Page:Sea and River-side Rambles in Victoria.djvu/126

107 considerable time without causing inconvenience; and in animal tissues the Fungi are produced more especially in certain diseased conditions of the epidermal system, or of the mucous membranes, and their presence in such cases seems to cause an alteration in the phenomena of disease. (Balfour's "Class Book of Botany," Vol.1, p. 346.)

Dr. Hooker, whilst in the "Erebus," collected specimens, and all the information he was able, but still confesses himself at a loss to account for its development. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Colenso, he adds, being of opinion that in the act of working into the soil to undergo their metamorphosis, the Caterpillars get the Fungus spores lodged in the first joint of the neck, and finally settle head uppermost. So far, the opinion of our friend, (Mr. Hawkes) is corroborative, but he further adds, that "having gained access to the interior of the body, the spores germinate at the expense of the fat which lies beneath the skin of the animal, growing rapidly on the material that ought to feed the grub, and at last killing it by exhaustion. The growth of the plant proceeds,—all the soft parts of the grub are progressively consumed or appropriated by the plant, which, after thus distending the integument of its prey, bursts forth at the weakest point, usually that piece of fine skin which connects the head and body of the grub; the plant, now requiring light, shoots out of the earth, develops its spores which are dispersed in the air and fall to the soil, prepared to take advantage of any similar nidus into which they may be accidentally introduced."