AN OENAMENTAL FUNGUS. 
BY W. B. GROVE, M.A. 
A useful and uncommon ornament may be made out of a fungus 
which is not unfrequently found during the summer months, 
growing upon trees. This is Polyporus sqnamosus , the scaly 
Polypore, which, for the sake of those who do not know fungi 
scientifically, may be described as follows:—It grows on ash, 
elm, oak, sycamore, and other trees, usually projecting horizontally 
from the stem at a height of from four to ten, or even more feet, 
from the ground. It also sometimes grows on fallen decaying trunks, 
but not so vigorously. The pilei, or flaps of which it is composed, are, 
when full grown, semicircular in shape, more or less waved at the 
edges, and two to six together, overlapping one another like the 
tiles of a roof, or like a number of fans of different sizes, placed 
with their bases together. They vary in diameter from 6in. to 
1-J-ft., are about ^in. to |-in. in thickness, and are attached to the 
tree trunk by a short knobby stem, which is at first softish, white, 
and tesselated, but ultimately becomes smooth, hard, and black. 
The upper surface is of a rich fawn brown, varied with paler 
patches, and mottled with a large number of elegant dark brown 
scales, which are free at the upper edge and arranged more or 
less in concentric circles. The lower surface of each flap is 
covered with a network of soft pores or short tubes, which are of a 
paler colour, scarcely tinged with ochre. The whole plant 
possesses, when fresh, a strong disagreeable odour. 
The fungus should be removed from the tree, if possible, in one 
mass, by cutting with a knife at the very base where the stems 
spring in a cluster from the trunk. This can easily be done if it is 
in the right condition for use, as the stems, though tough, have 
not yet become woody. When the Polypore is brought home, it 
should be laid aside for a day to dry; it should then be carefully 
baked in an oven to destroy all maggots that may be in it. This is 
most essential, as, even when there is no sign outside, the inside of a 
Polypore will often be swarming with these creatures, and will 
September, 1893 . 
