252 thaxt?:r. 



essential variations from the type described; but more abundant 

 material would no doubt show deviations in form or size. It is 

 undoubtedly most nearly related to D. Aulacophorae, from which the 

 female differs in the form of its perithecium and its uniform short 

 transversely paired branches. 



DiMEROMYCES AuLACOPHORAE Thaxter. 



The original material of this species growing on Aulacophora postica 

 from the Straits Settlements, which, though sufficiently abundant, 

 was not in very good condition, has been supplemented by specimens 

 from the Solomon and Fiji Islands, Madagascar and Africa on species 

 of Aulacophora, PJaiyxaniha, Monolepta and Hyperacantha. The 

 material is abundant and in the best condition, and illustrates the 

 very considerable range of variation in this type. The male is almost 

 always, though not invariably, distinguished by the presence of second- 

 ary appendages : more often one, subtending the antheridium, if it is 

 single; or, if there are several, two or three such appendages may be 

 associated with them in various positions. The variations of the female 

 are associated more particularly with the secondary appendages, their 

 number, position and association, and in the development of the basal 

 cell of the primary appendage which is usually relatively large and 

 often much elongated, and may even be curved or recurved. In a 

 majority of individuals, the secondary appendages are shorter and 

 stouter than in the type, and tend to diverge or recurve from the base 

 of the perithecium. They may arise from only one, or from three of 

 the cells below the perithecium, and may be quite simple or less 

 frequently, as in the type, be multipHed by proliferation from the 

 left side of the basal cell, which may thus appear to bear two or three 

 appendages, each distinguished by a basal blackened septum. The 

 appendage above the perithecium may be similarly modified, and even 

 the basal cell of the primary appendage may occasionally produce a 

 subterminal adventitious branch. The apex of the perithecium, when 

 viewed sidewise, is asymmetrical, and somewhat compressed; Init, 

 if viewed at right angles to this position, appears symmetrical, more 

 or less trilobed, the middle lobe more promiuent and much broader. 

 The perithecium as a whole is variably developed, straight or some- 

 times falcate, the distal portion characteristically tinged unth reddish 

 brown. 



