440 Miscellaneous. 



value, it seems to me impossible to unite in one division having this 

 degree of importance the Monkeys and the Lemuroidea. The exis- 

 tence of a hand may occur in animals derived from very different 

 types ; we have long known examples of it among the Marsupials, 

 whilst among the Monkeys wc find, side by side with clearly penta- 

 ductyle species, others of which the anterior limbs are destitute of a 

 thumb. We therefore cannot regard this organic pccuHarity as 

 constituting a dominant character ; and the numerous and essential 

 differences that I have indicated in the course of this memoir seem 

 to me to have a far higlicr zoological value, and to call for a pro- 

 found distinction between the Monkeys and the Lemuroidea. It is 

 upon the support of these facts that I propose to regard each of 

 these groups as forming a distinct order, the order of the Lemu- 

 roidea uniting the order of the Simiaj to the order of the Carnivora. 

 — Comptes Bendus, August 14, 1871, tome Ixxiii. pp. 422-424. 



On S(j)ne Fungi belonging to the Family Laboulbeniae. 

 By Dr. Pevritsch, 



The Laboulbeniae include Stigmatomifces mi(sc(r of Karstcn, the 

 genus Arthrorh>/n'-hns , referred by Kolenati and Diesing to the 

 lihygodece in the system of parasitic worms, and the structures 

 occurring on Nehria, which were regarded by Mayr as morbid 

 growths of the chitiuous membrane. 



The author observed the development of Lahoidbenia mvscce, 

 which lives parasitically upon the common housefly. The Labuul- 

 benicp, made their appearance epidemically upon the flies in the 

 summer and autumn, showing themselves in the males particu- 

 larly upon the limbs, in the females chiefly upon the head and 

 trunk. The fungus developes no mycelium growing upon the sur- 

 face or in the tissues of the animal. The i)erithecium, Avhich is fur- 

 nished with a long bicellular stalk, is produced from the bicellular 

 spore, together with a curved branch furnished with points, which 

 is inserted at the apex of the superior cell. "When the spore has 

 fixed itself by its pointed end, it ascends, the product of the lower 

 cell of the spore becomes the stalk and perithecium, and that of the 

 iipper cell of the spore becomes the branch ( with the exception of 

 its basal cell, which is jjroduced from a segment of the lower cell of 

 the sjK)re). The rudiment of the perithecium, which originally ap- 

 peared as a lateral excrescence, grows rapidly in length, ^^'hen its 

 vertex does not j'et appear to be equal in height with the terminal 

 branch, the latter has already attained its complete development 

 and definitive size, sjiherical cells make their appearance at tlie 

 points, Avhilst at the same time the protoplasmic contents protrude 

 from the cell at the vertex of the perithecium. The further deve- 

 lopment of the perithecium probably takes place in consequence of 

 tlie fertilizing iiitluence of the round cells of tlie branch upon the 

 protruded fertilizahlc body ; and there is produced in the cavity of 

 the i)eritlu>ciuin a tuft of tubes, in each of which eight spores are 

 developed. 



