Polyporaceae 



Var. areoldtus. Pileus rimose-areolate. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 4, Boletus. 



P- 436.) 



Var. mutab'ilis. Flesh changing slightly to brown or pinkish where 

 wounded. 



Var. gracilipes. Stem very slender, 2-3 in. long, 2-3 lines thick. 

 Pileus thin, translucent when held toward the light. 



This Boletus is classed among the edible species, but it is said to be 

 less agreeable than B. edulis. Peck, Boleti of the U. S. 



West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine. 



The numerous varieties with their peculiarities here given by Professor 

 Peck will enable the finder of a Boletus with a distinctly scabrous stem 

 roughened witJi scales, not reticulate to select its name. For the 

 mycophagist it is enough to know that he has Boletus scaber. In all of 

 its varieties it is edible. The stems, often the tubes, unless young, 

 should be discarded, as they do not cook in the same time as the caps. 

 The comparative excellence of the species rests with the devourer. It 

 deserves a high place. 



B. scaber, var. areolatus, Plate CXVIII, fig. 4, has slight flavor, 

 but is of pleasing consistency. 



B. -durius'culus Schulz somewhat hard. PileilS 2-5 in. across, 

 hemispherical, minutely velvety, viscid when moist, varying in color 

 from pale-brown, through dingy-chestnut, to umber-brown, often be- 

 coming cracked in areas when dry, interstices paler. Flesh thick, white 

 or tinged yellow, when cut becoming reddish copper-color. Tubes *'2 

 K in. long, shortened round the stem and free, openings about % mm. 

 across, often compound, irregularly angular, bright-yellow. Stem 4-7 

 in. long, fusiform, thickest part 1)2-2 in. across, situated below the 

 middle, yellowish, rough with blackish points, which are sometimes ar- 

 ranged in a subreticulate manner, apex sometimes more or less grooved, 

 solid, flesh of upper part becoming coppery like the pileus. Spores 

 elongate-cylindrical, pale-umber, 14 16x5 6/x,. 



In woods. Esculent and very delicious. Allied to Boletus scaber, 

 but distinguished by the bright-yellow tubes and the very firm flesh, 

 which turns coppery-red when exposed to the air; this color eventually 

 changes to a dingy grayish-violet. Also allied to Boletus porphyro- 

 sporus. Massee. 



463 



