Seeds often possess structural features that affect/restrict germination. These may be due to impermeability of seed coat and other coverings that prevent movement of water and/or gases. Mechanical restrictions that prevent expansion and growth of the embryo may also be involved and such features arc particularly common in seeds of Leguminosae family (Maguire 1980). The seed coat of such seeds cither physically restricts growth of the embryo or acts as a barrier to the free exchange of gases and uptake of water (Duffus and Slaughter 1980). In such cases the seed coat must be cracked or sacarified to permit entry of water and hasten the germination process (Anon. 1987). It has been found that hot water treatment of legume seeds can bring about an appreciable increase in the percentage of germination (Champion and Seth 1968) by loosening the seedcoat. The present experiment was conducted to find out the effect of hot water treatment of seeds on the germination of Albizia lebbeck and Delonix regia.