126 On Entozoical Fungi. 



insect, is certainly not improbable. In this respect they may 

 offer some analogy with the entozoical vermes, such as t<Lni<z y 

 ascarides, tetragula, hydatides, &ic. which are most commonly 

 observed to prey upon animals of debilitated or languishing 

 health. 



A congener of this fungus, and nearly allied to it, the Sphcz* 

 ria militaris of Pers. is also remarkable for selecting for its 

 nisus the larvse of insects. I am not aware that it has been 

 found in circumstances to support the inference that it was the 

 cause of the death of the larvae. 



Besides these Sphccria, there is another class of entozoical 

 fungi, of the genus Isaria of Pers. whose matrix is invariably 

 dead insects in different stages, and which derive their pecu- 

 liar characteristics from the various species upon which they 

 have fixed their habitation. A species discovered by Mr. 

 De Schweinitz, and described under the name of Isaria sphin- 

 gum*, is remarkable as being always found proceeding in all 

 directions from the abdomen, nerves of the wings, Sic. of a 

 sphinx resting upon a branch with expanded wings, (with the 

 curious additional circumstance that the leaves of the branch 

 dry up, and preserve their green colour as in a Herbarium.) 

 Although the animal was dead when thus discovered, yet 

 the position in which it is usually detected, and the other at- 

 tending circumstances, afford a strong presumption that the 

 fungus was evolved while the sphinx was yet in a state of ex- 

 istence. 



Synop. Fung. Carol. Sup. p. 100- 



