194 



Calculation of the results shows that in two weeks the seeds kept 

 in air had lost 6 per cent, of their weight, and those in dried charcoal 

 20 per cent, the latter being about the extreme limit of desiccation : 

 the light seeds took fifty days to reach this. 



P\irther observations, made for the purpose of ascertaining the 

 cause of the decrease in weight, gave negative indications that this is 

 due to the loss of water ; and it is thought that it takes place on 

 account of the presence of a definite ferment in the seed. 



The fact that the trials were commenced late in the bearing 

 season make it impossible to ascertain if the poor germinating power 

 is the indirect result of some imperfection in the flower, or irregularity 

 in fertilization. It was noted, however, that the embryos of all the 

 seeds examined appeared to be normal, and there was the interesting 

 observation that out of about 320 capsules all were trilocular and 

 three-seeded, except two, which possed four loculi and four seeds. 

 The seeds in the abnormal capsules were subje'^ted to a germination 

 test, and three out of the eight gave sprouts. Attention is drawn to 

 the faint possibility that a tendency toward irregularity in the floral 

 organs of Hevea brasiliensis is indicated, with the consequent produc- 

 tion of a low germinating power in the seed that is eventually borne 

 The improbability of the correctness of such a suggestion is, however 

 pointed out. 



The flnal conclusions from the investigation are giv^en as 

 follows: — 



(1) Seeds of Hevea Brasiliensis lose weight rapidly after matu- 

 rity, the loss being apparently due to desiccation. 



(2) The loss of weight appears to coincide with loss of germina- 

 ting power. 



(3) Desiccation apparently takes pUice, in some instances, even 

 before dehiscence of the capsule. 



{4) Probably, without special precautions, Hevea seeds will lose 

 their germinating power within two or three weeks after the ripening 

 of the capsules. 



The matter of practical iniDortance that can be deduced from 

 these results is that no Hevea seed should be sold until it has been 

 selected rigorously by weight, and there is the additional indication 

 that no unnecessary exposure, or loss of time in planting, should be 

 allowed after the seeds have been received. 



I West Indian A,>yriciiltunil Neii\s. . Vol. X. No. 233 p. III). 



