INDIAN COHN. 



9 



mensions and appearance ; the diseased grain being usually 

 about an inch in length and of a jet-black colour. "When 

 mixed with the rye in large quantities — which happens some 

 seasons — its effects are very dreadful^ giving rise to ulcera- 

 tion and mortification of the extremities. These injurious 

 effects could hardly happen now that the means of cleaning 

 grain and the methods of cultivating it are so much im- 

 proved ; nevertheless it is far less cultivated than its other- 

 wise wholesome qualities would seem to demand. The 

 quantity imported into the United Kingdom in 1849 was 

 241,613 quai-ters, and in 1850 94,078 quarters. {Poole's 

 Statistics,) 



Indian Coen — Maize. Zea Mays, (Nat. Ord. Grawi- 

 nacem,) (Plate II. fig. 6.) 



A native of Tropical America. Within the last century 

 this grain has become of immense importance to the human 

 family, furnishing, in countries adapted to its cultivation, 

 enormous quantities of a wholesome and nutritive diet. Its 

 culture has spread over the whole of the American continent^ 

 throughout most parts of Asia and Africa, and the southern 

 parts of Europe ; it is remarkably prolific, and is cultivated 

 with less labour probably than any other grain. Its culture 

 has led to the production of numerous varieties, amongst 



