with some remarkable Circumstances. 445 



better than those first sown in garden-pots and transplanted. 

 Last year (viz. 1829) the ears were large, and full of embryo 

 seeds ; but, owing to the wet weather at the time the male 

 flowers were in bloom, there were very few perfect seeds, and 

 none of the ears ripened. Owing, probably, to the ground 

 being so much manured, the plants in 1827 were particularly 

 vigorous ; and, after the male flowers were out of bloom and 

 the pollen dried up, several side shoots appeared, which, I 

 have since learned, should have been taken off, as they weaken 

 the plant, and seldom ripen. However, I suffered them to 

 remain on ; and I was much interested in watching the curious 

 provision of nature to secure the fructification of the seed of 

 this second brood. When the ears of corn began to enlarge, 

 a branch of male flowers, about 4 in. long, grew out of the 

 end of each ear, as the crown or top grows out of a pine- 

 apple. In due time these ears ripened, but they were small 

 and ill-formed. 



Still later in the season, a third brood appeared ; and here 

 nature had another wonderful contrivance to provide for the 

 safety of the seed. As the weather began to be cold and 

 ungenial, the male flower grew from the bottom of the ear, 

 within the glume or envelope, like two children lying side by 

 side in a cot. Most of these ears proved abortive ; a few 

 perfect seeds, however, were formed, though it was too late in 

 the year for them to ripen. 



I should wish to know whether similar changes in the 

 blossoms of Indian corn have ever before been noticed. Such 

 an extraordinary adaptation of means to an end seems to 

 partake of the nature of instinct in animals. By what fore- 

 knowledge could the male flower be aware that it was born 

 too late in the season, and thus provide for itself a warm 

 covering, secure from wind and rain? A solution to this 

 question might form the subject of a very interesting physio- 

 logical essay. I shall anxiously look for an answer to these 

 queries from some of your scientific correspondents. 



I remain, Sir, yours, &c. 

 Hampstead, Jan. 12. 1830. X. Y. 



It thus appears that the seed of Indian corn will retain its 

 vegetative powers, in temperate climates, for six years, with 

 no other care than that of keeping it dry. We can vouch for 

 all the facts in the above communication, from our personal 

 knowledge of the excellent, amiable, and philosophic-minded 

 authoress of the paper, and cultivator of the corn. We hope 

 due attention will be paid to her queries by our physiological 

 readers. — Cond. 



