7 
liable to attack, though a large number of trees are provided with 
latex, resins, or gums, which close up a wound speedily and prevent 
the Dlodgement of the fungus spores. Trees not thus protected are 
very apt to suffer. Thus the Tembusu, when cut or badly pruned 
is attacked by a black fungus which often damages it seriously. 
The woody fungi Polyporus, Polystictus, Fomes , etc. are among 
the most destructive parasites, and the appearance of the bracket- 
like fructification on the trunk of a tree, almost certainly signi- 
fies that the host is dying. Even more destructive than these are the 
root parasites, Rosellinia etc. ( See Bulletin No. 9, page 285) which 
destroy all plants within a certain radius of the first infected tree. 
The timber destroying fungi of Europe have received some atten- 
tion from the European Foresters, but at present little has been 
done in those of the tropics. The destruction to forests by some 
fungi in Europe and North America has been enormous, but less 
damage is likely to be caused in our natural forests, as they are not 
as in colder countries composed exclusively of one kind of tree so 
that the infection is less likely to spread here, in the way that it 
does in Europe. 
Fungi destructive to cut timber. 
The chief cause of the decay of timber is due to the attacks of 
fungi, the growth of which is often very rapid. The spores ger- 
minating under loose bark, or in cracks, or on the cut surfaces 
develope the mycelium which penetrates the wood eventually 
breaking it up. Some very hard timbers remain for many years 
quite unaffected by fungus attacks, even in the most favourable 
situations for their attacks, but most are sooner or later destroyed. 
Where beams are so placed in buildings that they rest on one another 
especially if in the dark, and where there is no current of air, they 
are very liable to attack, and their destruction is very rapid, and it 
is very common to find beams perfectly rotten at the ends where 
they rest on each other, though quite sound in the more exposed 
centre. When the mycelium has developed to a certain extent and 
the weather is suitable, the fructification of the fungus is produced, 
and the appearance of this which is commonly taken to be the whole 
of the fungus may be taken as evidence that the wood is much in- 
jured and the beam if in a building no longer safe. 
Soaking the timber in a solution of copper sulphate before using 
it will disinfect it of any spores which may be on it and for a long 
time at least prevent the attacks of any fungi, and indeed of 
insects also. 
Among the most destructive of the fungi, are the following: — 
Polystictus sanguineus, a brilliant red leathery fungus, bracket 
shaped, about 2 inches across and comparatively thin. It is 
common everywhere. 
P. lilacino gilvus, a thicker lilac-coloured species. 
Schizophyllum commune, a very common small greyish white 
fan shaped plant. 
Lentinus exilis, Berk, a cup-shaped brown fungus. 
