Fic. 33.—Peanut (Ara- 
VARIOUS FOOD-PLANTS 45 
same cut across through the middle, to show the thick seed-coat with 
its thin layers, and the large germ which fills it. M, germ, removed, 
showing the general form and the absence of distinguishable parts. 
(Berg, Humbolt, and Bonpland.)—The plant, which is one of the 
most majestic trees of the Brazilian forests, reaches a height of over 
30 m.; leaves bright green; flowers with cream-colored corolla; fruits 
““nearly as hard and heavy as cannon-balls, fall with tremendous force 
from the height of 100 feet. ... Persons are sometimes killed by 
them” (Wallace). 
chis hypogea, Pulse 
Family, Leguminose). 
A, lower part of a 
plant showing the 
leaves and flowers 
above ground, and 
ripening nuts and 
roots below; the sur- 
face of the ground be- 
ingindicated atel. B, 
a flower cut vertically 
to show, at the base, _ 
the small ovary con- , 
taining the ovules, 
and the long style 
extending through a 
slender tube which is surmounted by the calyx and corolla and is con- 
tinued by a tube formed of the united filaments. C, a ripe nut cut 
lengthwise to show the two seeds. (Tanbert.)—The plant is an annual, 
i. e., it completes its life from seed to seed in one year; stems and leaves 
somewhat hairy; flowers orange-yellow, fruit pale. Soon after pollen 
has come upon the stigma, the stamens and corolla are shed and the 
- ovary is carried out beyond the calyx by a stalk which becomes 5-8 cm. 
long, and, bending downwards, soon buries the little ovary in the 
ground. Once buried the ovary ripens into the familiar pod-like nut. 
If it fails to get buried the ovary withers. 
