On Smut in Wheat. 



directions. While viewing them in the microscope, 

 they suddenly became motionless, owing to the evapo- 

 ration of the drop of liquid ; on adding a drop of fresh 

 water, they instantly revived, and began the same lively 

 motion. A quantity of lelt sufficient to saturate the 

 water was then added to the mixture. Upon exami- 

 nation about twenty hours afterwards, I was much sur- 

 prised to find the animalculae as numerous and lively, 

 as before the addition of the salt." 



"The watch-glass with its contents, after standing 

 neglected, on a shelf exposed to the effluvia of a variety 

 of drugs, till the latter end of November, was again fill- 

 ed with water, and placed near a fire, placing at the same 

 time by it a similar glass, containing smut-powder and 

 fresh water. They were both frequently examined for 

 some days, but without discovering any animalculae. 

 My attention being called off, they remained unnoticed 

 about eight days. The glass which contained the infu- 

 sion with simple water, was quite dry, and only a small 

 quantity of fluid remained in the other. A drop being 

 examined with the microscope by a single lens of high 

 magnifying power, was found to swarm xvith animal- 

 culae. Both glasses wTre now filled with fresh water, 

 and placed under inverted jars. Being examined two 

 days after, each of them swarmed with lively animal- 

 culae. While viewing them, a small particle of lime 

 •water was added to the drop^ which proved instantly fa- 

 tal ; at least, all motion ceased instantaneously, and was 

 not renewed." 



Mr. Harrup by a comparative experiment, shews the 

 efficacy of steeping seed wheat in brine, and afterwards 



