MICROCERA. 31 



The second set was inoculated with spores from a test-tube in which 

 an infected larva had been shaken up in water. In both A and B, a good 

 growth of fungus appeared. The fungus just showed after ~24~Iiours. In 

 A, in three days, there were about 50 mycelia. In B, in three days, the 

 mycelia, three in number, had become 10 to 12 mm. in diameter, loosely 

 tufted, with numerous conidia on the upwardly projecting, irregularly 

 branching hyphae. In nine days, the growth had covered the entire surface 

 of the medium. 



The third set was inoculated from a test-tube containing a little sterile 

 water, in which two infected larvae had been placed. Only the first petri 

 dish A developed a growth of Microcera, which grew as described for the 

 second set. 



The fungus in all cases was of a pure white color. It grew in loose 

 tufts, with upwardly growing, very delicate hyphae, forming a loose, fluffy 

 mass, which soon collapsed when the cover of the petri dish was removed. 

 A microscopic examination of this growth showed that it was made up of 

 irregularly branching hyphae bearing conidia. 



All intermediate shapes of spores from the oval one-celled conidium, 

 to the septate lunate conidium, could be found in. the same culture. (Figs. 

 1G, 17, 18). It may be remarked in this connection, that in the cultures of 

 Sphaerostilbc coccophila made by P. H. Rolfs in 1897, the conidial stage 

 of which has been referred to Microcera, these one- and two-celled conidia 

 appeared, and are figured by him in Bulletin 41 of the Florida Experiment 

 Station, Plate II. Judging from the growth of Microcera sp. in cultures, 

 it would probably fit into the genus Fusarium, but since the distinction be- 

 tween Microcera and Fusarium is rather vague, we prefer to hold to the 

 name Microcera until the perfect stage is worked out. Perithecia of this 

 fungus appear to be developing at the present time on culture media. 



On September 18, two test-tubes of standard agar, one of Irish potato, 

 and one of rice, were inoculated by drawing a moist needle over the top 

 of culture P> of the second set poured on September 14. On agar tubes 

 there seemed to be some evidence of growth in three or four hours. On 

 September 21 (3 days), tufts of white mycelium were formed over the 

 entire surface. On November 20, the agar had begun to shrink away from 

 the sides of the tube, and the fungus had grown down over the sides of 

 the medium. On Irish potato, September 28, almost the entire surface was 

 covered with a snowy white growth of fungus. On rice in a 50 cc. flask, 

 by November 11 (54 days) the entire surface was covered with growth, 

 and the spaces between the rice grains were packed with a fungus mycelium. 

 The mycelium was very thick, matted, and pink on the sides near the glass 

 (Plate" VI, Figs. 39 and 40). 



On September 25, a test-tube and a flask of rice, and two tubes of bread, 

 were inoculated from the same culture as before. On rice, September 28 

 (3 days), a delicate growth 10 mm. high was formed in the test-tube. The 

 rice had turned pinkish from the top to ^4 inch down on the sides. In the 

 flask almost the entire surface was covered, and was pinkish at the base on 

 the sides of the rice. By October 18 (23 days) the fungus had grown 

 through all the available spaces in the medium, forming a pinkish matted 



