184 



ROLAND THAXTER ON THE 



and bearing the rounded papilla of attachment ; contents with large fat globules; average 

 measurements 30-35 x 8-10//, maximum length 42//. Conidiophores digitate, coalescing 

 in a livid white mass over the insect. Cystidia large, not numerous, slightly tapering. 

 Secondary conidia like the primary, or spherical with an abrupt, delicate papillate base. 

 Hesting spores, zygospores, spherical, 40-60.", with brownish epispore; budding from 

 Sjrirogyra-Wke gametes and subsequently surrounded by rhizoid-like outgrowths which 

 are closely applied to the spore and originate at its base. The hyphae producing zyg- 

 ospores are always external and subsequently become thickened and horny, turning 

 dark chocolate brown and holding the spores in a spongy mass. Host attached to sub- 

 stratum by numerous rhizoids. 



Hosts. Neuroptera: several genera of Phryganeidae (imagines). 



Habitat. Kittery, Maine ; and North Carolina. 



This interesting form was first observed by me at Kittery, where I found one or two 

 specimens producing only resting spores, under boards or logs in swampy situations. 

 From the peculiarities of its spores and their external formation, I was inclined at first 

 to consider it as the type of a different genus; since none of these specimens were in 

 sufficiently good condition to demonstrate the method by which the spores were formed 

 and the hyphae had already become brown and indurated. In North Carolina, I found 

 both the conidial and the z} r gosporic form very common, both kinds of spores often ap- 

 pearing on the same specimen. The affected hosts were not, as in the preceding species 

 with which it is commonly associated, exposed in open sight ; but, in accordance with the 

 hiding habit of the caddis flies (Phryganeidae), were found concealed under saturated logs 

 or very commonly under stones, partially exposed in the bed of shallow wood streams, 

 or in swampy places in woods. The larvae were also common in the same situations, 

 but I never observed that they were attacked by the fungus. 



Although a very large number of specimens were examined I only found a very few 

 in which the process of conjugation was visible, and even in two instances where it had 

 not begun at sundown, I found it completed during the forenoon of the following day so 

 that its details could not be seen. The process is thus, as in the preceding species, a 

 very rapid one. The persistence of the hyphae, concerned in the formation of zygospores 

 and their subsequent modification, is very peculiar as compared with the evanescent 

 character of the hyphae which distinguishes the family in general. The utility of the 

 modification, together with that of the rhizoid-like outgrowths which hold the spore, is 

 quite apparent in this particular case ; for, owing to the peculiar habits of the host, the 

 fungus is developed in situations such as those described, in which it is liable to be flooded 

 and washed away at any moment when the water of the brook rises even an inch or so. 

 The thick elastic hyphae, under such circumstances, hold the mass of spores with great 

 tenacity, and the whole is fastened to the substratum by the indurated rhizoids with such 

 firmness that a knife is required to scrape it off. It is probable that the whole collection 

 of zygospores, having hibernated thus, germinate in the spring, growing out into a coa- 

 lescent mass of conidiophores as in the ordinary asexual type (fig. 377) ; but, although I 

 found specimens that, from their appearance, must have been in the brooks for several 

 months, no spores were observed that showed signs of germination. 



The growth of the conidiophores is very luxuriant, greatly exceeding the size of the 



