TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION K. 1028 
IT, Mode of penetration into the host of L. neelgherensis— Unlike many species, 
L. neelgherensis develops no well-marked organ of attachment (suctorial disc) at 
the free end of its hypocotyl. 
Where much resistance to the entry of the sucker is offered by the host, there 
are formed at the edges of the attached surface of the hypocotyl a series of 
acropetally arising, hair-bearing cortical ridges. The later-formed ridges, wedging 
themselves in between the older ones and the bark, force these older ridges away. 
The firmly attached hairs of each ridge so forced away tear off masses of the 
bark, and thus the softer tissues, through which the sucker readily and cleanly 
bores, are exposed by instalments. Where the sucker comes in contact with 
lignified structures, dissolution is more gradual, and stages of disintegration 
(erosion figures) are to be observed. 
In Z. loniceroides, where a well-marked suctorial disc is formed, attachment 
occurs once for all. This attachment is maintained (1) by the growth of the 
edge of the disc hard against the bark; (2) by the outgrowing hairs forming a 
matted sclerotic mass firmly fixed into the outer layers of the host. 
6. Specimens of Recent and Fossil Plants were demonstrated in the 
Zoological Laboratory by Dr. D. H. Scorr, Professor Maenus, Pro- 
fessor ZACHARIAS, Miss E. Sarcant, Mr. A. C. Sewarp, Mr. W. H. 
Lane, and others. 
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER. 23. 
The following Papers were read :— 
1. On Latent Life in Seeds. By M. Casimir DE CANDOLLE. 
In this paper M. de Candolle gave an account of some experiments which he 
has recently carried out on the power of germination of seeds exposed for different 
periods to low temperatures, He also recorded striking instances of the develop- 
ment of normal seedlings from seeds which have been kept for a great number of 
years. From seeds of Nelumbium speciosum, more than a hundred years old, 
Robert Brown obtained perfect seedlings, Similar results were recorded from 
experiments made on very old seeds in the Tournefort Herbarium, Paris. Plants 
buried under rubbish-heaps collected by the Greeks have been found to grow and 
develop flowers from seeds which must have been at least 1,500 years old. To test 
the condition of a dormant seed, M. de Candolle exposed the seeds of several 
plants to a temperature too low to admit of the continuance of the process of 
respiration. Seeds of corn, oats, Feniculum officinale, Mimosa pudica, Gloxinia, 
and other plants were exposed for 118 days to a temperature of 40°F. below zero. 
The means of carrying out these experiments was afforded by refrigerating machines 
placed at the disposal of M. de Candolle by a Liverpool firm of meat importers. 
The machines worked about eight hours a day, and during that time the tempe- 
rature often fell considerably below 40°F. below zero. Nearly all the seeds of 
corn, oat, and Feniculum germinated, and a great many in the case of Mimosa. 
The Gloxinias did not develop, but-there is reason to suppose that they were not 
good seeds, as others from the same lot did not germinate freely even under normal 
conditions. The conclusion to be drawn from the experiments seems to be this: 
In resting seeds the protoplasm is not actually living, but has reached a stage of 
inaction in which, although not dead, it is endowed with potential life. In other 
words, protoplasm in resting seeds is not analogous to a smouldering fire, but 
rather to those chemical mixtures made up of bodies capable of combining when 
certain conditions of temperature and illumination are realised. .A good example 
of this condition is afforded by a mixture of chlorine and hydrogen, which can be 
preserved indefinitely without combining if kept in the dark, but under the 
influence of certain rays of light combine with explosive violence. 
