234 ROMANCE OF LOW LIFE AMONGST PLANTS. 



fungus first kills the wasp by compressing and drying 

 up the body, and then, continuing to grow, occupies 

 the whole of the cavity of the shell of the insect." 



There remains only one point upon which it is 

 desirable to comment, and that is the probability or 

 possibility of the insects retaining any life after the 

 external development of the parasite takes place. 

 On this point we hold a decided opinion, based upon 

 an extensive experience. The vegetative portion of 

 the fungus is essentially that which occupies the 

 interior of the insect. From the first period of in- 

 fection this portion grows and extends itself at the 

 expense of the material upon which it is established. 

 It absorbs and converts the whole of the tissues into 

 mycelium, which gradually replaces the animal 

 structure. So long as there remains any portion of 

 available pabulum for the fungus to assimilate, there 

 is no attempt made at producing fructification. This 

 is a general rule in fungi, of which abundant evidence 

 could be given. So long as vegetation can proceed 

 freely, with the conditions favourable, reproduction is 

 retarded ; but when further vegetation is impossible, 

 through exhaustion of pabulum, attempts are made 

 for the perpetuation of the species. When the insect 

 becomes a prey to the parasite it gradually succumbs, 

 as its tissues become absorbed ; but contempora- 

 neously with this absorption is the obliteration of all 

 animal structure, so that, when complete, nothing but 

 form remains, the whole of the interior having under- 

 gone conversion into a vegetable mycelium. Mani- 

 festly, under such circumstances no animal life can 

 remain. There can be no functions where there are 



