EOT A NIC A L CHA RACTERS 



99 



smaller bodies called nuclei, one being known as the vegetative 

 nucleus and the other as the generative nucleus. 



The writer has counted 636 spikelets on a tassel of sugar 

 maize, containing in all 3,816 stamens, while the more robust 

 "field corns" (i.e. dent and flint varieties) may carry about 

 7,200 stamens. The pollen grains produced in one anther 



CHAP. 

 IV. 



Fig. 45. — Young ear showing homology of husks. 



have been counted and found to average about 2,500 each. 

 At this proportion the tassel of sugar maize referred to would 

 contain 9,500,000 grains of pollen. It has been estimated 

 that a tassel of field maize will produce 18,000,000 grains, 

 and especially vigorous plants from 30,000,000 to 60,000,000. 

 An average ear of sugar maize produces from 250 to 350 

 grains of corn ; Hickory King about 400 ; some of the more 



7* 



