CONTEXT AND PORES WHITE OR PALE. 



white, drying sordid, rather hard and "fissile." Surface white, 

 scrupose when fresh, no distinct crust, drying reddish brown, and 

 wrinkled. Pores medium, large, about 1 mm., with tubes 1 cm. long, 

 white w^hen fresh, drying reddish agglutinate with a waxy or resinous 

 appearance. Spores subglobose, 6-7 mic. in American species, 4-5 

 mic. in European. 



This species has had a curious history. It is a European plant, 

 but it is impossible to trace it definitely in European literature; and 

 the name we use was applied to it by Berkeley from an American 

 specimen. The type is a thin section which can be recognized after 

 one learns the species. It was correctly interpreted by Murrill. In 

 Europe it is not recognized in any of the w r orks of Fries, Berkeley, 

 Persoon, Quelet, or Schroeter. Bresadola first referred it to Polyporus 

 rubiginosus (Fung. Kmet.), and in later years to Polyporus albus. 

 We are unable to reconcile it to either. Romell recently named it 

 Polyporus albo-sordescens. The name Berkeley applied, meaning 

 capable of being split in the direction of the grain, is not inapplicable. 



In the United States Polyporus fissilis occurs only in our Southern 

 States, on deciduous wood. In Europe it is of a more northern range, 

 and Mr. Romell finds it about Stockholm. We have several collections 

 from Europe. 



Compare albosordescens, albus, rubiginosus. 



Fig. 662. 



Polyporus undatus. Fig. 662, a rare pileate form. 



320 



Fig. 663. 

 Fig. 663, the usual resupinate form. 



