Embryo and Aleurone Layer of Hordeum . 841 
These data show that loss of amylase does occur under the circum¬ 
stances, as one would have surmised ; but as direct digestion, and particu¬ 
larly papain digestion, demonstrate, very considerable amounts of amylase, 
both pre-existent or * free ’ and ‘ latent \ are still present in the tissue, prior 
to the objects being placed in the experimental substrate. 
The general conclusion to be deduced from the experimental results 
comprised in this section, in which the relative powers of the endosperm 
and inner endosperm to induce auto-depletive change have been further 
examined, is that the endosperm, by virtue principally of the secretory 
functions of the aleurone layer, is capable of veritable auto-depletion. The 
inner endosperm, on the contrary, possesses this capacity in a restricted 
sense only, the process it is capable of inducing being one of limited auto¬ 
digestion, which never attains or approaches that of complete depletion. 
