Barley Grain in Relation to Localized Water Absorption . 391 
hours’ immersion in water, whose cross-sections treated in the manner 
described gave a print with a pink rim and a large blue interior. It sections 
were taken nearer the germinal end, however, the whole print of the cross- 
section was pink, showing that in this region the tissue had become wetted. 
The evidence thus gained pointed to localized entry at the basal end of the 
grain and at once suggested the micropyle, since at this point the cuti- 
cularized tegmen was judged to be incomplete. 
An endeavour was made to block the micropyle in some way by 
means of waterproofing solutions, and, by a comparison of the weight- 
increase of such grains when placed in water with that of normal grains, to 
confirm this point. Individual grains were taken and the basal tip of each 
grain—paleae and embryonic tip—was cut off. Each grain was now 
weighed, and the cut tip was painted with one or more of the various 
solutions, e. g. sealing-wax dissolved in alcohol, fortafix, and rubber solution, 
allowed to dry, and weighed again. After this they were placed apex down 
in small holes in cork rafts floated on water, and with the control grains 
maintained at so° C. - Many trials were made, but the result of one set 
only is given here. 
10 grains, cut as described and sealed with a solution of sealing-wax 
overlaid with rubber solution. 
Weight . 
Weight 
After 
After 
After 
Increase 8 hrs . 
Increase 24 hrs . Increase 32 hrs . 
Seal . 
8 hrs . 
24 hrs . 
32 hrs . 
absolute arid % 
absolute and % 
absolute and % 
I 
0-0465 
00495 
00550 
00605 
00630 
55 = n-8 
110 = 23.6 
*35 = 29-0 
2 
0.0550 
00580 
00630 
00705- 
00725 
50 - 90 
125 = 22.7 
145 - 260 
3 
0.0505 
00540 
°-°595 
00660 
00685 
55 = io-8 
120= 23.7 
145 = 28.7 
4 
0.0525 
00550 
00600 
00660 
00690 
50 = 9*5 
no = 20-9 
140 = 26-6 
5 
00495 
00520 
0-0575 
00625 
00655 
55 = ii*2 
IO5 = 21*2 
135 = 27.2 
6 
00545 
00565 
00620 
00685 
00715 
55 = 10.0 
120 = 220 
150 = 27.5 
7 
0.0560 
00580 
00635 
00700 
00735 
55 = 9*8 
120 = 21.4 
155 = 27.6 
8 
0.0500 
00520 
00560 
00615 
00645 
40 = 80 
95 = I 9 *° 
125 = 250 
9 
0.0515 
00530 
00585 
00660 
00685 
55 = *o-6 
130 = 25.2 
1 55 = 300 
[O 
00545 
00560 
00650 
00750 
00775 
90 = 16.5 
190 = 34.8 
215 = 39-4 
Omitting No. 10, average increase 
10% 
22.1% 
n- 5 % 
5 control grains ; not cut and not sealed.. 
1 
00510 
00610 
00690 
00710 
100 = 19.6 
180 = 35.3 
200 = 39.2 
2 
00475 
00560 
00605 
00635 
85 = 17.8 
13° = 27.3 
160 = 33.7 
3 
00510 
00610 
00660 
00690 
100 = 19.6 
150 = 29.4 
180 = 35.3 
4 
00445 
00525 
00585 
00605 
80 = 17.9 
140 = 31.4 
160 = 35.9 
5 
00465 
00565 
00635 
00660 
100 = 21.5 
170 = 36.5 
I95 = 4I.9 
Average increase 
I 9*3 % 
32 - 0 % 
37 * 2 % 
5 control grains ; cut only. 
1 
00565 
00795 
230 = 40.7 
2 
00535 
0-0735 
200 = 37.3 
3 
00490 
00715 
225 = 460 
4 
00480 
00700 
220 - 45-8 
5 
00460 
00695 
235 = 5 r -o 
The average increase for 24 hours is 44-2 per cent. 
From these results it will be seen that the sealing is effective in reducing 
the quantity of water absorbed. 
