"50 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [JANUARY 
methylene, the basicity becomes reduced; and the substituted 
acid can then be titrated with sodium hydrate as a measure 
of protein hydrolysis. Titrations made on a second lot of seeds 
according to the SORENSEN method gave results similar to the 
VAN SLYKE determinations. 
The growth in these seeds occurring before germination is very 
meager. There is no morphological change in endosperm or 
embryo, although the latter increased slightly in length. After 
the appearance of sugar the hypocotyl exerts a forward pressure, 
separating the sides of the swelling cap which forces the coat open. 
At this moment the cap is under so much pressure that it is dis- 
torted, and a sharp angle is formed between its end and sides. The 
growth following this stage will be discussed later. 
TABLE XVII 
RESPIRATION OF SEEDS AT DIFFERENT PERIODS OF DEVELOPMENT AT 25° ‘3 
(7 CC. VOLUME) 
: Mgm. CO.| Mgm. O. 
Condition of seeds | No.| Gf" |Days| Percentage | Percentage iy eren ae wnang es per hour 
. . per gm. per gm. 
weight co. CO:+0: | O, 
Sc Ae hee eee 500 1.250 5 1.18 20,82 £37 °.76) 0.00I1r 
Af 5 days at 5°C.| 50 0.125 ¥ 4.35 20.30 3.77 0.84) 0.1311 0.1347 
After 30 days at 5°C.| 10 0.030 3 3-78 20.82 3.08 0.94] 0.218 .1976 
After 60 days at 5° C.} 10 0.02 3 3.80 20.70 3.90 0.97} 0.2352 0.2151 
After 90 days at 5°C.| 10 0.0) 3 3.80 20.68 3-90 0.907] 0.2354 0.2075 
After 100 days at 5° C.| 10 0.028 s 4.10 20.00 6.00 0.68) 0.2486 ©. 3192 
After 130 days at 5°C.} 10 i I 9.30 20.56 90.74 0.95 gO 43 
Table XVII gives the results of the respiration experiments 
obtained by the use of the Bonnier and Mangin apparatus. There 
‘was a great increase in the respiratory intensity during the first 
5 days and after the seeds split open. These are the periods when 
the seed increased in water content. There was a very slow increase 
in the respiratory intensity during after-ripening, even though the 
water content decreased. The respiration quotient increased 
very slightly during after-ripening, but decreased to a minimum 
at germination. Not only does this low respiratory quotient of 
o.68 indicate the time of intense fat metabolism, but at this par- 
ticular period it was found that the fats were being transformed 
into carbohydrates. It would be interesting to know this quotient 
at 5° C., as it would probably be much lower. After germination 
