State Museum of Natural History. 



91 



heavy traffic. It is a wood which can be easily treated so as to resist 

 the attacks of fungi, and such ties have lasted over thirty (30) years 

 in actual service. 



The fungi attacking the hemlock, Tsuga Canadensis, Carr. 

 numerous. The following is a list so far as observed: 



are 



Agaricus melleus, Vahl. 

 A. campanella, Batsch. 

 A. porrigens, Pers. 

 A. succosus, Pk. 

 A. rugosodiscus, Pk. 

 A. epipterygius, Scop. 

 Paxillus atrotomentosus, Fr. 

 Lenzites sepiaria, Fr. 

 Stereum radiatum, Pk. 



Polyporus lucidus, Fr. 

 P. henzoinus, Fr. 

 P. epjileucus, Fr. 

 P. Vaillantii, Fr. 

 P. subacidus, Pk. 

 P. medulla-panis, Fr. 

 P. pinicola, Fr. 

 P. abietinus, Fr. 

 P. borealis, Fr. 



This wood does not contain any natural antiseptic or preservative, , 

 and is readily attacked by a host of fungi, and decays very quickly. 

 It is heavier than white cedar, but lighter than the tamarack, and, 

 when well preserved by metallic antiseptics, makes a valuable tie. 



The fungi destroying the wood of yellow pine, Pinus palustris, Mill., 

 are Lentinus lepideus, Fr. See Fig. I. 

 Sphwria pilifera, Fr. See Fig. III. 

 Trametes Pini, Fr., and Meridius lacrymans, Fr. 

 The first is the most destructive to ties in this vicinity, the decay 



being most rapid on 

 the bottom and 

 extending upwards. 

 In porous ballast the 

 deeper the ties are 

 imbedded the shorter 

 the duration of ser- 

 > vice, so far as decay 

 "^z is concerned. The 

 mycelium requires 

 considerable moist- 

 ure for its growth^ 

 Fig. I. Lentinus lepideus, Fr. on Yellow Pine. and some air. A bal- 



Showing the fruit of the fungus on, and the naycelium in, last which prevents a 

 the wood. The size of the fruit varies from an inch to 

 eight inches in diameter. free circulation of the 



latter checks its growth. The sun and wind check its growth and 



oftentimes a tie which looks sound upon the surface will be so badly 



decayed underneath that its removal from the track will be necessary. 



