464 Mr. E. J. Quexerr on the Ergot of Rye, 
some observations were made to discover the method, and it was found that 
very many sporidia did not emit tubes or germinate in any way, and evi- 
dently exhibited indications of the membrane which formed their parietes 
being injured and broken down, thereby allowing the granules to escape. 
These atoms thus set at liberty, collected, as described, and could be seen 
singly, in pairs, or in threes; anxious to watch the changes these minute par- 
ticles would undergo, they were daily examined for the space of seven or 
eight days, and it was observed that they ultimately appeared to become 
bodies like sporidia. During the first and second day no change was ob- 
served, but after this their margins could not be so well defined by the 
microscope, owing to a minute halo each presented: this I conceived origi- 
nated from a glutinous exudation around the granule, which ultimately would 
harden into membrane and become the coat of the new sporidium: in this I 
was not mistaken, for after some days their size increased, and gradually ap-. 
peared to approach the condition of other sporidia; those commencing with 
two granules had the appearance of two nuclei, those with three and one 
having their respective numbers also. 
In this manner has been witnessed, by daily examinations, the growth of 
these sporidia, which, being found on the ergot of every grass yet examined, are 
without a doubt connected with the cause of its origin ; the observations point 
out their various methods of germination, their advancement to maturity, and 
their ultimate production of the means of their increase; the little radiate 
plant seldom measuring more than eth or th part of an inch in any di- 
rection. 
From these observations the opportunity has oecurred of confirming the 
fact, that this fungus is capable of existing when separated from the grain, not 
requiring that organ exclusively as its matrix, which fact was observed by 
Mr. Smith ; the inference from which must be that the ergot can no longer 
be considered as a perfect fungus, but a diseased grain, as Leveillé described, 
though he somewhat erred in the nature of its production. "The external ap- 
pearances furnish the same proof, as at its apex can be seen the hairs that 
Seat on the healthy grain, and occasionally also the remains of the styles; at 
its base is observed the pedicel, still supporting the two scales, consequently 
the intermediate portion is in the position of the body of the grain, and the 
