n8 Field, Forest, and Wayside Flowers 



grain of Indian corn which has been soaked in 

 water till it is swollen and softened. If now we 

 split it down lengthwise with a sharp penknife 

 we can see something of its inner economy, with- 

 out the aid of a microscope. Near the smaller end 

 of the grain, and at one side, is a pale, tiny corn- 

 plant. It has one leaf rolled into a hollow cone, 

 and enclosing a little bud, whence other leaves 

 would have developed had the plants sprouted in 

 the ground. There is a short, thick stalk, and, at its 

 base, a blunt point. 



At this point lies a little group of cells, full of 

 vital power, whence the roots of the seedling 

 should have sprung. 



But the whole young plant or germ occupies but 

 a small proportion of the seed's interior, and all 

 the rest of the space is filled with stored food for 

 the seedling's first growth. 



The wheat germ lies in a similar position to that 

 of the baby corn-plant, in the narrower end of 

 the seed, and pressed against its wall. And in it, 

 as in all the grains and grasses, Nature has pro- 

 vided very liberally for the first needs of the 

 sprouting plant. This is the reason why the seeds 

 of grasses corn, wheat, rye, barley, rice, and oats 

 are among the chief food products of the world. 



