ORIGIN OF SEX. 29 
Indian corn, with a view of obtaining the largest proportion of 
stalks bearing two ears. The following was the method employed ; 
all the stalks bearing but one ear had the “ tassel” (male flower) 
cut off before it was full blown, so that all stalks bearing two ears 
would be surely fecundated by the male flowers of the same or 
other stalks also bearing two ears, thus securing duplicity on both 
the male and female sides. In this way, we are told that the pro- 
portion of stalks bearing two or more ears, was increased to a 
considerable extent, by the planting of grains procured by this 
process.* 
A single ovule may be fecundated by the pollen of at least two 
different varieties, as may be seen from Mr. Arnold’s experiments 
given below t. 
From what we have shown, it would appear that the grains near 
the base of the ear are less variable and more mature than those 
near the tip, and are consequently more desirable for seed, as they 
would be likely to give plants more vigorous and prolific. 
I may state here that it is the habit of good farmers to select 
the largest and fairest ears, containing the largest, fullest, and 
hardest grains, for seed; and that a popular notion prevails that 
ears having a few remaining glumes of abnormally placed male 
flowers at the tip of the cob are called “female ears” and are 
supposed to be more prolific, at least are thought to be more de- 
sirable for “seed”? ; whether there be any foundation for this belief 
I am ste informed, but am inclined to look upon it as a “vulgar 
error.” 
*From James Logan’s experiments it would appear as if it were the rule, under or- 
dinary circumstances, for the female flowers of plants = the same hill to be igor: 
principally by the pollen from male flowers in the sam —— Experimenta et Me 
metemata de Plantarum palma, auctore Jacobo L an, Leyden, 1739. Nrenchigal 
into English by J. F., iginal rigs text, opposite page. London, 
p. 9. 
t Mr. Arnold of Paris, Canada, has shown that if the female flowers of an Indian 
t related, 
pollen se a yellow variety of corn, eae oe to that taken from a white variety; the 
result was an ear of corn each hich was yellow below and white above. 
‘The conclusion ‘presented i is, a only that there T Seaman influence on the seed 
pollen, but the more impor- 
tant fact that one ovule can bè affected ‘by the efis - hd distinct parents, and thir, 
r some time had elapsed between the first and second impregnation. [From 
~ aa paper on The Laws of Transmission of Resemblance from Parents to 
Jhildren. New York Medical Record, 15th of Aug., Sept., Oct., and Nov., 1873, 
= ok of Scribner’s Monthly, Sept., 1873.] 
