270 POLYPOREAE OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



irregular, 3 to 4 to the mm.; edges thin rusty-brown; spores sub- 

 globose, smooth, pale coloured 3-7/i diam. ; hyphae 2-8/x to 7-4/i, 

 diam. ; in upper more loose region richly septate and branched, in 

 firmer region more compact and on the average thinner. 



Distribution. — Recorded by W- Haygarth, from Krantzkloof, 

 Natal, on a Rubiaceous plant. 



Recognisable by spongy pileus, its usual habit of encircling 

 branches and the contrast between the soft spongy upper context 

 tissue and the firm tubes. 



43. Polyporus vinosus, Berk. 



Pileus thin, sessile, dimidiate, often imbricate, laterally 

 connate and decurrent, 1 cm. to 2-5 cm. by 0-7 cm. to 1-7 cm. by 

 0-5 cm to 0-7 cm.; surface velvety to glabrous, vinous purple; con- 

 text vinous purple, 5 mm. or less thick, corky, firm; tubes short, 

 1 mm. or less; mouths angular, 5 to 7 to the mm.; edges thin, 

 entire, vinous purple; spores hyaline, allantoid, 4p to 4-5/x by 

 1-5/x; hyphae 3-5jm. 



Distribution. — Found in Natal on old stumps at Schroeders 

 and around Pietermaritzburg by the writer. 



The plant is recognisable by its vinous purple colour and short 

 tubes. 



44. Polyporus aratus, Berk. 



Pileus sessile, coriaceous to firm and rigid, dimidiate, decurrent 

 behind, less frequently imbricate, 3-5 cm. to 20 cm. by 2 cm. to 

 9 cm. by 0-2 cm. to 2 cm. ; surface fawn coloured to olive, glabrous, 

 smooth or dotted with tubercles and rough, often concentrically 

 zoned or sulcate with raised ridges; context, 0-5 cm. to 1-5 cm., 

 dark olive brown, zoned, corky, firm; tubes short, 0-2 mm. to 

 0-4 mm. ; mouths circular to angular, 3 to 4 to the mm. ; edges 

 thick or thin, darker fawn than surface, changing to a dark olive 

 brown; spores hyaline, 5-5/a to 7 4/x by 3-7/x; hyphae 3-4/a; setae 

 none. 



Distribution. — A common fungus on dead logs or stumps. 

 Recorded b}' J. D. Keet and the writer in the Eastern Cape Forest 

 Conservancy; W. Haygarth, in the Ngoye Forest, Zululand; the 

 writer around Durban and at Schroeders, Natal; G. Hobbs, at 

 Howick, Natal. 



A variable fungus. Stalked forms have been recorded though 

 none have thus far come to the writer's notice. The fungus perhaps 

 is better known under the name P. luteo-olivaceous, Berk., which 

 is regarded as synonymous. 



45. Polyporus phocinus, Br. and Berk. 

 Polystictus phocinus, Br. and Berk. 



Plants thin, largely or entirely resupinate, effused, with thin, 

 coriaceous, reflexed pilei, about 0-5 mm. thick; surface zoned, 

 velvety tomentose, slightly furrowed, umber brown; tubes about 



