S MICEOSCOPIO PXJNGI. 



smarks inspired no such alarm in the districts of 

 ur experience, but in some seasons and localities 

 I is certainly one of the "pests of the farm/' 

 fnder the different appellations of " bunt/' " pepper 

 randj'' " bladder brand," and sometimes " smut," - 

 lis infection is very generally known. Externally 

 iere is no appearance, except to the practised eye, 

 tat anything is wrong. There is no black impal- 

 able. dust about the ears as in the true " smut," 

 o red withered leaves or spotted stem as in the 

 rust" and " mildew," and no stunted growth or 

 lalformation, evident to the casual glance, by which 

 he insidious foe can be recognized; but stealthily 

 nd secretly the work is accomplished, and until 

 be " bunted" grains make their appearance in the 

 ample, the disease may, perchance, be unchal- 

 mged. 



Externally the " bunted " grain is plumper, and 

 rhilst the com is still green thesewill be of a brighter 

 Teen than the rest (plate V. fig. 84) . When broken, 

 h.e farinaceous interior will be found replaced by a 

 linute black dust of a very foetid, unpleasant odour, 

 nd greasy to the touch (fig. 85). This powder 

 onstitutes the spores of the "bunt" mixed with 

 ayceloid threads. It may happen that much of 

 he corn in a field is " bunted," and the discovery 

 lot made tiU the wheat is being ground for flour ; 

 hen the odour and colour wiU speedily decide the 

 )roduce to be unfit for human food. We have not 

 he. least doubt that "bunted" com, when ground 



