182 FUNGUS-FLORA. 



FAIL V, 



POLYPOREAE. 



In the preceding famity, the Hydneae, the hymenophore 

 in ty'pical genera was seen to "be furnished with distinct 

 outgTowths, either under the form of acute, tapering spine.s, 

 blunt papillae, or finger-like projections, which in every' 

 instance produced the hymenium on their outer surface. In 

 the present family the hymenophore consists of hollow tubes 

 bearing the hymenium on their inner surface, the outer 

 surface being sterile. In the genus PMehia, belonging to 

 the Hydneae, the markings of the hymenophore are reduced 

 to slightly developed radiating or contorted wrinkles or veins, 

 which ill some species are minutely and irregularly toothed, 

 hence the characteristic teeth are altogether wanting. In 

 like manner the genus Merul'ms, belonging to the Poliiporeae 

 has the porous hymenium, characteristic of the family, 

 leduced to very shallow and usually irregular depressions, 

 formed by slightly elevated ridges or wrinkles on the surface. 

 In both the above genera the entire substance is more or less 

 gelatinous, and the two genera must be considered as forming 

 a connecting link l)etween the two families. In Daedalea 

 the tubes are often more or less elongated, and the partition- 

 walls or dissepiments gill-like, thus connecting the Poly- 

 jjoreae with the Agaricincao through the genus Lenzitcs, 

 belonging to the last-named family. In several species of 

 Fovtcs the liymenium is furnished with numerous large, 

 coloured, fusiform or conical, jigid cystidia, as in tlie genus 

 Hymenochaetc. All such species are included by Ellis, the 

 American mycologist, in a new genus called Miicronoporus. 



POLYPOREAE. 



Sporophore pileate, with a central or lateral stem, hori- 

 zontal and attached by a broad base, or entirely resupinate. 



