The Origin of Wheat. 



i6i 



of small white petals (c) known as Ibdicules, three 

 stamens (^), and an ovary with two feathery styles {a). 

 Moreover, the two pales or calyx-pieces are not 

 similar and symmetrical, for the outer one {e) is sim- 

 ple and convex, while the inner one {d) is apparently 

 double, being made up of two pieces rolled into one, 

 and still possessing two green midribs, which show 



Fig. 38. 



Details of flower of Wheat 



Fig. 39. 

 Flower of Wheat (g umes removed). 



distinctly like ribs on its flat outer surface. Here, it 

 will immediately be apparent, the traces of the original 

 trinary arrangement are very slight indeed. 



But when we come to inquire into the rationale 

 and genesis of these curiously one-sided flowers, it is 

 not difficult to see that they have been ultimately 



