OBSERVATION OF COMMON FUNGI. 
249 
the cap by trying to pull or twist it off. Note if the color of the 
plant, as that of the tubes or flesh of pileus or stem, change in 
color where bruised or cut. Some change to blue, red, etc. Some 
boleti are said to be poisonous. 
The bracket fungi with woody texture .—These are polypores 
which usually live from year to year; they grow on wood (trees, 
stumps, etc.) and sometimes attain a great age, from twenty to 
eighty years. They are called bracket fungi because the cap is 
attached to the side of a tree or log like a shelf. The honey¬ 
combed surface is underneath. Each year a new layer of the 
tubes or honeycomb surface is laid on underneath by growth, and 
to the margin of the pileus is added a ring or new margin so that 
usually the bracket becomes thicker and broader each year. Se¬ 
lect some of the larger ones for study. Note shape, attachment 
to the tree, color, surface markings, as well as the size and color 
of the tubes. Count the number of rings or concentric ridges on 
the upper surface of the pileus. Split the plant in two through 
the thickest part and parallel with the tubes. Count the distinct 
layers of tubes. One layer of tubes is added each year. How 
old is the plant and how do the number of layers of tubes com¬ 
pare with the number of concentric rings on the pileus? 
Fairy Clubs and Coral Fungi. 
These mostly belong to the genus Clavaria (a club). Many of 
the plants are club-shaped and vary from half an inch or so up 
to four to six inches. They grow on rotting wood and leaves, 
but chiefly on the ground. Many of them are simple, that is, not 
branched, while others are very profusely branched from a com¬ 
mon short stem. These much branched forms are sometimes 
called coral fungi because of their resemblance to coral. Search 
for different kinds. Describe the shape, color, character of 
branching, texture, color of the flesh, and determine the color 
of the spores by laying some plants on white paper over night. 
None of the fairy clubs or coral fungi are known to be poisonous. 
