ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE 131 



them, and a very close approximation between the two absorp- 

 tions could not often be looked for. However, in the main, 

 these independent experiments confirm the principle indicated by 

 the seeds of Guilandina bonducella, that exposure to a temperature 

 of 100° C. does not seriously affect the absorptive capacity. 



But to eliminate such disturbing conditions I made critical 

 experiments on certain impermeable seeds in which the absorp- 

 tive qualities of the unheated and heated materials were simul- 

 taneously tested in similar samples. The seeds in question were 

 those of Entada scandens, Erythrina indica^ and Guilandina bondu- 

 cella. In the case of Entada scandenSy one large seed weighing 

 nearly 500 grains supplied all the material for the double experi- 

 ment. In the cases of the two last named, each seed was divided 

 between the two samples, the one for exposure without heat to 

 the air, the other for exposure to the air after . being subjected 

 to a temperature of 100° C. The results were as follows : — 



A. Entada scandens 



Gain of coats and kernel: unheated, io-8 per cent.; after 100° 

 C, 9'5 per cent. 



Gain of coats alone : unheated, 8-2 per cent. ; after 100° C, 8-0 

 per cent. 



Gain of kernels alone : unheated, 12-3 per cent.; after 100° C, 

 1 0*4 per cent. 



B. Guilandina bonducella 



Gain of coats and kernel: unheated, 137 per cent.; after lOO" 

 C, I4"2 per cent. 



Gain of coats alone: unheated, i2-o per cent.; after 100° C, 

 1 3*3 per cent. 



Gain of kernel alone: unheated, 162 per cent.; after 100° C, 

 15*5 per cent. 



C. Erythrina indica (impermeable seeds only selected) 

 Gain of coats and kernel : unheated, 4-5 per cent. ; after 100° C, 



3*4 per cent. 



Gain of coats alone : unheated, 2-3 per cent. ; after 100° C, i-6 



per cent. 



Gain of kernel alone : unheated, 5-0 per cent. ; after 100° C, 4-1 



per cent. 



