20 
THE LARGER FCNGI 
cuealyptorum, which often grows on Stringy bark (Kucttl yptus ohliqua) is unques- 
tionably destructive. Fount’s robust us and F. riinoxtis, hard yellowish -brown 
bracket fungi, grow on a number of species of living Eucalvpts and are also 
dangerous. Ganoderma apphtmium, growing on trees near their butts, usually 
as a broad but rather thin horizontal plate, is by no means common, but probably 
enn do some harm. /’. Sctiveinitzii has been found once near Kuitpo Forest at 
the base of a free, and elsewhere is recognised as a dangerous species. 
Lumber gives a number of fungi an opportunity for establishing themselves 
as saprophytes. The logs may become infected by the spores or by direct 
extension of mycelium from near-by refuse or infected wood, and this may occur 
either in the forest or in the timber yards. Thus is emphasised the necessity 
for propliyluet ive sanitation in both situations — adequate destruction of litter and 
infected wood, proper storage, etc. The fungi will grow especially well in the 
sap-wood and Im rk and require, of course, dampness to enable them to flourish. 
A number of species probably play a minor role in this connection. Eucalyptus 
telegraph poles, erected with the sap-wood on, are especially liable to deteriorate 
from fungus invasion. Much of this is probably due to the lower fungi, but 
Poli/slictus versicolor, a species with thin brackets, velvety and zoned above with 
browns and greys and with cream-coloured pores on the under-surface, lias been 
seen growing frequently on telephone poles in Sydney and once in South Aus- 
tralia. Tramctls ochroieucus, a small hoof-shaped thick pale bracket-fungus, may 
help to disintegrate posts and rails. Occasionally the red T ramctCs cintiabari ua 
and the effused Irpex obliqmis may be found on neglected timber. The most 
serious results follow the infection of building timber, either as lumber or when 
in. situ. The dangerous “dry-rot” fungus, Mnulius Inchrymans, forming an 
extensive mycelium and eventually a yellow-ferruginous spore-bearing surface, 
lias been found once in this State on damp wood in a. hot-house. Some of the- 
llvdnaceae mav probably act in a similar way. Fortunately our relatively dry 
climate does not favour the growth of these saprophytes in positions where they 
may do harm. 
.InnWaria mcllro, the Honey Fungus, is quite common in our hills. Its hyphae 
form cords, rhizomorplis, which encircle the roots of trees and so stop the flow of 
sap. X o definite losses have been traced to this species in South Australia, though 
doubtless some forest trees have suffered. In other States, such as \\ estern 
Australia, fruit trees such as oranges and even garden plants (roses, for instance) 
have been stunted or killed by this fungus. The trouble has usually occurred in 
newly -cleared forest land or round the edge of a forest clearing. The danger of 
leaving stumps and roots behind to act as a nursery for the fungus is obvious. 
Occasionally the red Tm nudes einmibarina or Polyst ictus versieO'lpr may be 
found growing on dead parts of fruit trees. Though not truly parasitic, they 
probably do some harm to the living part of the tree through the alternate 
swelling' and shrinkage of their hyphae from the rain. Stereuin pu r /rure-tt ni , 
which causes “silver-leaf” of plums, has not yet been found \\ i tli eeitaiuty in 
A ust ralia. 
FUNGI AND ART. 
Anyone who lias seen displayed the results of an autumn day s gathering of 
various species of fungi from our Mount Lofty Ranges will at once be struck 
by the beautiful shapes and the wonderful range and combinations of colours 
manifested amongst them. The sight is usually both new and surprising new 
because it so frequently happens that we see on our rambles only what we are 
looking for, it mav be a view, flowers, rocks, or butterflies, and also because we 
see the toadstools removed from their natural surroundings in which they are move 
or less “camouflaged” — surprising on account of the unusual elegance of some, 
the bold vet pleasing contrasts of colours in others. The artistic eye seizes on 
the opportunity thus presented. The subject lends itself to designs for painting 
on china, and some very beautiful work has been done in this way in Sydney by 
Miss Phyllis Clarke '(now Mrs. North) from watercolours prepared, from 
specimens in rav collection. The colour combinations, so bold yet never clashing, 
suggest their use in the designing of ladies’ dresses and perchance parasols. 
