104 



T 



illea^ Vol. vii. p. i.) but no description was published with the name. 

 It can not well be considered a distinct species, as the differences be- 

 tween it and the other form are only those of size and color. Speci- 

 mens of it have been distributed by Mr. J. B. Ellis in Century IV, 

 North American Fungi. A third and more distinct form comes also 

 from California. For my information concerning it I am indebted to 

 Mr. W. R. Gerard who informs me that the herbarium of the late 

 Dr. Torrey contained three specimens (all that are known) which 

 bore the record — '* In Sandy Desert, California." All had a distinct 



Fig^ t^ 



. 2 



Fig. B 



lateral stem, as shown in the annexed figure, and, in all, the veil-like 

 prolongation of the margin of the pileus was entirely closed. Never- 

 theless the spores were well developed and the mouths of the pores 

 had the dark-brown color that exists in the other Californian speci- 



mens. 



No record was found concerning the matrix on which the 



specimens grew, but Mr. Gerard suggests that it was probably some 

 small twig, judging from the appearance of the base of the stem. 

 The size of the pileus was about the same as in the other Californian 

 specimens. 



The_ following is a brief characterization of the section, species 

 and varieties of this fungus. 



CRYPTOPORUS, 



(A section of Placodermei,) Pileus at first subcarnose, becom- 

 ing harder or corky, sessile or stipitate, the margin greatly prolonged 

 beyond and beneath the mouths of the pores and wholly or partly 

 concealing them from view, generally opening beneath by a small 

 aperture ; pores not stratose, the dissepiments thickened at the mouths 

 and there differently colored. 



The only speties yet known is 

 PoLVPORUS voLVATUs, Peck. 



Pileus globose or subglobose, sessile or rarely stipitate, even 



