination of both seeds and spores. 
2. A strong atmosphere of ether retards or prevents the 
germination of seeds and spores. 
3. The extent of retardation depends upon the strength of 
the ether atmosphere up to a given point. 
4. The time of retardation for the same strength of ether 
atmosphere is different for different seeds and spores. 
5. Spores produced ina strong atmosphere of ether are able 
to germinate and to produce new spores as readily as when 
grown in an ether-free atmosphere. 
6. Seeds and spores which are kept from germinating by the 
influence of ether for several days, will germinate as readily as 
if they had not been subjected to an atmosphere of ether, if they 
are removed to an ether-free atmosphere. 
7. Ether does not render the ferment inactive. 
MARYLAND AGRIC. COLLEGE, 
College Park, Md. 
‘Jahrb. fiir wiss. Botanik 31 : 1-76. 1898. 
§ Loc. ctt. 
