THE STRUCTURE OF SEEDS 



37 



the food soluble, just as truly as does an animal's stomach or 

 intestine. 



The hypocotyl of the corn is a small pointed organ, aimed toward 

 the attached end of the grain, thus leading us to suppose the 

 micro pyle to be in that region. It is covered with a cap which pro 

 tects it as it passes through the soil when the root begins to develop. 



STRUCTURE or CORN EAR 



FIG . 7. The corn ear is really a spike of fruits closely grown together. 



The plumule is also protected by a sheath or cap, and consists 

 of several very small leaves rolled, not folded, into a compact 

 " spear " which can safely push upward through the earth. 



The cob, on which the kernels are borne, is really a stem of the 

 spike of flowers, each of which produces one kernel. Thus the corn 

 ear will be seen to be a spike of fruits, closely grown together, 



