On Ergot. 



449 



grains, all diseased. That in the centre is the 

 largest, the great size being due to the growth 

 of the ergot below the grain itself, which is 

 entirely converted into bunt-spores, and is 

 carried on the apex of the growing ergot and 

 surmounted by the withered remains of the 

 style. This is clearly seen in the section of this 

 grain (Fig. 6, p. 448), in which the dark colour 

 of the bunt-spores at the apex is contrasted 

 with the lighter-coloured internal structure of 

 the ergot below. The lateral grains of the 

 spikelet are about the size of ordinary wheat- 

 grains, only, like all bunted grains, they are 

 somewhat shorter and blunter. One of these 

 (a) is entirely converted into bunt-spores, while 

 the other {h and c), like the central grain, has 

 an ergot established in the lower portion, 

 though still young and very small. 



It deserves to be noticed that in both the 

 ergotted grains of this spikelet the early spha- 

 celia state of the ergot is carried up beyond 

 the ergot itself, and covers the bunted apex of 

 the grains as well. 



Maize is subject to the attack of ergot. 



The appearance of ergot in rye-grass is well 

 known. A greatly affected head is shown 

 in Fig. 8 of the variety of Darnel (^Lolium 

 temulentum, Linn.), with very short awns, or 

 altogether without them, which Withering 

 separated as a distinct species, giving to it 

 the name of Lolium arvense. Improved hus- 

 bandry has made this a comparatively rare 

 grass in cultivated fields, where it is of little 

 value as a forage plant, though not so in- 

 jurious as it has been called : indeed recent 

 experiments make it almost certain that the 

 evils reported and believed to have been pro- 

 duced by the use of darnel have been really 

 caused by the unobserved ergot. The fre- 

 quency with which rye-grass is attacked has 

 often been noticed. Edward Carroll says he 

 never failed to discover it more or less ergotted 

 in fields allowed to stand for seed, and he adds, 

 what appears to be opposed to general experi- 

 ence, that its extent is in proportion to the Awuiess Damci 

 wet or dry state of the summer months during "JSrt.'i) va'r 



VOL. X. — S. S. 2 G 



Lolium 

 L. timu' 



