II OUR PASTURE GRASSES ii 



fungus perennates over winter. In this country Claviceps purpurea has been 

 reported as parasitic on Rye (Secale cereale) and Wheat (Triticum sativum), 

 and on Timothy, Meadow foxtail, Sweet vernal. Cocksfoot, Tall fescue, 

 Meadow fescue. Perennial rye-grass, Fiorin and various other grasses found 

 in our pastures. The terrible muscular contractions and gangrenous diseases 



Tall Fescue-Geas?. 

 i^Festuca etatior. 



Spike of Ergotised Rve (Corn). 

 i^Secah cereale.') 



caused by partaking of Ergot are too well known to need description here. 

 They result from poisonous agents contained in the Ergot grains, principally 

 Cornutin, an alkaloid producing contraction of the uterus, and Sphacelic acid, 

 a resinous substance giving rise to gangrene, and producing in large doses 

 strychnine-like cramp, and tetanus of the uterus. Ergotised grass is especially 

 harmful to stock when the uterus is nearly ready to discharge its contents. 



