ON CERTAIN ENTOMOGENOUS FUNGI 



A. T. Speare 

 (With Plates 3-5) 



I 



The Genus Hirsutella of Patouillard 



While it is customary to think of the entomogenous fungi as 

 members for the most part of the groups Entomophthorales, 

 Ascomycetes and Fungi Imperfecti, there are in literature 

 several records in which such a habit has been attributed to cer- 

 tain Basidiomycetes. Among the latter may be mentioned the 

 various species of Septobasidium and the form called Hirsutella 

 entomophila by Patouillard. 



The present paper deals with certain fungi that are evidently 

 closely related to the latter. It will be shown, however, that 

 they should not be considered as Basidiomycetes, but rather that 

 they should be looked upon as constituting a rather definite form 

 genus of the Fungi Imperfecti, with which group they must 

 apparently be associated until the perfect stages are found. 



The paper by Patouillard (1892) in which Hirsutella entomo- 

 phila is described, although without illustrations, is otherwise 

 quite comprehensive, and there is little doubt in the opinion of 

 the writer that the fungus mentioned is closely allied to members 

 of the group herein considered, and in fact it is looked upon as 

 identical with one of them. 



The description of Hirsutella entomophila may be quoted in 

 order that it may be readily compared with those of the other 

 species noted below. 



" Hirsutella Pat. nov. gen. Hymenomycetes, homobasidies, en forme de 

 clavaires, simples ou rameux, dresses, rigides, presque coriaces. Hymenium 

 amphigene, disjoint; basides sessile ou presque sessiles ; sous-hymenium nul; 

 sterigmates 1-2, subules, tres allonges. Spores incolores. 



" Hirsutella entomophila Pat. nov. spec. . Sur coleoptere adulte ; 



Pallatanga, Equateur, Septembre 1891. 



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