182 FUNGUS-FLORA. 



FAM. V, 

 POLYPOREAE. 



In the preceding family, the Hydneae, the hymenophore 

 in typical genera was seen to be furnished with distinct 

 outgrowths, either under the form of acute, tapering spineB, 

 blunt papillae, or finger-like projections, which in every 

 instance produced the hymenium on their outer surface. In 

 the present family the hymenophore consists of hollow tubes 

 bearing the hymenium on their inner surface, the outer 

 surface being sterile. In the genus Phlebia, belonging to 

 the Hydneae, the markings of the hymenophore are reduced 

 to slightly developed radiating or contorted wrinkles or veins, 

 which in some species are minutely and irregularly toothed, 

 hence the characteristic teeth are altogether wanting. In 

 like manner the genus Merulius, belonging to the Polyporeae 

 has the porous hymenium, characteristic of the family, 

 reduced to very shallow and usually irregular depressions, 

 formed by slightly elevated ridges or wrinkles on the surface. 

 In both the above genera the entire substance is more or less 

 gelatinous, and the two genera must be considered as forming 

 a connecting link between the two families. In Daedalea 

 the tubes are often more or less elongated, and the partition- 

 walls or dissepiments gill-like, thus connecting the Poly- 

 poreae with the Agarioineae through the genus Lenzites, 

 belonging to the last-named family. In several species of 

 Fomes the hymenium is furnished with numerous large, 

 coloured, fusiform or conical, rigid cystidia, as in the genus 

 Symenochaete. All such species are included by Ellis, the 

 American mycologist, in a new genus called Mucronoporus. 



POLYPOEEAE. 



Sporophore pileate, with a central or lateral stem, hori- 

 zontal and attached by a broad base, or entirely resupinate. 



