Kneeland.] 122 [Ffbruary 6, 



tus, tlie seeds begin to germinate, if the circumstances are suitable 

 gradually increase, and fill the animal completely with the thallus ; 

 the insect retains its external form, though internally its fluids are 

 dried up by the growth of the fungus ; the plant then forces itself 

 through the skin at various places, through the articulations, and even 

 through the hard surface of the head. 



It may be that the vegetable growth does not depend on its being 

 nourished by the fluids of the insect ; but that the insect, enfeebled by 

 the heavy rains which fall periodically in the intertropical regions, re- 

 ceives the seed, which grows by the influence of external moisture, so 

 that its thallus interferes mechanically with the functions of the insect, 

 and finally destroys it, the vegetable growth predominating over the 

 animal vital principle. It is possible that, if the insect be strong, as 

 during the dry seasons, (these growths being usually noticed after 

 heavy rains), it may eat the parasitic seed, which, from not finding a 

 suitable nidus, may be voided in the usual way, time not being al- 

 lowed for its germination ; and in this way a vigorous larva might es- 

 cape and go through all its metamorphoses, while an enfeebled larva 

 would die. 



These growths vary in length from a mere protuberance to an extent 

 of ten inches, and in diameter from a fine hair to one-fourth of an 

 inch. 



Thus we see that the Coleoptera, nocturnal Lepidoptera, and Hy- 

 menopiera, from their habits of life, are most subject to form the bases 

 of these parasitic fungi. 



The specimen exhibited was found in the Philippine Islands, in Jan- 

 uary, 1866, on Mt. Mahahai, an extinct volcano, about fifty miles 

 from the city of Manila ; it was found about three thousand feet 

 above the level of the sea, in a clearing in the forest which had been 

 made a coffee plantation ; the soil was black and rich, and quite moist 

 from the daily heavy rains which prevail at this season of the year. 

 The caterpillar when found, was dead, somewhat dry, though not de- 

 cayed, and was lying on its side, the under surface resting in the moist 

 rich soil. The attention of the gentleman who picked it up, and who 

 gave it to me, was attracted by the peculiar color and aspect of the 

 veo-etable growth, which reminded him of the delicate roots of a hya- 

 cinth as seen growing in water ; their size was about that of the hya- 

 cinth roots, but the color was more yellowish, and the structure more 

 tough and elastic; the plant was living when found. The larva 

 on which this parasite was growing is, according to Messrs. Osten 

 Sacken and Scudder, that of a Lamellicorn beetle, of the family Melo- 

 lonthadce, and coming near Melolontha, or the May beetle or May bug. 

 It has shrunk a little from immersion in alcohol. 



I do not find in Mr. Gray's monograph, or elsewhere, any Asiatic 



