THE WEIGHT OF THE EMBRYO 



411 



dry. According as we take the ripe moist fruit or the fruit 

 that has completed its drying process, the proportional weight 

 of the embryo as concerns the kernel varies greatly. This is 

 due to the fact that whilst the albumen of such a ripe fruit 

 usually loses when dried about a third of its weight, the 

 embryo loses about two-thirds. , The effect of this, as shown in 

 the results given below, is to halve the relative weight of the 

 embryo as compared with the kernel in the spontaneously 

 dried fruit. Thus with Cocos nucifera the embryo is ■•nV'B' °^ 

 the weight of the kernel in the ripe fruit and ^^j^-^ in the 

 dry fruit many months old, though it is more than doubtful 

 whether the shrunken embryo in the last case would retain its 

 vitality. 



Table showing the Loss of Weight, when Drying spontaneously, 

 OF THE Albumen and Embryo of the Ripe Seeds of Palms, 

 AND its Effect on the Proportional Weight of the Embryo. 



It is thus seen that the discussion of this subject as concerns 

 the palm embryo presents serious difficulties. Every type 

 of palm seed would probably have its own regime, and we 

 are for ever thwarted by the interposition of the rest-period 

 and its results. An important contrast is brought out by 

 observing the behaviour of diiFerent embryos when placed 

 in water. In the ripe coco-nut the embryo fills its cavity The embryo 

 and is more or less in a state of saturation as regards its n„cifera! 

 water-contents, , since on being placed in water its weight 



