13. _Oïdium abortifaciens_ (Ergot); _Secale cornutum_ (Ergot of Rye).—The black horn-looking spur which occurs in rye and other grasses was formerly looked upon as a distinct fungus; now, however, it is known to be a diseased or malformed condition of the grain or seed, resulting from an attack by an oïdium on the immature seed. Most of the cereal and even the meadow grasses are liable to attacks of ergot, which is increased by cold damp fogs and a moist condition of the atmosphere, the difference of the size of the spur being in accordance with the size of the affected grass seed. Thus, in rye we have seen spurs more than an inch long, while in the cock’s-foot grass it is seldom a quarter of an inch. The ergot, as it occurs in the rye, is much used by medical men in difficult cases of parturition; and we have had evidence before us, in some cases of abortion in cows, that the constant depasturing on grasses affected with ergot (and the _Lolium perenne_ in aftermaths is often especially so) has been the predisposing cause. CHAPTER XXIX. INSECTS (ANIMAL BLIGHTS) AFFECTING CORN CROPS. The different families and species of insects affecting the various kinds of corn crops in all their stages of growth are so numerous, that a detailed list of them would occupy greater space than we can devote to this chapter. In this position of affairs we have thought it wise to confine our remarks to some of the commoner and more mischievous species, choosing those more particularly which are common to the wheat crop, of which the following may be at once introduced as a summary in itself sufficient to show what the farmer may expect at each stage of growth:— 1. { The _Slug_, } Attacking the plants soon after germination. { The _Wire-worm_, } 2. { The _Gout Fly_, } That attacks the wheat stems as they begin to { The _Saw Fly_, } form. 3. The _Wheat Midge_—Commencing their injuries in the young flower. 4. The _Aphis Flea_—Which attacks the _rachis_ and floral envelopes. 5. { The _Ear cockle_, } Which destroys the growing grain. { The _Corn Moth_, } 6. The _Corn Weevil_—Which eats the flower from the grain. 7. The _Little-grain Moth_—Which attacks the grain in store. 8. The _Meal-worm Beetle_—Living upon ground corn or flour. Now, this list may be said to have reference to eight stages in the growth and preparation of wheat, and they mostly apply to other grains also—namely, 1. The germinating plant; 2. The growing plant; 3. The growing flower; 4. The green ear of corn; 5. The young grain; 6. The perfected grain; 7. The stored grain; and 8. In the state of flour.