74 
NOTES. 
about nine. It may be noted that in normal specimens of 
Clathrus crispatus the arms of the net are 2-2*5 cm. broad. 
The receptaculum did not differ notably from the normal, 
except in its small size and in the absence of any gleba. 
Doubling of the receptaculum within a single egg is fairly 
common in Simblum periphragmoides (see Annals, Peradeniya, 
IV., p. 167 ; V., p. 13), though in the cases observed both the 
stalks arise from the base of the egg. This is the first time I 
have met with the phenomenon in Clathrus. — T. P. 
Beetles and Fungi. — In Jour. Linn. Soc. XVI., p. 41, Berkeley 
recorded the presence of a fluffy mass of insect dung on 
Hirneola rufa. The note, which runs as follows, is apparently 
one made by the collector of the specimens during the “ Chal- 
lenger ” expedition : — ‘‘ These fungi were all found in the dry 
condition, being collected in the dry season. Some are 
attacked by an insect larva, whose dung takes the form of a 
curious fluffy mass.” 
Similar occurrences of a loose fluffy mass on the more 
persistent species of fungi, e.g., Polyporus, Pomes, Hexagonia, 
&c., are common in Ceylon. These masses are composed of 
rather rigid curly threads, about 0*1 mm. diameter, loosely 
intertwined, and resemble a handful of curled horse hair. 
The colour varies according to the fungus. On Polystictus 
Persoonii and Polypori of similar context it is white or 
yellowish ; on Pomes australis it is yellowish brown ; on Hexa- 
gonia apiaria and Hirneola hispidula it is red-brown. 
After numerous discussions with several entomologists who 
insisted that no insect could produce such a structure, it was 
found in course of formation on an extensive growth of 
Polyporus secernibilis in mj^ garden at Peradeniya. From the 
Polyporus several beetle larvæ were isolated, and these were 
kept under observation in glass dishes in the laboratory, being 
fed with Polyporus secernibilis, or Lentinus subnudus, or 
Polystictus flabelliformis . When placed on the under surface 
of the fungus the larva immediately began to eat, and almost 
simultaneously the white filament began to issue ab ano. 
There was, therefore, no possible doubt that the fluffy mass was 
produced by an insect. Apparently the filaments are produced 
