DEATH OF HORSES FROM OATS AFFECTED WITH FUNGI. 75' 
mode of formation, is very similar to that of the common 
yeast plant (torula ). The foregoing observations clearly 
prove the existence of a fungus in and upon the oats of bad 
quality. 
The question now arises, may this fungoid matter have 
occasioned the death of the animals that partook of these 
infected oats ? However, before attempting to answer this 
question, I may be permitted to direct attention to the fol¬ 
lowing remarks. 
Many fungi are well known to be poisonous. For example, 
in the ergot of rye, we have a microscopic fungus, apparently 
generated under circumstances similar to those under which 
the fungus upon the oats was developed, and often acting, 
when introduced into the system, as a powerful poison. I 
may here mention, that I believe the symptoms observed in 
the horses that died subsequent to their eating some of the 
oats forming the subject of this communication, are com¬ 
parable with those exhibited by animals suffering from the 
effects of an over-dose of ergot. Again, the following illus¬ 
trations may be taken of the poisonous effects of microscopic 
fungi. The Rev. M. J. Berkeley, in hi3 f Outlines of British 
Fungology/ while referring to the physiological action of 
ergot on animals, says, “ It is observable that the same bad 
effects are sometimes produced bymouldy (fungous-containing) 
provisions which are produced by ergot in bread.” In a 
lecture on the “ Parasitic Fungi of the British Farm,” de¬ 
livered by the Rev. Edwin Sidney at the annual meeting of 
the Royal Agricultural Society, held at Norwich, July 18th, 
1849, a fungus is described called ustilago hypodytes. It is 
a species of penicillium, “it attacks grasses or hay, and 
appears to be quite poisonous. . . . The structure, in a 
very young stage, is thread-like; but all traces of mycelium 
(spawn) soon disappear, and nothing remains but a mass of 
minute spores. ... In addition to the ruin of the grass, 
this fungus is most pernicious. According to Leveille, the 
immense quantity of black dust resulting from it in the hay- 
fields of France, produces disastrous consequences on the 
haymakers, such as violent pains and swelling in the head 
and face, with a great irritation over the entire system.” 
Further on, in the same lecture, Mr. Sidney, in reference to 
the ustilago hypodytes, says, “ I will only remark that it is 
more common than is supposed, and I am persuaded that 
cattle in ill-drained localities, where it always abounds, derive 
serious injury from it, and that it is the unsuspected cause of 
many disorders both in them and in human beings.” Mr. 
Sidney likewise states that penicillium , the mould on hay, “ is 
