238 



WOOD AND FOREST. 



"pores" in which the spores are produced. The wood attacked by this 

 fungus first becomes rosy or purple, then turns yellowish, and then exhibits 

 minute black dots, which surround tliemselves with extending soft white 

 patches. (Boulger, p. 73.) 



Of the fimgi which attaclv converted timber, the most impcrtant 

 is "dry rot'' or "tear fungus" (McruHus Inchrfjmans) , Fig. 8G. It 



Fig-. 85. 1. Stump of Norwaj' Spruce, with a sporopbore of 

 polyporus aiiuostts several years old; the inner portions of the 

 stump wholly decayed. 



i!. Roots of a diseased spruce tree, \\i1li numerous small 

 sporophores of /'o/jport/s ii>///o.s//.'^ attached. J-'orrsfrt' B'llU- 

 tiii j>, Plate XIII, Fii.'s. 1 and :. 



flourishes on damp wood in still air, especiallj' around stables and ill 

 ventilated cellars. It gets its name lachrymans (weeping) from its 

 habit of dripping moisture. 



The fungus destroys the substance of the timber, lessening its weight 

 and causing it to warp and crack; until at length it crumbles up when dry 

 into a fine brown powder, or, readily absorbing any moisture in its neighbor- 

 hood, becomes a soft, cheese-like mass. ♦ ♦ ♦ Imperfectly seasoned tim- 



