454 Bruschi . — Researches on the Vitality and 
products of starch dissolution, did not show any difference when compared 
with chloroformed endosperms. Hence they concluded that although the 
peripheral layer of the endosperm, the so-called aleurone layer, without 
doubt consists of living cells, proof could not be obtained of the existence of 
vitality in the starchy cells which constitute the greater part of the endo- 
sperm. However, they admit that the isolated endosperm of several 
Gramineae and of the Date is capable of emptying itself, provided a con- 
tinuous removal of the decomposition products is assured. But this fact, 
in Brown and Escombe’s estimation, does not suffice to show that a tissue 
is alive. 
Recently Pound (’ 06 , p. 181) found that the isolated endosperm does 
not dissolve itself, contrary to the affirmations of Hansteen and Puriewitsch. 
My own researches have for a starting-point Puriewitsch’s experiments, 
which I have carefully repeated. But I have not rested content with his 
methods and arguments, but have used various methods to ascertain if there 
is vitality, and if so how much vitality, in the endosperm of the four principal 
grains — Maize, Wheat, Barley, and Rye. 
I began by studying the endosperm evacuation in the entire germi- 
nating seed, in order to compare it with the artificial emptying of isolated 
endosperms. 
In the latter case the seeds, after being soaked for forty-eight hours in 
fresh water, were disinfected externally in 3 per cent, copper sulphate ; then, 
after being deprived of the embryo and scutellum, they were put in Kochs 
boxes on little plaster columns or platforms, which were sterilized and 
plunged into sterile tap or distilled water or in ^bbo phosphoric acid. 
The experiments were made both in free air and in chloroform atmo- 
sphere. After every experiment, portions of the material were fixed in 
different fixing media. 
Maize. 
The endosperm of Maize, in addition to the aleurone layer, shows 
a peripheral portion rich in protoplasm with the consistency and aspect of 
a horny tissue (glutinous portion) and a central part poor in protoplasm and 
of mealy consistency (farinaceous portion). In the isolated endosperms 
complete evacuation never occurs, but only a total destruction of the 
farinaceous portion and of a part of the glutinous mass, with very strong 
corrosion of the starch grains and diffusion of reducing sugar and other pro- 
ducts of digestion (albumins) in the surrounding liquid. 
The varieties of Maize used in these experiments were : — Zea Mais , var. 
romana , Quarantino Mais ) Zea Mais saccharata lilacina dutcis t Zea Mais 
saccharata rubra dulcis. 
Quarantino Mais gave the best results. 
