RUST, SMIJT, ETC. 133 



caused by a parasitical fungus. The so-called mature ergot pro- 

 jects beyond the chafF-scales. Its colour is violet-black. The 

 number of infected grains in each ear may be from one to the 

 whole. This remarkable substance has long been a fertile subject 

 for discussion. Its singular mode of growth, the appearance of 

 infested grains among a host of sound ones, and the painful 

 maladies to which the incautious use of ergoted bread has given 

 rise over extensive areas, have all tended to clothe this dis- 

 tinct vegetable production with a painful and serious interest. 

 It is popularly supposed to infest only rye ; this is a dangerous 

 error, and doubtless numerous untoward results have arisen from 

 this belief. 



238 (a). The enigmatical nature of ergot has lately been cleared 

 up by M. Tulasne, who has shown that the body of the ergot, 

 which is externally of a blackish colour and internally white, and 

 which has been described as Sclerotium clavns is only the ve"-e- 

 tative rudiment of a claviformed fungus, which is not developed 

 until it has fallen to the earth. The fungus is very closely allied 

 to the Spheerioe growing upon caterpillars, and is described by 

 M. Tulasne under the name of Claviceps pnr2mrea.W 



240. The medicinal effects of ergot are well known, and when 

 taken into the animal system to a considerable extent, as in the 

 consumption of ergoted bread or of grasses by cattle, the results 

 are most lamentable. It originates terrible gangrenous diseases 

 in man, mortification of the limbs, and ultimately death. 



241. On undrained lands cattle have often been made seriously 

 ill by the ergot present in the natural grasses growing there ; 

 good drainage effectually removes this poisonous disease. Many 

 instances are recorded in England of local epidemic diseases of a 

 most shocking description, which have been caused by the con- 

 sumption of ergoted xolieaten bread. Ergot is common in 



(1.) Dr. Braun— on the diseases of plants— Journal of Microscopical Science, 1854 



