On Smut in Wheat. 



directions. While viewing them in the microscope, 

 they suddenly became motionless, owing to the evapo- 

 ration of the drop of liquid ; on adding a drop of fresh 

 water, they instantly revived, and began the same lively 

 motion. A quantity of salt sufficient to saturate the 

 water was then added to the mixture. Upon exami- 

 nation about twenty hours afterwards, I was much sur- 

 prised to find the animalculse as numerous and lively^ 

 as before the addition of the salt." 



*'The watch-glass with its contents, after standing 

 neglected, on a shelf exposed to the effluvia of a variety 

 of drugs, till the latter end of November, was again fill- 

 ed with water, and placed near a fire, placing at the same 

 time by it a similar glass, containing smut-powder and 

 fresh water. They w^ere both frequently examined for 

 some days, but without discovering any animalcul^e. 

 My attention being called off, they remained unnoticed 

 about eight days. The glass which contained the infu- 

 sion with simple water, was quite dry, and only a small 

 quantity of fluid remained in the other. A drop being 

 examined with the microscope by a single lens of high 

 magnifying power, was found to swarm with animal- 

 culse. Both glasses were now filled with fresh water, 

 and placed under inverted jars. Being examined two 

 days after, each of them swarmed with lively animal- 

 culae. While viewing them, a small particle of lime 

 water was added to the drop, which proved instantly fa- 

 tal ; at least, all motion ceased instantaneously, and was 

 not renewed.'' 



Mr. Harrup by a comparative experiment, shews the 

 efficacy of steeping seed wheat in brine, and afterwards 



