48 JMedical Botany. 
pound flowers, on the interior of fistular twigs, on the living 
leaf growing from under the epidemis, and (if the Clavus 
be admitted to belong to the genus,) from within, or near to 
the germen in the Gramina, and developed in the place of 
thatorgan. Ail this diversity of situation is similar to that 
of many other Fungz. 
Third. It does not affect the general health of the plant 
upon which it grows, which is more remarkably the fact, 
with respect to the genus Sclerotium, than of any other pare- 
sites, as all the species, except S. Cyparissie, are developed, 
only after the plant has done flowering, or when it tends to 
decay. ; : 
Fourth. The Clavus, like other parasitic Mung, is strictly 
' topical, as one or more seeds in the same ear, may be com- 
pletely destroyed by it, and the rest remain perfectly in 
their natural condition. 
Fifth. The progress of the growth, and the maturity of 
the Clavus, like other parasitic Fungz, has no correspon- 
dence with that of the plant, or any part of it, on which it 
is found. ’ 
Sixth. The Clavus is not peculiar to one plant, but is 
found on a considerable variety, that differ very widely from 
each other. This is true of other parasitic Fungi, and it 
completely overthrows the opinion, that itis merely a morbid 
change of the seed, as it would be incredible, nay indeed 
impossible, that individual seeds, so diverse as those of Se- 
cale, Alopecurus, Arundo, Festuca, Phalaris, Lolium, Phle- 
um, &c. should be converted into the same article. 
Seventh. Increased humidity favours the production of 
Clavus, as it is said to do, of all the species of Sclerotiwm ; 
but neither Clavus, nor any Sclerotium, can be produced, 
by any degree of artificial humidity. In addition Clavus, 
and al! the Sclerotewms, abound more in certain districts, 
than in others, though external circumstances are equally 
favourable for their production. 
Eighth. The Clavus, like other Fungi of a soft substance 
when young, whose seeds are commonly developed in a 
position, that does not admit of complete and free expan- 
sion, has the curious property of moulding itself in some 
measure, to the surface of the obstacle which presents itself. 
Ninth. The chemical composition of the Clavus, as far 
as the subject has been investigated, seems to correspond 
