93 
pillar lives is Hepialus virescens. This supposition is further confirmed by the 
fact that the Sphcerium Robertsii is only collected at the foot of the Rata tree 
(Metrosideros arbusta) one of the Myrtacese, and it is there also that the Hepialus 
Caterpillar is found. 
The Chinese use the Caterpillar Fungus as a medicine. It is known in Canton 
as " Tong chong ha cho," which means "Winter-worm-summer-plant." In 
Japan it is called " Totsu Kaso." It is sold in Canton tied up in bundles, each 
containing a dozen. Du Halde says ('Description Geographique et Historique de 
la Chine', 3,490) that the insect fungus is scarce, and is regarded at Pekin as a 
foreign production. He says it grows in Thibet, but is also found on the frontiers 
of Se-tchuen on the borders of Thibet. Humberg (Travels in Europe, Asia, and 
Africa, 1770-1779, vol 3, p. 68) says, "The Chinese assign to the caterpillar 
fungus cordial virtues similar to those of Ging Sing. It strengthens and renovates 
the powers of the system, when reduced by over-exertion or long sickness." The 
physician of the Emperor of China says that it is used only at the palace on account 
of its scarcity. Black, old, rather rotten specimens cost four times their weight in 
silver. 
Their mode of employing it is very singular, and reminds us of the recipes we 
often find in very old herbals. The belly of a duck is to be stuffed with five 
drachms of the insect fungus, and the bird roasted by a slow fire. When done, 
the fungus is to be taken out, the virtues of which will have passed into the duck. 
The latter is to be eaten twice a day for eight or ten days. 
Instead of the caterpillar swallowing the fungus, it is most likely the fungal 
sporidia find a proper nidus in the dead caterpillar, for I cannot discover in any 
book that the caterpillar has ever been seen living with the fungus attached. 
Much conversational discussion took place on this paper, especially as 
to whether the fungus grew in the body of the caterpillar during its life- 
time, or after its death. The general opinion seemed to be that the fungus 
began to grow when the caterpillar was alive, but ill, so that this extra- 
ordinary parasite was, so to speak, not only the effect, but also the cause of 
the death of the animal. The occurrence of mould upon flies in autumn 
was mentioned as another illustration of parasitic growths, and Mr. S. H. 
Swayne alluded in his remarks to the Xehneumonidse, which bored into the 
bodies of other caterpillars, which afterwards lived for a long time with 
these internal parasites. Referring to the fact that this particular fungus 
was only found with this species of caterpillar, Mr. W. L. Carpenter spoke 
of the constant association of a certain species of hermit-crab (Pagurus), 
with a certain species of sea-aneuione (Adamsia), and said that one of these 
animals was apparently unable to exist without the other. 
The proceedings were closed with the usual votes of thanks to the 
authors, and also to Mr. Leipner for reading the first paper. 
