DECADES OF FUNGI. 175 



marked with radiating lines. Stem slender, 2-3 inches high, 1 line 

 thick, irregular, here and there nodulose, nearly black. Hymenium 

 pale ; pores punctiform, ending abruptly round the swollen tip of the 

 stem ; interstices plane. 



Differs from P, diabolicus in its slender habit, thinner pileus, more 

 slender stem, which is not attached by a disciform base. It is closely 

 allied but certainly distinct. 



555. P. (Mesopus) vermcosus^ n. s. ; pileo orbiculari umbilicato atro- 

 rufo vemicoso polito radiatim lineato; stipite gracili atro; hymenio 

 brunneo ; poris apice contractis interstitiis depressis. Spruce, n. 50. 



Hab. On decayed trunks. Panure. 



Pileus about "2 inches across, umbilicate, moderately thick, rigid, 

 dark rufous, with an indistinct zone, shining as if varnished, marked 

 with radiating lines ; edge thin, lobed or crenate. Stem slender, 1^ 

 inch high, 1 line thick, rigid, black. Hymenium brown ; pores decur- 

 rent but ending abruptly ; orifice contracted ; interstices depressed. 



Evidently allied to the foregoing species, but differing in the var- 

 nished pileus and contracted pores. 



P. (Mesopus) oUedam, Berk,, Hook. Lond. Joum. vol. iv. p. 51. 

 Spruce, n. 15. 



Hab. On dead wood. Panure. 



Besides the ordinary form there is one on a far larger scale. Pileus 

 2 inches across. Stem 3i inches high. Beautifully velvety. 



One individual from Ceylon is nearly as large. 



556. P. (Mesopus) luteo-nitidus, n. s, ; pileo rugoso luteo sericeo- 

 nitente irregulari-Iobato crebri-zonato primum subvelutino ; stipite 

 deformispongioso-vestito; poris punctiformibus luteo-olivaceis. Spruce, 

 n. 51. 



Hab. On the ground. Panure. 



Pileus 2 inches jicross, convex, orbicular, sometimes depressed^ yel- 

 lowish at first, finely velvety, then shining with a sericeous aspect, 

 irregular, rugose, lobed- Stem 2 inches or more high, -J-i an inch 

 thick, often compressed, clothed with spongy down of the colour of the 

 pileus, Hymenium olive-yellow ; pores decurrent, punctiform. 



In the style of P. tomentosus, but very distinct. Occasionally the 

 stem is divided above proliferously. 



557. P. (Pleuropus) passerinus, n. s. ; pileo primum spathulato- 

 flabelliformi rubro-badio nitido deraum connato-cupulaiformi umbrino; 



