220 FUNGI. 



which they die, with their legs extended and head depressed, 

 the body and wings soon becoming covered with a minute white 

 mould, the joints of which fall on the surrounding object. Ex- 

 amples are readily distinguished when they settle on windows 

 and thus succumb to their foe. Mr. Gray says that a similar 

 mould has been observed on individuals of the wasp family. 



A Gryllotalpa was found in a wood near Newark, Delaware, 

 U. S., upon turning over a log. The insect was seen standing 

 very quietly at the mouth of its oval cell, which is formed 

 in the earth, having a short curved tube to the surface. Upon 

 taking it up it exhibited no signs of movement, though perfectly 

 fresh and lifelike in appearance. On examining it next morning 

 it still presented no signs of life. Every part of the insect was 

 perfect, not even the antennae being broken. Upon feeling it, 

 it was very hard and resistant, and on making an incision 

 through the thorax it exhaled a fungoid odour. The insect had 

 been invaded by a parasitic fungus which everywhere filled the 

 animal, occupying the position of all the sofb tissue, and extend- 

 ing even into the tarsal joints. It formed a yellowish or cream- 

 coloured compact mass.* 



The destructive silk- worm disease, Botrytis Bassiana, is also 

 a fungus which attacks and destroys the living insect, concern- 

 ing which an immense deal has been written, but which has not 

 yet been eradicated. It has also been supposed that a low form 

 or imperfect condition of a mould has much to do with the 

 disease of bees known as "foul brood. "f 



Penicillium Fieleri, figured by Corda on a beetle, was doubt- 

 Jess developed entirely after death, with which event it had 

 probably nothing whatever to do. Sufficient, however, has 

 been written to show that fungi have an influence on insect life, 

 and this might be extended to other animal forms, as to spiders, 

 on which one or two species of Isaria are developed, whilst 

 Dr. Leidy has recorded observations on Julus which may be 



* Leidy, "Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil." 1851, p. 204. 



f " Gardener's Chronicle," November 21, 1868. 



J Corda, " Prachtflora," pi. ix. 



Leidy, " Fauna and Flora withia Living Animals," in "Smithsonian Con- 

 tributions to Knowledge." 



