132 MUSHROOMS. 



form, is sometimes sessile (without a stem), or 

 it has a short lateral stem. 



The genus Fistulina, to which this mushroom 

 belongs, has the under surface of the cap cov- 

 ered with minute hollow pores, which are 

 separate from one another and stand side by 

 side. The shape varies. It is sometimes long, 

 shaped like a tongue, or roundish. It is pecu- 

 liar-looking. It is considered good for food and 

 nourishing, but the taste is said to be rather 

 acid. The specimens we found varied from 2 

 to 5 inches in diameter. They were of a dark- 

 red color, and were tough and old. They grew 

 upon a tree in a large forest, and were not 

 found anywhere else. 



POLYPORUS BBTULINUS = birch. 

 The Birch Polyporus. 



We shall meet a great many fungi on our 

 walks that belong to the genus Polyporus. 

 They are generally leathery (coriaceous) fungi, 

 and many grow on wood. A few are edible, but 

 are not recommended as food. The species P. 

 betulinus is found on living and dead birch 

 trees. The specimens we found grew in great 

 quantities, of all sizes, from IJ to 6 inches 

 broad. They were at first pure white, and then 



