462 Mr. E. J. Quekett on the Ergot of Rye, 



leaving the field of view, but possessing a tremulous movement, slowly ap- 

 proaching and retreating about their neighbours. 



Having witnessed this for some time, and satisfied myself that the move- 

 ments were such as are common to particles known as "active molecules," the 

 object was set aside, covered with the piece of mica used in the previous ob- 

 servation, and placed under an inverted glass to prevent the evaporation of the 

 water. 



On examining it the next day, it was found that a few still retained similar 

 movements to those witnessed the previous day, but the greater number pre- 

 sented appearances of commencing germination, in the various ways which 

 here follow. 



The most common method is that of the sporidia emitting a tube or tubes 

 from some uncertain point or points (Tab. XXXIII. B. fig. 4.), but generally 

 opposite the spot where a green granule is lodged in the interior. This tube 

 increases to an uncertain length, and contains throughout its interior similar 

 granules, arranged at short but generally equal distances between diaphragms, 

 about as far from each other as they are in the interior of the sporidia ; these 

 tubes ultimately separate into fragments constituting as many fresh reproduc- 

 tive bodies. 



In many other instances the sporidia, instead of producing a tube, give ori- 

 gin, opposite one of the granules, to a minute bud ; this little point increases, 

 becomes hollow, and ultimately separates from the parent as a perfect spori- 

 dium, frequently however before its separation showing an indication of pro- 

 ducing a similar one from itself. (Tab. XXXIII. B. fig. 5.) 



Another method of increase amongst these singular germs is that of the 

 membrane composing the parietes of one of the sporidia breaking down, 

 forming a flat patch, which keeps extending in all directions for a certain 

 period, and developing upon itself granules, similar to those contained in the 

 interior of the sporidia (fig. 6.). 



The last and most remarkable manner of growth is that of the sporidia 

 having a septum formed transversely across their interior, by a green granule 

 extending itself laterally, and dividing them into two parts, each of which 

 becomes again divided by a similar process ; different states of which are re- 

 presented in Tab. XXXIIl. B. figg. 7, 8, & 9. By a repetition of this and other 



