88 
THE SUB-GENUS CONIOPHORA. 
By M. C. Cooke. 
In a former communication some observations were made on the 
advantages which would accrue from a revision of the large genus 
Corticium. Many species were then removed to the new genus 
Peniophora. Further study of the species referred to this genus, 
especially by the aid of the microscope, has led to a scheme for re- 
arrangement of the sub-genus Cnniophora , Fr. (“ Hvm. Eur.,” 
p. 657). 
This sub-genus was certainly admitted by Fries, from Persoon, 
for the reception of species having a pulverulent hymenium, of 
which his Thelephora puteana was to be the type. Evidently he was 
under the impression that the Coniophora membi anacea, DC., was 
a sterile condition of Merulius lacrymans , to which also the figure 
of Sowerby (t. 214) was referable. Having received from Simla 
(India) a specimen, taken from the wall of the gaol, which reminded 
us so strongly of Sowerby’s figure, and which also might have 
passed for a sterile condition of a Merulius , we examined it and 
found the coloured elliptical spores most profuse. These agreed 
again with a specimen under the name of Coniophora membranacea , 
DC., in “ Herb. Limminghe.” From a careful perusal we feel 
satisfied that this is Persoon’s plant, and, certainly, that it is the 
Auricularia membranacea , Sowerby, and is a most characteristic 
species. 
Accepting, then, Thelephora puteana, Fr., and Coniophora membra- 
nacea , Pers., as typical of the sub-genus Coniophora , with a pul- 
verulent hymenium, caused by the profusion of large coloured 
spores which are produced, we have appended a list of such 
species as we have been able to examine, forming a most natural 
division, and one which will greatly aid in the determination of 
species, so closely, almost too closely in some instances, allied to 
each other. 
Some of the species included by Fries under this division in 
“ Hym. Eur.,” we have never seen, others, which we have examined, 
do not fulfil the conditions indicated. 
Sub. genus. CONIOPHORA. Pers. 
Hymenium pulverulent ; spores large, profuse, coloured. 
1. Corticium (Coniophora) puteanum. Schum. Fr. Hym. Eur., 657. 
On the faith of specimens from Fries. 
On wood, &c. Europe. 
Professor Saccardo writes of a form with much smaller spores, 
but the specimen in my copy of Fungi veneti, No. 799, has no 
spores. 
2. Corticium (Coniophora) brunneolum. B. Sf C. North American 
Fungi, No. 285. 
From specimen in the Berkeley Herbarium. 
On wood. 
U. States. 
