De Candolle suggested that this anomalous structure had some 

 "affinity to the amorphous indurated masses of mycelium which had 

 been united together in a spurious genus to which was given the 

 name Sclerotium. The illustrious mycologist Fries separated it 

 from Sclerotium, and established a genus for its reception, which 

 he designated Spermoedium, 

 although he doubted whether 

 it should be included among 

 the fungi at all, considering 

 it rather as only a morbid 

 condition of the seeds of 



The true nature of ergot 

 was at length determined by 

 observations first made on its 

 early history and development 

 on the diseased plants, and 

 then by experiments on the 



ergot itself, with the view Of Microscopic structure of Ergot, magnified 



determining its ultimate pro- 

 duct. In both directions the most satisfactory results have been 

 arrived at, and we now know the complete history of the plant. 



In its earliest condition this parasitic fungus escapes notice, 

 being composed of a large number of very small elongated cells 

 borne in a colourless liquid. In about three days after the plant 

 is attacked the ergot becomes visible, appearing as a yellowish 

 viscous substance resting on the outer coating of the as yet unde- 

 veloped attacked grain (Fig. 205, p. 460). It exudes from be- 

 tween the glumes and more or less completely covers the whole 

 seed. It has a taste like honey and an odour like that of grated 

 bones. The ears naturally attacked do not belong to less vigorous 

 or healthy plants than those that escape. 



Once established, the fungus rapidly developes, carrying up- 

 wards the aborted remains of the seed, crowned with the withered 

 styles, and forming below the homogeneous sclerotioid mass, 

 which becomes the true ergot. The state of the development of 

 the ergot had been observed early in the century by Bauer, though 

 none of his figures were published till 1841. He had noticed its 

 relation to the outer covering of the seed, and had supposed it to 



