( IS ) 



CHAPTEE 11. 

 I FAR A SITES. 



Ergot and Ergotism. 



Ekgot has been described as a monstrous condition of 

 the grain, in which the enlarged and diseased ovary- 

 protrudes from the floret in a curved form resembling 

 a cock's spur (hence the name "ergot" — from the 

 French — meaning a spur). This spur is of a blackish 

 brown shade outside, while internally it is whitish, 

 and contains much oil. In this condition it is taken 

 by animals in grass and hay ; causing, when taken in 

 sufficient quantities, abortion in the case of in-calf 

 cows that have arrived at a certain stage of pregnancy, 

 and disease of a more or less acute character in other 

 animals. 



Ergot spurs ripen with the grasses in the autumn ; 

 and, falling to the ground, remain there during winter 

 and spring — unchanged and unaffected by frost or 

 rain. About the beginning of May the ergot com- 

 mences to develop minute fungi, which ripen in June, 

 and discharge spores in every direction. Such of the 

 spores as alight on the grasses when in flower attach 

 themselves to the seed-case, cast the embryo seed 

 from its position, and commence at once to grow as 



