DECADES OF FUNGI. 503 
Pileus 4 inches wide, 2 long ; at first ochraceous, minutely 
velvety, rough, with raised lines; then thin, effused behind, 
with the border ochraceous, zoned behind with brown fasciæ, 
or with the growth of the former season become black and 
polished ; sometimes slightly sulcate. Older individuals, the 
growth of several seasons, become thick from the deposition 
of fresh strata, and the surface of the pileus becomes bleached, 
scabrous and cracked. 
Substance pale wood-coloured, or umber, 
Pores very minute, punctiform, equal, rather short, pale. 
Without a good series, individuals might be referred to at 
least three species. 
This species is nearly allied to Pol. fasciatus, but there is 
nothing fusco-ferruginous about the pileus, and Swartz’s 
description seems to indicate a different habit. The specific 
name alludes to the extremely rigid nature of old specimens. 
176. P. (Placodermei) contractus, n. sp. ; imbricatus pos- 
tice connatus, pileis repandis siccitate contractis nitidulis 
crebro-zonatis hic illic plicato-rugulosis ; contextu suberoso 
pallido; poris minimis incarnato-umbrinis. 
On dead wood. Ceylon. 
Forming large masses, effused behind and giving rise to 
numerous repand pilei of various breadth, about three inches 
long, which are rigid and greatly contracted when dry; sur- 
face at length nearly smooth, pale-umber, variegated with 
numerous narrow zones, often rough behind, with little raised 
folds and a few concentric depressions. 
Substance corky, pale, varying in thickness, margin acute, 
barren. : 
Pores extremely minute, umber, with a pinkish tinge. 
Closely allied to P. microporus, and P. Auberianus. Be- 
sides the normal form, another of a totally different character 
occurs, but I believe not specifically distinct, though nothing 
can well be more different. In this case the pileus is 
solitary, very thick, and not contracted when 
any concentric zones, but merely ! three or four deep depres- —— 
sions, with pulvin. interstices, and the whole surface a3 
dry, without - : 
