252 



PRACTICAL BOTANY 



Fig. 209. A tree-destroying fungus (Polyporus sulphureus) growing at tlie 



base of a red-oak tree 



About one sixth natural size 



Fig. 210. A coral-lilte toadstool 



(Clavaria) 



One half natural size 



common mushroom, has its spores 

 produced upon spines. In deep, 

 moist woods, upon old logs, a 

 species of the Hydnum sometimes 

 produces an immense (twenty to 

 twenty-five pounds) edible, coral- 

 like, reproductive body. A coral- 

 like toadstool is Clavaria (Fig. 

 210). 



The toadstools and mushrooms, 

 both saprophytic and parasitic, are 

 widely distributed. Forest and or- 

 chard trees are in great danger 

 of infection by theni whenever 

 open wounds are left from broken 

 limbs or pruning. It has been 



