A STUDY OF; WHEAT. 



long as broad, having very, strong walls. They are seen only 

 in shadowy outline in Fig. 4. The outer layer of the albumen 

 consists simply of one . row of cells; thick-walled, nearly square 

 and loaded with: albuminoids. In Fig. 5 we see these cells as 

 they have been cut, off from the kernel parallel with the out-: 

 side. While in Fig. 3, b we. see them on a cross section. 

 These cells are very similar to the albuminous cells of all the 

 cereals as well as many other seeds. The central part of the, 

 kernel is composed of large thin-walled cells loaded with 

 starch. See c, Fig. 3. A large white embryo occupies the whole 

 of the lower part of the* kernel. 



fig. 4. Outer Coat of Kernel of Indian Corn. Magnified 200 



Diameters. 



The starch grains of corn (see Fig. 6), are generally 

 bounded by plane faces and angles instead of curved faces, as 

 in wheat and potato. There are no rings and no indications, 

 of any present. There is quite a depression at the center of 

 each of the faces. This depression is quite common in the 

 starches of oat, rice and buckwheat, as well as corn. In the* 

 process of drying, the ..center of the grain, or the, nucleus, 

 shrivels up .in a peculiar and, characteristic, manner, which gives 

 the appearance of , stars or crosses on each of the faces, though 

 it is sometimes only a. little black spot. In fresh, grains of, 

 corn starch this central depression together with the disc-shape 



