On Ergot. 



455 



are the free spaces where the nucleated cells or " spores " are 

 produced. 



The illustration (Fig. 16), copied from Tulasne, shows the 

 relation of the different structures. The dark lower portions of 

 the woodcut is a section through the growing sclerotium or ergot, 

 properly so called. This is composed, as we have already seen, 

 of densely-packed polygonal cells, filled with oil globules. On 

 its outer surface and from its apex are given off elongated cells, 

 which are the supports (sterigmata) of oblong cells (spermatia or 

 conidia), the most of which are free in the drawing. These cells 

 are the spores of the Ergotcetia of Quekett, and the Oidium of 

 Berkeley and Broome. The oblong cells or " spores," when 

 placed in water, freely germinate (Fig. 16, a), and they have 



Fig. 16 



-0 ^mr^Y^^^m 



Magnified section of an Ergot covered with the Sphacelia. a. Spermatia germinating in water. 

 (From Tulasne.) 



the power of reproducing the parasite. But we have not here 

 the perfect condition of the plant. Recent observations have 

 •shown that many fungi produce at different stages of their history 

 free cells possessed with the power of germination. The sper- 

 anatia-bearing stage has been observed in other fungi besides the 

 ■ergot. 



W'hen the ergot attains its full size the sphacelia disappears, 

 •or only the withered and dried up remains of it can be detected 

 iit the apex of the ergot. 



The further history of the ergot has been determined also by 



