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XXVIII. Observations on the Ergot 17 and some other Grasses. 
By Eowin J. Quexet¥, Esq., F. L. S. 
Read December 4th, 1838. 
HAVING heard the observations on the nature of Ergot, communicated to 
the Linnean Society on the evening of November 7, by Mr. John Smith, of 
the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, and having been engaged previously in the 
same investigation, which has been directed not only to the cause but to the 
structure, growth, and manner of reproduction of certain bodies connected 
with the formation of this singular substance, it occurred to me that the fol- 
lowing might prove an.useful sequel to the former by making the history of 
this production more complete, and confirming some of the views therein ex- 
pressed. : 
The investigation of this subject has often occupied the attention of both 
English and foreign botanists*, with the view of determining its nature and 
origin, yet notwithstanding the mystery belonging to it has not been completely 
* A list of some of the foreign authors who have written on the nature of Ergot, whose works have 
been consulted :— 
Tessier : Traité des Maladies des Grains. Paris, 1783. 
DeCandolle : in vol. 2. Mémoires du Muséum d' Histoire Naturelle. 1815. 
Desfontaines : in Trans. Acad. Scien. Paris. 1816. 
Leveillé : Mémoire sur I Ergot ; Ann. Soc. Linn. Paris, vol. v. 1827. 
Philippar: Traité Organographique et Physiologico-agricole sur l' Ergot, &c., dans les Céreales. Ver- 
sailles, 1837. 
Phebus: Deutschlands Kryptogamische Giftgewüchse. Berlin, 1838. On whose authority the fol- 
lowing are given : 
Wiggers : Inquisitio in Secale cornutum; Comm. prem. orn. Gott. 1831—4. 
Diez: Verss. über die Wirkungen des Mutterkorns ; Gekroute Preissch. Tüb. 1832. 
Dierbach : Die neuesten Entdeckungen in dem Mat. Med. 1. 1837. 
Etzrodt: Das Mutterkorn; Inaugural-Abh. Würzb. 1838. 
