4 Rev. W. Houghton and Mr. W. Phillips on 



observation in my study. The aphides had already suc- 

 cumbed to the red fungus ; what was the green growth which 

 supervened? Was it the same fungus under a different 

 aspect and in a more complete stage of development, or was 

 it another fungus altogether? Were these two growths — the 

 preliminary rusty-red one and the subsequent green one — 

 genetically related to each other, or were they distinct plants? 

 With a view to determine this question I sent specimens to 

 my friend Mr. William Phillips, of Shrewsbury, a gentle- 

 man who has paid great attention to mycological subjects, 

 and who is one of our most painstaking and cautious ob- 

 servers. 



The occurrence of fungoid growth on aphides is mentioned 

 by Buckton (Brit. Aphides, ii. p. 18, iv. p. 184), and has 

 been noticed by several investigators. The first-named 

 writer says that on the leaves of peach-trees in summer 

 " there are often to be found isolated specimens of Rhoi^alo- 

 siiiJion dianthi whose bodies have been entirely destroyed by 

 what would appear to be a species of Penicillium. The 

 outer surface of the body to the eye appears like the pile of 

 reddish velvet, which, under a high magnifying-power, 

 resolves itself into a mass of jointed threads. On cutting 

 into the body of such an aphis, the adipose matter, usually so 

 abundant, appears to have undergone a saccharine degrada- 

 tion." 



This fungus may prove to belong to the genus Entomo- 

 phihora, and to be identical with that of which Mr. Phillips 

 gives an account in the following letter : — 



''^Fungus on A-pliides. 

 " Two conditions of the dead bodies of the aphides on 

 mangel-leaves you kindly sent me were noticeable — the one 

 a rusty red, the other a dull green colour — both produced by 

 the growth of one or more, probably two, species of fungi. 

 It was not possible to say at first sight whether the red pre- 

 ceded or followed the green growth, or whether the two were 

 genetically related. On placing a few bodies covered by the 

 red growth under a bell-glass in a damp atmosphere they 

 became covered in about two days by the green growth 

 whereas the green so treated did not change to red. It is 

 very difficult to determine the question of relationship between 

 fungi thus associated, and all I was able to do in the time at 

 my command was to examine the morphology of these fungi 

 with a view of ascertaining their relationship to allied 

 species already described. The result may be given in a few 

 words. 



