[ 453 ] -.i^x 



XXVIII. Observatmis on the Ergot of Rye, and some other Grasses. 

 By Edwin J. Quekett, Esq., F.L.S. 



Read December 4th, 1838. 



XXAyiNG heard the observations on the nature of Ergot, communicated to 

 the Linnean Society on the evening of November 7, by Mr. John Smith, of 

 the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, and having been engaged previously in the 

 same investigation, vt^hich has been directed not only to the cause but to the 

 structure, growth, and manner of reproduction of certain bodies connected 

 with the formation of this singular substance, it occurred to me that the fol- 

 lowing might prove an useful sequel to the former by making the history of 

 this production more complete, and confirming some of the views therein ex- 

 pressed. 



The investigation of this subject has often occupied the attention of both 

 English and foreign botanists*, with the view of determining its nature and 

 origin, yet notwithstanding the mystery belonging to it has not been completely 



* A list of some of the foreign authors who have written on the nature of Ergot, whose works have 

 been consulted : — 



Tessier : Traitd des Maladies des Grains. Paris, 1783. 



DeCandolle : in vol. 2. Mdmoires du Museum ctHistoire Naturelle. 1815. 



Desfontaines : in Trans. Acad. Scien. Paris. 1816. 



Leveillfe : Memoire sur I'Ergot ; Ann. Soc. Linn. Paris, vol. v. 1827. 



Philippar : Traitd Organographique et Physiologico-agricole sur I'Ergot, Ssc, dans les C^reales. Ver- 

 sailles, 1837. 



Phoebus : Deutschlands Kryptogamische Gi/tgewiichse. Berlin, 1838. On whose authority the fol- 

 lowing are given : 



Wiggers : Inquisitio in Secale cornutum; Comm. prsem. om. Gott. 1831—4. 



Diez : Verss. iiber die Wirkungen des Mutterkorns ; Gekroute Preissch. Tiib. 1832. 



Dierbach: Die neuesten Rntdeckungen in dem Mat. Med. I. 1837. 



Etzrodt: Das Multerkorn; Inaugural-Abh. Wurzb. 1838. 



