SECTION MERISML'S. 



Fig. 453 

 Merismus fimbriatus with section of the hymenium enlarged. 



in a faint degree a Hydnum. Spores ovate, 4x5, hyaline, smooth. 

 This is a common species in Brazil and abundant specimens have been 

 sent to Europe, particularly by Glaziou. Owing to the peculiar 

 hymenium it ha= been variously classed as Polyporus, Polystictus. 

 Hydnum, Thelephora, Craterellus and J5eccariella,' with a correspond- 

 ing number of specific names. 



3 c. MERISMUS CASEOSUS. 



I am not sure that the plants listed here are all merismatoid. The common 

 species of Europe and America, Polyporus sulphureus, when growing at the 

 base of a stump usually has a common stem or tubercle, but on the side of a 

 tree it is often sessile, in several imbricate layers. Sometimes on logs it occurs 

 that it has a single pilei, each with its lateral stem. The feature common to 

 all the following species is the caseous, brittle flesh, light and crumbling when dry. 



SULPHUREUS. Pileus bright reddish yellow and when in its 

 prime furnished with a yellowish juice. When old it loses its bright 

 color and becomes dry, light and crumbling. Pores minute, bright 

 sulphur yellow when in prime condition. This is a common spinY> 

 in both Europe and America and occurs in Ceylon, .Mauritius, and 

 probably many countries. On the oaks where it habitually grows in 

 Sweden it forms large, conspicuous masses noticeable from a distance. 

 In the United States a form with a stem is quite common at tin- IUM 

 of stumps. I have also collected it growing with simple, flabdliform 

 pilei, each with its own short stem. 



153 



