Chapter VII: Polyporaceae. Tube-Bearing Fungi (1)

In this family the cap has no gills on the upper surface, but, instead, there are small tubes or pores. This class of plants may be naturally divided into two groups: The perishable fungi with the pores easily separating from the cap and from each other, which may be called Boletaceæ; and the leathery, corky, and woody fungi, with pores permanently united to the cap and with each other, making the family Polyporaceæ.

In each group the spores are borne on the lining of the pore. A spore print may be made in the same manner as from mushrooms having gills. The color of the spores does not enter into the classification as in the case of the Agaricini.

The distinctive characteristics of these genera may be stated as follows:

Pores compacted together and forming a continuous stratum 1
Pores each a distinct tube, standing closely side by side Fistulina
1. Stem central, and stratum of spores easily separable
from the cap Boletus
1. Stratum of tubes not separating easily, cap covered
with coarse scales Strobilomyces
Stratum of tubes separating, but not easily; tubes
arranged in distinct, radiating lines. In Boletinus
porosus the tubes do not separate from the cap Boletinus
Stratum of pores not separable from cap; plant soft when
young, but becoming hard, corky, stipitate, shelving Polyporus

_Boletus. Dill._

_Boletus, a clod_. There are very many species under this genus and the beginner will experience much trouble in separating the species with any degree of assurance. The Boletus is distinguished from the other pore-bearing fungi by the fact that the stratum of tubes is easily separable from the cap. In the Polyporus the stratum of tubes cannot be separated.

Nearly all Boleti are terrestrial and have central stems. They grow in warm and rainy weather. Many are very large and ponderous; fleshy and putrescent, decaying soon after maturity. It is important to note whether the flesh changes color when bruised and whether the taste is pleasant or otherwise. When I first began to study the Boleti there were but few species that were thought to be edible, but the ban has been removed from very many, even from the most wicked, Boletus Satanus.

_Boletus scaber. Fr._

THE ROUGH-STEMMED BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

The pileus is from two to five inches in diameter, rounded convex, smooth, viscid when moist, minutely woolly, velvety or scaly, color from nearly white to almost black, the flesh white.

The tubes are free from the stem, white, long, mouths minute and round.

The stem is solid, tapering slightly upward, long, dingy-white; roughened with blackish-brown or reddish dots or scales, this being the most pronounced characteristic by which to distinguish the species; three to five inches long. The spores are oblong fusiform and brown.

Prof. Peck has described a number of varieties under this species, most of which depend on the color of the cap. All are edible and good.

This is a common plant, usually found in woods and shady waste places, from June to October. Photographed by Prof. H. C. Beardslee.

_Boletus granulatus. L._

THE GRANULATED BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

The pileus is two to three inches broad, hemispherical, then convex; at first covered with a brownish gluten, then turning yellowish; flesh thick, yellowish, does not turn blue; margin involute at first.

The tubes are adnate; at first white, then light yellow; the margin distilling a pale watery fluid which when dry gives the granulated appearance.

The stem is short, one to two inches high, thick, solid, pale yellow above, white below, granulated. The spores are spindle-shaped, rusty-yellow.

This plant grows abundantly in pine regions, but I have found it where only a part of the trees were pine. The brownish gluten, always constant on the pileus, and the gummy juice drying upon the stem, like granules of sugar, will be strong features by which to identify the species.

They are found from July to October.

_Boletus bicolor. Pk._

THE TWO-COLORED BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

The pileus is convex, smooth or merely downy, dark red, fading when old, often marked with yellow; flesh yellow, slowly changing to blue when bruised.

The tubes are bright yellow, attached to the stem, the color changing to blue when bruised.

The stem is solid, red, generally red at the top, one to three inches long.

The spores are pale, rusty-brown color.

Found in woods and open places, from July to October.

_Boletus subtomentosus. L._

THE YELLOW-CRACKED BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Subtomentosus, slightly downy. The pileus is from three to six inches broad, convex, plane; yellowish-brown, olive or subdued tan color; cuticle soft and dry, with a fine pubescence; the cracks in the surface become yellow. The flesh is creamy white in mature specimens, changing to blue, and at length leaden, on being bruised.

The tube surface is yellow or yellowish green, becoming bluish when bruised; opening of tubes large and angular.

The stem is stout, yellowish, minutely roughened with scurvy dots or faintly striped with brown. The spores are a rusty-brown.

The cracks in the cap become yellow, on which account this species is called the Yellow-cracked Boletus. The taste of the flesh is sweet and agreeable. Palmer compares it with the taste of a walnut. The plant should not be feared because the flesh turns blue when bruised. I first found this species in Whinnery's woods, Salem, Ohio. The specimens in Figure 284 grew near Chillicothe and was photographed by Dr. Kellerman. July to August.

_Boletus chrysenteron. Fr._

THE RED-CRACKED BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Chrysenteron means gold or golden within. The pileus is two to four inches broad, convex, becoming more flattened, soft to the touch, varying from light to yellowish-brown or bright brick-red, more or less fissured with red cracks; the flesh yellow, changing to blue when bruised or cut, red immediately beneath the cuticle.

The tube surface is olive-yellow, becoming bluish when bruised, tube-openings rather large, angled and unequal in size.

The stem is generally stout, straight, yellowish, and more or less streaked or spotted with the color of the cap. The spores are light brown and spindle-shaped. This species will be easily distinguished from B. subtomentosus because of its bright color and the cracks in the cap turning red, whence the name of the "Red-cracked Boletus."

The cap of this species strongly resembles Boletus alveolatus, but the latter has rose-colored spores and a red pore surface, while the former has light brown spores and an olive-yellow pore surface. Tolerton's and Bower's woods, Salem, Ohio, July to October.

_Boletus edulis. Bull._

THE EDIBLE BOLETUS.

Pileus light brown, tubes yellowish or greenish-yellow. Stem bulbous and faintly reticulate. Natural size.]

This is quite a large and handsome plant and one rather easily recognized. The firm caps of the young plant and the white tubes with their very indistinct mouths, and the mature plants with the tubes changing to a greenish yellow with their mouths quite distinct, are enough to identify the plant at once.

The pileus is convex or nearly plane; variable in color, light brown to dark brownish-red, surface smooth but dull, cap from three to eight inches broad. The flesh is white or yellowish, not changing color on being bruised or broken.

The tube-surface is whitish in very young plants, at length becoming yellow and yellowish-green. Pore openings angled. The tubes depressed around the stem, which is stout, bulbous, often disproportionately elongated; pale-brown; straight or flexuous, generally with a fine raised net-work of pink lines near junction of cap, sometimes extending to the base. The taste is agreeable and nutty, especially when young. Woods and open places. July and August. Common about Salem and Chillicothe, Ohio.

It is one of our best mushrooms. Captain McIlvaine says: "Carefully sliced, dried, and kept where safe from mold, it may be prepared for the table at any season."

_Boletus speciosus. Frost._

THE HANDSOME BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Speciosus means handsome.

The pileus is three to six inches broad, at first very thick, subglobose, compact, then softer, convex, glabrous or nearly so, red or deep scarlet. The flesh is pale yellow or bright lemon-yellow, changing to blue where wounded.

The tubes are adnate, small, subrotund, plane, or slightly depressed around the stem; bright lemon-yellow, becoming dingy-yellow with age, changing to blue where bruised.

The stem is two to four inches long, stout, subequal or bulbous, reticulated, bright lemon-yellow without and within, sometimes reddish at the base. The spores are oblong-fusiform, pale, ochraceous-brown, 10-12.5×4-5µ.

The young specimen can be recognized by the whole plant's being of a vivid lemon-yellow except the surface of the cap. The plant quickly turns to green, then blue, wherever touched. It has a wide distribution in the Eastern and Middle states. The plant in Figure 287 was found in Haynes' Hollow by Dr. Chas. Miesse and photographed by Dr. Kellerman.

As an edible it is among the best. Found from August to October.

_Boletus cyanescens. Bull._

Cyanescens is from _cyaneus_, deep blue, so called the moment you touch it, it turns a deep blue.

Pileus is two to four inches across, convex, then expanded, sometimes nearly plane, frequently wavy, covered with an appressed tomentum; opaque, pale-buff, grayish-yellow, or yellowish, flesh thick, white, quickly changing to a beautiful azure-blue where cut or wounded.

The tubes are quite free, openings small, white, then pale-yellow, round, changing color the same as the flesh.

The stem is two to three inches long, ventricose, hoary with fine hair, stuffed at first, then becoming hollow, colored like the pileus.

The spores are subelliptical, 10-12.5×6-7.5µ.

The specimens in Figure 288 were found on rather steep wooded hillsides, Sugar Grove, Ohio. They were all solitary. I have found a few specimens about Chillicothe. They are widely distributed in the Eastern states.

Captain McIlvaine says in his book the caps make an excellent dish cooked in any way. I have never tried them. Found on hilly ground in August and September.

_Boletus indecisus. Pk._

THE UNDECIDED BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Indecisus means undecided; so called because it favors very closely Boletus felleus. There is a difference in the style of the two plants by which, after continued tasting, the student can readily separate them.

The pileus is three to four inches broad, dry, slightly downy, convex, ochraceous-brown, plane, often irregular on the margin, sometimes wavy, flesh white, and unchangeable, taste mild or sweet.

The tube surface is nearly plane and firmly set against the stem, grayish, becoming tinged with flesh color in age, changing to a brown when bruised; the mouths small and nearly round. The stem is covered with a fine mealy substance, straight or flexuous, sometimes reticulated above. The spores are oblong, brownish flesh color, 12.5-15×4µ.

The B. indecisus can be readily told from B. felleus by its sweet taste and brownish spores. It is my favorite of all the Boleti, indeed I think it equals the best of mushrooms. Its favorite habitat is under beech trees in the open. It is widely distributed from Massachusetts to the west. Found in July and August.

_Boletus edulis. Bull.--Var. clavipes. Pk._

CLUB-FOOTED BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Clavipes means club-footed. Pileus fleshy, convex, glabrous, grayish-red or chestnut-color. Flesh white, unchangeable. The tubes at first concave or nearly plane, white and stuffed, then convex, slightly depressed around the stem, ochraceous-yellow. Stem mostly obclavate, inversely club-shaped, and reticulate to the base. The spores oblong-fusiform, 12-15×4-5µ. _Peck._ 51st Rep.

The club-footed Boletus is very closely related to B. edulis. It differs, perhaps, in a more uniform color of the cap, and in having tubes less depressed around the stem, and less tinted with green when mature. The stem is more club-shaped and more completely reticulated.

The pileus in the young plant is much more highly colored and fades out in age, but the margin does not become paler than the disk as is often the case with B. edulis. The specimens in Figure 290 were found in Michigan and photographed by Dr. Fischer. They are quite as good as B. edulis.

_Boletus Sullivantii. B. & M._

Sullivantii is named in honor of Professor Sullivant, an early Ohio botanist.

The pileus is three to four inches broad, hemispherical at first, glabrous, reddish-tawny or brown, brownish when dry, cracked in squares.

The tubes are free, convex, medium size, angular, longer toward the margin, their mouths reddish.

The stem is solid, violaceous at the thickened base, red-reticulated at the apex, expanded into the pileus.

The spores are pallid to ochraceous, oblong-fusiform, 10-20µ long. _Peck's_ Boleti in U. S.

This species is very close to Boletus scaber and Boletus edulis. It differs from B. scaber in its reticulated stem and from B. edulis in its larger tubes. The specimens in Figure 291 were found by Hambleton Young near Columbus, and were photographed by Dr. Kellerman.

_Boletus parvus. Pk._

Parvus means small; so named from the smallness of the plant.

The pileus is one to two inches broad, convex, becoming plane, often slightly umbonate, subtomentose, reddish. Flesh yellowish-white, slowly changing to pinkish when bruised.

The tubes are nearly plane, adnate, their mouths rather large, angular, at first bright-red, becoming reddish-brown.

The stem is equal or slightly thickened below, red, from one to two inches long. The spores are oblong, 12.5×4µ.

They are found in thin woods, July and August.

_Boletus eximius. Pk._

THE SELECT BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Eximius means select.

The pileus at first is very compact, nearly round, somewhat covered with a mealy substance, purplish-brown, or chocolate color, sometimes with a faint tinge of lilac, becoming convex, soft, smoky red, or pale-chestnut, flesh grayish or reddish-white.

The tube surface is at first concave or nearly plane, stuffed, colored nearly like the pileus, becoming paler with age and depressed around the stem, the mouths minute, round.

The stem is stout, generally short, equal or tapering upward, abruptly narrowed at the base, minutely branny, colored like or a little paler than the cap, purplish-gray within.

The spores are subferruginous, 12.5-15×5-6µ. This plant is found in open woods where there are beech trees. I found it frequently on Cemetery Hill, Chillicothe. It is widely distributed, being found from the east to the west. July and August.

_Boletus pallidus. Frost._

THE PALLID BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Pallidus, pale. The pileus is convex, becoming plane or centrally depressed, soft, smooth, pallid or brownish-white, sometimes tinged with red. Flesh is white. Tubes plane or slightly depressed around the stem, nearly adnate, very pale or whitish-yellow, becoming darker with age, changing to blue where wounded, the mouths small. The stem is equal or slightly thickened toward the base, rather long, smooth, often flexuous; whitish, sometimes streaked with brown, often tinged with red within. Spores pale ochraceous-brown. Pileus two to four inches broad. Stem three to five inches long. _Peck_, Boleti of the U. S.

This species is very good, tender, and appetizing. I found it quite abundant in the woods of Gallia County and near Chillicothe, Ohio.

_Boletus alveolatus. B. and C._

THE ALVEOLATE BOLETUS.

Alveolatus is from _alveolus_, a small hollow, referring to the pitted form of the pore-surface, which is one of the characters of this species. The pileus is convex, smooth, polished, usually rich crimson or maroon, sometimes varied with paler yellowish tints; substance solid, changing to blue on being fractured or bruised, three to six inches broad.

The tube-surface reaches the stem proper, undulate with uneven hollows, maroon, the tubes in section being yellow beyond their dark red mouths.

The stem is usually quite long, covered with depressions or pitted dentations, with intermediate coarse net-work of raised ridges, red and yellow. The spores are yellowish-brown. I found this species in the woods near Gallipolis, Ohio, also near Salem, Ohio. The bright color of its cap will command the attention of any one passing near it. It has been branded as a reprobate, but Captain McIlvaine gives it a good reputation. Found in the woods, especially along streams, August and September. Photographed by Prof. H. C. Beardslee.

_Boletus felleus. Bull._

THE BITTER BOLETUS.

Figure 294.--Boletus felleus. Natural size.]

Felleus is from _fel_, gall, bitter. The pileus is convex, nearly plane, at first rather firm in substance, then becoming soft and cushion-like, smooth, without polish, varying in color from pale ochre to yellowish or reddish-brown or chestnut, flesh white, changing to flesh-color when bruised, taste exceedingly bitter, cap three to eight inches in diameter.

The tube-surface is white at first, becoming dull pinkish with age or upon being cut or broken; rounded upward as it reaches the stem, attached to the stem, mouths angular.

The stem is variable, tapering upward, rather stout, quite as smooth as the cap and a shade paler in color, toward the apex covered with a net-work which extends to the base, often bulbous.

The flesh is not poisonous but intensely bitter. No amount of cooking will destroy its bitterness. I gave it a thorough trial, but it was as bitter after cooking as before. It is a common Boletus about Salem, Ohio. I have seen plants there eight to ten inches in diameter and very heavy. They grow in woods and wood margins, usually about decaying stumps and logs, sometimes in the open fields. July to September.

_Boletus versipellis. Fr._

THE ORANGE-CAP BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Versipellis is from _verto_, to change, and _pellis_, a skin. The pileus is two to six inches in diameter, convex, orange-red, dry, minutely woolly or downy, then scaly or smooth, margin containing fragments of the veil, flesh white or grayish.

The tube-surface is grayish-white, tubes long, free, mouths minute and gray.

The stem is equal or tapering upward; solid, white with scaly wrinkles; three to five inches long; and is frequently covered with small reddish or blackish dots or scales. The spores are oblong spindle-shaped.

This plant can be easily distinguished by the remnant of the veil which adheres to the margin of the cap and is of the same color. It is frequently turned under the margin adhering to the tubes. It is a large and imposing plant found in sandy soil and especially among the pines. I found it in J. Thwing Brooke's woods, Salem, Ohio. August to October.

_Boletus gracilis. Pk._

THE SLENDER-STEMMED BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Gracilis means slender, referring to the stem.

The pileus is one to two inches broad, convex, smooth or minutely tomentose, the epidermis frequently cracked as in the illustration; ochraceous-brown, tawny, or reddish brown; flesh white.

The tube surface is convex to plane, depressed around the stem, nearly free, whitish, becoming flesh-colored.

The stem is long and slender, equal or slightly tapering upward, usually curved; pruinose or mealy. The spores are subferruginous, .0005 to .0007 inch long, .0002 to .00025 inch broad.

This is quite a pretty plant, but at first sight it will not be taken for a Boletus. They are not plentiful in our woods. I find them only occasionally and then sparsely. They are found in July and August, the months for the Boleti. They grow in leaf mold in mixed woods, especially among beech timber.

_Boletus striæpes. Secr._

Striæpes means striate stem.

The pileus is convex or plane, soft, silky, olivaceous, the cuticle rust-color within, flesh white, yellow next the tubes, sparingly changing to blue.

The tubes are adnate, greenish, their mouths minute, angular, yellow.

The stem is firm, curved, marked with brownish-black striations, yellow, and brownish-rufescent at the base.

The spores are 10-13×4µ. _Peck_, Boleti of the U. S.

I found some beautiful specimens in a mixed woods on the Edinger hillside, near Chillicothe. I located them here, but observing that this species was not common I sent some to Prof. Atkinson, who placed them under this species. August.

_Boletus radicans. Pers._

The pileus is convex, dry, subtomentose, olivaceous-cinereus, becoming pale-yellowish, the margin thin, involute. Flesh pale-yellow, taste bitterish.

The tubes are adnate, their mouths large, unequal; lemon-yellow.

The stem is two to three inches long, even, tapering downward and radiating, flocculose with a reddish bloom, pale-yellow, becoming naked and dark with a touch.

The spores are fusiform, olive, 10-12.5×5µ. _Peck_, Boleti of the U. S.

I found these specimens in the same locality with the B. striæpes.

The olivaceous cap with its peculiar involute margin and its radiating stem will greatly assist in its determination. August.

_Boletus subluteus. Pk._

THE YELLOW BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Subluteus is from _sub_, under, nearly; _luteus_, yellow.

Pileus is two to three inches broad, convex, becoming plane, quite viscid when moist, dull yellowish to reddish brown, frequently more or less streaked. The flesh is whitish or dull yellow.

The tube surface is plane or convex, the tubes set squarely against the stem, being small, nearly round, yellowish or ochraceous, becoming darker in age.

The stem is rather long, nearly equal, about the color of the cap, dotted both above the ring and below it; the ring is membranaceous, quite variable and persistent, usually collapsing as a narrow ring on the stem. The spores are ochraceous-brown, oblong or elliptical, 8-10×4-5.

Prof. Atkinson has made a careful study of both the American and the European plants called in this country B. luteus and B. subluteus, and has come to the conclusion that they should all be called B. luteus. In distinguishing the two we usually say those having much gluten and dotted above the ring are B. luteus, and those dotted both above and below the ring are B. subluteus. The specimens in Figure 297 were collected at the State Farm at Lancaster, Ohio, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. They are found in July and August.

_Boletus parasiticus. Bull._

Parasiticus means a parasite; so called because it grows on a Scleroderma. It is a small plant and quite rare.

The pileus is one to two inches broad, convex, or nearly plane, dry, silky, becoming glabrous, soon tessellately cracked, grayish or dingy yellow. Tubes decurrent, medium size, golden yellow.

The stem is equal, rigid, incurved, yellow within and without. The spores are oblong-fusiform, pale-brown, 12.5-15×4µ. _Peck._

The tubes are rather large and unequal, and inclined to run down upon the stem.

This plant was found near Boston, Mass., by Mrs. E. B. Blackford and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. Captain McIlvaine says it is edible but not of good flavor. It is found in July and August.

_Boletus separans. Pk._

THE SEPARATING BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Separans, separating, alluding to the tubes sometimes separating from the stem by the expansion of the pileus.

The pileus is convex, thick, smooth, subshining, often pitted or corrugated; brownish-red or dull-lilac, sometimes fading to yellowish on the margin; flesh white and unchangeable.

Tubes at first are nearly plane, adnate, white and stuffed, then convex, depressed around the stem, ochraceous-yellow or brownish-yellow and sometimes separating from the stem by the expansion of the pileus.

The stem is equal or slightly tapering upward; reticulated, either wholly or in upper part only; colored like the pileus or a little paler, sometimes slightly furfuraceous. Spores subfusiform, brownish-ochraceous. _Peck_, Boleti of U. S.

The specimens in Figure 299 were found at Londonderry, about fifteen miles east of Chillicothe, in a grassy woods near a stream. The taste is agreeable when raw and quite good when cooked. This might appropriately have been called the lilac Boletus, for that shade of color is usually present in it, somewhere. August to October.

_Boletus auripes. Pk._

YELLOW-STEMMED BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Auripes is from _aureus_, yellow or golden; _pes_, foot; so called from its yellow stem.

The pileus is three to four inches broad, convex, nearly smooth, yellowish-brown, the flesh often cracking in areas in old plants; flesh yellow at first, fading to a lighter color, in age.

The tubes are nearly plane, their mouths small, nearly round, at first stuffed, yellow.

The stem is two to four inches long, nearly equal, often reticulated, solid, a bright yellow on the surface and a light yellow within. The spores are ochraceous-brown, tinged with green, 12×5µ.

The whole plant, except the upper surface of the cap, is a golden yellow, and even the surface of the cap is more or less yellow. It favors one form of the B. edulis. It is sometimes found in mixed woods, especially if there are mountain laurels in the woods (_Kalmia latifolia_). It is found in July and August.

_Boletus retipes. B. and C._

THE BEAUTIFUL-STEMMED BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Retipes is from _rete_, a net; _pes_, a foot; so called from the delicate net-work seen on the stem.

The pileus is convex, dry, powdered with yellow, sometimes rivulose or cracked in areas. The tubes are adnate, yellow.

The stem is subequal, cespitose, reticulate to the base, pulverulent below. The spores are greenish-ochraceous, 12-15×4-5µ. _Peck_, Boleti.

B. retipes is very close to B. ornatipes, but its manner of growth, its pulverulent cap, and its greenish-ochraceous spores will at once distinguish it. I have found them on Ralston's Run, a number from the same mycelial cluster, as in Figure 301. The caps only are good. The specimens in the figure were found near Ashville, N. C., and photographed by Prof. H. C. Beardslee.

_Boletus griseus. Frost._

THE GRAY BOLETUS.

Griseus means gray. The pileus is broadly convex, firm, dry, almost smooth, gray or grayish black. The flesh is whitish or gray.

The tubes are attached to the stem and slightly depressed around the stem, nearly plane, their mouths being small, nearly round, white or whitish.

The stem is slightly unequal, tapering downward, distinctly reticulated, whitish or yellowish, sometimes reddish toward the base. The spores are ochraceous-brown, 10-14×4-5µ. _Peck._

This plant, with us, grows singly and it is infrequently found. I have found it always in beech woods along Ralston's Run. It is found in August and September.

_Boletus nigrellus. Pk._

THE BLACKISH BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Nigrellus is a diminutive of _niger_, black. The entire plant is blackish except the pore surface.

The pileus is three to six inches broad, rather broadly convex or nearly plane, dry, blackish. The flesh is soft and unchangeable.

The tube-surface is rather plane, adhering to the stem, sometimes slightly depressed around the stem, the mouths being small, nearly round; whitish, becoming flesh-colored, changing to black or brown when wounded.

The stem is equal, short, even, black or blackish. The spores are dull flesh-color, 10-12×5-6µ.

When I first found this specimen I was inclined to call it B. alboater, but its flesh-colored tubes served to distinguish it. I found the specimens in Figure 303 on Edinger's Hill, near Chillicothe. The taste is mild and fairly good. August and September.

_Boletus Americanus. Pk._

This species will attract the attention of the collector because of its very viscid cap. I found the specimens in Figure 304 growing on Cemetery Hill, near Chillicothe, in company with Lactarius deliciosus. They were growing near and under pine trees, both in dense groups and separately. The caps were very viscid, yellow with a slight tinge of red. The stem is covered with numerous reddish-brown dots.

The pileus is one to three inches broad, thin; at first rather globose, convex, then expanded, sometimes broadly umbonate; very viscid when moist, especially on the margin; yellow or becoming dingy or streaked with red in age.

The tube-surface is nearly plane and the tubes join squarely against the stem; quite large, angular, pale yellow, becoming a dull ochraceous.

The stem is slender, equal or tapering upward, firm, with no trace of a ring; yellow, often brownish toward the base, covered with numerous brown or reddish-brown quite persistent granular dots; yellow within. The spores are oblong, ochraceous-ferruginous, 9-11×4-5µ.

The veil is only observed in the very young specimens. Only caps are good to eat. The specimens were photographed for me by Dr. Kellerman.

_Boletus Morgani. Pk._

MORGAN'S BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Morgani is named in honor of Prof. Morgan.

The pileus is one and a half to two inches broad, convex, soft, glabrous, viscid; red, yellow, or red fading to yellow on the margin; flesh white, tinged with red and yellow, unchangeable.

The tube-surface convex, depressed around the stem, tubes rather long and large, bright yellow, becoming greenish-yellow.

The stem is elongated, tapering upward, pitted with long and narrow depressions, yellow, red in the depressions, colored within like the flesh of the pileus. The spores are olive-brown, 18-22µ, about half as broad. _Peck._

This plant is found in company with B. Russelli, which it resembles very closely. Its smooth, viscid cap and white flesh will distinguish it. Its stem is much more rough in wet weather than in dry. The peculiar color of the stem will help to identify the species. I found it frequently on Ralston's Run, near Chillicothe. It is found in many of the states of the Union. July and August.

_Boletus Russelli. Frost._

RUSSELL'S BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

The cap is thick, hemispherical or convex, dry, covered with downy scales or bundles of red hairs, yellowish beneath the tomentum, often cracked in areas. The flesh is yellow and unchangeable.

The tubes are subadnate, often depressed around the stem, rather large, dingy-yellow, or yellowish-green.

The stem is very long, equal or tapering upward, roughened by the lacerated margins of the reticular depressions, red or brownish red. The spores are olive-brown, 18-22×8-10µ.

The pileus is one and a half to four inches broad, the stem is three to seven inches long, and three to six lines thick. This is distinguished from the other species by the dry squamulose pileus and the color of the stem. The latter is sometimes curved at the base. _Peck._

I have found this species frequently in the woods and open places about Chillicothe. It is one of the easiest of the Boleti to determine. The plants here have a bright brownish-red pileus, with a shade lighter color on the stem; the latter quite rough and tapering toward the cap. They are usually solitary. The plants in Figure 306 were collected in Michigan and photographed by Dr. Fischer.

_Boletus vermiculosus. Pk._

Vermiculosus means full of small worms. The pileus is broadly convex, thick, firm, dry; smooth, or very minutely tomentose; brown, yellowish-brown or grayish-brown, sometimes tinged with red. The flesh is white or whitish, quickly changing to blue where wounded. The tubes are plane or slightly convex, nearly free, yellow; their mouths small, round, brownish-orange, becoming darker or blackish with age, changing promptly to blue where wounded.

The stem is nearly equal, firm, even, paler than the pileus. The spores are ochraceous-brown, 10-12×4-5µ. _Peck._

The plant represented in Figure 307 grew under the beech trees on Cemetery Hill. I found it frequently in the woods, from July to September.

_Boletus Frostii. Russell._

Frostii is named in honor of Mr. Frost, a noted mycologist.

The pileus is three to four inches broad; convex, polished, shining, blood-red; the margin is thin, the flesh scarcely changing to blue.

The tubes are nearly free, greenish-yellow, becoming yellowish-brown with age, their mouths blood-red or cinnabar-red.

The stem is two to four inches long, three to six lines thick, equal or tapering upward, distinctly reticulated, firm, blood-red. The spores are 12.5-15×5µ. _Peck_, Boleti of U. S.

This is a beautiful plant. It is not plentiful, yet it is found frequently on some of our hillsides. The plants in Figure 308 were found in Hayne's Hollow near Chillicothe, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. The plant is found in New England and through the Middle West. I have had beautiful plants sent me from Vermont. It is not edible, so far as I know. Found in August and September.

_Boletus luridus. Schaeff._

THE LURID BOLETUS.

Luridus means pale-yellow, sallow. The pileus is convex, tomentose, brown-olivaceous, then somewhat viscous, sooty. The flesh is yellow, changing to blue when wounded. Tubes free, yellow, becoming greenish, their mouths round, vermilion, becoming orange. The stem is stout, vermilion, somewhat orange at the top, reticulate or punctuate. The spores are greenish-gray, 15×9µ.

The lurid Boletus, though pleasant to the taste, is reputed very poisonous. Boletus rubeolarius, Pers., having a short, bulbous, scarcely reticulated stem, is regarded as a variety of this species. The red-stemmed Boletus, B. erythropus, Pers., is also indicated by Fries as a variety of luridus. It will be seen on the right in Figure 309. It is smaller than B. luridus, has a brown or reddish-brown pileus and a slender cylindrical stem, not reticulated but dotted with squamules. _Peck_, Boleti of the U. S. The plant is quite abundant in our woods. Found in July and August.

_Boletus castaneus. Bull._

THE CHESTNUT BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Castaneus, pertaining to a chestnut. The pileus is dry, convex, then expanded, minutely velvety; cinnamon or reddish-brown, from one to three inches in diameter; the flesh white, not changing when bruised, cap frequently turned upward.

The tube-surface is white, becoming yellow, tubes small and short, free from the stem.

The stem is equal or tapering upward, colored and clothed like the cap, short and not always straight; when young it is spongy in the center but becomes hollow with age. The spores are pale-yellow, oval or broadly elliptical, which is a feature to distinguish the species.

I found a number of specimens in James Dunlap's woods, near Chillicothe, Ohio. A great majority seemed to be attacked by the parasitic fungi, Sepedonium chrysospermum.

The caps are very fine eating. Care should be taken to use only young specimens. Found in open woods from June to September.

_Boletus satanus. Lenz._

SATANIC BOLETUS.

Pileus convex, smooth, somewhat gluey, brownish-yellow or whitish; flesh whitish, becoming reddish or violaceous where wounded. Tubes free, yellow, their mouths bright red, becoming orange-colored with age. The stem thick, ovate-ventricose, marked above with red reticulations. _Peck_, Boleti of U. S.

Hamilton Gibson and Captain McIlvaine seem to give his Satanic majesty a good reputation, but I would say "Be cautious." His looks always deterred me. Found in woods from June to September.

_Strobilomyces. Berk._

Strobilomyces is from two Greek words meaning a pine-cone and a fungus. The hymenophore is even, tubes not easily separable from it, large and equal. It is of a brownish-gray color, its shaggy surface more or less studded with deep-brown or black woolly points, each at the center of a scale-like segment. The tubes beneath are covered at first with a veil which breaks and is often found on the rim of the cap. It is a plant that will quickly attract attention.

_Strobilomyces strobilaceus. Berk._

THE CONE-LIKE BOLETUS. EDIBLE.

Strobilaceus, cone-like. This is especially emphasized from the fact that both the genus and the species are named from the fancied resemblance of the cap to a pine cone. It is ever readily recognized because of this character of the cap.

The pileus is convex, rough with dark umber scales drawn into regular cone-like points tipped with dark-brown; margin veiled, flesh grayish-white, turning red when bruised, and finally black.

Pore-surface grayish-white in young specimens, and usually covered with the veil; tubes attached to the stem, angular, turning red when bruised.

The stem is equal or tapering upward, furrowed at the top, covered with a woolly down. Spores dark-brown, 12-13×9µ. Found at Londonderry. Common in woods. August to September.

_Boletinus. Kalchb._

Boletinus is a diminutive of Boletus.

Hymenium composed of broad radiating lamellæ, connected by very numerous and narrow anastomosing branches or partitions, forming large angular pores. Tubes somewhat tenacious, not easily separable from the hymenophore and from each other, adnate or subdecurrent, yellowish. _Peck._

_Boletinus pictus. Pk._

THE PAINTED BOLETINUS. EDIBLE.

Pictus, painted. This plant seems to delight in damp pine woods, but I have found it only occasionally about Chillicothe, under beech trees. It is readily recognized by the red fibrillose tomentum which covers the entire plant when young. As the plant expands the reddish tomentum is broken into scales of the same color, revealing the yellowish color of the pileus beneath. The flesh is compact, yellow, often changing to a dull pinkish or reddish tint where wounded.

The tube-surface is at first pale yellow, but becomes darker with age, often changing to pinkish, with a brown tinge where bruised.

The stem is solid, equal, and covered with a cottony layer of mycelium-threads like the pileus, though often paler. The spores are ochraceous, 15-18×6-8µ. The plants are two to four inches broad, and one and a half to three inches high. Found from July to October.

_Boletinus cavipes. Kalchb._

HOLLOW-STEMMED BOLETINUS. EDIBLE.

Cavipes is from two Latin words meaning a hollow stem.

The pileus is broadly convex, rather tough, flexible, soft, subumbonate, fibrillose-scaly, tawny-brown, sometimes tinged with reddish or purplish, flesh yellowish. The tubes are slightly decurrent, at first pale-yellow, then darker and tinged with green, becoming dingy-ochraceous with age. The stem is equal or slightly tapering upward, somewhat fibrillose or floccose, slightly ringed, hollow, tawny-brown or yellowish-brown, yellowish at the top and marked by the decurrent dissepiments of the tubes, white within. Veil whitish, partly adhering to the margin of the pileus, soon disappearing. The spores are 8-10×4µ. _Peck_, in Boleti of the U. S.

This plant grows in New York and the New England states, under pine and tamarack trees. The caps are convex, covered with a tawny-brown fibrillose tomentum. The stems of those I have seen are hollow from the first. The plants in Figure 314 were sent me from Massachusetts by Mrs. Blackford.

_Boletinus porosus._ (_Berk._) _Pk._

These form a small but interesting species, not usually exceeding three and a half inches in diameter nor more than two inches in height.

The cap is somewhat fleshy, nut-brown, or yellowish-brown, shading to olivaceous in color in most of the specimens which I have found; when fresh and moist, somewhat sticky and shining. The margins are thin, rather even, and inclined to be involute; the shape of the cap is more or less irregular, in many cases almost kidney-shaped.

The stem is laterally attached, tough, and gradually expands into the pileus which it resembles in color; it is markedly reticulated at the top by the decurrent walls of the spore-tubes. The spore-surface is yellow, the tubes arranged in radiating rows, some being more prominent than others, the partitions often assuming the form of gills which branch and are connected by cross partitions of less prominence. The stratum of tubes, while soft, is very tenacious, not separating from the flesh of the pileus.

The odor and taste of all the specimens found were pleasant. Found in damp woods in July and August. When a sufficient number can be found they make an excellent dish.

It is found in abundance about Chillicothe.

_Fistulina. Bull._

Fistulina means a small pipe; so called because the tubes stand close together and separate easily one from another.

The hymenophore is fleshy and hymenium inferior. When first seen springing from a stump or root it looks like a large strawberry. It soon develops into the appearance of a big red tongue. When young the upper side is quite velvety and peach-colored, later it becomes a livid red and loses its velvety appearance. The under surface is flesh-colored and is rough like the surface of a tongue, owing to the fact that the tubes are free from one another. When it is moist it is very viscid, making your hands quite blood-stained in appearance.

_Fistulina hepatica. Fr._

THE LIVER FUNGUS. EDIBLE.

Plate XLIII. Figure 316.--Fistulina hepatica.

Beefsteak mushroom.]

This is a beautiful plant, quite common where there are chestnut stumps and trees. I have found it on chestnut oak, quite large specimens, too. It is one of my favorite mushrooms; one cannot afford to pass it by. Its beautiful color will attract attention at once, and having once eaten it well prepared, one will never pass a chestnut stump without examining it.

The pileus is fan-shaped or semicircular, red-juicy, flesh when cut somewhat mottled like beet-root and giving forth a very appetizing odor; the cap is moist and somewhat viscid, the color varying from a red (somewhat beefy) to a reddish-brown in older plants; while the spore surface varies from strawberry-pink through a light-and dark-tan to an almost chestnut-brown.

In young plants the color is much richer and more vivid than in those of greater maturity. The spore surface resembles nothing so much as a very fine sponge, the spore-tubes being short, crowded, yet distinct.

The marked peculiarity of its mode of growth is in the attachment of the stem; somewhat thick, fleshy, and juicy, coming from the side of the pileus like the handle of a fan, it looks as if some one had taken hold of the cap and given it a partial twist to the right or to the left, as may be seen in Figure 317. Another peculiarity I have noticed in this species consists of the nerve-like lines, or veinlets, radiating from the stem and streaking the upper surface of the cap. The taste, when raw, is slightly but pleasantly acid. Its favorite habitat seems to be injured places on chestnut trees, and about chestnut stumps. It is known as Liver Fungus, Beefsteak Fungus, Oak-Tongue, Chestnut-Tongue, etc. It is found from July to October.

I have found it plentiful about Chillicothe on chestnut stumps, and quite generally over the state. I found some very fine specimens on the chestnut oaks, about Bowling Green, Ohio.

When properly prepared it is equal to any kind of meat. It is one of our best mushrooms.

_Fistulina pallida. B. and Rav._

Pallida means pale. Pileus kidney-shaped, pallid-red, fawn or clay-color, thick at the base and thinning toward the margin, which is often crenate and inflexed; pulverulent, firm, flexible, tough; flesh white.

The tubes are long and slender, mouths somewhat enlarged, whitish, the tube surface a pale cream-color and minutely mealy, pores not decurrent but ending with the beginning of the stem.

The stem is uniformly attached to the concave margin of the cap; attenuated downward; whitish below, but near the cap it changes to the same tint. The peculiar manner of attachment of the stem will serve to identify the species, which I have found several times near Chillicothe. The specimen in the illustration was found on the State farm, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman.

_Polyporus. Fr._

Polyporus is from two Greek words meaning many and pores. In this genus the stratum of the pores is not easily separated from the cap. Most of the species under this genus are tough and corky. Many grow on decayed wood, a few on the ground, but even these are inclined to be tough. Very few of those growing on wood have a central stem and many have apparently no stem at all.

_Polyporus picipes. Fr._

THE BLACK-FOOTED POLYPORUS.

Picipes is from _pix_, pitch or black, and _pes_, foot.

The pileus is fleshy, rigid, coriaceous, tough, even, smooth, depressed either behind or in the center; livid with a chestnut-colored disk.

The pores are decurrent, rounded, small, tender, white, finally reddish-gray.

The stem is eccentric and lateral, equal, firm; at first velvety, then naked; punctate with black dots, becoming black.

The stem at the base is pitch-black, as will be seen in Figure 319. The margin of the cap is very thin and the caps are irregularly funnel-form. This plant is widely distributed over the United States and is quite common about Chillicothe. Found in damp woods on decayed logs from July to November. When very young and tender it can be eaten.

_Polyporus umbellatus. Fr._

THE SUN-SHADE POLYPORUS. EDIBLE.

Plate XLIV. Figure 320.--Polyporus umbellatus.]

Umbellatus is from _umbella_, a sun-shade. Very much branched, fibrous-fleshy, toughish. The pileoli are very numerous, one-half to one and a half inches broad, sooty, dull-red, united at the base. Pores are minute and white. White pileoli have sometimes occurred. _Fries._

The tufts, as will be observed from Figure 320, are very dense, and there seems to be no limit to their branching. Notice that every cap is depressed or umbilicate. The specimen in Figure 320 was collected near Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, by Mr. C. G. Lloyd, Cincinnati, and through his courtesy I have used his print. I have found the plant about Chillicothe and Sidney, Ohio. It is found on decayed roots on the ground, or on stumps. When the caps are fresh they are quite good.

May to November.

_Polyporus frondosus. Fr._

THE BRANCHED POLYPORUS. EDIBLE.

Frondosus, full of leafy branches. The tufts are from six inches to over a foot broad, very much branched, fibrous-fleshy, toughish.

The pileoli are very numerous, one-half to two inches broad, sooty-gray, dimidiate, wrinkled, lobed, intricately recurved. Flesh white. Stems, growing into each other, white.

The pores are rather tender, very small, acute, white, commonly round, but in oblique position, gaping open and torn. _Fries._

The specimen in Figure 321 was found near Chillicothe. When tender it is very good. Found on stumps and roots from September till the coming of frost.

We are told that in the Roman markets this mushroom is frequently sold as an article of food.

_Polyporus leucomelas. Fr._

Leucomelas is from two Greek words, _leucos_, white, and _melas_, black.

The pileus is two to four inches broad, fleshy, somewhat fragile, irregularly shaped, silky, sooty-black; flesh soft, reddish when broken.

The pores are rather large, unequal, ashy or whitish, becoming black when drying.

The stem is one to three inches long, stout, unequal, somewhat tomentose, sooty-black, becoming black internally. The pileus and stem become black in places.

The spores are cylindric-fusoid, pale-brown, 10-12×4-5µ.

They are usually found in pine woods. The caps are often deformed and are easily broken. The pores resemble those of a Boletus. The plant is quite widely distributed. The one in Figure 322 was found in Massachusetts by Mrs. Blackford, and I photographed it after it was partially dry. It is probably the same as P. griseus, P.

_Polyporus Berkeleyi. Fr._

BERKELEY'S POLYPORUS. EDIBLE.

The pileoli are fleshy, tough, becoming hard and corky, many times imbricated, sometimes growing very large, with many in a head; subzonate, finally tomentose; the plant very much branched, alutaceous.

The stem is short or entirely wanting, arising from a long and thick caudex.

The pore surface is very large, the pores are large and irregular, angular, pale-yellowish.

I have seen some very large specimens of this species. The natural size of the specimen in Figure 323 is two and one-fourth feet across. When young it is edible, but not equal to P. sulphureus. It is found growing on the ground near trees and stumps, and is a widely distributed plant.

Plate XLV. Figure 324.--Polyporus Berkeleyi.

Reduced. Natural size being 2½ feet across.]

_Polyporus giganteus. Fr._

THE GIANT POLYPORUS. EDIBLE.

Giganteus is from _gigas_, a giant. The pileoli are very numerous, imbricated, fleshy, tough, somewhat coriaceous, flaccid, somewhat zoned; color a grayish-brown in young specimens, the deep cream pore surfaces tipping the pileoli, rendering it a very attractive plant; this cream-color is quickly changed to black or deep-brown by touching it.

The pores are minute, shallow, round, pallid, at length torn.

The stem is branched, connate from a common tuber.

This is a large and certainly a very attractive plant, being very often two to three feet across. When young and tender it is edible. Found growing on decayed stumps and roots, it is somewhat common in our state. I have found some quite large specimens about Chillicothe. It is easily distinguished by its pore surface turning black or dark-brown to the touch. When young and tender it makes a good stew, but it must be well cooked.

_Polyporus squamosus. Fr._

THE SCALY POLYPORUS.

Figure 325.--Polyporus squamosus. Natural size.]

Squamosus means abounding in scales. The pileus is from three to eighteen inches broad, fleshy, fan-shaped, expanded, flattened, somewhat ochraceous, variegated, with scattered, brown, adpressed scales.

The stem is eccentric and lateral, blunt, reticulated at apex, blackish at the base.

The pores are thin, variable; at first minute, then broad, angular and torn; pallid. Spores are white and elliptical, 14×6µ.

It is found from Massachusetts to Iowa, and grows very large. Specimens have been reported seven feet in circumference and attaining a weight of 40 pounds.

The specimen in Figure 325 was found by Mr. C. G. Lloyd in the woods at Red Bank, near Cincinnati. It is quite a common plant in Europe.

It is tough, but it is prepared for eating by being cut fine and stewed for a half hour or more.

In Figure 325 the angular and torn pores are obvious, as well as the scales which give rise to its name. Found on trunks and stumps from May to November.

_Polyporus sulphureus. Fr._

THE SULPHUR-COLORED POLYPORUS. EDIBLE.

Plate XLVI. Figure 326.--Polyporus sulphureus.]

Sulphureus, pertaining to sulphur, so called from the color of the tube-bearing surface. In mature specimens the growth is horizontal, spreading fan-like from the stem, undulating with radiating flutings. The upper surface is salmon, orange, or orange-red; flesh cheesy, light-yellow, the edge being smooth and unevenly thickened with nodule-like prominences. In young specimens the ascending, under yellow surface outwardly exposed.

The pore surface is a bright sulphur-yellow, which is more persistent than the color of the cap; pores very minute, short, often formed of inflexed masses.

The stem is short, a mere close attachment for the spreading growth. The taste is slightly acid and mucilaginous when raw. The spores are elliptical and white, 7-8×4-5µ.

It grows on decayed logs, on stumps, and on decayed places in living trees. The mycelium of this species will frequently be found in the hearts of trees and remain there for years before the tree is injured sufficiently for the mycelium to come to the surface. It may take months, or a century, to accomplish this.

When this plant is young and tender it is a prime favorite with all who know it. It is found from August to November. Its favorite host is an oak stump or log.

_Polyporus flavovirens. B. & Rav._

Flavovirens means yellowish-green or olivaceous.

The pileus is quite large, three to six inches broad, convex, expanded funnel-form or repand, fleshy, tomentose, yellowish-green or olivaceous; frequently the pileus is cracked when old; flesh white.

The pores are not large, toothed, white or whitish, decurrent upon the stem which is tapering.

This plant is very common on the oak hillsides about Chillicothe. The plants in Figure 327 were found by Miss Margaret Mace on the Governor Tiffin farm, about twelve miles north of Chillicothe, growing in large groups under oak trees. It is edible though often tough. It is found in August and September. It is very abundant in this region.

_Polyporus heteroclitus. Fr._

THE BOUQUET POLYPORUS. EDIBLE.

Heteroclitus is from two Greek words; one of two and to lean, referring to its habit of growth, leaning apparently upon the ground or the base of a tree or stump. It is cæspitose and coriaceous. The pileoli are two and a half inches broad, orange and sessile, expanded on all sides from the radical tubercle, lobed, villous, zoneless.

The pores are irregularly shaped and elongated, golden yellow. _Fries._

The specimen in Figure 328 was found by Mr. Beyerly at Richmond Dale, Ohio. It was over a foot in diameter and eight inches high, growing in many cæspitose layers, on the ground under an oak tree, from a radical tubercle. The flesh was juicy and tender, breaking easily. The radical tubercle from which it grew was filled with a milky juice. The flesh was somewhat lighter in color than the outside pilei, which extended horizontally from the tubercle. It is a very showy and attractive plant, and as Captain McIlvaine remarks, it looks like a "mammoth dahlia" in bloom. When young and tender it is good, but in age it becomes rank. This plant was found July 1st. It grows in the months of June and July.

_Polyporus radicatus. Schw._

Radicatus, from the long root the plant has. The pileus is fleshy, quite tough, cushion-shaped, slightly depressed, pale sooty, somewhat downy.

The pores are decurrent, quite large, obtuse, equal, white.

The stem is very long, often eccentric, tapering downward, sometimes ventricose as in Figure 329, rooting quite deep, black below.

It is found on the ground in the woods and in old clearings beside old trees and stumps.

The blackish or brown pileus, which is more or less tomentose, with a black stem more or less deformed, will serve to distinguish the species. Found from September to November.

_Polyporus perplexus. Pk._

The pileus is spongy-fleshy, fibrous, sessile, commonly imbricated, and somewhat confluent, irregular, hairy-tomentose to setose-hispid, grayish-tawny, or ferruginous, the margin subacute, sterile, the substance within tawny-ferruginous, somewhat zonate.

The pores are two to three lines long, unequal, angular, the dissepiments becoming brownish-ferruginous with age or where bruised. The spores are ferruginous, broadly elliptical, .00024 to .0003 inch long and about .0002 broad. _Peck._

This is very abundant on beech logs, growing quite large, massive, imbricated, and confluent, the pileoli being often two to four inches broad. It is very closely related to P. cuticularis and P. hispidus. It can be easily distinguished from P. cuticularis by means of its straight margin, and from P. hispidus by its small size and smaller pores. Found from September to November.

_Polyporus hispidus. Fr._

Pileus is very large, eight to ten inches broad and three to four inches thick, compact, spongy, fleshy but fibrous, dimidiate, with occasionally a very short stem; generally very hairy, but sometimes smooth; the pileus is often marked with concentric lines which seem to indicate arrested vegetation; brown, blackish, yellowish or reddish brown, below pale-yellow or rich sienna-brown, margin paler.

The pores are minute, round, inclined to separate, fringed, paler. The spores are yellowish, apiculate, 10×7µ. Often found on living trees, the plant gains entrance to the living stem through the bark, by means of a wound made by some agency, as a bird or a boring insect; soon a mass of mycelium is formed, and from this the fruiting body is produced.

_Polyporus cuticularis. Fr._

Pileus is quite thin, spongy, fleshy, then dry; plane, hairy-tomentose, ferruginous, then blackish-brown; margin fibrous, fimbriate, internally loose and parallel, fibrous.

The pores are long, quite small, pale, then ochraceous; pores longer than the thickness of the flesh. The spores are yellow or ochraceous, very abundant, 7×4-5µ. The hairs on the pileus are three-cleft.

This is very frequent in beech woods about Chillicothe. Found in September and October.

_Polyporus circinatus. Fr._

THE ROUND POLYPORUS. EDIBLE.

Circinatus is from _circinus_, a pair of compasses, hence means rounded like a circle.