MUSHROOMS AND OTHER COMMON FUNGI. 43 



M erulius lacrymans. 



In Merulius lacrymans the fruiting body is fiat, prostrate, soft, and characterized 

 by watery exudations. It is at first white, then red, later changing to yellowish 

 brown. This is one of the most common species which attacks timber and renders it 

 spongy, watery, and unfit for building purposes. The mycelium may develop as long 

 strands, or it may form large sheets which peel off readily. 



HYDNACE^E. 



The plants in the Hydnacese are stipitate, bracket shaped or resu- 

 pinate, fleshy, corky, leathery, or woody. In Hydnum, the most 

 highly developed genus of this family, the hymenium is distinctly 

 toothlike, but there are many intermediate gradations, from scattered 

 granules or small hemispherical prominences to toothlike develop- 

 ments. In all having teeth, the processes are directed downward. 



Key to Eydnacex. 



Hymenium of distinct, awl-shaped teeth or spines, resupinate or with 

 central stem : 



Plants fleshy Hydnum. 



Plants woody Echinodontium. 



Hymenium with teeth united (connected at the base by slightly 



raised folds), teeth not so acute as in Hydnum Irpex. 



Hymenium with coarse, blunt tubercles, subcylindrical, resupinate.. Radulum. 



HYDNUM. 



The species of the genus Hydnum vary greatly as to form, consist- 

 ency, and manner of growth. Certain forms possess well-defined cap 

 and stem, some are bracket shaped or shelving and still others are 

 resupinate. The teeth are pointed and free from each other at the 

 base. In consistency, species of Hydnum range from soft fleshy to 

 almost woody. They may be terrestrial in habit or may grow on 

 living or dead trees. 



Hydnnm coralloides. (Edible.) 



This species is easily recognized by the long, interlacing tapering branches, which 

 are of two kinds: The primary, which are nearly sterile; and the secondary, which 

 are fertile and chiefly bear the slender terete teeth. The substance is fleshy, brittle 

 to somewhat tough. Hydnum coralloides is one of the most graceful and beautiful 

 species of fungi, and its white, corallike tufts measure from 6 to 18 inches across. It 

 grows on standing or prostrate timber in a stage of decay and is found from August 

 until frost. It is edible, but not very abundant or common. 



Hydnum erinaceum. Satyr's beard. (Edible.) 



This species forms pendulous tufts from 2 to 10 inches across. The point of attach- 

 ment is small and the mass generally projects horizontally from the substratum. 

 The tufts are white, changing to yellowish brown in drying. The individual teeth 

 are crowded, slender, terete, tapering acute, 1 to 2£ inches long. This species is quite 

 conspicuous, often growing from crotches or wounds of trees — beech, oak, locust, etc. 

 (PI. XXXII, fig. 1.) 



