


CORN, 
RICHES. 
CorN is a term applied to all sorts of grain 
fit for food, particularly wheat, barley, oats, and 
rye. All of them belong to the grand division 
of grasses, which are distinguished from other 
plants by their simple, straight, unbranched 
stalk, hollow and jointed, commonly called 
straw; with long, narrow, tapering leaves, placed. 
at each joint of the stalk, and sheathing and 
enclosing it, as if by way of support. 
Ceres, the goddess of corn and harvest, was 
represented with a garland of ears of corn on 
her head. The commemoration of the loss of 
her daughter Proserpine was celebrated about 
the beginning of harvest; that of her search 
after her at the time of sowing corn. 
Botanists assure us that corn is not found 
anywhere in its primitive state. 
This plant, 
together with the use of fire, seems to have 
been bestowed by Providence on man, in order 























