XXVII.] 



ERGOT. 



219 



white-stemmed fungus which, grows from a white downy 



base out of ergot in the summer 



is furnished with a small spherical 



head of a beautiful pale purplish 



colour. This growth, enlarged five 



diameters at A, Fig. 101, was at 



one time supposed to be a parasite 



on ergot, but it is now known to 



be the perfect condition of the Fia.ioo.-Ergots^erminating 



ergot itself. The Claviceps derives 



its nourishment from the ergot, 



and after the Claviceps has appeared 



the ergot collapses and perishes ater the manner of the 



seed tuber of a potato plant. Tulasne has named this 



perfect state of ergot Claviceps purpurea. Claviceps of 



and producing Claviceps 

 purpurea, Tul. Natural 

 size. 



2.0 



FIG. 101. 



Claviceps purpurea, Enlarged 5 diameters ; and section through head or 

 stroina. Enlarged 20 diameters. 



course refers to the clublike head, and purpurea to its 

 beautiful purplish colour. The popular name " Ergot " 

 is French for the spur of certain birds. 



Our attention must now be directed to one of the pale 



