Srate Museum or NatTuRAL Hisrory. 37 
differs from Polyporus elongatus, Berk., except in its shape and its 
larger pores.. he former difference is of little value for P. elongatus 
is known to vary very much in shape and size. But P.elongatus, accord- 
ing to authentic specimens received from Dr. Michener, can scarcely 
be regarded as any thing more than a mere form, or perhaps variety, 
of P. pergamenus. For of this species we have in this State two 
prevailing forms. One form has the pileus tomentose, concentrically 
sulcate and white, and its pores become paler with age and are at 
length produced or lacerated into thin dentate plates precisely as 
required by the description. But it differs from the type in generally, 
though not always, having the pileus too thick to be called membra- 
naceous, and in the pores not being seriately placed. These slight 
differences, however, are of but little account in such a variable plant 
as ours is known to be, and there can be no doubt that it should be 
referred to P. pergamenus. The other form, which is more abundant 
even than the first, is generally thinner and less distinctly tomentose. 
Indeed, it is sometimes nearly or quite smooth, and it often appears to 
become smoother with age. Instead of being concentrically sulcate it 
is generally more or less marked with narrow delicate zones. There 
are also fine radiating lines or striations which are more perceptible in 
the smoother specimens. ‘The color is generally grayish pallid or 
subochraceous. The pores are usually seriately placed, especially 
toward the margin, and though variable in color they are commonly 
tinged with purple when fresh and young, as in the preceding form. 
As in that form also they become paler with age. ‘This is the form 
recently published under the name Polyporus pseudopargamenus, 
Thum. When the pileus is narrowed toward its base so that its length 
is greater than its breadth it is Polyphorus elongatus, Berk. It occurs 
on a great variety of deciduous trees, but is most frequent on birch, 
‘maple, oak and chestnut. ‘The first form is most common on poplar 
though not limited toit. Ihave not found either growing on pine. 
These two forms run into each other by such insensible gradations that 
it is not possible todraw any satisfactory line of distinction between 
them, and therefore the conclusion must be that both are forms of one 
species, Polyporus pergamenus. 
According to Berkeley and Curtis Polyporus Menxandianus, Mont. 
also belongs to this species, thus making the synonymy include P.. 
laceratus, Berk., P. elongatus, Berk., P. Menandianus, Mont., and P.. 
pseudopargamenus, Thum. It may also be added that according to 
Berkeley and Curtis the specimens in the Schweinitzian Herbarium 
under the names Polyporus abietinus and Polyporus stereoides should 
be referred to P. pergamenus. This species sometimes revives to a 
certain extent the second season. It puts on a new hymenium and a 
new growth on the margin of the pileus. The same is true also of 
Polyporus cinnabarinus. 
Polyporus vulgaris, “7. The variety with pale yellow pores occurs 
on decaying maple wood at Verona. ‘The yellow hue is generally lost 
in drying. 
Polyporus splendens, P&. This name proves to be preoccupied and 
I would theyefore substitute for it Polyporus subsericeus Pk. For the 
same reason fF would substitute Polyporus guttulatus, Pk., for Polyporus 
maculatus, Pk., Polyporus flavidus, Pk., is P. Peckianus, Cke. | 
