451 



the casting of foals by valuable brood mares, having again drawn 

 attention to the matter, I propose to set down what is known re- 

 garding this dangerous production. This is the more necessary, 



subject were published before the very important observations of 

 Tulasne were known. This eminent fungologist has fully traced 

 the history and development of ergot, and has finally set at rest 

 the many doubts entertained as to its true nature. 



Like all diseases which result from the attacks of fungi, the ap- 

 pearance of ergot is mysterious and more or less inexplicable. 

 Atmospheric conditions, without doubt, greatly influence the de- 

 velopment of such plants. Moisture is required for the growth of 

 the minute spores of fungi, which at all times abound in the air: 

 a moist and warm atmosphere invariably brings in all suitable lo- 

 calities a large crop of these minute epiphytic or parasitic fungi. 

 Such conditions, it is well known, greatly favour the production 

 and development of the potato fungus. Ergot also is most abun- 



found in the greatest abundance in those parts which are low or 

 undrained. Such physical conditions are, however, not present 

 in every instance of the rapid progress of a parasitic fungus. 

 The recent appearance of a blight among garden hollyhocks, and 

 their allies, the wild mallows/is a remarkable exception. This 

 minute fungus (Puccinia malvacearum, Mont.) was described by 

 Montague from Chili, of which country it appears to be a native. 

 It was afterwards noticed in Australia ; and a year ago it ap- 

 peared for the first time in England, in such abundance that it 

 was observed almost everywhere in the south, and in some places 

 not a single Malvaceous plant, wild or cultivated, could be found 

 that had not been attacked by it. It is reported in the same 

 abundance from many districts this year. 



It is to be hoped that the growing attention which is being given 

 to these smaller fungi may lead to a better acquaintance with the 

 causes inducing their sudden appearance and rapid development. 

 When these causes are known, one may obtain the power of modi- 

 fying or controlling, if not of totally preventing, their ravages. 



Ergot has been observed on a large number of our native and 

 cultivated grasses as well as on our cereal crops. The grasses 

 that are most subject to its attacks are Rye-grass (Lolium perenne, 

 Li nn.) ; the Brome-grasses (Bromus secalinus, Linn., B. mollis, 



