DECAY 185 



those of the Polypori, which abound in the forests. The sub- 

 sequent immersion of the logs as they are floated to the mill 

 causes the cracks to close and favors the development of the 

 spores in the interior of the log. The relatively small amount 

 of fungus developed under such circumstances lies dormant and 

 is widely distributed wherever the prepared lumber is used for 

 constructive purposes. If such boards should be employed in 

 damp and close situations, such as a cellar or poorly ventilated 

 basement, the fungus will find most congenial conditions for 

 renewed and vigorous growth, and all the characteristic phe- 

 nomena of dry rot will be manifested. An instance of this kind 

 came under my observation some two years since in a city house, 

 where the wainscoting of the basement dining room was once 

 removed ; but as the fungus again appeared within a short time 

 and attacked the entire sheathing, the tenants sought safety in 

 removal to another and better constructed house. A second 

 case of the same sort was brought to a conclusion during the 

 past summer. As a precautionary measure, about a year ago 

 the infected woodwork was all removed and the surrounding 

 walls were cleaned as thoroughly as possible, the surfaces being 

 washed with a solution of cupric sulphate. Eventually, it being 

 found impossible to check the trouble without much more exten- 

 sive repairs than the landlord was willing to make, the tenant 

 brought suit and secured damages. 



When the fungus has once been established through any of 

 the means described, and the conditions continue favorable, it 

 extends with great rapidity in all directions from the original 

 center, being guided in the course it takes by conditions of nutri- 

 tion rather than the path of least resistance, carrying with it all 

 the characteristic features of disease and decomposition. Wher- 

 ever there is room for expansion, as in seasoning cracks or in 

 the cavities arising through its own operations, the mycelium 

 increases greatly and gives rise to massive developments of 

 various forms. Thus in the white rot of the red cedar, caused by 

 Polyporus juniperinus, von Schrenk has shown that the cavities 

 arising through the action of the fungus are lined with a felt 



