In order to obtain the acceleration of the germination of sabia (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth.) seeds, mechanical and chemical scarification processeses were studied using both ?naked? and hulled (inside a segment of the pod) seeds. The chemical scarification consisted either in the imersion of the seeds in H2SO4 95% concentration for 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 13 minutes or in boiling water for 3 and 5 minutes. Mechanical scarification was accomplished by scratching a point in the seed side opposite to the embryonic axis against a sandapaper no. zero. Both germination and vigor tests were used to evaluate the results. Immersion of the seeds either naked or in the hulls in boiling water for 3 or 5 minutes killed alI the seeds. Undehulled seeds, either scarified or not, had always a very poor germination performance, when compared to the naked ones. The best results for naked seeds with acid scarification were obtained with periods hetween 5 and 13 minutes, these results not differing fom those obtained by mechanical scarification. As a conclusion it is recommended that the seeds should be hulled and treated to break dormancy either mechanically or by acid scarification for periods around 5 minutes.