Introduction to the study of fungi : their organography, classification and distribution, for the use of collectors / by M.C. Cooke.

Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Introduction to the study of fungi : their organography, classification and distribution, for the use of collectors / by M.C. Cooke. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    There is another condition which the mycelium of some Fungi assume that is something of a resting stage, and in former days these were classed under a genus called Sclerotium. They are in the form of hard, compact, irregular nodules, from the size of a pin's head to that of a child's head, according to the species. They are mostly dark coloured externally, and nearly white and horny within, with a firm cellular substance. We will commence with one that is well known, under the name of Ergot, and occurs on the spikes of rye, wheat, and under the microscope, it will be seen to consist of a densely compact mass of cells, somewhat irregular from mutual pressure, with thick walls and rather oily contents. At last they are liable to become dissociated from the spilce, and fall to the ground, where they will lie quiescent and unchanged through the winter. When spring arrives, active vitality recommences, and the sclero- tium germinates by producing one, two, or more—generally several —little slender twisted stems, with a globose head, reminding one of a pin. The stem is whitish, and the head of a pale purple. It is within the globose head that the fructification is produced. This latter is the mature Fungus of the Ergot sclerotium, and is then called Claviceps purpurea, one of the Sphaeriacei (Fig. 2). By way of illustration, we have indicated briefly the history and development of the Ergot sclerotium, but it will scarcely be consistent with the design of this chapter to repeat the process for other species. Another example may be found inhabiting the dead haulms of potato. First of all the haulms Fig. 2.—Ergot Sclerotia germiuating. After Tulasne. many grasses, converting the ovary into a Sclerotium, or replacing the ovary with a Fungus growth, whichever view pleases best. These abnormal growths are three times as long as the ordinary seed of the rye or grass, elongated, and a little curved, so that they look like a horn or spur projecting from the ear of grain. If a thin slice of the substance is placed