372 
ON ERGOT. 
found by him to be ergotized. It is evident, therefore, that 
the spores were taken up by the spongioles of the rootlets, 
and thus carried into the plant. "The statements of Leveille, 
Phillipar, Smith, and Queckett,” says Pereira, “ leave, I 
think, but little doubt that ergot is a disease of the grain 
caused by a parasitical fungus. This view is supported by 
the observations of Wiggers, that the white dust (sporidia, 
Queckett) found on the surface of ergot will produce the 
disease in any plant (grass ?) if sprinkled on the soil at its 
roots. Phoebus, who has most accurately depicted these 
sporidia, denies that they are spores, on the ground that 
they are of variable size, and inclose other bodies. But 
these objections deserve no attention, for, in the first place, 
by calling these bodies sporidia, we avoid deciding whether 
they are sporangia or spori; and, secondly, the sporidia of 
other plants, of the fungic nature of which botanists enter¬ 
tain no doubt, also inclose smaller bodies.” Phoebus is of 
opinion that the inner substance of the ergot is the altered 
albumen, and the outer the degenerated seed-coat. The 
little body at the top he regards as the elevated pericarp 
with some other external parts of fructification. Queckett 
considers this to be the remains of the hairy crown of the 
grain and stigma. 
We presume our readers are acquainted with the external 
characters of the ergot. Various analvses of it have been 
given, some of which are very complex. Modern analysis 
makes two essential principles to exist in it, secalin , analo¬ 
gous to the volatile alkaloids, and ergotin, a nitrogenous acid. 
M. Boujeau considers that there are in the Secale cornutum 
a powerful stimulant—extractive, and a narcotic—fixed oil, 
which is said not to affect the uterus. The active principle 
is abstracted by hot water, consequently the form of infusion 
or decoction has been advocated as the best for its exhibition ; 
but as this has a tendency to ferment, it is a good plan to 
add alcohol or rectified spirit to it; or the form of tincture may 
be kept ready made, since the diluted alcohol will prove bene¬ 
ficial rather than otherwise. 
At the commencement of this article we stated that doubts 
had been expressed by some persons of the efficacy of ergot. 
But have all the necessary conditions been inquired into ? 
Has the quality of the agent been carefully ascertained ? Its 
activity is said to reside in the peridiurn, or investing tunic, 
therefore, should heavy rains fall during its formation, this 
would be washed away, and the hardened spur-like body 
become nearly inert. Fine weather causes this to dry upon 
the spur, and then it is found to be most active. Again, 
