MAYDE.E. 17 



spikes sessile in the axils and terminal, the terminal staminate at 

 the apex; pistillate spike (ears) very variable, 5-10 or more cm. 

 long, abont 2 cm. broad, tapering slightly to an acntish apex, 4-13- 

 rovvcd, dividing more or less readily at the joints. Kernels 0-8 

 mm. long, ovoid, white, hard, smooth, aeutish, constricted at the 

 base. 



Specimens obtained from Prof. Duges at Moro Leon near 

 Wiangato, about four Mexican leagues north of Cape Cuitzo ; near 

 the boundary-line between the states of Guanajuato and Michoacan, 

 Mexico. 



The natives are said to believe this to be the source of the 

 cultivated varieties of Maize. 



In the report of the New York Agricultural Society for 187S, 

 there is a statement by Dr. Surtevant from Dr. Brewer to tlie 

 effect that Koezl, the well-known German collector, stated in 1800 

 that "lie found in the State of Guerero a Zea which he thinks 

 specifically distinct, and he thinks undescribed; the ears very 

 small, in rows truly distichous; the ear (but not each grain sepa- 

 rately) covered rvith a husk, the grain i)re('isely like some varieties 

 of Maize, only smaller and harder." Possibly this may be the 

 original })lant from which our cultivated maize has been derived. 



In 1S8!». at the botanic garden of Harvard University, plants 

 were raised, but the riced failed to nniture. For a fuller account of 

 this very interesting plant the reader is referred to the original 

 article above noted. 



o. (:!0). Tripsacum L. Syst. Ed. 10, •;2: 1201 (1759). 



Spikelets unisexual, mouo'cious, sessile on alternate joints of the 

 s]iike, the u])per staminate, "i-jlowered, the lower pistillate. 1-llow- 

 cred. the spikes breaking up at maturity, each piece carrying a 

 spikelet. Spikes axillary and terminal; the staminate spikelets in 

 pairs on two sides of a triangular rachis. (ilumes 4, the 2 outer 

 slender, coriaceous, stiff or membraiuius, empty, the 'i inner 

 shorter, more slender, usually hyaline, enclosing the iiyaline |»alea 

 aiid flower. Stamens ;{. I'istils rudinuMitary or 0. The pistil- 

 lih'"' spikelets single, sessile, embcddi'd in tiu' cartilaginous rachis. 

 (iliimes 4, broad, concave, the outer coriaceous or becoming 



