Ergot, though useful from its medieal properties, when prevalent
in our fields causes cattle and sheep to slip their
young ; and when forming a large proportion in bread, especially
in those districts where rye is much used, produces
a fatal gangrene. This effect has at present been observed
only in man, but it is probable that many diseases in cattle
arise from eating it in seasons when it is peculiarly abundant.
Though so powerful a drug in affections of the womb, it is at
times largely eaten by children on the Continent, under the
name of St. John’s bread, without producing any evil effects
whatever.* I t is observable that the same had effects are
sometimes produced by mouldy provisions which are produced
by Ergot in bread. In countries where sausages are dried for
winter use, and badly kept, mischief often arises, and the
same effect has sometimes followed the use of a peculiar kind
of rolled bacon. Whether this is attributable to some decomposition
in the meat, or to the presence of Mould, is uncertain.
The fatal cases which have occurred lately from the
use of fresh sausages, induce one to believe rather in the
latter notion, though unfortunately the data and the results
of analysis have not been clear enough to enable one to form
a safe opinion.
* I t should seem that gangrene is induced only where Ergot is used for
some time continuously. Dreadful cases arise occasionally from the continued
unauthorized use' of solution o f Ergot, to one o f which I can myself bear
testimony.
CHAPTER XI.
CULTIVATION OP P U N G I .
W e r e Fungi objects of more general interest, there is little
doubt that in skilful hands a great many species would admit
of cultivation. At present, however, except under the care of
a few inquirers into their mode of growth and fructification,
attempts have been made to propagate a very few kinds only.
The three to which attention has been directed most are the
Truffle* (Plate 23, fig. 2), Boletus edulis (Plate 15, fig. 6),
and the common Mushroom (Plate 10, fig. 2). A good deal
has been written respecting the cultivation of Truffles, and
one person even professed that he should soon have Truffle
spawn for sale; but the treatises which have appeared have
been, for the most part, mere catchpenny productions, while
the experiments instituted have been generally ill-directed.
In one case which promised a good deal, and of which I was
invited to witness the result, it was found on inquiry that experiments
had been made with the refuse Truffles of one of
the Italian shops in London, which had been artificially dried,
and which had therefore for the most part lost their powers
of vegetation. But even in this Case there were signs of the
* These attempts have been confined principally to Tuher melanosporvm,
and perhaps mesentericum.
J L