.2. Relation between the Concentration of the Various Inside Solutions and the 

 Amount Absorbed at Equilibrium. 



A comparison of these two quantities for acetic acid (Tables III and TV) 

 shows that when the solution inside is stronger than that outside, the amount 

 asborbed at equilibrium is greater than the amount of pure water absorbed 

 when the seeds are in water only. Furthermore, as the relative concentration 

 of the inside solution increases, the equilibrium point rises also, and is at a 

 maximum when the relative concentration of the inside solution is at a 

 maximum (with outside solutions of from 50 to 70 per cent, strength). In 

 the same way, the equilibrium point is the same as that for pure water when 

 the outside and inside solutions have the same concentration (80 per cent.). 

 When the solution inside is weaker than that outside (at from 80 to 100 per 

 cent, outside concentration), the equilibrium point is lower than it is for pure 

 water. 



Similar considerations hold for the solutions of aniline and phenol. They 

 enter the seeds in a concentration greater than that of the outside solution, 

 and the equilibrium point is higher than for pure water in their case also.* 



Evidently the amount of solution taken up by the seeds at equilibrium is 

 determined by the difference between the inside and outside concentrations. 

 The equilibrium point is lower, equal to, or higher than it is for pure water 

 according as the inside solution is weaker, the same strength as, or stronger 

 than the outside solution. 



* A. J. Brown and F. Tinker, 'Eoy. Soc. Proc.,' B, vol. 89, p. 119 (1915). 



2 H 2 



