On the Origin of Ergot. 359 
the indivisible periphery of the a inner circle, and so on, 
you divide the diameter, i. e. the n line, into indivisible 
parts, and in going from the seritiety of the outer circle on 
this line to the centre, you are continually passing over in~ 
divisible peripheries. 
Art. XXV.—On the origin of Ergot.* By Gen. Mantis 
Firvp. 
Pror. Smit an, 
Dear 
Sin 
Durine the last summer, I spent sometime, with a view 
of investigating, if possible, the origin or cause of Ergot, or 
Spurred Rye, 1 now send you a statement of facts soles 
to that subject, souk: then came within my obse on; 
and if you consider the same mpsasbiens a place in the mer 
of Science, you will A heme to insert it 
Vey respectfully, yours, &c. 
MARTIN FIELD. 
New-Fane, Vt. Dec. 20, 1824. 
to the origin and nature of ergot, various opinions and 
theadtes have been adopted ; but the three following have 
appeared the most erie ‘and have been the most stren- 
uously supported. First: among the French, Tissot and 
others affirm, “ that ergot or apes rye, is such as suffers an 
irregular vegetation im the middle substance between the 
grain and the leaf, producing an excrescence ;” and that this 
morbid change is produced by the extremes of humidity and 
heat, of the season. 
Second: In England it has been the opinion of some, 
‘** that ergot is an excrescence, caused by the sting and de- 
en of the eggs of an insect. 
third : Others affirm, “ that it is a parasitic Fungus, 
like Me different sorts of blight, smut, &c. 
I shall not attempt to support or oppose either of the opin- 
ions above mentioned ; but shall relate such facts. as have 
fallen under my view, without regard to any theory upon the 
subject. 
* This paper would have appeared in our last number, but was acci- 
dentally mislaid.—En. 
