MERULIUS 



365 





Dry Rot {Merulius lacrymans, Fries.). The cause of this 

 mischief is almost unknown in a wild state, although as a 

 destroyer of worked timber it occurs practically everywhere. 





Fig. 112. Merulius lacrymans. ' Dry-rot ' ; young specimen, nat. size. 



The specific name ' lacrymans,'' or weeping, was given on 

 account of the drops of water that frequently drip from the 

 fungus, and which it has the power of absorbing from the 

 atmosphere. This moisture enables the fungus to attack 



