Hydnaceae 



IRTEX Fr. 



A harrow. 



Irpex. Hymenium inferior, toothed from the first. Teeth firm, somewhat 

 coriaceous, acute, concrete with the pileus, arranged in rows or like 

 network, connected at the base by folds, which are gill-like (in sessile 

 species) or resemble honeycomb (in resupinate ones). Sporophores 

 4-spored. Growing on wood, somewhat growing from the side or upon 

 the back, approaching Lenzites and Daedaleae. 



Irpex differs from Hydnum in having the spines connected at the 

 base, and in their being less awl-shaped and pointed. 



It is reported as found well up in the northern States, but its species 

 prefer warm climates. Irpex contains no choice species, but all I have 

 tested can be eaten. 



I. obli'qilUS Fr. oblique. White, inclining to pale, effused (spread), 

 forming an adnate crust, circumference flaxy. Teeth extended from a 

 base resembling honeycomb, compressed, unequal ', incised, oblique, 23 

 lines long. 



At first abundantly porous, but toothed from the first, at length quite 

 as in Hydna. 



On stumps and dead branches. November to February. Stevenson. 



This spreads in irregular patches on the surface of decaying wood. 

 The pores for a small space round the margin are round and distinct, 

 but toward the center are greatly lengthened out, lying one upon an- 

 other in an imbricated manner. The color is white at first, when old it 

 changes to a yellow-brown, and at last to a dirty fuscous black. Bolton. 



At first it looks more like a small white orbicular resupinate Poly- 

 porus than an Irpex. Peck. 



The species is common and can be collected at most times of the 

 year. When fresh and moist it can be shaved from its host plant. 

 Goodly quantities can thus be obtained. It stews to a firm gelatinous 

 mass of pleasant flavor. The lost hunter need not die of starvation in 

 any woods if he will but study the tree-growing fungi, and especially 

 the small species, hitherto insignificant in food circles. 



I. car'neus Fr. resembling the color of flesh. Reddish, effused, I- 



504 



