GROUP 2, VELUTINUS. 



We include in this group only the thin, velutinate plants that correspond 

 to the group Tenuis in form and thickness. There are three other pubescent 

 or velutinate plants (mentioned on page 14) which are included in other groups. 

 As included here, the entire group might be considered a single species. All 

 are very similar plants, thin with zonate, velutinate surface, and small, regular,, 

 shallow pores. It is chiefly an American group and abundant specimens are 

 in the museums from the West Indies, Mexico, and South America. Of other 

 than American specimens there are only three collections known, viz. : one each 

 from New Caledonia, Africa, and Ceylon. 



Fig. 287. 

 Hexagona variegata. 



HEX AGON A VARIEGATA (Fig. 287). Pileus thin, with fer- 

 ruginous context. Surface velutinate with fine hairs and strongly 

 marked with variegated, colored zones. Pores small, regular, shallow, 

 smooth, usually ferruginous color, but sometimes glaucous. 



This is a strongly marked species, the upper surface resembling bright 

 forms of Polystictus versicolor. The contrast of zones usually alternate seal 

 brown and blood brown. Sometimes plants are more evenly colored and then 

 it runs into the next "species." It is a common plant in Mexico, Central America, 

 West Indies, and South America, and many specimens are in the museums. 

 Most of them are called variegata, and Berkeley so labeled most of his specimens. 

 There is no question, however, that it is the same plant that Berkeley at a 

 much earlier date named Hexagona papyracea and as he himself virtually so 



