were multiplied, and the pistillate flowers were no 

 longer produced. The woody part of the central stem 

 of the flower cluster borne by the primitive branch 

 became the "cob" of our present ear and the surround- 

 ing small spikes were aborted. The nntive Brazilian 

 species (pod corn) may be a primitive form. The in- 

 dividual glumes ^vere necessary to protect the grains, 

 until thc}^ were brought under the common covering 

 furnished by the sheaths or husks. The remains of 

 these individual glumes niRx be seen on the cob, and 

 are commonly known as the "chaff"." 



In explanation of the fact that the rows of grains 

 are al\va3^s of an even number, it may be noted that 

 the sets of glumes or florets are in pairs. The pedicel 

 of one glume is longer than the other, corresponding 

 with the arrangement of the grains upon the cob. The 

 rows of grains are also in pairs, as are the flowers of 

 the tassel. The various stages of this process of evolu- 

 tion may be verified from the reversions found grow- 

 ing, here and there, in our corn fields. 



Progress in the Study of the Fungus of the 

 Wheat Scab. By Aug. D. Selby, Columbus. 



This "scab" has done an appreciable amoimt of 

 damage to wheat, during the last three or four years. 

 It affects the glumes and rachis and presents itself as 

 a pinkish incrustation on the affected parts. When 

 examined under the microscope this incrustion is seen 

 to be made up of hypha? and conidia of a fungus. The 

 conidia are usually crescent shape and many septate. 

 Mycologists are agreed that this fimgus is the cause of 

 the disease known by the name given above. 



The fungus is referable to the form genus, Fus- 

 arium of the Hyphom^-cetes. W. G. Smith" has named 

 it Fusnrium ciilmoriim, and Arthur?; has tentativeh' 

 accepted this name. From the conclusions reached be- 



33 



