MUSHROOMS AND OTHER COMMON FUNGI. 41 



Polyporus betulinus. 



Bymenophore tough and fleshy, then corky, hoof shaped, umbonate at point of 

 attachment, margin thickened, obtuse incurved, white when young, later brown to 

 brownish rod, zoneless, smooth; pores minute, short, unequal, whitish. 



This fungus is of common occurrence on birch trees, measuring from 3 to 8 inches or 

 more in width. When young it is considered edible, but possesses a rather strong 

 flavor. It is often used as material for outdoor sketching, for which purpose it is very 

 well adapted. 



Polyporus frondosus. 



This species occurs in large tufts, which measure 6 inches to over a foot in breadth. 

 The caps are very numerous, crowded and overlapping, 1 to 2 inches in diameter, 

 irregular in shape, curved, repand, lobed or cleft, brown or sooty gray; stems indefi- 

 nite, branching or confluent; pores very small, white. 



A very common plant, growing about stumps, roots, and trunks. It is edible, 

 tender when young, but soon becomes tough. 



Polyporus gilvus. 



This plant possesses no value as an article of diet, but as a species frequently en- 

 countered by collectors its identity is of interest. Its specific name refers to the color, 

 and the fungus is often referred to as the rust-brown Polyporus. The caps vary from 

 2^ to 4 § inches in width ; the pores are brown, round, and minute. 



Polyporus sulphurous. 



This is a very conspicuous fungus on account of its large clusters and the charac- 

 teristic sulphur-yellow color of the species. The caps are fleshy, spongy, attached 

 laterally, very much imbricated, more or less fan shaped, smooth, even when young, 

 later ridged and furrowed; margin at first thick and blunt, becoming thinner; pores 

 very small, plane, and sulphur yellow. 



This species occurs abundantly and is edible, though of doubtful value. It is of 

 interest as a wound parasite on various trees, gaining access to the interior of a tree 

 through an exposed surface and finally causing the death of the host. 



POLYSTICTUS. 



Species of the genus Polystictus may be distinguished from those 

 of Polyporus by being thinner and more pliant. None are to be 

 especially recommended for table purposes, but by their abundance 

 and attractiveness they force themselves upon the attention of the 

 amateur or any one interested in natural history. All the species 

 described here are sessile and shelving. 



Polystictus cinnabarinus. 



The specific name of this plant is derived from its bright cinnabar color. The fungus 

 is shelving, pliant, and rather thicker than the following species. It grows on dead 

 logs or dead branches of various trees. 



< Japs 1 to 3 inches in width. 



Polystictus pergamenus. 



This fungus is thin and very pliant when fresh, somewhat tomentose, with indis- 

 tinct, longitudinal color zones. The tubes are violet or purplish, but the plants are 

 easily weathered and the tubes become lacerated, resembling Irpex, a genus possess- 

 ing teeth instead of tubes. 



Caps 1 to lh inches in width. 



