POLYSTICTUS LEONINUS (Fig. 353). Color light fauve or 

 fulvous, well likened by Klotzsch to that of a lion, in the naming of 

 the species. The entire plant, including the pores and the matted sur- 

 face, is of a similar color when fresh, but in old specimens the color 

 becomes darker. Context, a thin layer covering the pores and merging 

 into the superlaying thick coat of matted hairs. These hairs are 

 densely branched and interwoven, and form bundles of tissue similar 

 to the context. Pores are large, angular, and the edges are prolonged 

 into irpicoid teeth. Spores are supposed to be white. 



Fig. 353. 

 Polystictus leoninus. 



Distribution. This is a very common plant found in Africa, India, and 

 the East Indies, and the East in general. 



History. It first reached Hooker from Dr. Wight, India, and was named 

 by Klotzsch Polyporus leoninus, from a resemblance to the color of a lion. 

 Then Fries received it from Africa and called it Polyporus funalis. 13 His 

 specimens are exactly the same as those of K lot z sell so far as I can note on 

 comparison of the two types. Most of the specimens in the museums are 

 under the Friesian name. Junghuhn collected the plant in Java and called it 

 Polyporus Mons Veneris. 14 



Forms. 



The three "species" previously mentioned do not differ from each other 

 in the ieast that I can note and the following appeals to me as being a form. 



13 From the cordlike bundles of matted hairs. 



14 I have not seen his specimen, but it is referred to funalis by Montagne, and Junghulu 

 figure shows no difference. I do not question that it is a synonym. 



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