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STECCHERINUM SEPTENTRIONALE (F'R.) Banker in [ypIANA. 
By Howarp J. BANKER. 
The fungus here considered is perhaps better known as Hydnum sep- 
tentrionale (Fr.). Although a large and conspicuous plant it appears to 
have attracted very little attention if we are to judge by the references 
to it in literature. In the entire series of Just’s Botanischer Jahrsbericht 
covering a period of more than twenty years I did not find a single refer- 
ence to this species. As to size it possesses the unique distinction of being 
by far the largest representative of the family of the Hydnacew, if not in- 
deed being able to lay claim to the first place in this respect in the entire 
fungal world. A specimen that recently came under the writer’s observa- 
tion and which is the occasion of this paper, after being damaged and a 
portion of it lost, weighed 35 lbs. The whole mass measured 30 cm. long, or 
in its projection from the substratum, 58. em. wide, and 40. em high. I 
should not be surprised if specimens were to be found considerably ex- 
ceeding this in size. 
The formation of the sporophore is somewhat peculiar. The mycelium 
emerges from the main trunk of the tree through some small opening such 
as the hole formed by a dead limb. In the case of the plant here shown 
it emerged under the base of the tree in a crevice formed by the diver- 
gence of buttress-like roots and where there was a small opening apparently 
into the heart of the tree. In every case that I have observed, the opening 
has not been over ten centimeters in diameter and is out of all proportion 
to the size of the sporophore. On emerging from the hole the mycelium 
apparently grows radially, spreading in close adhesion to the substratum 
and forming outwardly a series of overlapping or imbricate pilei. The 
first impression is that the mass is thoroughly rooted in the tree at all 
points and can be removed only by breaking it in pieces or by cutting out a 
portion of the tree. However, it will be found that no stronger implements 
than one’s fingers are sufficient to remove the specimen intact, for its at- 
tachment to the bark is very slight and the fingers can easily be forced 
between the fungus and the tree, pushing it off until the small cord of 
mycelium which forms the real point of attachment is broken. 
