108 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 
called asci. Imagine a long transparent bag filled with eggs and 
reduce the whole immensely as to size, and it will give you some 
idea of one of the asci under a microscope. In Mylitta Australis, 
the mycelium, hymenium, and asci seem to be mixed up in the most 
extraordinary way. Having now pointed out the principal differences 
I shall describe a few of the species that have come under my own 
observation. 
Polyporus Australis. This curious species at first appears as 
isolated patches, which coalesce and form one fungus. It generally 
appears on decayed logs, but one variety which I forward, only 
grows on the living trunk of Pittosporum bicolor. ‘The other variety 
sometimes attains to an enormous size. I found one weighing nearly 
one hundredweight, being four feet long, tivo fect wide, and one 
foot deep in one of the Walhalla gullies, The pores are very small 
and deep. The hymenium completely covering the under surface. 
Polyporus pelliculosus. Grows on the roots of large gums, 
generally on the summit of lofty spurs. I always put down this 
species as belonging to the Hydnez, in consequence of its long, hairy 
spines, but Prof. Cook pronounces it to be a true Polyporus. JT am 
still trying to discover another specimen like that of which I send 
a colored drawing, and which was found by me many years since on 
the Deep Creek Hill. I would feel deeply grateful if any of our 
members could send me one. I may say I copied the original faith- 
fully, but unfortunately, was then ignorant of the importance of 
delineating the way in which the hymenium was spread, therefore 
the botanical value of the drawing is nz/, except for identification. 
Polyporus cinnabarinus. This beautiful little plant is very 
common on old logs; it may be seen almost in any damp nook, 
brightening the dark wood with its presence. It is hard, almost 
woody, the under-surface completely perforated with tiny pores of a 
bright red color. 
Polyporus Lawrencii. Rare in this district, found on dead gum 
trees in very damp spots, pores very large, irregular and deep, 
penetrating to the testa. It grows in layers one over the other, not 
unlike masses of honeycomb placed horizontally. Color, brown 
above, white beneath. 
Polyporus spumeus. Found at the Deep Creek; unfortunately I 
have no specimen at hand. Pores very small and deep, grows on 
logs in damp gullies. 
Boletus scaber. Boletus is the genus of the Polypore: which 
contains most of the edible species, and is the nearest in appearance to 
the Agaricint. Dr. Badham gives B. scaber a good character, but 
Prof. Cook says it is not so popular as B. edulis. It grows amongst 
grass on the top of our hills. Pileus flattish and depressed, color 
light-brown, darker towards the centre; hymenium hemispherical, 
except near stipe, which it does not touch; pores deep and large, 
stem solid, flesh beautifully white and nutty. 
