LVII. 



SECALE CORNUTUM 



Spurred Bye, or Ergot* 



Synonyms 



rians, Batch. Uiv., lib. i. sec. iv. p. 23. Grana secalis degenerati, B runner. 

 Secale cornutum, Baldinger. Clavus secalis vel secalinus, Secale niaternum, 



urn 



Foreign Names. — Fr. : Ergot, Seigle ergote. Ital. : Allogliato. Germ. : 

 Mutterkorn, Roggenmutter. But.: Spoor. Ban.: Som. Buss.: Sporinia, 

 Rojki. 



Thallogens, All. II. j Fungales, Linclley. 



History. — No undoubted notice of Ergot is found in the 

 writings of the ancients. The disease produced by it is sup- 

 posed to be referred to in the following passage : — u 1089. 

 A pestilent year, especially in the western parts of Lorraine, 

 where many persons became putrid, in consequence of their 

 inward parts being consumed by St. Anthony's fire. Their 

 limbs were rotten, and became black like coal. They either 

 perished miserably, or, deprived of their putrid hands and 

 feet, were reserved for a more miserable life. Moreover, many 

 cripples were afflicted with contraction of the sinews" [ner- 



Fig. 1. A grain of Ergot. 2. A grain with part of the outer rind denuded. 

 3. A grain magnified, showing the Sphacelia segetum of Lercille. 4. Section of 

 a grain magnified. 5. The grains in situ. The figures are taken from Nees Von 

 Esenbeck. 



* Ergot is an undetermined fungus, with degenerated seed of the Secale ckheale, 

 Common cultivated Eye. Nat Order, Gramixejc, Jus*. ; HOSDIACBJC, Burn. ; 

 Tria NDKiA, Digynia, Linn. 



