On the Origin of Ergot. 359 



the indivisible periphery of the first inner circle, and so on, 

 you divide the diameter, i. e. the given line, into indivisible 

 parts, and in going from the periphery of the outer circle on 

 this liiie to the centre, you are continually passing over in- 

 divisible peripheries. 



Art. XXV. — On the origin of Ergot* By Gen. Martin 



Field. 



Prof. Silliman, 



Dear Sir, 

 During the last summer, I spent sometime, with a view 

 of investigating, if possible, the origin or cause of Ergot, or 

 Spurred Rye, I now send you a statement of facts relating 

 to that subject, which then came within my observation ; 

 and if you consider the same deserving a place in the Journal 

 of Science, you will please to insert it. 

 I am sir, 



Very respectfully, yours, &:c. 



MARTIN FIELD. 

 New-Fane, Vt. Dec. 20, 1824. 



As to the origin and nature of ergot, various opinions and 

 theories have been adopted ; but the three following have 

 appeared the most plausible, and have been the "most stren- 

 uously supported. First : among the French, Tissot and 

 others affirm, " that ergot or spurred vje^ is such as suffers an 

 irregular vegetation in the middle substance between the 

 grain and the leaf, producing an excrescence ;" and that this 

 morbid change is produced by the extremes of humidity and 

 heat, of the season. 



Second : In England it has been the opinion of somcj 

 " that ergot is an excrescence, caused by the sting and de- 

 position of the eggs of an insect.'' 



And third : Others affirm, " that it is a parasitic Fungus, 

 like the different sorts of blight, smut, &;c.'' 



I shall not attempt to support or oppose either of the opin- 

 ions above mentioned ; but shall relate such facts as have 

 fallen under my view, without regard to any theory upon the 

 subject. 



* This paper would have appeared in our last number, but was acci- 

 dentally mislaid. — Ed. 



