State Museum of Natural History. 37 



differs from Polyporus elongatus, Berk., except in its shape and its 

 larger pores. The former difference is of little value for P. elongatus 

 is known to vary very much in shape and size. Bat P. elongatus, accord- 

 ing to authentic specimens received from Dr. Michener, can scarcely 

 be regarded as any thing more than a mere form, or perhaps variety, 

 of P. pergamenus. For of this species we have in this State two 

 prevailing forms. One form has the pileus tomentose, concentrically 

 sulcate and white, and its pores become paler with age and are at 

 length produced or lacerated into thin dentate plates precisely as 

 required by the description. But it differs from the type in generally, 

 though not always, having the pileus too thick to be called membra- 

 naceous, and in the pores not being sedately placed. These slight 

 differences, however, are of but little account in such a variable plant 

 as ours is known to be, and there can be no doubt that it should be 

 referred to P. pergamenus. The other form, which is more abundant 

 even than the first, is generally thinner and less distinctly tomentose. 

 Indeed, it is sometimes nearly or quite smooth, and it often appears to 

 become smoother with age. Instead of being concentrically sulcate it 

 is generally more or less marked with narrow delicate zones. There' 

 are also fine radiating lines or striations which are more perceptible in 

 the smoother specimens. The color is generally grayish pallid or 

 subochraceous. The pores are usually seriately placed, especially 

 toward the margin, and though variable in color they are commonly 

 tinged with purple when fresh and young, as in the preceding form. 

 As in that form also they become paler with age. This is the form 

 recently published under the name Polyporus pseudopargamenus, 

 Thum. When the pileus is narrowed toward its base so that its length 

 is greater than its breadth it is Polyphorus elongatus, Berk. It occurs 

 on a great variety of deciduous trees, but is most frequent on birch, 

 maple, oak and chestnut. The first form is most common on poplar 

 though not limited to it. I have not found either growing on pine. 

 These two forms run into each other by such insensible gradations that 

 it is not possible to draw any satisfactory line of distinction between 

 them, and therefore the conclusion must be that both are forms of one 

 species, Polyporus pergamenus. 



According to Berkeley and Curtis Polyporus Menandianus, Mont, 

 also belongs to this species, thus making the synonymy include P. 

 laceratus, Berk., P. elongatus, Berk., P. Menandianus, Mont., and P. 

 pseudopargamenus, Thum. It may also be added that according to 

 Berkeley and Curtis the specimens in the Schweinitzian Herbarium 

 under the names Polyporus abietinus and Polyporus stereoides should 

 be referred to P. pergamenus. This species sometimes revives to a 

 certain extent the second season. It puts on a new hymenium and a 

 new growth on the margin of the pileus. The same is true also of 

 Polyporus cinnabarinus. 



Polyporus vulgaris, Fr. The variety with pale yellow pores occurs 

 on decaying maple wood at Verona. The yellow hue is generally lost 

 in drying. 



Polyporus splendens, Ph. This name proves to be preoccupied and 

 I would therefore substitute for it Polyporus subsericeus Pk. For the 

 same reason I would substitute Polyporus guttulatus, Pk., for Polyporus 

 maculatus, Pk., Polyporus flavidus, Pk., is P. Pechianus, Cke. 



