The dormancy of seeds of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. and Thonn). Taub is due to the hard seed coat. This study showed that dormancy can be broken effectively by either mechanical or acid scarification, but that hot water treatment is not as effective. Of the three acids tested, sulphuric and nitric acids were more effective than hydrochloric acid. Soaking in sulphuric or nitric acids for 20 minutes gave 100% germination. The same result was achieved by rubbing seeds between two rough surfaces of sand paper for three minutes.