WHEAT. 29 



poslte or convex side, is to be seen a small protube- 

 rant oval space, which indicates the germ or embryo 

 of the future plant, and which is at this time co- 

 vered by the tunics. The vessels whereby the grain 

 was attached to the plant, and through which it 

 drew nourishment until its maturity, had their point 

 of attachment at the basal termination of this protu- 

 berance. When the seed is perfectly ripe, the um- 

 bilical vessels separate ; the point of separation 

 speedily heals in the same manner as a portion of a 

 deciduous tree from which a matured leaf has de- 

 tached itself, and the grain may then be easily 

 threshed out from the chaff in which it had lain 

 buried ; sometimes, indeed, it sheds itself sponta- 

 neously. 



Several species, and a still greater number of 

 varieties, of wheat are to be found. Many of these 

 differences are doubtless to be referred to influences 

 of climate and modes of culture. There are but 

 two sorts generally and extensively cultivated in 

 this kingdom, and these have distinguishing names 

 given to them, in agreement with the seasons in which 

 they are sown, one being called Spring or Summer 

 Wheat, the other Winter or Lammas Wheat. 



SPRING, or SUMMER WHEAT Trilicum cestivwn 

 is supposed to be a native of Siberia, in the land 

 of the Beschkirs. It is less hardy than the winter- 

 sown kind, and the whole plant has a weaker ap- 

 pearance ; the stem is thin and delicate, the ear 

 more slender and less erect, and it is provided with 

 much longer beards or awns. This description of 

 grain, which, in our uncertain climate, cannot be 

 safely or productively cultivated throughout the king- 

 dom, is yet domesticated in the more southerly and 

 the midland districts. As its grain is smaller than 

 that of the commoner sort, and as its produce is] less 

 abundant, the farmer would not be led to its culti- 



VOL. xr. 3* 



