APPENDIX 



505 



pierce the seed's substance, the radicular portion had bent down and 

 continued its growth within. The results are given in the table at 

 the end of this note. 



The loss of weight during the four months amounted, as above 

 indicated, to rather over half of the seed's original weight. When first 

 obtained the seeds were almost saturated with water, one of them, when 

 placed in water for some days, increasing its weight by only i|- percent. 

 The embryo contains much more water in the freshly gathered seed 

 than when growing in the air-drying seed. Thus, in the fresh state, 

 when weighing i grain and less, it lost about 74 per cent of its 

 weight whilst drying naturally in the air in the detached condition. 

 Some weeks afterwards, when its weight was increased to 2 grains 

 and its size proportionately augmented, it lost 65 per cent, ; and four 

 months from the date of gathering, when it had added another 6 

 grains to its weight and had increased its size tenfold, it lost about 

 50 per cent. 



The interesting point is that the embryo continues its growth 

 whilst sharing in the general drying of the detached seed. In the fresh 

 seed it is moist, fleshy, and delicate in texture. , After growing in the 

 drying seed it is firm, solid, and drier. 



Cases like those of Crinum and the acorn (p. 434), where germina- 

 tion can take place in a drying seed, seem at first sight to militate 



Table illustrating the Growth of the Weight of the Embryo of 

 Crinum within the Drying Seed. (For further explanation see text.) 



Detached 

 seed. 



Fresh seed 



The same 



a month 



later 

 The same 



after 



another 



three 



months. 



Total 



weight of 



seed. 



120 grams 



97 „ 

 51 .. 



Weight of 

 embryo. 



I gram 



1 



2*0 grains 

 8'5 ., 



Relative 



weight of the 



embryo to 



the seed. 



o"8 per cent. 



167 » 



Loss of 



weight of 



embryo when 



detached and 



air-dried. 



74 per cent. 

 5° .. 



The seed is much wrinkled at the end of the experiment, its length being reduced 

 from 33 to 27 mm., so that it is now considerably shorter than the embryo, which adapts 

 itself by flexing as it grows. 



