454 Mr. E. J. Quekerr on the Ergot of Rye, 
removed, the observations published by some of the later authorities have gone 
far towards our viewing this production in a clearer light, especially those of 
Leveillé, Philippar, and Phoebus, from whom we learn much interesting matter, 
and also the history and former hypotheses respecting the Ergot, which here 
will be omitted, for the sake of brevity, 
On examining* the spikes of the infected grasses whilst recent, there could 
be observed lodged between the palez of the flowers (bearing ergots) a quan- 
tity of a viscid fluid, which appears to exude from them ; and on others could 
be seen an appearance as if something slimy had once been smeared over them. 
On submitting the fluid to the microscope, it was found to be composed of an 
infinite number of particles, mixed with some liquid, and whose number alone 
appeared to cause its viscidity, the taste and smell it afforded being of a faintly 
sweet character, even when examined in minute quantities. 
On examining the slimy appearances, which are of a darkish colour, that 
occur on certain paleze of Elymus, Rye, and other grasses, the same numberless 
particles could be detected, when the viscid matter was dissolved that had 
fastened them to such a situation, which made it evident that these marks 
were occasioned by some of the viscid liquid having applied to these organs, 
and become dry from the loss of some portion of its watery constituents. 
Having ascertained these facts, it was conceived that these minute bodies 
in the liquid were connected with the means by which the ergot was occa- 
sioned and propagated, and were considered to be the sporidia of some fungus: 
therefore, how the liquid was generated, formed the next step in the inquiry, as 
being an important part of the mystery. 
This viscid liquid has been observed by most of the preceding investigators. 
Tessier, in his Traité des Maladies des Grains (1783, p. 37), speaks thus: * J'ai 
vu ainsi que quelques physiciens, sur des epis de seigle un suc visqueux, lui- 
sant, d'un goût mielleux, qui enduisait l'intérieur, l'extérieur et les artes même 
des balles ou étaient renfermés des ergots naissans ; mais plusieurs balles etant 
