648 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



The photographs of this species in the second plate were made by 

 Mr. G. H. Robinson. 



Sections of this fungus show that the disciform body consists of 

 an envelope of barren filaments, at first completely enclosing the 

 conidiophores, then, as the conidia ripen, these filaments gradually 

 separate at the top and expose the layer of conidia. At the base 

 of this reproductive disc the filaments are united into a short 

 stalk arising from the fungus-filaments which have replaced the 

 body of the insect. The mycelium of the fungus at first withdraws 

 nourishment from the insect until all the soft substance is used up 

 and replaced by it, then the reproductive bodies are produced which 

 propagate the fungus. 



Explanation of Plates. 



Microcera tasmaniensis McAlp. 



Fig. 1. Piece of Eucalyptus bark showing scale insect attacked 



by fungus ... ... ... ... ... X 2 



,, 2. Test of scale insect with fungus ... ... x about 30 



,, 3. Insect with test removed and showing shortly stalked 



fungus at margin ... ... ... x about 50 



,, 4. Branched conidiophores bearing terminal conidia ... x 540 



,, 5. Mature conidia detached ... ... ... x 640 



Microcera mytilaspis, McAlp. 



,, 6. Small branch of Hymenanthera dentata R. Br. with 

 species of mussel-scale (Mytilaspis) destroyed by 

 the fungus ... ... ... (natural size) 



,, 7. Cross-section of branch showing growth of fungus 



from beneath the scale ... ... ... x 75 



,, 8, Cross-section at a later stage showing disc-like shape 



of fungus ... ... ... ... ... X 75 



