l8o TIMBER AND SOME OF ITS DISEASES. [CHAPi 



whole presents a likeness to honey-comb ; if the 

 ridges were higher, and regularly walled in the 



Fig, 22. — Mature fructification of Mernlius lacryjuans. The cake-like mass of 

 felted mycelium has developed a series of areolae (in the upper part of the figure) 

 on the walls oi which the spores are produced. In the natural position this spore- 

 bearing layer is turned downwards, and in a moist environment pellucid drops or 

 " tears " distil from it. The barren part in the foreground was on a wall, and the 

 remainder on the lower side of a beam ; the fungus was photographed in this 

 position to show the areolation. 



depressed areas, the structure would correspond to 

 that of a Polyporus in essential points. The spores 



