State Museum of Natural History. 



91 



heavy traffic. It is a wood which can be easily treated bo as to resist 

 the attacks of fungi, and such ties have lasted over thirty (30) years 

 in actual service. 



The fungi attacking the hemlock, Tsuga Canadensis, Carr., are 

 numerous. The following; is a list so far as observed: 



Agaricus melleus, Vahl. 

 A. campanella, Batsch. 

 A. porrigens, Pers. 

 A. succosus, Pk. 

 A. rugosodiscus, Pk. 

 A. epipterygius, Scop. 

 Paxillus atrotomentosiLS, Fr. 

 Lenzites sepiaria, Fr. 

 Stereum radiatum, Pk. 



Polyporus lucidus, Fr. 

 P. henzoinus, Fr. 

 P. epileucus, Fr. 

 P. Vaillantii, Fr. 

 P. subacidus, Pk. 

 P. meduUa-panis, Fr. 

 P. pinicola, Fr. 

 P. abietinus, Fr. 

 P. borealis, Fr. 



This wood does not contain any natural antiseptic or preservative, 

 and is readily attacked by a host of fungi, and decays very quickly. 

 It is heavier than white cedar, but lighter than the tamarack, and, 

 when well jDreserved by metallic antiseptics, makes a valuable tie. 



The fungi destroying the wood of yellow pine, Pinus palustris, Mill., 

 are Lentinus lepideus, Fr. See Fig. I. 

 Sp)hcjeria pilifera, Fr. See Fig. III. 

 Trametes Pini, Fr., and Meridius lacrymans, Fr. 

 The first is the most destructive to ties in this vicinity, the decay 

 — being most rapid on 



Cthe bottom and 

 • extending upwards. 

 ~^^ In porous ballast the 



deeper the ties are 

 imbedded the shorter 

 the duration of ser- 

 vice, so far as decay 

 is concerned. The 

 mycelium requires 

 considerable moist- 

 ure for its growth 

 and some air. A bal- 

 last which prevents a 

 free circulation of the 

 The sun and wind check its growth and 



Fig. I. Lentinus lepideus, Fr. on Yellow Pine. 



Showing the fruit of the fungus on, and the mycelium in, 

 the wood. The size of the fruit varies from an inch to 

 eight inches in diameter. 



latter checks its growth. 



oftentimes a tie which looks sound upon the surface wiU be so badly 



decayed underneath that its removal from the track will be necessary. 



