BOTANICAL ABSTRACTS 
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE STIGMA IN 
• RELATION TO THE GERMINATIVE REQUIRE- 
MENTS OF THE ' POLLEN IN THE 
EASTER LILY 
J. N. MARTIN, FRED C. WERKENTHIN, AND ELIZABETH 
HUDSON 
Abstract 
Stigma of Easter Lily is papillate. Over the surface of the 
papillae a mucilaginous layer is formed and from this mucilaginous 
layer the pollen absorbs the requisite amount of water for ger- 
mination. The papillae and nearly all cells of the stigma previous 
to the opening of the flower contain much starch which is trans- 
ported from cell to cell chiefly in the form of dextrin. As the 
starch disappears in the papillae the mucilage appears on the out- 
side of their walls. 
The pollen germinates on almost any media or in almost any 
solution that furnishes the required amount of water. 
Iowa State; College;. 
THE STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEED 
COAT AND CAUSE OF DELAYED GERMINA- 
TION IN MELLILOTUS ALBA 
J. N. MARTIN 
Abstract 
The epidermis of the ovules forms the much elongated cells, 
known as the Malpighian cells of the seed coat. The outer walls 
of the Malpighian cells are much thickened and are composed of 
layers differing in physical properties. One of these layers is the 
light line which in most seeds is impervious to water until it is 
modified by weathering or by some artificial means. The light 
line is apparently only more compact cellulose for it hydrates 
quickly in water at 80° C. and then gives a distinct cellulose 
reaction and is permeable to water. 
The action of the weather on seeds lying out over winter is 
