16 INDIAN CORN CULTURE. 
and consists of a mass of fine hairs called silk, 
enclosed in the husks of the ears to be. The 
tassel contains many small flowers (see Fig. 1), 
and each of these 
produces a_ large 
amount of pollen or 
dust for fertilizing 
the female flowers. 
This pollen is from 
the anthers of the 
flowers, and accord- 
ing to Harshberger* 
as many as 2,500 
are formed in a 
Menale paniele. showing spikelets, Theeenter Binge anther, sae 
figure is of a pair of these spikelets re- 
πο ρας ἀρ κϑίοῖ opened Showing two 18, 000,0) are given 
flowers inside. (After Harshberger.) as the number pro- 
duced by each plant, there being 7,200 stamens 
to a panicle. 
The female (pistillate) flowers being located 
below the male (staminate), the pollen of the 
male is blown about in the air and falls onto 
the silks which protrude from the enclosing 
husks, and fertilizes them. Each silk extends 
back into the husk and to the seat of what will 
become a kernel of corn if fully fertilized. The 
content of this husk is an embryo ear of corn. 
The portion of the silk exposed is somewhat 
hairy without, and is a hollow tube within. 
* Maize: A botanical study, etc., p. 85. 
