FOMES LIGNOSUS. 



We reproduce a photograph of Femes lignosus, growing on the 

 roots of a rubber tree. We received the photograph from C. B. 

 Ussher, Java, who wrote as follows: 



"This plant was growing on the roots of Hevea rubber tree. 

 The tree was unhealthy in December and the soil was removed from 

 the roots. They were mostly found dead. When the tree died in 

 January, this fungus was found growing on the roots. No doubt the 

 fungus killed the tree." 



Fig. 515 



Pomes lignosus. 

 Photograph by C. B. Ussher. 



That Fomes ligncsus is a destructive parasite of the rubber tree, 

 has been fully brought out by Professor Fetch in his latest work on 

 "Diseases of the Rubber Tree." Professor Petch gave a good illus- 

 tration of the plant, but unfortunately called it Polyporus semi- 

 tostus, which is due to a misdetermination of one of his predecessors. 

 The type of Polyporus semitostus at Kew is a different plant. 



Fomes lignosus was named by Klotzsch from Mauritius, and the 

 type specimen is in a jar at Upsala. Like all common plants, it has 

 been discovered to be a "new species" on numerous occasions. Berke- 

 ley called it Fomes contractus; Fries, Fomes Kamphoveneri ; Mon- 

 tagne, Fomes Auberianus. It is now a most common fungus in the 

 tropics, but generally takes the lignescent Polyporus form rather 

 than the Fomes form. In fact, I have never seen but one collection 

 that was typically a Fomes. 



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