24 



CEREALS 



Fig. 15. — Maize. I. A young ear cut thruugh the middle longthwiso. 

 Sk, Sk, the main stalk; Sk', a short branch which bears the ear; Sh, 

 sheathing lower part of the leaf which enfolds the whole ear and its 

 husks; B, blade of the same leaf; R. G, the rain-guard which keeps rain 

 from running into the sheath and iironioting tlecay; H, the "husks" 

 or larg(>, more or less leaf-like l)ract.s around the ear; Sg, stigmas Cthe 

 "silk") protruding beyond the husks, .\bout one-third natural size. 



II. A spikelet of the same ear, showing the bracts (C, C, D, D', E, E') 

 and the ovary (O), and the lower part <jf the style (SY) of the single 

 pistil. Enlarged. 



III. Upi)er part of stigma of the same, showing the delicate hairs that 

 cover it. Enlarged. (Original.) 



