156 



FUNGI INHABITING THE ANIMAL BODY. 



pores of individuals previously healthy. Wherever the pre- 

 cautions obviously suggested by the knowledge of the nature of the 

 disease, thus afforded by the Microscope, have been duly put in 

 force, its extension has been kept within comparatively limited 

 bounds. Again, it is not at all uncommon in the West Indies to 

 see individuals of a species of Polistes (the representative of the 

 Wasp of our own country) flying about with plants of their own 

 length projecting from some part of their surface, the germs of 

 which have been probably introduced (as in the preceding case) 

 through the breathing-pores at their sides, and have taken root in 

 their substance, so as to produce a luxuriant vegetation. In time, 

 however, this fungous growth spreads through the body, and 

 destroys the life of the insect ; it then seems to grow more rapidly, 

 the decomposing tissue of the dead body being still more adapted 

 than the living structure to afford it nutriment. A similar growth 

 of different species of the genus Sphwria takes place in the bodies 

 of certain Caterpillars in New Zealand, Australia, and China ; and 

 being thus completely pervaded by a dense substance, which, when 

 dried, has almost the solidity of wood, these Caterpillars come to 

 present the appearance of twigs, with long slender stalks that are 



formed by the projection 

 of the fungus itself. 

 The Chinese species is 

 valued as a medicinal 

 drug. 



266. The Stomachs 

 and Intestines of many 

 Worms and Insects are 

 invested with Entophytic 

 Fungi, which grow there 

 with great luxuriance. 

 In the accompanying 

 illustrations (Figs. 168, 

 169) are shown some of 

 the forms of the Enter o- 

 hryus, * which has been 

 found by Dr. LeidyT 

 to be so constantly pre- 

 sent in the stomach of 

 certain species 'of lulus 

 (gaily- worm), that it is 

 extremely rare to meet 



Fig. 168. 



Growth of Enterobryus spiralis from 

 mucous membrane of stomach of lulus: — 

 a, epithelial cells of mucous membrane ; b, 

 spiral thallus of Enterobryus ; c, primary- 

 cell ; d, secondary cell. 



* This plant, also, has much affinity to Algae in its general type of 

 structure, and is referred to that group by many Botanists ; but the con- 

 ditions of its growth, as in the case of Sarcina, seem rather to indicate 

 its affinity to the Fungi ; and until its proper fructification shall have 

 been made out, its true place in the scale must be considered as under- 

 mined. 



t " Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge," Vol. v. 



