486 
The  Germination  of  Belladonna  Seed,   j  ^oveX/wiT' 
Relation  of  Size  of  the  Seed  to  Its  Germination. 
Considerable  variation  in  size  exists  among  belladonna  seed.  The 
average  seed  is  about  one  and  a  quarter  millimetre  in  diameter, 
while  the  extremes  range  from  less  than  one  to  almost  two  millimetres. 
In  order  to  determine  the  relative  weight  of  these  small  and  large 
seeds,  500  of  both  the  largest  and  smallest  seeds  were  separated  and 
weighed  in  portions  of  100  each.    Table  II  shows  the  results. 
Table  II. 
Relative  Weight  of  Large  and  Small  Seeds. 
Description 
Weight  (Gms.) 
Large 
Small 
First  100  
O.I29O 
O.I276 
O.I324 
0.1350 
O.I382 
O.0897 
O.082O 
O.0847 
O.0825 
O.0906 
Second  100  
Third  100  
Fourth  100 
Fifth  100  
Total  
Average  for  100. 
0.6622 
O.I324 
O.4295 
O.0859 
To  determine  the  relative  germination  of  these  seeds,  300  of  each 
were  sown  in  two  rectangular  boxes  on  April  5th.  Each  box  was 
divided  into  20  rows,  with  15  seeds  in  each  row.  Figure  2  shows 
graphically  the  resulting  germination.  Table  III  shows  the  progress 
of  germination  from  time  to  time. 
Table  III. 
Comparative  Germination  of  Large  and  Small  Seeds  Sown  April  5th. 
Description 
Germination 
Number 
Per  cent. 
May 
1 
May 
8 
May 
IS 
May 
22 
May 
1 
May 
8 
May 
IS 
May 
22 
Large  
Small  
42 
43 
131 
145 
133 
150 
134 
153 
14 
14-3 
43-6 
48.3 
44-3 
50 
44.6 
51 
From  the  tables  and  figures  it  is  at  once  evident  that  there  is 
practically  no  difference  in  germination  due  to  size.  In  this  par- 
ticular case  the  advantage  even  lies  with  the  small  seeds,  though  the 
