Studies in Entomogenous Fungi. T. Petch. 97 
, 
scribed the synnema of “‘ Nectria coccidophthora” as having a 
closely adherent sheath, and that of the other form as having 
a loose sheath. But Parkin assigned the first, which is the true 
Microcera, to Fusarium, and called the second, Microcera. As 
he stated, the two forms are readily distinguished by the naked 
eye. 
Sphaerostilbe flammea, Nectria laeticolor, Nectria auranticola, 
Nectria subcoccinea, Nectria aglaothele, and Nectria coccido- 
phthora have the Microcera conidial fructification, and must all 
be classed as Sphaerostilbe. The second type of conidial fructi- 
fication will be described as Pseudomicrocera; the only Nectria 
yet known to have this conidial stage is Nectria diploa B. 
and C, 
The following description of Microcera has been drawn up 
principally from the tropical forms. Specimens from temperate 
countries, although their perithecial stages prove that they are 
the same species as those of the tropics, are usually so poorly 
developed that their structure can be ascertained only with 
considerable difficulty, and they must be regarded as depau- 
perate examples of the tropical species. It is somewhat sur- 
prising that Desmaziéres recognised the real structure of Mzicro- 
cera from specimens collected in Europe, but it would appear 
from his account that he had a series of living specimens in 
various stages of development. 
Fully developed specimens of Microcera (Plate III, fig. 1) are 
up to 2:5 mm. high, distinctly stilboid, with a stout terete stalk 
and an ovoid, subglobose, or flattened globose head. Smaller 
specimens may be clavate, expanding gradually upwards into 
the head (Plate III, fig. 8). The stalk is composed of parallel 
hyphae, which separate above and form the conidiophores. The 
latter give off branches repeatedly, at an acute angle, either 
alternately or unilaterally, the ultimate branches being usually 
very long. When the head is teased out, it separates into long 
brush-like pencils, each consisting of an original conidiophore 
with all its long branches. 
The outer layer of the stalk hyphae do not separate to form 
conidiophores. They are united to one another laterally, and 
form a sheath, closely adherent to the stalk, which divides into 
long triangular teeth at the level of the head. The teeth do not 
recurve, but remain adherent to the head, and it is necessary 
to tease out the head in order to see them clearly. In small, or 
young, examples, the teeth extend almost to the apex of the 
head, but in larger examples they terminate some little distance 
below, along the side of the head, or even just above its base. 
Desmaziéres’ account of the growth of the fungus appears to 
be correct. When the conidia have been dispersed the teeth may 
M.S, 7 
