122 
examining the material microscopically, the mount was 
stained with cotton blue, so that the mycelium, which 
takes up the stain, was readily distinguished. Mounts 
were also made of material from the surface of the 
gallery walls; this material also took up the blue stain, 
but no fungal hyphae could be discerned, and there 
seemed to be present only remains of the cellulosic matter 
eaten by the termites. This fact suggested that probably 
the fungus was not used by the termite. 
A further reason for concluding that the white ant 
does not feed on the fungus is the fact that fruiting- 
bodies arc produced on fully inhabited termitaria. In 
the case of the fungi mentioned above as being cultivated, 
fructifications are found only on deserted mounds; the 
eating' of the mycelium by the insects prevents the fungus 
from fruiting. 
There are several obvious advantages for a fungus 
growing in such a position. These are : — 
1. A constant supply of organic material. The wood 
and other plant matter used by the termite provides an 
abundant and constant source of humus for the 
fungus. 
2. Lack of competition. No other large fungi are known 
here, which occupy this particular habitat. The writer 
has seen a group of specimens of Oea&trwm triple % grow- 
ing at the base of a mound which had Pod-axis growing 
in it, but it was not thought that the earth-star was grow- 
ing in the mound in the same way. A number of wood- 
rotting and wood-inhabiting fungi, including a number 
of Fungi Imperfect i and Pbyeornycetes, have been found 
associated with termites in the wood they attack; the 
situation in this case appears to be somewhat different, 
although further research is necessary before it can be 
known whether the association is of benefit to either 
organism, or whether it is merely due to the occupation 
of the same position by the two. 
3. Adequate water relations. In dry weather the 
water supply in the mound may be higher than in the 
surrounding dry ground, and suffficient for survival of 
the fungus. It is, however, a well-drained position, and 
waterlogging cannot normally occur. 
The dry weather water supply in the mound, 
although adequate to maintain life, is not enough to 
initiate fruiting in the fungus. Fruiting occurs only 
after additional water, usually in the form of rain, has 
been supplied. When effective rain has fallen, the 
