xxx.] BUNT OF WHEAT. 253 



Sulphate of soda in solution and the seeds afterwards dried 

 with dusted quicklime is said to be one of the best 

 preventive solutions. The lime combines with the soda 

 and forms sulphate of lime or gypsum, whilst caustic 

 alkali is set free. As the spores are lighter than water, 

 mere steeping in brine or even pure water is often effectual, 

 as the spores float, and are easily washed away. It is 

 probable that the presence of a few scattered greasy spores 

 are quite as, if not more, damaging than the whole bunted 

 grains with unbroken seed coats. Some alkaline ley 

 should be added if water is used, as the oil on the surface 

 of the spores combines with the alkali and forms a soapy 

 substance which is fatal to effectual spore germination. 

 Sufficient permanganate of potassium may be added to the 

 water until it becomes rose-coloured, or one per cent of 

 carbolic acid may be mixed with the water. It is not 

 proper for the seed to remain long in these solutions ; 

 they should be washed quickly and then allowed to dry. 

 When millers see bunted grains amongst the wheat they 

 generally pass it through a dresser with a strong exhaust, 

 and this draws away the foetid spores. 



Bunt, Tilletia Caries, TuL, seems to be confined in this 

 country to wheat, Triticum vulgare, Vill. ; T. sativum, 

 Lam. ; and barley, Hordeum distichum, L. Alex. Fischer 

 de Waldheim describes no less than fourteen species of 

 bunt. Some of these, as T. Lolii, Awd., and T. Icevis, 

 Kuehn. ; the first recorded on three different species of 

 Loliutn, and the second on five species of Triticum, 

 including wheat, probably occur in this country. One 

 species attacks five different species of Agrostis, and several 

 other bunt fungi are confined to grasses. 



A curious species of bunt named Tilletia bullata, Fl., 

 has recently been found in ' Scotland on docks, Eumex 

 obtusifolius, L. On the Continent this bunt attacks 

 different species of Polyyonum. 



