218 SPECIAL EXERCISES ON TYPICAL FLOWERS 



When the fruit has matured, draw one of the beautiful 

 tufted achenes of a thistle. If burdock is used, remove one 

 hooked bract and draw it enlarged. 



185. INDIAN CORN 



This plant is best studied in the field, but if corn can be 

 grown in a school garden, it will be equally good. If studied 

 in the laboratory, an entire plant is desirable, also young 

 and old ears, ripe ears, and a supply of fresh sterile flowers 

 from the tassel. 



Method. The great number and character of roots, the 

 aerial, adventitious, or so-called brace roots which spring 

 from the lower nodes for the purpose of supporting the plant, 

 are always seen. The smooth, jointed stem so character- 

 istic of monocotyls is not to be overlooked. The long parallel- 

 veined leaves also prove the monocotyl nature of the plant. 



(a) Study the tassel as a flower cluster, then remove one 

 fresh flower and find its parts. Has it calyx and corolla? 

 How many stamens to a flower? Do you find a pistil? 

 Is there any organ where the pistil ought to be ? Draw one 

 flower, showing its pedicel and other parts. Name the or- 

 gans which resemble sepals (glumes}. Do the glumes stand 

 opposite each other, or are they overlapping? How many 

 glumes are there? Draw a stamen. Describe a stamen. 

 Shake a corn tassel. What can be said of the amount of 

 pollen? Is it dry or sticky? Examine it with a micro- 

 scope. Draw a pollen grain. How does it compare in shape 

 with other kinds of pollen ? 



(6) Study a very young ear. By what is it covered? 

 How are the husks arranged? Cut an ear open from end 

 to end and study the arrangement of parts. 



Examine an older ear from which the silk is beginning 



