94 THE POLYPORACEAE OF ir/tfCOXS/X. 



Polyporus fragilis Fries. 



Pileus kidney-shaped, flat, depressed, convex beneath, sometimes at- 

 tenuated at the base, stipitate and pendant, rugose, whitish, becoming 

 brown-spotted when touched, of fleshy-fibrous substance, brittle. Pores 

 delicate, long, bent and flexuous. 



On diseased wood of the conifers. 



Quite common in the northern part of the state. Specimens have 

 been collected at Crandon, Ladysmith and Shanagolden, chiefly on de- 

 cayed pine logs. The largest specimens are about 5 cm. wide and 6 cm. 

 long. There is also a type which is effuso-reflexed and laterally con- 

 fluent. This form, by far the commonest, is very soft, fleshy when 

 young but dries harder than the typical form. It may be a distinct 

 species. 



The type form when freshly growing looks very much like P. guitu- 

 Jatus Peck. ; however, it is smaller, more delicate and brittle. Its color 

 is whitish becoming rusty-brown almost the instant that it is touched. 

 "When drying the whole specimen becomes brownish and very light. 

 This change of color is the most reliable and distinctive characteristic. 



Polyporus lacteus Fries. 



White, pileus fleshy-fibrous, fragile, triquetrous, pubescent, azonate ; 

 margin inflexed, acute, pores thin, acute, dentate, at length labyrinth- 

 ine and lacerate. 



This small species is not very common. Specimens were collected on 

 pine stumps near Hazelhurst and Crandon. They are not typical and 

 are somewhat doubtfully referred here. The largest specimen is about 

 3 cm. wide and 2 cm. long. The thickness of the pileus is about 8 mm., 

 and the tubes are about 4 mm. in length. 



The pilei are convex above and concave below ; the base is decurrent. 

 There is very little pubescence except in very young specimens. The 

 color is white throughout. 



The species is closely related to P. chioneus and P. stipticus. The 

 hyaline structure of the former distinguishes it. The latter species is 

 larger and thicker, and usually has a reddish band on its surface. 



Polyporus stipticus (Pers.) Fries. 



Pilei imbricated, pulvinate, up to 12 cm. in width, 2i/ 2 cm. thick, with 

 gibbous base, fleshy-corky, brittle, smooth, glabrate, whitish with blunt 

 reddish margin. Pores long, roundish, equal, white. 



