522 FETCH : 



The examination of this material was completed in 1912, 

 and coloured drawings prepared of nearly all the species 

 known. Since then pubhcation has been delayed from 

 various causes, and consequently it has been thought desirable 

 to issue a preUminary notice, giving the synonymy of the 

 species of the genera in question, as an indication that the 

 generosity of those who have kindly lent their assistance has 

 not been wasted. 



The material of these genera in herbaria is, as a rule, 

 remarkably scanty. One would suppose that in many cases 

 the fungus has been accidentally gathered on phanerogamic 

 specimens collected for distribution, and discovered subse- 

 quently in the herbarium. Types frequently consist of a 

 single leaf bearing only two or three examples of the fungus, 

 and in many cases the fungi on the leaf belong to more than 

 one species. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that in 

 the case of the commoner species the list of synonyms is 

 somewhat lengthy, since the material from which the species 

 was described is often insufficient to give any idea of its range 

 of variation. The synonymy given below is based on an 

 examination of the types. Notes on other gatherings which 

 are included with the type in the collections examined will be 

 given in the complete Paper, 



'The examination of the herbarium collections would lead 

 to the conclusion that species of these genera are rare. But 

 it is not difficult, according to Ceylon experience, to collect 

 large numbers of a species, piovided one devotes the time to 

 it. Of course, cases do occur when a single specimen is found 

 and a thorough search fails to reveal more, but, in general, the 

 systematic examination of a bush or tree on which a specimen 

 has been found will result in the discovery of dozens, or even 

 hundreds. It has to be borne in mind, however, that the 

 fungus is parasitic on a scale insect, not on the plant, and, as 

 far as can be ascertained, its parasitism is not speciahzed. A 

 species which is parasitic on Lecanium can, apparently, attack 

 any Lccaniid, and conversely any given species of Lecaniid 

 can be paiasitized by any fungus of the Lecaniicolous group. 

 Consequently, a collection from one plant, usually all on the 

 same scale insect, may include several species of AscJiersonia or 



