158 
We have to thank the Eev. J. M. Du Port, of Mattishall, for a 
very interesting and instructive paper on “ Pungoid Diseases of 
Wheat.” Whether the term disease is applicable to a vegetable 
growth is rather questionable, although it is a common mode of 
expression ; after all, it is merely a change of life, resulting from 
a change of circumstances, producing a growth suitable to the 
altered conditions. The growth of Ergot on Eye and Wheat 
woidd have formed a valuable supplement to that of Eust and 
8mut, resulting, as it does in the first case, from what is called the 
honey-dew of Eye, which very rapidly develops into a white spongy 
tissue, the mycelium of the young fungus. This mycelium 
penetrates the caryopsis (as the fruit of the Graminacea) is called), 
changing its growth, and forming a compact kernel-like body of 
violet-black colour, which is the future Ergot. This may remain 
unchanged for years in the ear, but fixlling on the damp earth 
remains ready for another year’s growth in the Eye to continue 
the formation of another year’s Ergot. Erost and snow seem to 
exercise no check upon its vitality, only for a time retarding its 
development. 
All Eye grown in infected districts has to be carefully hand- 
picked to deprive it of the Ergot, the use of bread containing it 
producing most disastrous and even fatal effects. 
i\.t our January meeting Mr. P>idwell read a paper on “Eorfolk 
Adames, derived from Animals and Plants,” a subject, not only of 
local but of very general interest. The paper was one of those which 
Avill be valued by our members as a new field of investigation, and 
one which has not been hitherto noticed in our ‘Transactions.’ M’^e 
little think how much we may trace from our common names, all 
of Avhich had a meaning to those who first used them, whether 
of lioman, Saxon, Danish, or Norman origin. Mr. Southwell 
gives also a notice of the undoubted occurrence of Dala-na 
biscat/ensis at Peterhead ; and, although this happened many years 
since, yet it is interesting to know that this long-lost visitant 
was at one time on rare occasions met with in our seas. 
To !Mr. John Henry Gurney, Jun., wc arc indebted for a paper on 
the “ Spring Migration of Eirds at St. Leonards,” which gives us 
