( xlv ) 



Cremastogaster, tliougli on a small scale, appear even more 

 remarkable, involving, as they do, tlie growth of aerial pure 

 cultures, which, if they have become necessary to the ants 

 existence, must be maintained over a rigorous dry season, 

 a wonderful feat of mycological technique. Perhaps with 

 further study we may be able to throw some light on the 

 problem. 



" In conclusion, let me mention an interesting parallel in 

 the supposed culture of a Xylaria by Termites. I have not 

 had time to go into the subject of the fungi of Termitaries, 

 but last tour I noticed in the Agege district that one or two 

 fungi occurred with considerable constancy on ' ant-hills ' — one, 

 an Agaric, the other a small pink-tipped Xylaria. Un- 

 fortunately I have not got exact references here, but I have 

 a distinct recollection of the mention of a Xylaria (if not of a 

 few species) as occurring on Termitaria in Ceylon. The 

 subject, from the mycological side, is discussed in a most 

 full and interesting way by Mr. Fetch in some of the 

 Peradeniya publications." 



Prof. S. H. Vines, F.R.S., had expressed his concurrence with 

 the botanical details of Mr. Farquharson's communication. 

 Dr. R. C. L. Perkins, D.Sc, had suggested that the fungi were 

 similar to those with which he was familiar at Honolulu and in 

 Australia. He thought it probable that they grew on the 

 secretions of the Coccids and bore no relationship to the ants. 

 To these suggestions Mr. Farquharson had replied, writing to 

 Prof. Poulton, April 1, 1914 :— 



" I read Dr. Perkins' note with interest, but I fear he imagines 

 that we have indeed landed on a mare's nest. I think, how- 

 ever, he has not quite realised the significance of the family 

 to which the Cremastogaster fungus belongs. Most people 

 with any pretensions whatever to a knowledge of Entomology 

 know that Coccid secretions are frequently infested with 

 fungus myceliimi, and ' sooty moulds ' are known to many who 

 do not know the classification of the Perisporiales. The 

 existence of fungi, pathogenic to scale insects, if their economic 

 value is not unquestioned, is at least well known. From 

 what I have seen of sooty moulds here, however, I should say 

 that if their existence depended on the constant secretions of 



