CKRTAIN PARASITIC FUNGI WHICH ATTACK INSKCIS. 1-23 



Hepialus, virescens ; and several other species; making in 

 all about twenty-five known to be parasitic on insects. 



The cryptogan)ic parasitism of insects is a subject of 

 which in reality we know very little. In some cases we 

 know that the parasite attacks the living insect ; in others, as 

 in the case of some of the above-mentioned Torrubite, it 

 seems uncertain whether the parasite confines its attentions 

 to dead insects; though as certain Torrubi(B have been seen 

 on living insects it is probable that it does not. 



This parasitism is not a subject having scientific interest 

 only, for as in the case of the disease of the silk-worm, 

 termed miiscardine, — the result of the attack of the fungus, 

 Botrytis bassiana, — it sometimes causes serious commercial 

 loss. This, or a similar, fungus sometimes attacks other 

 larv*, e.ff. Bombyx rubi. Then there is another cryptogamic 

 plant, known variously as Einpusa, Sporodonema, or En- 

 tomphthora, the attack of one species of which — the 

 E. musccB — upon house flies, in autumn, must be familiar to 

 everyone, though they may not know what it is. The fly 

 attacked settles upon the wall or window and there dies, 

 remaining, however, attached in a life-like position. A close 

 examination will show that not only is the fly filled with 

 fungus, but that the spores have been shed, and form a 

 kind of halo round it on the surface on which it is standing. 

 Fungi of this class have been noticed attacking wasps, as 

 well as Aphides, and certain lepidopterous insects, — as the 

 larvae of Chelonia Hebe* 



A great deal remains to be investigated as to the nature of 

 these fungus parasites of insects, not only as to the various 

 species of fungi and the various states they pass through, but 

 as to what insects are attacked, how the fungus gets access 

 to them, how its ravages in the structure of the insect are 

 carried on, and what are the causes which predispose an 

 insect to be so attacked, &c. When we know all this, who 

 shall say that a great deal of light may not be thrown upon 

 certain diseases of the higher animals, including man himself? 



For the preservation of his specimens 1 should recommend 

 Mr, Sharp to pin them into a glass-lidded box (in which a 

 drop or two of carbolic acid may be put), and not to subject 

 them to too much direct handling. 



* The fungus which has recently caused such woeful destruction amongst 

 the salmon and other fish in the rivers of the north of England, is a member 

 of this class. Botanists have not quite made up their minds whether these 

 plants are fungi or algae. 



Perth, N.B., April, 187b. 



