One of the several unique features of tomatoes native to the Galapagos IslandsLycopersicon esculentum var. minor (L. cheesmanii var. minor) and related formsis seed dormancy. Less than one per cent of their seeds, which are notably smaller than those of other known tomatoes, will germinate without treatment. Germination of up to ten per cent can be obtained with var. minor if part of the seed coat is carefully excised (Rick, 1956). The present report deals with attempts to break the seed dormancy and, particularly, to find mechanisms in the native environment that might account for germination and establishment there of the Galapagos tomatoes. Recently, improved germination of these forms was sought by trying methods that are familiar to horticulturists for their effectiveness in breaking seed dormancies of various plant species. We found that soaking seeds for various periods in stagnant or wellaerated water, subjection of dry or wet seeds to various temperatures or combinations of temperatures, and acid treatments were ineffective in raising emergence percentages. Following the discovery by Benedict and Robinson (1946) of the improved germination of guayule seeds effected by sodium hypochlorite treatments and successful applications of this method by Taylor (1949) to celery and by Laude (1951) to smilo grass, we tested its effectiveness on seeds of LA166, one of the most refractory of our Galapagos collections. Four lots were started: (1) control; (2) seed coats partly excised; (3) one-hour soaking in 2.6% sodium hypochlorite solution( half-strength household bleach); (4) soaking for two hours in the same strength solution. Seeds