88 The Life of the Wheat Plant from Seed to Seed. 
stems with all their joints close together except the lowest ones, 
which are beginning to lengthen out. Up to this period of the 
plant’s life the stems are solid. Each stem terminates in a 
6 growing ear, and that of the oldest stem shows the beginnings 
of the different branches of the spike in a series of slight swell- 
ings on the two sides of the axis. The examination of specimens 
7 at intervals of a week discloses the formation of cushions or 
8 rings on these growing processes, which about the middle of 
May have become so definite that one can distinguish the scales 
(glumes) and flowers of the spikelet. 
V. Growth of the Ear akd Flower. 
{The JtrjUres printed in the margin refer to the corresponding figures on page 9G.) 
Towards the end of May the stem of the wheat has length- 
ened considerably, carrying at its tip the growing spike. The 
1 different parts can be clearly observed. The broad bases of the 
2 scales with their awn are to be seen, and the anther cells have 
pushed themselves above the scales. In the beginning of June 
8 the swelling of the sheath of the last leaf tells of the presence 
within it of the spike. If we remove the spike from the sheath 
4 and examine with care a spikelet, we find that all the parts, 
5 though small, are fully formed. After taking off the two empty 
glumes at the base and pulling back the next glume, we find 
within it a small flower, the most obvious parts of which are the 
three stamens. Below the stamens are two thin fringed, white 
scales (lodicules) which represent the gaily coloured part of the 
flower of the lily. The surplus food which has been laid up by the 
active plant supplies the constant demands of the gromng spike. 
The process of flowering is carried on entii’ely at the expense 
of the food prepared in the green parts of the plant. 
6 The growth of the spike is now rapid. In a week the flower 
7 doubles its size, and by the time it emerges from the leaf sheath, 
8 which is about the middle of June, the stamens have attained 
their full growth and are ripe. They are three in number. 
9 The large anthers are each composed of four long lobes or cells 
10 attached to the thickened upper part of the filament or slender 
stalk of the stamens. The cells are filled with a fine powder, 
11 consisting of minute yellow balls, called pollen grains. The 
stamens are essential parts of the flower, being the fertilising 
organs, and the yellow powder is the fertilising matter. If we 
draw aside the stamens, we find the ovary or young grain 
enclosing the rudimentary seed, and surmounted by two feathery 
styles, not yet fully developed. 
