xxvii.] ERGOT. 223 



nates, and in bursting forms a microscopic drop of glittering 

 vital material. This glittering viscid drop at the base of 

 the pistil speedily increases in size, and after about three 

 days it becomes visible to the unassisted eye. Its increase 

 in size is probably aided by an exudation from the rye 

 spike itself near the base of the pistil, and by absorption 

 of moisture from the atmosphere. The glittering liquid 

 has a great attraction for various flies, and no doubt 

 insects aid in the propagation of ergot. The liquid, 

 however, appears to kill some flies ; for our friend Mr. A. 

 S. Wilson has made the curious observation that he has seen 

 hundreds of flies standing on newly-ergotised grasses in 

 the stillness of death. On examination of this viscid drop 

 with the microscope, we see it traversed by a transparent 

 filamentous sweet -tasting mycelium, the beginning of 

 ergot. The mycelium attaches itself to the base of the 

 pistil, and partly covers the ovary ; it partially penetrates 

 the tissues of the pistil, generally leaving the upper part 

 exempt. The mycelium now occupies the place of the 

 pistil which it soon pushes from its place, and as the 

 fungus enlarges in size it becomes deeply furrowed and 

 honeycombed, and often carries the feathery styles on its 

 apex, and so somewhat resembles an aborted grain of rye. 

 As the viscid mycelium continues to grow, its base be- 

 comes compact and indurated, and this indurated base, 

 anatomically connected with the viscid matter above, is 

 the beginning of true ergot. A half-grown ergot is illus- 

 trated at Fig. 104, enlarged five diameters, with the true 

 ergot at the base, A, and the viscid matter at the top, B. 

 The apex at C is crowned with the withered styles which 

 have been forced from their natural position. At D a 

 longitudinal section through this young ergot and its 

 glutinous top is illustrated. 



In old times the early viscid condition of ergot, coating 

 and pushing up the aborted seed was considered to be a 

 distinct fungus, and, like the Claviceps of germinating 

 ergot, was considered a parasite of ergot. The glutinous 



