TRANSACTIONS. 



VIII. 



THE HISTORY OF AN EAR OF WHEAT. 

 Abstract of a Popular Lecture 



GIVEN BY 



Mr. G. DOWKER, F.G.S., 



Oct. 14, 1889. 



In this Lecture Mr. Dowker first drew attention to the antiquity of 

 the Wheat plant, remarking; that, as there is no natural grass exactly 

 corresponding to it, it must therefore have been produced by long cultiva- 

 tion and selection. He then gave a botanical description of an ear of 

 wheat and particularized its component parts. 



The contents of a single grain were then examined and explained 

 with reference to the contained embryo and the starch and albumen by 

 which it was surrounded. The chemical composition of starch was 

 explained, and its conversion into gluten and sugar was shown to be due 

 to the germination of the embryo ; the malting process was also described. 

 The growth of the radicle downwards and the plumule upwards were 

 shown to be due in the first instance to the absorption of the nutriment 

 contained within the grain, and the process was likened to the growth of 

 the chick in the egg. Next, attention was drawn to the power inherent 

 in the grain to remain dormant for a long period, if kept excluded from 

 atmospheric agencies ; but the lecturer gave no credence to those fabulous 

 stories of wheat germinating after being embalmed many centuries with 

 the mummies.* But it was likewise shown that when once the germinal 

 process had started, it could not be arrested or retarded without great 

 danger of death to the vital principle. Hence how important it was, 

 not only that the wheat grain should have heat and moisture necessary 

 for starting it into growth, but it was further essential these should 

 continue till the radicle found its way down into the soil. 



Allusion was made to the interesting observations of Dr. Darwin on 

 the curious way in which the plant pushes its radicle into the soil, feeling 



* The story of the mummy wheat and its reputed growth has been often told. The 

 fraud was exposed years ago, and the tale is quite repudiated now. [Eds.] 



