Physiology of Fasciated Seedlings. 399 
The smallest value is given for V. Faba and the greatest for P . multi- 
for us. 
P. vulgaris contains a greater quantity of calcium oxalate than either 
of the other two. 
The analyses show that the epigeal type contains less carbohydrates, 
about the same amount of proteid, but more resinous matter. Apart from 
the resinous substances the three seeds do not differ to any considerable 
extent quantitatively. It does not follow, however, that this ‘ ready manure ’ 
is equally available for use by the two types of seedling respectively. In 
the one case the food reserves are not normally exposed to the action 
of light, whilst in the other they are carried up into the light. It is quite 
possible that this latter fact is of importance, for J. R. Green (6) states that 
light has an inhibitory effect upon the action of diastase and so the starch 
may not be as available to the seedlings of the epigeal type as to those of the 
hypogeal type. The presence of a greater quantity of glucosides in the 
epigeal type may also interfere with the conversion of starch into soluble 
carbohydrate, for according to Jost this also has an inhibitory effect upon 
diastatic activity. 
That there is a difference between the two types of food reserve 
and general organization of the developmental cycle is shown by the degree 
of dependence which each type of plant has on its reserves. 
Young seedlings of P. multiflorus and V.faba were allowed to grow 
until the first pair of plumular leaves was unfolded. The cotyledons were 
then completely severed from the seedling and the plant permitted to con- 
tinue its development. Growth is continued for a very short period only ; 
the leaves expanded a little more, but sooner or later the mutilated seedlings 
died. During the same interval (Oct. 11 — Nov. 3) the normal control plants 
grew about four feet in height. 
A second batch of seedlings was then taken and allowed to grow 
until the first pair of plumular leaves was fully expanded ; their cotyledons 
were then removed. In this case growth in length of the stem continued 
for a little while, but no new leaves were unfolded, the plant on the whole 
showing an etiolated appearance. More advanced stages of germination 
were taken, and it was found by this series of experiments that these plants 
were dependent upon their cotyledonary food reserves until they had 
expanded their third or fourth pair of leaves. 
A similar set of experiments was made with the French Bean and 
Butter-bean. In these cases the cutting away of the cotyledonary food 
supply appeared in no way to affect the subsequent growth of the plants, 
the mutilated ones being indistinguishable from the controls. 
From this series of experiments it would appear that, although the 
reserve food materials of the cotyledons may be very similar in the first 
instance, their immediate and relative availability to the two types of seed- 
