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SELECTED ARTICLES. 
and in the morning numbers of drops can be collected. I have 
rather given this an external origin, from the water of dew or 
rain becoming charged with the particles whilst lodging on the 
plant;* for my specimens when cut and placed in water, though 
they kept alive, exuded no viscid liquid whilst in doors; how- 
ever, it may arise from the young ergot, as Philippar says, for 
I have not had many opportunities of watching the increase 
of this fluid on the growing plant. This fluid isslightly sweet, 
and contains myriads of the same particles as are deposited on 
the outside of the ergot. The axis of the ergot, when first ap- 
pearing, is exceedingly soft; breaking easily across or in any 
other direction, and exhibiting, in its transverse section, a very 
irregular lobed or sinuous margin, of a purplish color, which 
is surrounded externally by the above-mentioned filaments and 
and particles; this axis appears to be the body of the grain, 
which has now become changed by the presence and growth 
of the particles and filaments found upon it. 
At this early period the size of the ergot is very small, mea- 
suring scarcely one-fifth of an inch; still its diminutive condi- 
tion seems to be most favorable for the support and growth of 
the particles and filaments upon its surface (where they increase 
most rapidly;) for it is found that whilst the ergot is enlarging, 
there is not a corresponding increase in the number of fila- 
ments and particles, but rather a diminution of them, whilst it 
is advancing to maturity. 
In the next stage (fig. 5) we observe the ergot is now grown 
to show itself just without the palese, and begins to show its 
purplish-black color, having by this time partially lost its 
white coating; in fact, when the ergot becomes visible by pro- 
truding between the palese, the production of filaments and 
particles has nearly ceased, and the ergot increases in a very 
rapid manner, according to Philippar only eight or ten days 
being required to complete its development, attaining in this 
* It was found that when water is charged with a sufficient quantity of 
the particles adhering to the ergot, that it becomes viscid and sweetish, 
and evaporates very slowly ; in fact, resembles the fluid that is observed 
on the exterior of the flowers of ergotized grasses. 
