VARIOUS FOOD-PLANTS 



45 



same cut across through the middle, to show the thick seed-coat with 

 its thin hiyers, and the large germ which fills it. M, germ, removed, 

 showing the general form and the absence of distinguishable parts. 

 (Berg, Humbolt, and Bonpland.) — -The plant, which is one of the 

 most majestic trees of the Brazilian forests, reaches a height of over 

 30 m.; leaves bright green; flowers with cream-colored corolla; fruits 

 "nearly as hard and heavy as cannon-balls, fall with tremendous force 

 from the height of 100 feet. . . . Persons are sometimes killed by 

 them" (Wallace). 



Fig. 33.— Peanut {Ara- 

 chis hypogcea. Pulse 

 Family, Leg amino see) . 

 A, lower part of a 

 plant showing the 

 leaves and flowers 

 above ground, and 

 ripening nuts and 

 roots below; the sur- 

 face of the ground be- 

 ing indicated at cl. B, 

 a flower cut vertically 

 to show, at the base, 

 the small ovary con- 

 taining the ovules, 

 and the long style 

 extending through a 

 slender tube which is surmounted by the calyx and corolla and is con- 

 tinued by a tube formed of the united filaments. C, a ripe nut cut 

 lengthwise to show the two seeds. (Tanbert.) — The plant is an annual, 

 ?'. <?., it completes -its life from seed to seed in one year; stems and leaves 

 somewhat hairy; flowers orange-yellow, fruit pale. Soon after pollen 

 has come upon the stigma, the stamens and corolla are shed and the 

 ovary is carried out beyond the calyx by a stalk which becomes 5-S cm. 

 long," and, bending downwards, soon buries the little ovary in the 

 ground. Once buried the ovary ripens into the familiar pod-like nut. 

 If it fails to get buried the ovary withers. 



