MEKULIACEAE 



485 



leaving Merulius (with colorless spores) and Gyrophana Pat. (with brown 

 spores). According to Singer (1944) this should be called Serpula Pers. ex 

 S. F. Gray. Rea (1922) has the same arrangement except that he does 

 not separate Gyrophana from Merulius. These last two genera may be 

 looked upon as of Thelephoraceous origin, with the added feature of the 

 folds, ridges or tubercles that increase the hymenial surface. The best 

 known species are M. lacrymans (Wulf.) Schum. {Gyrophana lacrymans 



Fig. 160. Polyporales, Family Meruliaceae. 

 Merulius lacrymans (Wulf.) Schum. (Courtesy, 

 Falck, in Moller: Hausschwammforschungen in 

 amtlichem Auftrage, vol. 6, pp. 1-405.) 



(Wulf.) Pat.) and its close relatives which have been given intensive 

 study by Falck (1912). This author believes that it is distinct enough as 

 a house fungus ("Hausschwamm"), both in habits and details of struc- 

 ture to deserve specific distinction under the name M. domesticus Falck. 

 It is a very destructive enemy of floor boards, beams and other wood 

 construction in buildings, causing a red-colored dry rot. It spreads be- 

 tween timbers in sheets and strands and in openings between the wood- 

 work forms great cottony masses of mycelium. It forms resupinate sheets 

 on the floors and walls and even ceilings of rooms. These enlarge, with 



