81 



B. Scaber, Fr. Huss. i., t. 57. Sow., t. 175. Leigh Woods, Ac- 

 Out of 31 British species recorded in Berkeley's " Outlines of 

 British Fungology " we can claim 14. The greater part of the 

 Leigh Woods habitats for these and other species are on the 

 authority of Dr. Stephens, of Bristol. 



Genus 19. Strobtlomyces. B, 

 Hymenophore quite distinct from the hymenium ; pileus fleshy, at 

 length tough ; spores globose, or broadly elliptic, minutely rough. 

 The only British species ; it has not been found in this neigh- 

 bourhood. 



Genus 20. Polypoeus. Fr. 

 Hymenophore descending into the trama, and forming with the 

 pores a stratum distinct from the pileus, or differently coloured. 

 The pores are not separable, at first obsolete, then round, angular, 

 or variously torn. In P. Betulinus the pores are separable, where 

 we have a connecting link with the Genus Boletus. This extensive 

 genus, containing in Fries's Epicrisis 280 species, is subdivided 

 into those with a central stem ; those with a lateral stem and a 

 single, or scattered, mode of growth ; such as have a lateral stem, 

 but are comate at base with numerous pilei ; and stemless forms. 

 These divisions are subdivided according as they are fleshy, tough, 

 spongy, biennial, corky, fomentarii (fit for tinder), woody, of a tow- 

 like structure, leathery, or membranaceous. Some Continental 

 species are used as food, but none of those found in our district are 

 of that nature. P. Tuberaster is cultivated for the table through 

 Southern Europe, its mycelium penetrating into clay forms a 

 substance called in Italy pietra funghiaia. Fries relates that P. 

 Ovinus, remarkable for a flavour of almonds, was much eaten by 

 his companions in their botanical excursions. P. Fomentarius is 

 collected largely in South Sweden for making amadou, or tinder. 

 The Polyporus is beaten out and placed in a solution of saltpetre. 

 The pieces are often of considerable size, and when sown together, 

 are sometimes made into coarse garments. P. Officinalis was 

 formerly used in medicine. Several of the species are veiy 

 destructive to trees, for, although they take their origin in diseased 

 parts, their mycelium spreads with great rapidity, and soon reduces 



