44 



A STUDY OF WHEAT. 



subjected to moist heat the shape is entirely Destroyed. A so- 

 lution of iodine turns the starch grains to a lighter blue, and 

 potassic hydrate expands them like boiling water. The starch 

 separated from all other constituents of the grain forms an im- 

 portant article of diet, which is sold under the name of "corn 

 flour." While "corn starch" is proverbial for its laundrying 

 properties. 



It is estimated that maize is eaten by a greater number 

 of human beings than any other grain, excepting rice. Its an- 

 alysis shows it to be admirably adapted to sustain life, and to 

 furnish material for the growth of both human beings and 



Fig. 6. Grains of Corn Starch. Drawn with Camera Lucida. 

 Magnified 475 Diameters. 



domestic animals. For maize is a highly concentrated nutri- 

 ment, and is capable of serving, as it does in some tropical 

 countries, as almost the sole food of the population. It is a 

 most common article of diet with all Americans, and, on ac- 

 count of its cheapness, is within the reach of the poorest. 

 It has been estimated that, if cooked in the right way, a meal 

 can be made from corn costing only one-half a cent a per- 

 son. In the Southern States it constitutes a primary article of 

 food, for rich as well as poor, old as well as young. In all 

 of its various combinations, it belongs to the table as do the 



