GRASSES OP IOWA, 



193 



Nature of ergot. — Ergot is a stage of a minute parasitic 

 fungus. Although its true nature was not known by early 

 writers, it is mentioned by many of the earlier botanical writers. 

 Lonicer*, about the middle of the sixteenth century, mentions 



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Pig 87. Ergot (CTauiceps purpurea). J, normal ovary of rye; 2, young ovary of rye 

 Infested with ergot ; 3, cross section of ovary showing mycelium and spores on surface , 

 the sphacelial stage; 4 upper part of ergotlzad grain with spongy sphacellal mass; to 

 the right of J mature ergot; 7, ergot germinating; G, section through club-shaped mass 

 and flask-shaped perithecia; 9, perithecia enlarged with asci; S, ascus with ascospores. 

 (After Tulasne from Salmon.) 



♦Kreuterbach. 285. 1533. 



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