248 MONOGRAPH OF THE LABOULBENIACE^ 
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the Saprolegnlse," but seems to be an encysted condition of some protozoan or other 
animal organism^ is also not infrequently found on water beetles. 
T/ic collection of Laboulheidacece involves little more than the collection of a sufficient 
number of tlio proper hosts, although their presence on the latter is not always easy 
to ascertain in case of the smaller forms. In so far as concerns the collection of hosts, 
my own experience, which is not that of a skilled entomologist, much less of a coleop- 
terist, indicates that the most favorable localities in which to search for infested beetles 
is along the margins of small streams or of ponds. In such situations abundance of 
hosts may usually be found under stones or sticks, or in rubbish, that may be best 
shaken over a sheet or other white cloth, on which the insects are readily captured. 
Traps deposited in such situations, and made by raking together a heap of decaying 
grass, algoe, etc., often yield large numbers of interesting specimens when examined in 
this way. Many forms may also be obtained by leaving bundles of hay or grass in 
cultivated ground for a few days and examinin.cv them over a sheet. Water beetles 
are in general best obtained! by sweeping the margins of ponds or ditches with a 
dip net; those bearing Zodiomyces occurrino; in cool gravel alono- the mar^rins of 
j3 ^. ^...,^^ «,xv^ii^ uiiv. iiiciig, 
brooks, or in cold, wet rubbish which has accumulated on rocks or branches in its bed. 
Staphylinidte which are either mycophagous or fimicolous have not been found' to 
yield any parasites. Forms of this flimlly most likely to be infested are best obtained 
by using the two kinds of traps above mentioned. The collection of hibernating 
specimens by " sifting " seldom yield parasites in good condition. A few hosts may 
be obtained on flowers: Ilarjxilus pennsi/Imnicus, for example, which Is very commonly 
infested, is usually found in abundance climbing up the spikes of Ambrosia ariemisioB- 
folia about dusk. 
Laboulbeniacco) may be ^' cultivated " in the manner above alluded to, by confin- 
mg infested hosts with such as are free from any parasites; and this is not a matter of 
any considerable difficulty, provided that surroundincrs are furnished which are suited 
ffi 
the habits of the insects employed. If pains are taken to keep 
moist and fresh, the parasites will develop normally; but if there is not 
moisture to allow of a certain amount of condensation on the surface of the hosts, 
fertihzation is apt to be interfered with, and, as a result, one finds a large number of 
abnormal and undeveloped forms. As a rule, it is more satisflxctory and quite as little 
have grown under natural conditions- and little, if 
trouble to obt 
dvantage is to be obtained from such artificial cultiv 
No attempt has been m 
esults which might be looked for from such 
the spores in artificial nutrient media, and 
if they should p 
t 
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