THE TUBE-BEARING FUNGI 395 



Polyporus gfganteus. Fr. 



The Giant Polyporus. Edible. 



Giganteus is from gigas, a giant. The pileoli are very numerous, imbricated, 

 fleshy, tough, somewhat coriaceous, flaccid, somewhat zoned ; color a grayish- 

 brown in young specimens, the deep cream pore surfaces tipping the pileoli, 

 rendering it a very attractive plant ; this cream-color is quickly changed to> black 

 or deep-brown by touching it. 



The pores are minute, shallow, round, pallid, at length torn. 



The stem is branched, connate from a common tuber. 



This is a large and certainly a very attractive plant, being very often two to 

 three feet across. When young and tender it is edible. Found growing on decayed 

 stumps and roots, it is somewhat common in our state. I have found some quite 

 large specimens about Chillicothe. It is easily distinguished by its pore surface 

 turning black or dark-brown to the touch. When young and tender it makes a 

 good stew, but it must be well cooked. 



Polyporus squamosus. Fr. 



The Scaly Polyporus. 



Squamosus means abounding in scales. The pileus is from three to eighteen 

 inches broad, fleshy, fan-shaped, expanded, flattened, somewhat ochraceous, var- 

 iegated, with scattered, brown, adpressed scales. 



The stem is eccentric and lateral, blunt, reticulated at apex, blackish 

 at the base. 



The pores are thin, variable ; at first minute, then broad, angular and torn ; 

 pallid. Spores are white and elliptical, 14x6/*. 



It is found from Massachusetts to Iowa, and grows very large. Specimens 

 have been reported seven feet in circumference and attaining a weight of 40 

 pounds. 



The specimen in Figure 325 was found by Mr. C. G. Lloyd in the woods 

 at Red Bank, near Cincinnati. It is quite a common plant in Europe. 



It is tough, but it is prepared for eating by being cut fine and stewed for a 

 half hour or more. 



In Figure 325 the angular and torn pores are obvious, as well as the scales 

 which give rise to its name. Found on trunks and stumps from May to 

 November. 



