1879. Microscopical Fungi [nfesting our Cereals, 613 
horny consistence. We now have the so-called “ Ergot-grain,” 
or the second stage of development of our fungus, formerly 
described as Sclerotium clavus Tode, and recognized as a good 
species among the Dermatomycetes. At the top of the “ Ergot- 
grain” we behold the dried and shriveled remains of the Spacelia 
as a sort of hood of a dark-yellowish or brownish color. 
In this form of Sclerotium, the “ Ergot-grains,’ most of which, 
of course, fall out of the ears when the corn is taken from 
the field, remain on the ground unchanged through the winter. 
In April of the next year the third and very interesting form, 
which by its discoverer, Tulasne, has been termed Claviceps pur- 
purea, is developed. We behold a number of purplish carpophores, 
each ending in a yellowish head growing out of the Sclerotium. 
Each*of these little heads shows in longitudinal sections a row of 
regularly shaped and arranged peridia. These peridia are filled 
with a number of asci containing the very minute and thread-like 
spores. Direct experiments made by Prof. Kuehn, of Halle, and 
other mycologists, have proved beyond doubt that when these 
spores are sown into healthy young blossoms of rye, they will in 
a short time produce the mycelium of Sphacelia, The same 
result is sure to be obtained by means of the conidia of the 
honey-dew, which in a comparatively short time will infect other 
perfectly healthy ears, and will even carry the disease over to 
other surrounding plants, such as several species of grass, etc. 
Thus we have to regard the C/aviceps spores as originating the 
disease in spring; the Sphacelia as propagating it during the 
period of fructification, and the Sc/erotiuim as preserving the con- 
tagion through the winter. 
It is generally known that the ergot when brought into the hu- 
man organism operates as a narcotic poison. In certain years which 
were particularly favorable to its development, numerous cases of 
poisoning have been observed in Europe, and so we learn of a 
series of ergot epidemics recorded in official European statistics. 
In 1771, for instance, the disease was so acute in Westphalia and 
Hanover that in certain villages more than ninety per cent. of the 
cases proved fatal. 
The parasite has acquired its German name “ Mutterkorn,” 
because of its contracting effects upon the uterus, owing to 
which it has become an efficient aid in obstetrics, well known 
under the old name of Secale cornutum. 
