Caterpillar eating fungi - 1879

While searching for old illustrations of fungi in Trove I came across the following in the Australian Town and Country Journal, Saturday 15 February 1879. 

Here are some notes to accompany the observation.

The fungi is now known as Ophiocordyceps robertsii, note also that a species name is in lower case, even if named after a person.

In 1879 fungi were thought to be plants ... this is an understanding that survived well into the 20th Century.

The Atlas of Living Australia does record O. robertsii in Australia and New Zealand. It also notes (probably quoting Wikipedia) that ...

The parasitised caterpillar has been used by Māori as a food or ink for traditional tā moko tattoos. The charred caterpillars were mixed with fat to make a rich dark ink. Scientists suggest that the fungus produces antiseptic chemicals that can prevent infection.

I have not yet found any evidence of use of the fungus by Aboriginal people in Australia.

The medicinal qualities of the Chinese Caterpillar Fungus are proving to be more real than imaginary contrary to the article. Ophiocordyceps sinensis has been an ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 500 years and the harvesting of this fungi is now a multimillion dollar industry in Tibet.

Sphæria Robertsii.

THE figures represent two specimens, natural size, of this curious entophyte, or parasitic fungus. Sometimes specimens are met with more than twice the size. As will be seen the plant grows from the head, usually, if not always, springing from the eye of the grub or caterpillar of the moth (Hepialus virescens) which becomes its victim. The plant springs, no doubt, as with other of the fungi, from a spore, which, on com-ing in contact with the part of the animal adapted for its development, vegetates and ultimately destroys its life. The grub retains its original form, and seems to be lignified, or turned to wood. The species is found in New Zealand, and it is in reply to the inquiries of a correspondent in that colony that we have had the figures prepared.

A species (Sphæria sinensis) is in great repute in China for its supposed medicinal virtues. It is tied in bundles and sold in the shops. It is probable, however, that its curative properties are more imaginary than real.

A species of Sphæria is also often found in New South Wales, but whether it is identical with the New Zealand species, Robertsii, or distinct from it, we have not learned, We have seen specimens of this species with a plant growing from each eye of the grub. The grub here, which forms the host or victim, resembles that of one of the cicadæ, commonly, with us, called " locusts," but in reality be-longs to a large moth, and probably the parasite is identical with the New Zealand species. All the species are found under ground, and the specimens are frequently met with in the process of trenching for orchard planting, &c. The grub feeds on tree and shrub-roots. We have seen specimens five inches long, with the plant 14 inches.

Sources: 

Sph[?]ria Robertsil. (1879, February 15). Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), p. 19. Retrieved January 20, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70935416

Ophiocordyceps robertsii. Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved Jan 20, 2022, from https://bie.ala.org.au/species/NZOR-6-65044

Some bird pictures in the Illustrated Sydney News of 1869

Many years ago I worked as a research technician studying the mating behaviour of Brush-turkeys, this may go some way to explaining why this post and these images emerge out of my own filter of relevance and onto my blog. I run another blog that deals with history themes, called Under the Lino (https://underthelino.blogspot.com/).  Today's post could happily be published in that blog, but given that this is my Year of the Bird and given the ornithological content I think it more properly belongs here with my science audience. 

I enjoy the illustrations in some nineteenth century newspapers, of which the Illustrated Sydney News is a fine example.  While I don't fully understand the process of producing newspaper images in the mid nineteenth century, I imagine it to be akin to metal plate etching.  I also imagine it to be a process requiring care and craftsmanship.

The following images and texts can be found in the Illustrated Sydney News of Thursday 5 August 1869. The images can be found on page 5 and the accompanying texts on page 9. This is a link to the brush turkey image.  Thus the sightings of a Brush-turkey in the Botanical Gardens, probably refer to the Sydney Botanical Gardens. According to eBird Brush-turkeys are still found in the gardens.

The scientific names have changed, the Australian Bustard is now known as Ardeotis australis, and the Australian Brush-turkey as Alectura lathami.  The distribution of the Brush-turkey is also now known to extend much further north all the way through to Cape York. I leave this data uncorrected in the quoted text.

THE BRUSH TURKEY; OR, WATTLED TALEGALLA.

(Talegaili Lathami.)

This singular bird is peculiar to Australia, and found from Moreton Bay to the Hunter ; it does not inhabit the plains of the interior. It is gregarious in its habits, very shy and difficult to approach. The eggs are deposited under a large heap of decaying vegetable matter and are not incubated by the bird. A very fine example is now living in the Botanic Gardens.

THE AUSTRALIAN BUSTARD.

(Clioriotis Australis.)

THIS noble bird ranks second only to the emeu (sic), and is as widely distributed over the plains of the interior. It stands higher upon its legs than the great bustard of Europe, and is similar in its habits, feeding on seeds, vegetables, grasses, insects, &c. It breeds in September, and the female deposits a single egg only, on the bare ground, surrounded by a circle of dry sticks, grass, &c.