86 Forty-first Annual Report on the 



Solenia villosa, Fr. var. polyporoidea. 



At first granuliform, then cylindrical, often crowded and forming a 

 continuous pure white stratum, appearing like a resupinate Polyporus, 

 the villosity scarcely visible to the naked eye, but perceptible with a 

 lens. 



Decayed wood of hemlock. Adirondack mountains. July. 



This differs from the typical form in its crowded mode of growth. 

 Is it, therefore, a distinct species? 



Clavaria stricta, Pers. var. fumida. 



The whole plant is of a dingy, smoky-brownish hue. Otherwise as 

 in the typical form. Catskill mountains. September. 



In the fresh state the specimens appear very unlike the ordinary 

 form, but in the dried state they are scarcely to be distinguished. 



Geoglossum microsporum, G. & P. 



A rare species, not observed since its discovery in 1871, till it was 

 again found this year in the Catskill mountains. 



(E.) 



FUNai DESTKUCTIVE TO WOOD. 



Note. — P. H. Dudley, C. E., has investigated the action of certain 



fungi upon railroad ties and wooden structures. At my request he 



has communicated to me some of the results of his investigations. 



These results are of such great practical and economic importance, 



that with his permission, I have added to this report a copy of his 



communication. 



66J Pine Street, New York, December 5, 1887. 



Prof. Charles H. Peck, State Botanist: 



My Dear Sir. — The well established fact that the decay of all 

 timber, under ordinary usages, is due to the growth of many species 

 of fungi, gives to your long and patient work, in collecting, identify- 

 ing and calling attention to different species, a value and bearing 

 of practical importance hardly expected a few years since. The 

 enormous annual consumption of timber by railroad companies, ship- 

 builders, architects, manufacturers and farmers, in conjunction with 

 the decreasing supply and increasing cost, gives value to any knowl- 

 edge which will help check any unnecessary decay of timber. 



The experience gained from the failures of many of the exjDensive 

 efforts to preserve timber has shown that specific knowledge of the 



