LABORATORY AND FIELD WORK 413 



Chapter XIII 



1. Examine a leaf of the Indian com. How is it attached to 

 the stem ? What are the parts of a leaf ? ' Compare in this respect 

 with a bean leaf. How are the leaves arranged on the stem? 

 How do the upper and lower surfaces of a leaf-blade differ from 

 each other? What is the arrangement of the veins in a leaf? 

 Can you find teeth on the edges of the blades ? Draw a leaf show- 

 ing its attachment to the stem, and the veins. 



2. What is the shape of the stem after all parts of the leaves 

 have been removed? Is the stem thicker below than above? 

 Compare in this respect with the bean stem. Is it swoUen at 

 any point ? Is it solid or hollow ? Does it branch ? 



3. Study the bud at the end of the stem. Tear it apart. How 

 many and what parts do you find in it ? 



4. In a cross section of the stem, see if you can make out the 

 parts mentioned in § 6 of the directions for the study of the bean. 

 What differences do you find between the corn and bean stems? 

 Draw a portion of the section. 



5. Compare the root system of the corn with that of the bean. 

 Do the roots branch? Are any roots produced above the surface 

 of the ground ? If so, from what points on the stem do they grow ? 

 How do they help the plant ? 



6. The pistillate flowers are borne on the ear. Just where is the 

 ear produced ? How many ears on each plant ? What is the cob ? 

 What are the husks? How are the flowers arranged on the cob? 

 How many pistils in a flower? What are the parts of a pistil? 

 What is the silk? Can you find any parts in the flower other 

 than the pistil? Notice the scales or "chaff" surrounding and 

 between the flowers. Draw a complete pistil. 



7. Examine a tassel, which bears the staminate flowers. Can 

 you see how the flowers are arranged? How many stamens 

 in each flower? What are the parts of a stamen? Where is 

 pollen formed ? Can you find other parts of the flower than the 

 stamens? Notice the scales that surround the flower. Draw a 

 stamen. 



8. Compare the ovary of a young flower with one that has begun 

 to develop into a fruit (or kernel), and also with a full-grown kernel. 



