A CURIOUS HOME FOR INSECTS. 



While collecting at Albany I noted a Myxomyces (Figs. 392 and 393 x6) 

 with curious chimney-like tubes, that on examination proved to be the home of 

 some insect, some sort of a "fly," I judge. The Myxomyces is Enteridium 

 Rozeanum (of Lister) or Enteridium splendens (of Macbride) 1 but what the 

 "fly" is I do not know. The ways of nature are most curious. Here we have 

 a fly that probably lays its eggs only in this particular species of Myxomycetes, 

 and it is a plant that I have noted very rarely in the woods. The common 



Fig. 392 



Fig. 393. 



Lycogak Epidendrum, which is a very similar plant, was developed in abun- 

 dance by the side of this Enteridium, and not a specimen was affected. A 

 mycologist might confuse these two plants, but the fly knew them apart. While 

 it may be a well known phenomenon to the entomologists who study such 

 things, these "fly" cases in Myxomycetes seemed very strange to me. 



MYXOMYCETES OF SAMOA. 



On my trip to Samoa I have collected such Myxomycetes as came to my 

 notice. As I have never worked with this family I have given them to Professor 

 Macbride, who determines them as listed below. It is a pleasure to note, and a 

 further evidence of the wide distribution of the species of fungi, that among 

 those that grew in that distant island there is not a single "new species." The 

 nomenclature is in accordance with Professor Macbride's book. 



Arcyria punicea 

 Physarum sinuosum 

 Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa 

 Tilmadoche alba 

 Badhamia capsulifera 

 Hemitrichia Wigandii 

 Leocarpus fragilis 

 Stemonitis axifera 

 Stemonitis Smithii 

 Fuligo ovata 

 Trichia scabra 



