of the other plant. The microscope shows them very similar in structure, 1 but 

 they are so different in form and habits that I think no one who collects them 

 would refer them to the same species. 



As to the following I am somewhat in doubt. They seem to me 

 too close to other species, though at present I would not refer them 

 as synonyms. 



Polystictus balsameus is close, I think, to that puzzling pubescens-versicolor- 

 velutinus-zonatus group that gives us so much trouble. It has no resemblance, 

 however, to Polystictus pergamenus, as Mr. Murrill refers it. 



Polyporus flavidus (which was changed to Peckianus) is apparently a rare 

 plant and collected by Professor Peck but once. It is mesopodal, greenish yel- 

 low, and seemed to me close to flavidovirens, though the pileus is smooth, 

 zonate. 



Polyporus maculatus (changed to guttulatus) and Polyporus immitis, semi- 

 pileatus and undosus all belong to that Apus carnosi section of Fries concerning 

 which I think very little is known in this country. 



The following synonyms have long been a part of the current 

 knowledge of American fungi and most of them Professor Peck has 

 published : 



abortivus=distortus 

 Beatiei=Berkeleyi 

 hispidoides=Schweinitzii 

 Morganii=radicatus 



The following have been mostly published by others, and are 

 well known : 



Aurantiacus=fibrillosus, as published by Karsten and Bresadola. While 

 there is no question that the plant Karsten distributed as Polystictus fibrillosus 

 is the same as the plant Peck named Polyporus aurantiacus, the latter is much 

 the better name, and "a plant that is well named is half determined? and I think 

 the plant is entitled to a good name. 8 



Aureonitens I think is a young condition of radiatus as published by Mr. 

 Murrill. 



Fragrans I would consider at the best a form of adustus. The dried speci- 

 mens are indistinguishable, but this form ivhen Jresh has a pleasant anise odor. 

 The same form occurs in Europe. 



Glomeratus is nodulosus of Europe ( not radiatus as Mr. Murrill states). 

 Nodulosus is given by some authors in Europe as a form of radiatus but appears 

 to me very different. Fries' illustration of it is not good. 



As to griseus I am in much doubt I have seen it determined as leucomelas 

 of Europe but I could never see any resemblance to Fries' figure. However, 

 since the appearance of Boudier's figure, which is a good illustration of our fresh 

 American plant, as I remember it, I am beginning to think it is the European 

 plant, particularly as it has spores that are exceptional among the Polyporii 

 and Boudier's plate shows such spores. 



1 When mycologists write learnedly about " same structure" they usually mean that it has 

 the same spores and cystidia, or colored setae, but that is not true in this case, for the colored 

 setae of dualis are peculiarly curved while those of circinalus are straight. 



2 A familiar and true saying of my friend, the late Dr. Herbst. 



: Personally I have not much sympathy with the childish argument that mycologists are 



, right 



inherent right to be decently named? 



377 



