CLAVICEPS. 



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conidiophores. A very sweet fluid, the so-called "houey-dew," 

 is separated from the sphacelia ; this attracts insects, which 

 carry the conidia to other flowers. Since the conidia are 

 capable of immediate germination, and give rise to a 

 mycelium which penetrates through the outer coat of the 

 ovary, the disease can be quickly disseminated during the 

 flowering season of the grasses. After the formation of conidia 

 has ceased, the sclerotia become firmer, with a dark wrinkled 

 cortical layer and an internal firm-walled pseudoparenchymatous 



FlQ. 85. — Claviceps purpurea. A, Sclerotium with seven stromata (cL). B, 

 median longitudinal section through the upper part of a stroma, the flask-shaped 

 perithecia (cp) are embedded in the head. C, Perithecium in longitudinal section 

 (highly magnified) — hy, hyphal tissue ; sA, cortical tissue of the stroma ; cp, orifice 

 of the perithecium. 2), Isolated ascus ruptured, so that the thread-like asco- 

 spores (sp) have begun to escape. (After Tulasne, from Sach's Lehrbtich.) 



hyphal tissue. In this condition they are introduced along with 

 grain into bread, which when eaten acts as a powerful poison, 

 producing very serious results (Ergotism). The sclerotia are 

 also used medicinally, and are collected for this purpose {Seeale 

 cornutum). 



Kobert (Frohner, Lehrhuch der Toxikologie fur Thieriirtze, 1890) states 

 that Ergot contains three poisonous agents : 



(1) Cornutin, an alkaloid which produces that particular effect of ergot 

 in causing contraction of the uterus. 



(2) Sphacelia acid, a non-nitrogenous, resinous, non-crystallizable sub- 

 stance, insoluble in water and dilute acids, but soluble in alcohol, and 



N 



