No. 550] 



ZEA MAYi 



621 



when true dwarfs and true giants are hybridized, size segre- 

 gates distinctly in their progeny; but when fluctuating shorts 

 and talis are hybridized, size exhibits a so-called "blending" 

 behavior that is generally complex. Thus it is evident that for 

 recording such characters and their method of segregation we 

 already need for the sake of conformity, brevity and ease in 

 reference a definite, simple, systematic classification of charac- 

 ters irrespective of species, varieties or individuals. Bateson, 

 by grouping characters of similarity under one head; Tscher- 

 mak and others, by distinguishing "types" of segregation, have 

 already taken a step toward this end. 



The newly discovered type of corn is so radically different 

 from all others yet reported, and since we are at present recog- 

 nizing six species-groups of Zea, it seems very appropriate to 

 add Z. ramosa as a seventh. And yet the writer will not be dis- 

 appointed if the proposed addition is not recognized. 



That Z. tunicata and Z. ramosa both originated as mutations 

 we have no doubt ; but as to the causes which led to the pro- 

 duction of these two peculiar types, we have no definite knowl- 

 edge. It has been proposed that new forms, aside from those 

 developed by hybridization, are due to accidents in mytotic di- 

 vision; and yet those same writers are perhaps not ready to 

 admit that even the greater proportion of the myriads of diverse 

 forms of plant and animal life that exist on the earth to-day are 

 accidents ! This, of course, has nothing to do with the fact of 

 chance meeting of gametes in reproduction. 



The writer has evidence (not yet published) upon various 

 strains of pod varieties and their hybrids with other podless 

 varieties to show that the pod character, in that form, never was 

 the normal or original pod or glume in Zea; and it is also evi- 

 dent that the new branched ear, as it is, is not a reversion to 

 a former one. As may be seen at "b" in the illustration, the 

 pithy core of the cob is not affected by the branching in the 

 outer zone. The branches are somewhat fleshy and contorted 

 as well as being very numerous. As stated above, no male 

 florets have yet been found in the ears of the branched corn. 

 Such evidence points to the conclusion that this is not a case 

 of at least total reversion. 



As is generally the case in such instances, it is only a matter 

 of conjecture as to the causes that led to the production of this 

 individual which, in so far as is known, was different from all 



