246 On Dry-Rot. [Sess. 



structures to the work already mentioned as written by Dr 

 Joseph Anderson — the best and most exhaustive yet published. 



At this meeting Mr J. C. Oliphant, M.A., gave a most in- 

 teresting account of Bermuda, and exhibited specimens of 

 shells, corals, sea-weeds, &c., gathered during a residence on the 

 island. 



IV.— CA^ B BY -EOT. 



By Mr A. B. STEELE. 



{Eead Feb. 27, 1889.) 



Dry-rot is the popular name applied to all fungi injurious 

 to wrought timber. The best-known dry-rot fungus in this 

 country is Merulius lachrymans, which produces such serious 

 effects in the woodwork of domestic architecture. The genus 

 belongs to the group of spore-bearing fungi, and is distin- 

 guished from the other genera of the group by its soft 

 hymenium forming porous, sinuous, toothed depressions. It 

 contains only twelve British species, from which Merulius 

 lachrymans can easily be determined by the ferruginous colour 

 of its spores, and by the drops of moisture with which it is 

 covered when ripe. The generic name is apparently a corrup- 

 tion of metulms, from ojicta, a cone or pyramid, — so called 

 originally from several of the species producing pendent pro- 

 cesses like inverted cones. The specific name " lachrymans," 

 or tearful, has arisen from the drops of water which cover its 

 fructification. This fungus attacks the timber of coniferous 

 trees, but is not confined to such, and will prey upon any kind 

 of timber that conies in its way. The conditions necessary 

 for its growth are darkness, warmth, and stagnant air. Prof. 

 Hartig has discovered that ammonia (which may arise from 

 the soil, defective drains, or even bad mortar) is an essential 

 element. A spore lodging in damp timber under such con- 

 ditions soon begins to germinate. The prolongations or 



