The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1891-10-30
INSECT AND PLANT COMBINED.
C0nsuI Zones sends Sec. Blaine "a
CurfO.Ir from China.

Curiosity from China.
The Department Of State has just re-
eeived from Consul Jones at Chinki2ng,
China, a small bottle containing some
specimens of the curious fungus that
grows out Of a species of caterpillar, liter
ally transforming the animal into a veget-
able and causing the unhappy insect to
serve the purpose of a root. 1t is the larva
OF q kind of moth, and, when the cold or
winter approaches. it makes its way down
into the soil to the depth of three or four
inches. There it is attacked by this re-
markable disease and regularly sprouts,
sending up a long shoot, which appears
aud fructifies above the ground like any
mushroom, forming spores for the purpose
of its own reproduction.
Thu natives Of Thibet and in the province
OF HuDeh and Szechuan 60 about looking
for this fungus in the neighborhood of a
certain sort Of myrtle trees, where only it
is to be found. They dig up such speci-
mems as they discover and make them into
little handles, tied with red thread. In
~aAo tbtI ~ cOId &c q
which is esteemed, If possible, more high
~ than the famous ginseng, being eonsid-
cred a powerful curative agent for diseases
Of the throat and lungs. Thus prepared
for market, they look like diminutiye bull
PUSHES, each having for its root the num-
my of a caterpillar.
Now, this fungus has no other method
OF growing than the one described. There
fore the fructifying top that is above
ground ~scatters its spores around under
the scarlet Powered myrtles on which tie
caterpilIars feed. When the latter bur-
row into the soil to hibernate they are apt
to stir up some OF the hostile germs,
whereupon they are at once once attacked
and speedily transformed into vegetable
tissue.
Their bodies, without losing their natur-
al shape or external appearance, are wholly
filled with the mycelium, and the SUBJ
stance of their flash is metamorphosed into
stalks spro1tiug from their heads. Thus
is afforded the remarkable spectacle of liv-
ing organisms which are insects in sum
mer aud plants in winter. OF course a
sufficient number of these afflicted larvae
must escape this fate to perpetuate their
species from year TO year and to supply
reproductive opportunities for the fungus.
Curiously enough, the common white
grub, which is tie larva of a beetle, is in
many parts of the United States attacked
by a fungus in a manner in all respects
similar. 1t has been suggested that meas
ures might be probably taken to artificial
~ inoculate this destructive worm on a
large scale with the disease, with a view
to bringing shout its partial or entire ex-
termination. Thus far no economic use
has been found for the sprouts produced.
In New Zealand there grows out of the
body Of a big caterpillar a surprising edi-
Bile mushroom, the stalks of which are
eight to ten inches in length and are much
priced by the natives as an article of food.
The latter also burn it for use as a color
ing matter. There is a fungus found in
Costa Rica which il the same way employs
a kind Of beetle for its root, as one might
say.
The Japanese grow several species of
edible fungi in logs or decayed wood, after
a fashion peculiar to themselves. 0ne
species of mushroom. which is utilized in
Europe for killing flies, being regarded as
one of the most poisonous forms, is EN-
ployed by the northeastern tribes of Asia
as a su Institute for ardent spirits, one large
specimen being sufficient to produce a
pleasant intoxication for a whole day.
These same people use another kind of
agaric, pounded, for snuff. By the Chinese
still another variety is made, to serve as a
valued dye for silk. However, these are
only a few Of the existing curiosities in the
fungus line.
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