12 



The species of the genus Lascliia are recognized by the shallow irregu- 

 lar pores and the vein -like character of their dissepiments (or pore walls). 

 Substance slightly gelatinous. 



In the plants of Porothelium, irregular papillse take the place of tubes, 

 and the plants are sub- membranaceous and resupinate, haviog the habit 

 of those of Poria. 



The genus Merulius has been termed the lowest and most imperfect of 

 the genera of Polyporei. It presents a soft, waxy spore-bearing surface, 

 reticulated with obtuse folds. Solenia, by early authors placed in Dis- 

 comycetes, thence transferred to Auricularini, and by some authors asso- 

 ciated with Cyphella in Theleporei, now finds place as one of the genera 

 of Polyporei as given by Saccardo. 



The above-mentioned genera, together with Myriadoporus, Ceriomyces, 

 Bi-esadolia, Theleporus, Gloeporus, and Cyclomyces, constitute the Poly- 

 poreae of the Saccardian system. 



Myriadoporus is a North American genus. It is a form of the genus 

 Polyporus, but with pores in the interior as well as on the exterior sur- 

 face. Ceriomyces is generally regarded as a spurious genus. It is sim- 

 ilar to Myriadoporus, but with internal pores and only siDurious pores 

 externally. Of BresadoUa Cooke says " there is only one described 

 species, and of this only one specimen has been found." Theleporus is 

 an African genus of which only one species is known. Gkeporus is a 

 form of resupinate Polyporus, except that the hymenium or pore- 

 bearing surface is gelatinous instead of being firm. Cyclomyces is a 

 genus with some features of Lenzites ; it is leathery. All of these are 

 more or less coriaceous. None are edible. Campbellia is a new genus. 

 It is Meridius with a pileus and central stem. 



The edible Polyporea^ are found in the genera Boletus, Strobilomyces, 

 Gyrodon, Boletinus, Polyporus, and Fistulina. Of these, the first four 

 genera contain most of the edible species as well as a few which have been 

 regarded as unwholesome or poisonous. 



In the genus Polyporus as now restricted, the species Polyporus sul- 

 p>hureus Fries is perhaps the one most likely to be selected for table use, 

 the others becoming very quickly indurated or tough, and this should be 

 gathered when very young, as in maturity it loses its fleshy consistency 

 and becomef iry and tough. It is common on old tree stumps and is 

 often found on the dead wood of living trees, the bright yellow and 

 vivid orange red tints which characterize the young plant making it 

 very conspicuous. 



It is easily recognized by its irregular, closely overlapping frond-like 

 caps, white flesh, and the very small sulphur-yellow tubes. The sj)ores 

 are white, elliptical. The flesh of young specimens is somewhat juicy. 



The geograjihical distribution is wide, and in places where a moist, 

 warm temperature prevails plants of this species often attain very large 

 proportions, sometimes completely encircling the trunk of a tree at its 

 base. The bright colors fade as the plant matures, and the plant be- 



