UPON SCALE-INSECTS. 51 



probably the ascus-stage of this Microcera. However the 

 proof of the two fungi being in connection was not clearly 

 established by this material. 



Forms of Microcera from other Countries examined by 



the Author. 



1. On Fiorinia fiorinice, lower surface of leaves of 

 Camellia, Mauritius. 



2. On Aspidiotus articulatus, Coffee leaf, West Coast, 

 Africa. 



3. On Ischnaspis filiformis and Aspidiotus articulatus, 

 Coffee plant, Grenada, West Indies. 



The above three appear identical with one another and 

 also with the Ceylon type («), which may be considered to be 

 typical M. coccophila. 



The septa of their conidia varied from 4-7. The coni- 

 dium itself measured 70-99 x 3*8//. The sporodochia 

 500 x 350/x. 



Guegnen remarks in a note* at the end of the section 

 devoted to Fusarium, that Microcera in his opinion should 

 be united to Fusarium, as the diagnosis originally given for 

 it by Desmazieres in 18i8 is not distinctive enough. On 

 referring to Desmazieres' paperf I see that he lays stress 

 on the sheath (velum) as a prominent feature. This 

 structure has not been specially commented upon by later 

 systematists. In " Die Pflanzenfamilien "J the difference 

 between the two genera is vague. Microcera is said to 

 possess conical or cushion-shaped sporodochia, while Fusa- 

 rium has cushion or irregular shaped ones. Massee,§ in the 

 British Fungus Flora, says Microcera is closely allied to 

 Fusarium, but is distinguished by its small horn-like 

 sporodochium. Both these authorities ignore the characters 

 of the sheath. It is the presence of this white loose sheath, 



* Guegnen. loc. fit., p. 263. 



t Desmazieres, loc. cit. 



% Teil 1, Abtheil I., 1900. p. 508. 



§ Massee, loc. cit.. vol. III., p. 186. 



