78 Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society. 



an epidemic amongst the locusts, and is probably indigenous. 

 The only case which appears to be at all parallel to the present one 

 is that of the Muscardine disease amongst the silkworms, before 

 mentioned ; in that case the object was to stay the disease, which 

 was done with difficulty, in this case the object is to disseminate it, 

 and there appears to be good grounds to hope that this maybe done. 



The fungus, although not the same as that causing " Muscardine," 

 grows very rapidly in artificial cultivations in suitable media, and 

 developes an immense quantity of spores, which, on coming into 

 contact with the locust, immediately germinate, the growth at once 

 penetrating the outer skin and the mycelium rapidly spreads through 

 the fatty matter in the body of the locust, and through the internal 

 organs, thus preventing their proper and natural action, and causing 

 death. It is probable that climatic influences may either lengthen 

 or diminish the term of five or six days observed in the experiments, 

 although much variation is not likely. 



The life-history of the fungus, with illustrations, and a further 

 account of its action will form the material for a more detailed 

 report when investigations are more complete. 



As the result of the observation and investigations up to the 

 present time the following facts may be learned : — 



1. That the fungus disease broke out amongst the locusts in an 

 epidemic form, and appears to be natural to the country. 



2. That it is fatal to the locusts in all stages of growth (except 

 the egg). 



3. That the fungus can be easily cultivated artificially in quantity 

 in suitable media, and artificially communicated to locusts. 



4. That when the locust is attacked by the disease it is, from the 

 nature of the fungus, fatal. 



5. That no evil results to stock or pasture are likely to ensue from 

 the dissemination of the fungus. 



Eecommendations. 



That investigations be continued in Natal, with suitable experi- 

 ments, in order to ascertain the extent and localities of the fungus. 

 The manner in which, and the extent to which, locusts may be best 

 destroyed. 



That provision be made for the cultivation of the fungus, and that 

 field experiments be undertaken. 



Eemaeks. 



Most, if not all, the material required to carry out these sugges- 

 tions and recommendations may be had in the Colony or Cape 



