Benham. — On Cordyceps sinclairii. 7 



ascospore stage (as in the vegetable caterpillar of New Zea- 

 land, C. hugelii), while nothing is known of the other stage — 

 the conidiospore stage — of the life-history ; but in a few 

 European species, such as C. militaris and C. ontomorhiza, 

 both stages in the life-history of the fungus are known, and 

 the relation of one to the other has been worked out. From 

 experimental researches on these species we know that the 

 conidial stage is a saprophytic form, which may grow on leaves, 

 bark, wood, &c., and not necessarily on insects, and has been 

 hitherto regarded as a distinct genus of fungus, to which the 

 name Isaria had been given, while the ascospore stage is, of 

 course, that condition known as infesting the insect. Thus 

 G. militaris is the ascospore stage of a fungus of wdiich the 

 conidial stage has been known as Isaria farinosa ; and C. ento- 

 morhiza,-'- infesting the larvae of various insects, has as its 

 conidial stage I. densa, which normally occurs on the larva of 

 the cockchafer {Melolontha) . These two stages do not occur 

 at the same period of the year, but it appears that a resting- 

 stage, known technically as " sclerotium," intervenes. 



From these and other facts botanists consider it likely 

 that each of the species of Cordyceps has its own " isarial " 

 stage, though this can only be ascertained by experiments 

 similar to those that have enabled the facts above men- 

 tioned to be determined. 



Now, the chief interest in my own observations on C. sin- 

 clairii lies in the fact that it is the conidial stage of a fungus 

 — a fact already noted, I may state, by Berkeley. We do 

 riot know its ascospore stage, and one is inclined to suggest 

 that possibly the two fungi known as C. sinclairii and 

 C. hugelii may be merely links in the chain of events in the 

 life-history of one species of Cordyceps, But this can only be 

 determined by direct experiments with living organisms — by 

 sowing the spores of C. sinclairii (from the Cicada) in the 

 tissues of the caterpillar, and ascertaining whether they give 

 rise to C. hugelii. It is manifestly a difficult experiment to 

 perform, and a considerable number of living fungi and in- 

 sects would be required ; and since we do not know with 

 certainty what species of caterpillar (and whether more than 

 one) is attacked by C. hugelii, it will be necessary to make a 

 further investigation into the whole subject.! 



* Massee records C entomorhiza as occurring in New Zealand as well 

 as in Europe. He does not state its host in New Zealand ; the only 

 detail given is " (Coll. Colenso)." 



t In looking at Taylor's book I note that on page 641 he refers to 

 " Mumutatua, the largest beetle of New Zealand," living on sandhills, as 

 being infested by a " fungus, which entirely occupies its body, without 

 sending up any shoot." It is desirable to look into this matter, and I 

 should be very grateful for specimens — preferably fresh ; otherwise, pre- 

 served in alcohol or formol. 



