60 Ergot and Clover Sickness [CH. 
forms a large number of conidia so as to increase the 
chances of reproducing itself. 
After a time the mycelium at the base of the flower 
grows to form a compact mass. This is composed of 
hyphae woven together and running in all directions, 
the outer layer of which becomes darkened. This 
developing sclerotium pushes before it the portion of 
the flower which forms the grain and also the remains 
of the hyphae which bud off the conidia. It then 
increases in length and sticks out from the ear providing 
an easy means of recognizing the disease. 
The sclerotia are formed in an entirely different 
way from the smuts and bunt. In the case of these 
the fungus spores are formed within the grain. In 
the case of ergot the sclerotium is formed from the 
mycelium below the grain and the portion which ordi- 
narily forms the grain is pushed before it. The remains 
of this portion may often be found at the top of the 
sclerotium. The sclerotia are the resting stage of the 
fungus and serve to carry it through the winter. 
This fungus is divided up into several varieties, the 
commonest of which attacks rye and several of our 
grasses. 
The damage done to grasses is very little, but it 
may reduce the yield of rye considerably. This direct 
amount of damage is negligible compared with the 
harm it does when the sclerotia are eaten. They 
contain several poisonous substances. Cattle feeding 
on infested pastures during the winter often do badly 
and become very thin. Sores are often formed on the 
teats and mouth, the latter causing salivation. These 
symptoms of the poisoning effect have led to its being 
confused with the dreaded foot and mouth disease. 
