472 Mr. E. J. QuEKETT on the Ergot of Rye, 



There is a point which, as regards the medicinal properties of the ergot of rye, 

 is deserving of being mentioned in this place, from having found in numerous 

 instances that the specimens obtained from various grasses have frequently 

 been not much more than hollow cases, instead of being solid. On looking 

 for the cause, it was found that this excavation had been effected by numbers 

 of a small species of Acariis (Tab. XXXIII. B. fig. 12.), which had devoured 

 the interior ; consequently, if the medicinal virtues reside in that part, which 

 however is disputed, the specimens must become inert. The destruction that 

 these tiny creatures make will become apparent by the following statement 

 obtained from a friend, viz. : that from six pounds of ergot of rye, kept six 

 months in the same paper, six ounces of powdery excrementitious matter was 

 obtained ; therefore the practice of keeping camphor with the ergot is likely to 

 prevent the attacks of these minute depredators. 



EXPLANATION OF TAB. XXXIII. B. 



Fig. 1. Represents a transverse section {extremely thin) of the body of the 

 ergot, magnified seven hundred times, exhibiting irregular-shaped 

 cells, containing granules of various sizes, and the purple envelope, 

 with some membranous portion adhering, probably remains of peri- 

 carp. 



2. A longitudinal section of the same, showing also the granules contained 



in the cells, the latter appearing to be disposed in somewhat regular 

 rows. 



3. Shows different kinds of sporidia, which contain granules of various 



numbers, the first having none. 



4. Represents their germination by emitting tubes which contain granules 



similar to those in the interior of the sporidium, from which they 

 arise. 

 6. Is the manner of germination, by giving off minute buds, which ulti- 

 mately become sporidia, four, five, or more, adhering occasionally 

 together, and finally separating. 



