MONOGKAPn OF THE LABOUlliENIACEiE. 



365 



A specimen of this host bearing the parasite in considerable numbers on the under side of its 

 abdomen was found in the Lecontc collection of Coleoptera. The fungus under a hand lens 

 looks like a stiff slender bristle, and might readily be overlooked even when present in consider- 

 able numbers. The material, though abundant, contained no very young individuals, so that the 

 early development is unknown. 



SPHALEROMYCES Thaxter. Plates III and XI. 



Proc. Am. Acad. Arts and Sci. Vol. XXIX, p. 95. 



Receptacle consisting of two superposed cells, the upper bearing the appendage laterally, and 

 the stalk-cell of the perithecium terminally. Perithecium asymmetrical, each series of wall-cells 

 composed of five cells ; the apex somewhat pointed, the stalk-cell free. Appendage consisting 

 of a basal cell bearing a series of superposed cells, each of which gives rise from its inner upper 

 angle to a single short septate simple antheridial branch. Spores once-septate. Ascogenic cell 

 solitary. 



This somewhat insignificant genus is perhaps related to Compsomyces, as may be indicated 

 by the structure of its perithecium, the wall-cells of wbich are unusually numerous. The 

 peculiar disposition of the canal cells, near the tip has been already referred to (p. 231). The 

 trichogyne has been observed in a single specimen only, which was badly broken. It appears to be 

 filamentous and branched. Owing to its rarity the early stages have not been observed. In a 

 single young specimen of S. Lathrobii (Plate XI, fig. 19) a perfect appendage was obtained, 

 showing the sub-terminal origin of the flask-shaped antheridia, and the presence of a peculiar 

 spine at the base of the sub-terminal cell, to which reference has been made above (p. 209). 

 Although marked by no great peculiarities, the generic type is clearly defined by the two very 

 distinct species. 



Sphaleromyces Lathrobii, Thaxter. Plate XI, figs. 2-5, 19 ; Plate III, figs. 1-2. 



Proc. Am. Acad. Arts and Sci. Vol. XXIX, p. 95. 



"Wholly hyaline or faintly yellowish. Perithecium rather slender, slightly inflated toward 

 the base, tapering to the somewhat pointed apex which is bent inward ; the dividing lines 

 between the wall-cells indicated by successive ridges, the distal more prominent ; the stalk-cell 

 short, the basal cells rather large. Receptacle consisting of two obliquely superposed cells, the 

 upper bearing the stalk-cell of the perithecium distally and the basal cell of the appendage 

 laterally. Appendage borne on a large basal cell connected on its inner side with the distal cell 

 of the receptacle and a portion of the stalk-cell of the perithecium, its exterior wall usually much 

 thickened so as to form a more or less distinct rounded prominence at the base of the appendage 

 proper, which consists of a series of four or five obliquely superposed cells diminishing in size 

 towards its apex, from each of which arises on the inner side a single branch ; the branches 

 directed obliquely upward and forming a single scries, septate, cylindrical, simple or bearing 

 near their tips single short flask-shaped antheridia. Spores, 35 x 3-3.5 fj,. Peritbecia, 100 x 22 fi- 

 140 x 36 /a. Total length to tip of peritbecium, 160-240 p. Total length to tip of distal branch 

 of appendage, 110-166 Receptacle, 38-15 long. 



