338 MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE OF HIGHER CRYPTOGAMIA. 



sents itself (Fig. 120) under a considerable variety of forms ; all 

 of which, however, are of extremely simple structure, consisting 

 of elongated or rounded cells, connected in necklace-like fila- 

 ments, very nearly as in the ordinary "head-moulds." 



210. Again, it is not at all uncommon in the West Indies to see 

 individuals of a species of Polistes (the representative of the 

 Wasp of our own country) flying ahout with plants of their own 

 length projecting from some part of their surface, the germs of 

 which have heen prohahly introduced (as in the preceding case) 

 through the breathing-pores at their sides, and have taken root 

 in their substance, so as to produce a luxuriant vegetation. In 

 time, however, this fungous growth spreads through the body, 

 and destroys the life of the insect ; it then seems to grow more 

 rapidly, the decomposing tissue of the dead body being still 

 more adapted than the living structure to afford it nutriment. 

 A similar growth of different species of the genus Sphceria takes 

 place in the bodies of certain caterpillars in New Zealand, 

 Australia, and China ; and being thus completely pervaded by a 

 dense substance, which, when dried, has almost the solidity ol 

 wood, these Caterpillars come to present the appearance of 

 twigs, with long slender stalks that are formed by the projection 



of the fungus itself. The Chinese 

 FIG. 121. species is valued as a medicinal 



drug. The stomachs and intes- 

 tines of many Worms and Insects 

 are infested with Entophytic Fun- 

 gi, which grow there with great 

 luxuriance. In the accompanying 

 illustrations (Figs. 121, 122) are 

 shown some of the forms of the 

 Enterolryus* which has been found 

 by Dr. Leidy to be so constantly 

 present in the stomach of certain 

 species of lulus (gaily- worm), that 

 Grow* of Enur^, ^ tn ,u s f rom mll . j* j? extremely rare to meet with 



cous membrane of stomach of lulus: a, individuals whose StOmacllS do HOt 



epithelial cells of mucous membrane ; 6, Contain it. The EllterobrVUS Origl- 

 spiral thallus of Enterobryus; c, primary -,-, j_ P i i xiT 



cells; d, e, secondary cells., nallj Consists Ot a Single long tubll- 



lar cell, which sometimes grows in 



a spiral mode (Fig. 121), sometimes straight and tapering (Fig. 

 122, A) ; in its young state, the cell contains a transparent pro- 

 toplasma, with granules and globules of various sizes ; but in its 

 more advanced condition, the tube of the filament is occupied 

 by cells in various stages of development ; these distend the 



1 This plant, also, has much affinity to Algae in its general type of structure, and is re- 

 ferred to that group by many Botanists ; but the conditions df its growth, as in the case of 

 Sarcina, seem rather to indicate its affinity to the Fungi ; and until its proper fructification 

 shall have been made out, its true place in the scale must be considered as undetermined. 



