72 Prof. J. Beynolds Green and Mr. H. Jackson. [Mar. 22, 



stages of germination were found to be as set out in the former paper. 

 Consequently, examinations of the contents of the seeds were made at 

 certain stages of the germination, and before the process had begun. The 

 stages were the following : — (1) The seed at the time of the cracking of the 

 testa, usually after 24 to 48 hours in the soil ; (2) the seed with the radicle 

 protruding for a length of 1 to 2 cm., usually about three days after sowing ; 

 and finally, (3) seeds whose lateral root system had become fairly well 

 developed. The times at which these stages were reached varied with the 

 samples of seeds used, and the temperatures at which the germination 

 took place. 



The results of a typical experiment are stated in the subjoined table : — 



Table A. 



Degree of 

 development. 



Dry 

 weight 

 of seeds 

 used. 



Oil in seeds. 



Fatty acid in seeds. 



Lecithin 

 per cent, 

 of weight 

 of seeds. 



Actual 

 weight. 



Percentage 

 of weight 

 of seeds. 



Actual 

 weight. 



Percentage 

 of weight 

 of seeds. 





grammes. 

 4-48 

 4-47 



4-17 



3-34 



grammes. 

 3 7115 

 3-016 



2-19 



0-789 



82 -8 

 67 -5 



52 -5 



23 -6 



grammes. 



o-i 



0-204 

 0-5 

 565 



2-2 

 4-6 



11 -9 



16 -89 



0-236 

 0-17 



0-475 



0-873 



Seeds just cracking 

 testa 



Kadicle protruding 1 — 2 

 cm. 



Lateral roots spreading. 

 Boot system estab- 

 lished 



It will be seen that the amount of lecithin diminished during the early 

 stages of germination, the reserve supply becoming almost exhausted. After 

 the young seedling had begun to develop, however, there was a gradual 

 increase in the amount. This increase was maintained during the later 

 stages and was fairly constant till the endosperm was used up. There was 

 clearly a consumption of the oil throughout. 



The amount of lecithin, though small, varied somewhat in different 

 experiments. In one series it was in much larger proportion than in that 

 quoted. The residue soluble in alcohol and ether amounted to 09 per cent, 

 of the weight of the. resting seeds, and in the later stages of germination the 

 amount present rose to approximately 2 per cent. This quantity, however, 

 in our experiments was exceptional. 



These experiments suggest that in the utilisation of the fatty reserves 

 lecithin certainly plays a part and, possibly, a predominant part. 



