VARIOUS FOOD-PLANTS 



45 



same cut across through tlie middle, to show the thick seed-coat with 

 its thin layers, and the large germ which fills it. M, germ, removed, 

 showing the general form and the absence of distinguishable parts 

 (Berg, Humbolt, and Bonpland.)— The plant, which is one of the 

 most majestic trees of the Brazihan forests, reaches a height of over 

 30 m.; leaves bright green; flowers with cream-colored corolla; fruits 

 "nearly as hard and heavy as cannon-balls, fall with tremendous force 

 from the height of 100 feet. . . . Persons are .sometimes killed by 

 them (Wallace). 



Fig. .33.— Peanut (Ara- 

 chis liypogwu. Pulse 

 Family, Leguminosa). 

 A, lower part of a 

 plant showing t h ( 

 leaves and flo^^crs 

 above ground, a n 

 ripening nuts ai 

 roots below; the su 

 face of the ground I 

 ing indicated at el. 

 a flower cut vertically 

 to show, at the base, 

 the small ovary con- 

 taining the ovules, 

 and the long style 

 extending through a 

 slender tube which is surmounted b\ the ralw and corolla and is con- 

 tinued by a tube formed of the united filaments. C, a ripe nut cut 

 lengthwise to show the two seeds. (Tanbert.) — The plant is an annual, 

 i. e., it completes its life from seed to seed in one year; stems and leaves 

 somewhat hairy; flowers orange-yellow, fruit pale. Soon after pollen 

 has come upon the stigma, the stamens and corolla are shed and the 

 ovary is carried out beyond the calyx by a stalk which becomes 5-8 cm. 

 long, and, bending downw^ards, soon buries the little ovary in the 

 ground. Once buried the ovary ripens into the familiar pod-like nut. 

 If it fails to get buried the ovary withers. 



