MAIZE. 159 



Explanation of the Illustrations. 

 Plate LV, fig. 1, an ear affected with brand of the natural size. Figs. 2 and 3, seed 

 kernels affected with brand, with and without anthers, of the natural size. Fig. 4, a 

 seed kernel affected by the brand, greatly magnified : a, the seed kernel with the fold 

 lengthwise ; bb, anthers, which stick to the head of the same, and on the pistils, c, in- 

 terwoven by fungous fibres. Fig. 5, a horizontal section of same greatly magnified. Fig. 

 6, a cell of this section, with brand-spores, e, greatly magnified. Fig. 7, an entire young 

 brand-spore. Figs. 8, 9, older brand-spores, before the formation of the kernel and spore- 

 skin. Fig. 10, four ripe brand-spores strongly magnified. Fig. 11, section of a spore 

 very greatly magnified : t, spore-skin ; u, inner spore-skin ; v, kernel of the spore sur- 

 rounded with little drops of oil. Fig. 12, a single spore of this kind where the kernel of 

 the spore v, with the inner spore-skin u yet lies in the hollow space of the outer spore- 

 skin t. Fig. 13, a kernel of the spore v, represented alone with the inner spore-skin u, 

 greatly magnified. Fig. 14, a sound, ripe wheat kernel, front view. Fig. 15, the same, 

 back view, with the little shield, natural size. Fig. 16, the same, greatly magnified : f, 

 the seed-kernel, with the seed-skin ; k, the fold lengthwise ; g, the little opening ; h, the 

 head ; i, the pistils. Fig. 17, horizontal section of the same through the centre, and fig. 

 18, slightly magnified : /, the seed-skin ; k, the fold ; m, the albuminous bodies. Fig. 19, 

 a thinner section of the wheat kernel strongly magnified : n, the cellular layers of the first 

 seed-skin ; o, the second ; p, the third or innermost seed-skin ; g, the cells of gluten ; r, 

 the cellular tissue of the albumen with grains of starch-meal, s. Fig. 20, external view 

 of a very delicate vertical section of the seed-skin of a sound kernel of wheat strongly 

 magnified : w, outer cellular layer ; xx, inner cellular layer of the same greatly magnified. 

 Fig. 21, the outer skin of a wheat kernel affected with brand of the same ear, strongly 

 magnified. Fig. 22, little grains of amylum very strongly magnified. 



VI. MAIZE, OR INDIAN CORN. 



American farmers regard indian corn as one of the most important crops ; indeed, for 

 general usefulness, it must be regarded as inferior to none. For family use, it occupies a 

 prominent place. Although in the state of society it is not used so much for bread as wheat, 

 still there are so many modes of cooking it, by which dishes are improved, that it is nearly 

 indispensable. For domestic animals, it is far more important than wheat. Its oil, and 

 other elements place it among the most fattening of the cereals : thus its parts, as the 

 leaves and stalks, furnish a fodder superior to straw. Indeed there is really nothing in 

 the crop which may not be turned to account : even the cob should not be thrown away. 

 Were the sugar cane to become extinct, the stalks of indian corn would become a substi- 

 tute, and sugar would be one of the essential products of the corn crop. 



