comes more prominent. In more primitive maize, parallel 
venation is distinct, even in the inner husks, and causes 
striations on the surface of the kernels (Mangelsdorf and 
Smith, 1949). 
Pubescence: To the naked eye, and to the touch, all 
but three of these specimens are glabrous, the three 
exceptions being slightly hispidulous. When examined 
under the microscope, however, all of the husks proved 
to have very short hairs, either on the inner or outer sur- 
face, or both. Not one was completely lacking in hairs. 
There is no evidence that variation in this feature is asso- 
ciated with archaeological zones. 
The fact that the husks, which are modified leaf 
sheaths, and the glumes, which are modified leaves, are 
predominantly glabrous (macroscopically) might indicate 
that the plants on which these specimens were borne 
were also glabrous. Wellhausen et a/ report that plants 
of modern Nal-Tel have little pubescence. 
The Shanks 
The cobs themselves with their slender rachises would 
indicate that the ears of La Perra maize were borne on 
slender shanks or peduncles. Husks with shanks still 
attached bear out this indication. Twelve specimens have 
an average diameter of 6.7 mm. at the point at which 
the ear was removed. This compares with a shank diame- 
ter of 7.1 mm. for modern Nal-Tel reported by Well- 
hausen et al. 
These same specimens are useful in showing how the 
husks are spaced on the shank. Each husk arises from a 
node on the shank which is itself a branch of the main 
stalk. In many modern varieties of maize, the internodes 
on the shank are long, and the entire husk-bearing space, 
which is essentially equivalent to the length of the shank, 
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