Hydnaceae 



FAMILY III. HYDNA'CE^E. 



Hymenium inferior or amphigenous (not confined to one surface), 

 from the first definitely protuberant, spread over persistent spines, 

 bristles, teeth, tubercles or papillae. Fries. 



While the highest members of this family possess the general form of 

 the mushroom, others, lacking a stem, recline on the back (resupi- 

 nate) ; the lowest, without even the appearance of a distinct pileus, 

 seem to be simply spread over the supporting body (effused). In the 

 highest class the spines or other spore-bearing surface are inferior, i. e., 

 below the pileus; in the others they are of course superior, i. e., above 

 the pileus. 



Of the eleven genera but two contain species of food value. Hyd- 

 num, characterized by its acute spines, embraces species which are 

 eaten as delicacies, and Irpex, distinguished by its somewhat acute 

 teeth growing from a ridgy hymenium, contains those which may furnish 

 sustenance in time of need. In Caldesia, bearing spines, the texture is 

 floccose not fleshy. Sistotrema has a pileus and a central stem, but in- 

 stead of spines bears irregular flattened teeth. The remaining genera 

 are separated by the tubercles, granules, folds, etc., which take the 

 place of spines or teeth. 



Several species of Hydnum are common to earth and wood, others 

 are distinct in their habitats. 



SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA. 



HYDNUM. Page 494. 



Sporophore fleshy, with a central stem or entirely resupinate, texture 

 compact, spines acute, distinct at the base. 



CALDESIELLA. 



Resupinate; texture floccose, spines acute; spores muriculate. (No 

 edible species reported.) 



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