CORTICIUM 393 



this is more completely interwoven into a tissue than the 

 sterile portion, and can be stripped off the leaf as a thin film. 

 The basidia are scattered on the hyphae and bear four 

 sterigmata at the apex. Spores elliptic-oblong, 10-5-1 1-5 X 

 4-5-6 p. 



Sclerotia are not produced on the leaves, where they would 

 be but of little service, whereas they are developed in abund- 

 ance on the twigs, more especially near the tip, where they 

 are best situated for perpetuating the species, serving as 

 starting-points for the invasion of new shoots by the rhizo- 

 morphic strands of mycelium. Spore formation is rare. 



It is considered that the parasite, being entirely superficial 

 upon the twigs, and depending but to a slight degree upon 

 spores, would be checked and destroyed by spraying in the 

 spring. 



Stevens, F. L., and Hall, F. G., Ann. MycoL, 7, p. 49 

 (1909). 



CORTICIUM (FRIES.) 



Hymenophore entirely adnate to the matrix, often broadly 

 effused, hymenium smooth, polished, no cystidia present ; 

 spores colourless. 



Corticium comedens (Fries.) is one of the commonest of 

 saprophytic fungi occurring in this country. Rostrup has 

 stated that it is also a wound parasite on the younger 

 branches of the oak. The fungus is readily distinguished by 

 originating and spreading for a considerable distance under 

 the bark, which is eventually thrown off, exposing the hy- 

 menium of the fungus. 



Broadly effused and inseparable from the matrix, exposed 

 by the rupture of the bark of the host, dingy lilac, bleaching 

 almost white, spores sausage-shaped, slightly curved, 14-16 x 

 6-7/1. 



Corticium scutellare (Berk, and Curt.) has been accused of 

 parasitic habits, but no direct evidence is forthcoming. It 

 grows on wood, herbaceous stems, etc. 



Broadly effused, thin, inseparable from the matrix ; dirty 

 tan or tawny, becoming cracked in an areolate manner, spores 

 elliptical, 5X3^. 



A bark disease of hevea, tea, cinchona, etc (Corticium 

 Zimmermannii, Sacc. and Syd.) is stated by Fetch to be widely 

 spread throughout the tropics, attacking, in addition to the 



