454 Mr. E. J. QuEKETT on the Ergot of Rye, / 



removed, the observations published by some of the later authorities have gone 

 far towards our viewing this production in a clearer light, especially those of 

 Leveillfe, Philippar, and Phoebus, from whom we learn much interesting matter, 

 and also the history and former hypotheses respecting the Ergot, which here 

 will be omitted, for the sake of brevity. 



On examining* the spikes of the infected grasses whilst recent, there could 

 be observed lodged between the palese of the flowers (bearing ergots) a quan- 

 tity of a viscid fluid, which appears to exude from them ; and on others could 

 be seen an appearance as if something slimy had once been smeared over them. 

 On submitting the fluid to the microscope, it was found to be composed of an 

 infinite number of particles, mixed with some liquid, and whose number alone 

 appeared to cause its viscidity, the taste and smell it afforded being of a faintly 

 sweet character, even when examined in minute quantities. , 



On examining the slimy appearances, which are of a darkish colour, that 

 occur on certain palese of Elymus, Rye, and other grasses, the same numberless 

 particles could be detected, when the viscid matter was dissolved that had 

 fastened them to such a situation, which made it evident that these marks 

 were occasioned by some of the viscid liquid having applied to these organs, 

 and become dry from the loss of some portion of its watery constituents. 



Having ascertained these facts, it was conceived that these minute bodies 

 in the liquid were connected with the means by which the ergot wasocca- 

 sioned and propagated, and were considered to be the sporidia of some fungus : 

 therefore, how the liquid was generated, formed the next step in the inquiry, as 

 being an important part of the mystery. 



This viscid liquid has been observed by most of the preceding investigators. 

 Tessier, in his Traits des Maladies des Grains (1783, p. 37), speaks thus : " J'ai 

 vu ainsi que quelques physiciens, sur des epis de seigle lin sue .visqueux, lui- 

 sant, d'ungout mielleux, qui enduisait I'int^rieur, I'exterieur et les aretes meme 

 des balles ou 6taient renferm6s des ergots naissans ; mais plusieurs balles etant 



* The observations that follow have resulted from the examination of some recent specimens of Er- 

 got on the Elymus sabulosus, presented to me by Mr. John Smith, and from those on Rye and several 

 other grasses kindly lent me by J. Pereira, Esq., being the first examples that I had the opportunity 

 of examining in a recent state ; having often observed the specimens in the state in which they 

 occur in the shops without ever being able to make out anything satisfactory respecting this anomaloui 

 forniation. 



