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The best-known member of the Genus Merulius is the Dry-Rot 
fungus (Merulius lacrymans). The Jelly-Rot (Merulius molluscus, 
Page 41), is a soft, almost gelatinous fungus, which grows on decaying 
wood. Its pores are much more irregular and shallower than those 
of Poria and Trametes, and it is of a much softer consistency. 
The Urchin of the Woods (Hydnum repandum, Page 42) is 
fairly common in woods, and will be easily recognised from the 
photograph. Its colour is white or cream. The cap is usually 
turned up at its edges, and is somewhat irregular in form, the stem 
being often a good deal to one side. This fungus is considered a 
great delicacy, but is rather peppery, and requires prolonged 
stewing. 
The Vein Crust (Phlebia vaga, Page 43) is an unattractive 
fungus of a greyish-yellow colour. It is soft and almost gelatinous, 
and forms flattened plaques, spreading over the surface of dead 
wood. The free surfaces of these plaques are wrinkled, and bear 
the minute spores. The genus Phlebia closely resembles Merulius, 
but the ridges on the surface are less definite, so that the pores 
between them are more irregular and shallower. It is very probable 
that the two genera are closely related. 
We now come to the genus Stereum, of which there are four ex- 
amples here illustrated. In Stereum the spore-bearing surface is 
flattened, and entirely without wrinkles or ridges. The fungus, 
which is corky or leathery, forms flattened plaques, which grow 
over the surface of dead wood or form shelf-like projections. The 
Hairy Stereum (Stereum hirsutum, Page 44) is common on 
fallen branches at almost all seasons of the year. The spore bearing 
surface, which is usually the lower, is of a dingy orange-yellow 
colour. The upper surface is clothed with stiff grey hairs, which 
are not infrequently greenish from the presence of minute Algae. 
A very fine specimen of the Purple Stereum (Stereum pur- 
pureum) is photographed on Page 45. It is only purple when quite 
young, and rapidly turns a whitish-grey, zoned with brown as it 
grows older. When dry it is firm and rigid, but when moist, though 
soft and flexible, it is extremely tough. The upper surface is covered 
by soft velvety hairs, quite different from the long stiff bristles of the 
Hairy Stereum (Page 44). The Bright Brown Stereum (Stereum 
spadiceum, Page 46) forms thin horny plates on the surfaces of the 
trunks and branches of trees. The upper spore-bearing surface is 
smooth and of a brownish flesh-colour, but turns bright red when 
bruised. This latter character, taken with its colour, will serve to 
distinguish it from all other species. For instance, the Wrinkled 
Stereum (Stereum rugorm, Page 47) also changes to reddish when 
cut or bruised, but its spore bearing surface is greyish-yellow. It 
is common on fallen branches. 
The Crested Thelephora (Thelephora cristata, Page 48), of a 
greyish colour, often tinged with purple, and grows in tufts amongst 
moss and dead leaves. 
The Sparassis (Sparassis crispa, Page 49), forms a bright yellow 
fragile, sponge-like, mass, often as large as one’s head. It grows 
amongst heather and in pine woods, and is sure to be easily recog- 
nised. It is excellent eating when stewed in milk. 
