384 STATE OF WHEAT CHOPS. [jUNE< 



of the chests the corn had attained nearly to half 

 its growth with these maggots preying upon its sur- 

 face. On a closer inspection into the nature of this 

 malady the succeeding year, I could clearly discern 

 the maggots adhering to the female blossoms, and 

 in whatever chests these maggots were found, the 

 male blossoms, which in a kindly state of the air 

 are suspended without the chests, and are con- 

 uecled to the female blossoms by very slender fila-' 

 merits, and by this economy, apparently convey 

 the fruclifying quality to the female blossoms, were 

 in close contact with the latter within the chests, 

 amongst which the maggots effect their lodgment, 

 and, as I observed before, bear, on a superficial 

 view, a strong resemblance to the male blossom, but 

 on a closer inspection, are found preying on the 

 female blossom, and covered by the male : from 

 whence it seems reasonable to conclude, that these 

 maggots are the produce of a small fly, which set- 

 tling on the male blossom whilst it is performing 

 its office, may there deposit its eggs, which being 

 instantly conveyed to the nib of the seed, are sue- 

 cct-urcl by a progeny which are the maggots in 

 question. These eggs may possibly retard the male 

 blossoms from completing their office, and prevent 

 their flying oil", which they ought to, when the 

 female blossoms become impregnated, and this may 

 be the reason why the maggots are always found 

 adhering to the male blossoms. 



Of the male blossom of wheat it is to be re- 

 marked, that if by wind or other accident it be- 

 comes 



