74 



Some trees and shrubs have greater powers of resistance to Fungi 

 than others. The entire pine family, for instance, on account of the resin 

 which is in them, are largely immune from attack by these destructive 

 parasites. You will look in vain about a hemlock, spruce or pine stump 

 for these Fungi that are found in masses about the decaying stumps of 

 other trees. 



Speaking of stumps, the lighter colored Fungi are to be looked for in 

 the early stages of the decay of the stump, because feeding on the lighter 

 fibrous matter in the outer portion of the stump ; but when the wood is 

 so much decayed that it is o'nly in the heart any food is found for the 

 fungus, then the dark colored species abound. Just as the sugar derived 

 from the white outer portion of the maple is light colored, whereas when 

 the darker wood of the heart is tapped the product is darker. 



I find that the thin, smooth-barked trees are more easily affected by 

 Fungi, — the birch most of all, which I think is to be attributed to the fact 

 that the paper-like exfoliating layers expose the mesophlaeum ; while the 

 corky outer bark of other trees, the epiphlaeum, so long as it remains whole, 

 seems to afford better protection. The beech next to the birch becomes 

 as easy prey to Fungi. I have already remarked that the pine family are 

 not liable to fungal attack in spite of their thin, smooth bark, because of 

 their resinous properties. As a practical point I have noticed that where- 

 ever the bark is broken in a tree a fungus seems sure in time to find a home 

 there. I roamed a good deal through the woods last season and I observed 

 the vitality of a great many trees being quietly undermined. In several 

 cases it was the falling of a neighboring tree which had barked a healthy 

 one or exposed the inner substance of the tree by breaking a limb. 



The hint I have to throw out is that wood rangers have their eyes open 

 for wounded or diseased trees as they roam the forest, and take steps to pro- 

 tect any wounded tree by painting the affected part or otherwise. Sugar- 

 makers, too, should see that the notch or auger hole by which they tap their 

 maples are afterwards so treated as to ward off the attack of Fungi. 



Certain trees are the favorite prey of certain fungi as the labels on the 

 speciments I submit show. Not unfrequently, however, the same species 

 of fungus has no choice, its appetite not being too delicate. 



Dr. Campbell exhibited and described specimens of the following 

 fleshy fungi : 



Polyporus applanatus (Fr.) — A common fungus on dead trunks and 

 stumps; hard and woody; surface marked by concentric zones of 

 growth ; under surface when fresh is white. 



