Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 68.djvu/61

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WHAT IS AN EAR OF CORN?
57

ear-like structure is almost enclosed in the leaf sheaths; in the fourth step only the well developed central spike remains, and is entirely enclosed in the leaf sheaths, owing to the shortening of the internodes

Fig. 3. a, Central spike of tassel bearing pairs of spikelets in eleven rows; b, lateral branch of tassel bearing pairs of spikelets in two rows; c, tassel in which central spike is developed into an ear.

below. The last step illustrates a well developed ear, also showing the much shortened internodes below, and the very greatly reduced leaves, which in the highest types of corn completely disappear, leaving only

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