CONTEXT AND PORES WHITE OR PALE. 



POLYPORUS UNDOSUS (Fig. 657). Pileus effuso-reflexed, 

 white, narrow, sulcate. Pores smooth, elongated on the resupinate 

 portion. Spores flattened, elliptical, 3x4 mic. on broad view, 2x4 

 mic. on narrow view. 



This rarely occurs, on the hemlock, in the United States. We 

 have but one collection from Mr. Weir, Idaho, and there are but two 

 at New York. Excepting as to its host and its broader spores, it is 

 very similar to the preceding species. 



Thin, white plants with a reddish tendency are found in the next section. 



SECTION 84. WHITE WHEN FRESH, BUT TURNING REDDISH IN- 

 DRYING OR WITH REDDISH SPOTS ON THE SURFACE. 



Two of these species, viz., mollis and fragilis, are very sensitive when fresh, 

 being pure white, but quickly spotting red when handled. 



POLYPORUS MOLLIS. Pileus dimidiate, usually large, 2-3 

 inches in diameter, 1-2 inches thick, often imbricate. Surface with 

 fine, appressed fibrils. Flesh white, turning red when cut; very soft 

 w r hen fresh, firm but crumbly when dry. Pores large, 

 sinuate, with thin, uneven edges. Spores (Fig. 658) 1x5, 

 allantoid, cylindrical, curved. 



This is a white species found on pine trunks. When 

 perfect it is pure white, no doubt, but it turns red when 

 bruised or old; and specimens are usually discolored, al- 

 ways when dry. We have the plant from several corre- 

 spondents, both Europe and America, but have only collected it once, 

 in Florida. Persoon named the plant at an early date, and when we 

 found it fresh we were impressed that he gave it a quite appropriate 

 name, for it is unusually "soft." It has same general characters, white 

 flesh turning red, large pores, allantoid spores, and has been confused, 

 we are confident, with fragilis by Fries, Quelet, and others (cfr. Letter 

 43, under Weir). The main difference is general size. Mollis is a 

 large species, with flesh 2-5 cm. thick, growing dimidiate, imbricate. 

 Polyporus fragilis is small, generally subresupinate, with often re- 

 flexed pileus, less than a cm. thick. 



ILLUSTRATIONS. We believe there are none. Fries' Icon. t. 182 is Polyporus fragilis. 

 Britzelmayr's cartoon is probably Polyporus fragilis. Hartig t. 9 is Polyporus Schweinitzii, and the 

 pathological men Comes and Voglino we have not looked up, but they no doubt got their idea from 

 Hartig. 



Compare erubescens, Smallii, Weinmanni. 



POLYPORUS FRAGILIS. Pileus small, thin, conchoid, usually 

 resupinate behind, pure white, but quickly spotting red when touched. 

 Surface finely pubescent with no crust. Flesh white, soft, quickly 

 turning color when broken, drying discolored, fragile. Pores (Fig. 661) 

 long, sinuate, angular, with uneven edges. Spores allantoid, 1^x5, 

 cylindrical, curved, hyaline, smooth. 



318 



