142 



INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF FUNGI 



Fig. 56. — Craterdlus cornu- 

 cqpioides. 



spongy, without distinct cuticle to the pileus, or an intermediate 

 stratum ; hence homogeneous, the hymenium being even or a 

 little ribbed. The form is variable, 

 from stipitate and funnel-shaped to 

 closely adnate and resupinate. It is 

 notable that in the majority of species 

 the spores are globose and rough, mostly 

 slightly coloured. We are disposed 

 to place here the genus Zachnocladium, 

 which some authors include in the 

 Clavarieae, on account of the erect, 

 branched habit, resembling some species 

 of Clavaria, forgetting that there are 

 also erect, branching species of Thele- 

 phora, to which these species of Zachno- 

 cladium are closely allied in texture rather than to fleshy 

 Clavariae. Stereum in form approaches Thelephora, but the 

 substance is firmer, more leathery, and the pileus has a distinct 

 outer stratum analogous to that in 

 Polystictus, with an intermediate 

 stratum, and a smooth, even hymenium 

 (Fig. 57). Closely resembling in 

 appearance is Hymenochaete, with the 

 exception that the hymenium is 

 velvety, with processes resembling 

 bristles. With the exception of Skep- 

 peria, in which the pileus is vertical, 

 most of the remaining genera are 

 wholly resupinate. These are : Gonio- 

 phora, in which the effused substance 

 is membranaceous and smooth, with coloured spores ; Gorticium, 

 in which the effused substance is usually thicker and firmer, 

 but without an intermediate stratum, the hymenium smooth and 

 rather waxy, and the spores uncoloured ; Peniophora, with the 

 habit of Corticium, but with a velvety hymenium; and Hypochnus, 

 with the habit and appearance of Corticium, but with the sub- 

 stance softer, floccose, and more lax, and the hymenium less com- 

 pact, but still the spores are uncoloured. To these must be added 

 the small genera — Aleurodiscus, with a somewhat saucer-shaped 



FIG. 57.- — Stereum hirsutwm,. 



