14 SCIENTIFIC AND APPLIED PHARMACOGNOSY 



To Remove Ergot in Rye. Johnson and Vaughan give a method 

 of separation based on the fact that the grains of ergot are lighter 

 than the sound rye. Their method is as follows: Make a salt brine 

 of about 20 per cent strength. This can be done by dissolving 40 

 pounds of common salt in 25 gallons of water, or in that proportion. 

 Have this solution in a tub, barrel, or other suitable container. 

 When the salt is well dissolved pour in the rye slowly and stir vigor- 

 ously at the same time. It is a job for two men. The ergot and 

 light seeds will rise to the top and the sound kernels will sink to the 

 bottom. Skim off the ergot or add rye until the solution rises and 

 runs over the side of the tub, carrying with it the ergot, when assisted 

 by hand or skimmer. If the ergot does not float, strengthen the solu- 

 tion by adding more salt and stirring until it dissolves. Grain in dif- 

 ferent stages of dryness will require a slightly different strength of 

 solution. 



A good arrangement is to have two tubs or half-barrels, one set 

 above the other, so that the overflow containing the ergot will fall 

 into the lower tub. Cover this lower tub with cheese cloth to catch 

 the ergot and let the brine run through so that it may be used over 

 again. With the addition of more salt to replace that which sticks 

 to the kernels, the solution is good as long as it lasts. When vigorous 

 stirring brings up no more ergot, pour off or drain off the solution. 

 Then rinse at once with fresh water to remove the salt. This wash 

 ing is necessary to prevent injury to germination and to allow the 

 wet grain to dry more readily. 



Air drying is quickly and easily accomplished if the wet grain is 

 spread thinly on a clean floor or canvas and shoveled over a few times. 

 The clean rye may be used for any purpose desired without any fear 

 that it will carry the disease. 



USTILAGO. Corn Smut. The fungus, Ustilago Maydis (Fam. 

 Ustilaginacese), occurs upon the stem and flowers of the Indian corn 

 (Zea Mays) and was formerly official. 



Description. It occurs in irregular, somewhat cylindrical or 

 globose masses from 10 to 15 cm. in diameter, consisting of a whitish 

 membrane, becoming dark with age, and a brownish-black mass of 

 spores, which are nearly spheroidal and about 0.007 mm. in 

 diameter. The drug has a heavy odor and a disagreeable taste. 

 Ustilago should be carefully dried and not kept longer than one year. 



Powder. Grayish-brown; nearly spheroidal spores about 0.007 

 mm. in diameter; little or no foreign substances. Spores of Coprinus 

 comatus, blackish and ellipsoidal, about 0.005 mm. to 0.010 mm. in 

 diameter. Spores of Agaricus campestris more brownish than those 



