i ike the leaves, constantly alternate: for, although approximated in pairs, 

 they are never exactly opposite — or originating in the same plane, — as we 

 see to be the case with the sepals, and petals, of other tribes. The number 

 of stamens is usually three — rarely six, or some multiple of three, — and 

 occasionally, from abortion, some intermediate, or smaller number. Each 

 fertile flower produces a single seed* — the chief bulk of which is called 

 albumen, and is that nutritious portion of our cultivated grains, from which 

 the miller prepares Jlour. The embryo, or living rudiment of the future 

 plant, is comparatively a mere speck, or minute point, in the seeds of the 

 Grasses, — snugly situated, on the outer side, near the base of the albu- 

 men ; where it lies dormant, until the concurring causes of vegetation 

 (namely, warmth, moisture, and oxygen,) excite it into active life. This 

 embryo — which is, in fact, an entire plant in miniature — may be distinct- 

 ly and satisfactorily observed in a grain of Wheat, or Indian Corn; — es- 

 pecially at the moment of sprouting, or incipient growth, — when it will 

 be found that the principal mass of the grain consists of the apparently 

 inorganic matter, already mentioned by the name of albumen/]- It is 



* The fruit of the Grasses, generally, appears to be a simple naked 

 seed, in each fertile floret, — but the seed is, in fact, invested with a Pk- 

 ricarp, or covering, as in most other plants. The Pericarp in this family 

 however, is thin and membranaceous, — and is usually so completely ad- 

 herent to the proper coating of the seed, as to be undistinguisbable from 

 it. In some species — such as Oats, Barley, Rice, &c, — there is found 

 an additional envelote, formed of the Paleje, or inner chaff, which 

 closely embraces the fruit. 



-j-The extensive and disheartening ravages in our Wheat crops, perpe- 

 trated during the early stages of their growth, by the insect called Hes- 

 sian Fly (.Cecido.mya destructor) , render every fact and suggestion, 

 connected with the subject, interesting to the Agriculturist : and I am 

 happy to announce, on this occasion, that we are indebted to a Lady of 

 our own State — Miss Margaretta H. Morris — for some recent in- 

 formation concerning the habits of the little destroyer, which promises 

 to throw much light on its history ; and may lead to important results. 

 In a communication to the American Philosophical Society. Miss Mor- 

 ris alleges that " the ovum of this destructive insect is deposited by the 

 parent in the seed of the wheat, and not, as previously supposed, in the 

 stalk, or culm- She has watched the progress of the animal since June, 

 1835, and has satisfied herself that, she has frequently seen the Larva 

 within the seed. She has also detected the Larva, at various stages of its 

 progress, from the seed to between the body of the stalk and the sheath 

 of the leaves. In the latter situation it passes into the Pupa or 'flaxseed 

 state'. According to the observations of Miss Morris, the recently hatch- 

 ed Larva penetrates to the centre of the straw, where it may be found of 

 n pale greenish-white semi-transparent appearance, in form somewhat 

 resembling a silkworm. From one to six of these have been found at: 

 various heights, from the seed to the third joint : they would seem to en- 

 ter the Pupa state about the beginning of June. This fly was not obser- 

 ved by Miss Morris to inhabit any other plant than Wheat." The in- 

 ference from these observations is, thai " to prevent the ravages of this 



