15 



tlie morningr, usually wlieu there is some dew on the grass. 

 Mr. F. A. Sirrine found about Ames that flowers usually 

 open between 5 and 9 a. m. 



The flowers of Festuca elatior open before" 7 a. m., 

 Andropogon provincialis before 7 a. m. Some, however, 

 open between 5 and 7 p. m. Kerner Marilaun states 4 to 5 

 a. m. for \Poa and Koeleria, 5 to 6 a. m. for Briza media 

 and wheat {Triticum), 7 to 8 a. m. for oats (Avena) and 

 timothy (Phleum), 11 a. m. Agrostis, 4 |). m. Agropyron 

 Holcus opens its flowers twice dnrins the day — at 6 a. m. and 



7 p. m. 



-, As a rule the flowers of corn are fo md in separate 



parts of the plant; the staminate spikeleta, collec- 

 tively called the tassel, are at the extremity, the pistillate 

 flowers in the axils of the leaves; the sexes are therefore sep- 

 arated (monoecious). Each staminate flower contains three 

 stamens. When ripe they hang loosely from the flower. 

 Each kernel (ovule) has coming from it a long silken thread 

 which is hairy, and when ripe somewhat viscid. The pollen 

 shakes out easily, as every one knows who has walked through 

 a cornfield and found pollen on his clothes. The flowers are 

 proterogynous. 



The flowers of corn develop a certain amount of odor, 



which is plainly perceptible at some distance. The flowers 



are frequently visited by honey bees and other insects, chiefly 



in quest of pollen. 



Wheat ^"^ wheat the anthers and stigmas mature at the 



same time, but the flowers are only partially 



opened for about fifteen minutes. When the flowers open 



the pollen is scattered, some of which remains within the 

 flower. Cross-pollinatinn is brought about by the wind. 

 Delpino states that the flowers may be self-fertilized and good 

 seed produced. 



