24 CEREALS 
Fig. 15.—Maize. I. A young ear cut through the middle lengthwise. 
Sk, Sk, the main stalk; Sk’, a short branch which bears the ear; Sh, 
sheathing lower part of the leaf which enfolds the whole ear and its 
husks; B, blade of the same leaf; R, G, the rain-guard which keeps rain 
from running into the sheath and promoting decay; H, the ‘‘husks”’ 
or large, more or less leaf-like bracts around the ear; Sg, stigmas (the 
‘“‘silk’’?) protruding beyond the husks. About one-third natural size. 
II. A spikelet of the same ear, showing the bracts (C, C’, D; 2 ae 
and the ovary (O), and the lower part of the style (SY) of the single 
pistil. Enlarged. 
III. Upper part of stigma of the same, showing the delicate hairs that 
cover it. Enlarged. (Original.) ' 
