and some other Grasses. 467 



Another argument against the ergot being a fungus is, that the reproductive 

 particles are most numerous when it is young, and it continues its growth 

 after their production has ceased, which is contrary to the usual law amongst 

 that class of vegetable beings ; for their efforts to live are only to develop the 

 means of their propagation, commencing to decay the instant this act has been 

 accomplished. 



Besides these proofs, chemical analysis shows its dissimilarity in composition 

 with Fungi generally, and even with the species of Sclerotium (a genus to which 

 the Ergot was assigned by DeCandolle and F6e) on account of its containing 

 very different constituents, the following being those given by Vauquelin in 

 his analysis of the Ergot : — 



Colouring matter : soluble in alcohol. 



IVhite oil: very abundant ; sweet. 



Violet matter : soluble in water. 



Fi.ved phosphoric acid. 



Azotized matter : very abundant, and alterable. 



Free ammonia: at 100° Reaumur. 



The fact of having caused the sporidia to grow unconnected with the ergot, 

 and without assuming any form in the least degree analogous to it, is another, 

 and the most substantial and convincing proof that the sporidia do not belong 

 to that body, but are joints or portions of microscopic plants, which select the 

 grains of many grasses as a suitable matrix for their development. There 

 are other proofs of the separate existence of this microscopic plant ; for it is 

 not found exclusively on the body of the grain, but has been observed to flou- 

 rish on other parts of the same grass, but occasioning in such situations no 

 exuberant growth, for obvious reasons, because these parts have completed 

 their development before the fungus makes its appearance ; and their struc- 

 ture is not like that of the grain, which, at the period of attack, is exceedingly 

 young, and, commencing to grow rapidly, is susceptible of impressions which 

 can easily pervert its form and structure. 



After numerous examinations respecting the nature of the Ergot of rye, and 

 comparing the results with those obtained from other grasses* similarly af- 



* The following are the grasses that have been examined when bearing ergots ; most of the lower 

 ones on the list were obtained in the neighbourhood of Greenwich : — 



