7. TRAMETES GIBBOSA. }

=POLY´PORUS= Fr. _Gr_—many; a passage, pore. =Pileus= fleshy, moist, tough, becoming harder in age, internally composed of radiating fibers; the spore-bearing surface is within passages or pores which are made by the descending substance of the pileus forming the dissepiments or separating walls, hence they are not easily separable from the pileus or from one another. The pores not appearing at first, then becoming rounded, angular or torn. They form a distinct strata. =Stem= central, eccentric, lateral or absent. With few exceptions growing from wood. Section Merisma contains species which are conspicuous among fungi for their size and beauty. The majority of this genus are unedible, because of their being woody, tough or bitter. Few of the edible species are of the first class. Excellent dishes are made by stewing the species well, serving them in patties or in croquettes. The cooking of P. intybaceus is a guide to all. ANALYSIS OF TRIBES. I.—MESOPUS. (_Gr_—middle; a foot.) Page 479. Stem single, distinct, central or eccentric; not black at the base. II.—PLEUROPUS. (_Gr_—the side; a foot.) Page 480. Stem single, lateral or eccentric; base black. III.—MERISMA. (_Gr_—to divide.) Page 482. Divided into numerous pileoli, borne on a simple or much-branched stem, or a short, thick tubercle. IV.—APUS. (_Gr_—without; a foot.) Page 488. Stem wanting; pileus attached by the side or spread on the matrix. V.—RESUPINATI. (Lying on the back.) Page 489. The pores being placed directly upon the wood or on the mycelium, the pileus proper is absent. I.—ME´SOPUS. =P. ovi´nus= Schaeff.—relating to sheep. =Pileus= 2–4 in. broad, fleshy, thick, fragile, irregular in shape, becoming scaly, whitish. =Stem= short, thick, 1 in. or more in length, white. =Pores= minute, equal, round, white then citron-color. On the ground. Autumn. North Carolina, _Curtis_; Massachusetts, _Frost_; Ohio, _Morgan_; New York, ground in pine woods. Bethlehem. September, _Peck_, 22d Rep. Cordier says it possesses an agreeable odor of almonds and that Fries and his companions ate it raw in their mycological excursions. Edible. _Peck_, _Curtis_. =P. leuco´melas= (Pers.) Fr.—_leucos_, white; _melas_, black. =Pileus= 2–4 in. broad, fleshy, somewhat fragile, irregularly-shaped, silky, sooty-black. =Flesh= soft, reddish when broken. =Stem= 1–3 in. in length, stout, unequal, somewhat tomentose, sooty-black, becoming black internally. Pileus and stem becoming black in places. =Pores= rather large, unequal, ashy or whitish, becoming black in drying. =Spores= pale brown, 10–12×4–5µ. _Massee._ North Carolina, edible, _Curtis_; Ohio, a curious esculent. _Morgan._ =P. circina´tus= Fr.—round. =Pileus= 3–4 in. broad, compact, thick round, plane, zoneless, velvety, reddish-brown. =Flesh= the same color. It forms duplicate strata of pilei, the inferior contiguous with the stem and corky; the superior compact, soft, floccose. =Stem= 1 in. thick and high, bearing a reddish-brown tomentum. =Pores= decurrent, entire, dusky-gray. In fir woods. A noble species, memorable for the stratified duplicate pilei. Var. _prolif´erus._ Like the typical form but having one or more pilei developed from the upper surface of the first one. Fulton Chain. August. _Peck_, 46th Rep. N.Y. State Bot. New York. On ground in borders of woods. September. _Peck_, 32d, 46th Rep. On ground in oak woods, West Philadelphia. _McIlvaine._ When young the soft pilei are good. [Illustration: Photographed by Dr. J.R. Weist. PLATE CXXX. POLYPORUS SQUAMOSUS. ] II.—PLEUROPUS. =P. squamo´sus= Fr.—_squama_, a scale. (Plate CXXX, p. 480.) =Pileus= 3 in.-1½ ft. broad, somewhat ochraceous, _variegated with a broad_, _adpressed, spot-like_, centrifugal, _darker scales_, fleshy-pliant, fan-shaped, flattened. =Stem= excentric and lateral, obese, _reticulated_ at the apex, blackish at the base. =Pores= thin, variable (at first minute), then large, angular and torn, pallid. _Fries._ Handsome, commonly very large, somewhat central and umbilicate when young, at length lateral, very variable in shape. On trunks and stumps, chiefly ash. Common. May to November. _Stevenson._ =Spores= oval, white, 14×6µ _W.G.S._; elliptical, colorless, 12×5µ _Massee_. Massachusetts, _Sprague_; Iowa, _Macbride_; New York. Trunk of elm. May. _Peck_, 27th Rep.; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On fallen trunks and on stumps. May to November. _McIlvaine._ This species does not seem to be common in America, but is found throughout Europe. It varies in size from 3 in. to over 3 feet. It has been known to attain the circumference of 7 ft. 5 in., and the weight of 40 lbs. Dr. Badham says that it can not be masticated and that its expressed juice is very disagreeable. The fact, however, remains that it is eaten, and is recorded as edible by most authors. It is undoubtedly tough, but cut fine and stewed slowly for half an hour it is quite as tender as the muscle of an oyster and has a pleasant flavor. =P. pi´cipes= Fr.—_pix_, pitch; _pes_, a foot. Pallid then chestnut, commonly pale yellowish-livid, with the disk chestnut. =Pileus= fleshy-coriaceous, then rigid, tough, even, smooth, depressed at the disk or behind. =Flesh= white. =Stem= excentric and lateral, equal, firm, at first velvety, then naked, dotted, black up to the pores. =Pores= decurrent, round, very small, rather slender, white, then slightly pale yellowish. _Fries._ Imbricated, odor somewhat sweet. The pileus is depressed behind, commonly emarginate, funnel-shaped with lobes all round. On trunks, especially willow. Frequent. July to December. _Stevenson._ Many young plants, in tufts upon a decaying oak log, were found by me at Mt. Gretna, August, 1899. They were oyster-color, the very thin caps translucent, 2–6 in. across, 1⁄16 in. thick; pores not visible to the naked eye. The black dots upon the stems developed some time after gathering. They were pleasantly crisp when stewed and of fine flavor. Older specimens were bitter and tough. III.—MERISMA. =P. umbella´tus= Fr.—_umbella_, a sun-shade. Very much branched, fibrous-fleshy, toughish. =Pileoli= very numerous, ½-1½ in. broad, sooty, dull-red or pallid light-yellow, _entire, umbilicate_. =Stems= elongated, separate, united at the base, white. =Pores= minute, white. The pileoli have occurred white. _Fries._ Edible. _Fries._ New York, _Peck_, Rep. 51; Richmond, Ind., _Dr. J.R. Weist_; Gouverneur, N.Y., _Mrs. E.C. Anthony_; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On decaying roots in ground and on stumps. May to November. _McIlvaine._ Tufts dense, branches spreading from a center. The pilei up to 2 in. across, connected at base. The dense spreading tufts, up to a foot across and half as high, are very noticeable. The flesh is soft and of good flavor. Cook like P. intybaceus. =P. a´nax= Berk. Fleshy, fibrous, rather tough, dusky-gray, branching out from a thick, single stem at the base and forming a large head of branches and pileoli 10–20 lines in diameter; the branches terminate in numerous large pileoli of various forms and size, imbricating, confluent and recurved. =Flesh= and =pores= white. =Stems= thick, growing together, white. =Pores= large, unequal, angular, white. =Spores= white, subelliptic, 7–8µ long. Ohio, at the base of oak trees and stumps. Autumn. _Morgan._ This species has apparently been confused by some American mycologists with P. intybaceus. I have received specimens of it bearing that name. The spores of that species are described as elliptic or ovoid. The spores of Polyporus anax, as shown by our specimens, are globose. _Peck_, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot. Ohio, _Morgan_; New York, _Peck_, 51st Rep.; New Jersey, _Sterling_; Angora, West Philadelphia, growing on rotting stump. September, 1897, _McIlvaine._ Edible when young and fresh. [Illustration: Photographed by Dr. J.R. Weist. PLATE CXXVIII. POLYPORUS FRONDOSUS. ] =P. frondo´sus= Fr.—_frons_, a leafy branch. (Plate CXXVIII, p. 482.) Tuft ½-1 ft. broad, very much branched, fibrous-fleshy, toughish. =Pileoli= very numerous, ½-2 in., sooty-gray, _dimidiate, wrinkled_, lobed, intricately recurved. =Flesh= white. =Stems= growing into each other, white. =Pores= _rather tender, very small, acute_, white. Pores commonly round, but in an oblique position, gaping open and torn. _Fries._ North Carolina, _Curtis_; Iowa, _Macbride_; New York, _Peck_, 24th Rep.; West Virginia, 1881–1885, Chester county, Angora, Philadelphia, Pa. On stumps, roots, etc. Rare. September to frost, _McIlvaine_. Edible. _Curtis._ Sold in the Roman market. Tufts up to 12 in. across; the branches very numerous, up to 2 in. wide. The plant is tender when young and grows tough as it matures. When young it is of good flavor and edible—older it makes a well-flavored gravy, or is edible if chopped fine and very well cooked. (Plate CXXIX.) [Illustration: POLYPORUS INTYBACEUS.] =P. intyba´ceus= Fr.—succory-like. Very much branched, fleshy, somewhat fragile. =Pileoli= _very numerous_, pale-yellowish inclining to fuscous, _dimidiate, stretched out_, sinuate, at length spathulate. =Stems= connate in a very short trunk. =Pores= _firm, obtuse_, white, inclining to dingy-brown. _Fries._ About same size as P. frondosus and larger. _Stevenson._ =Spores= colorless, elliptical, 7×3.5µ _Massee_; 6×3µ _W.G.S._ Indiana, _H.I. Miller_. Base of living trees. Woodland Cemetery, West Philadelphia, Pa., Mt. Gretna, Pa., West Virginia, New Jersey. Large tufts growing from oak roots in ground and at base of oak trees. _McIlvaine._ Edible. _Stevenson._ Paulet says: In place of its being heavy upon the stomach, _he_ will feel all the lighter who sups upon it. The people of the Vosges call it the Hen-of-the-Woods. The words of the old song— “So very much depends upon The way in which it’s done,” apply with exceptional force to the cooking of P. intybaceus. If it is cut in thin slices across the grain and slowly stewed for half an hour it will be tender and of good flavor. It can then be served in that way, or made into patties or croquettes. =P. crista´tus= Fr.—_crista_, a crest. Branched, firmly fleshy, fragile. =Pileoli= about 3 in. broad, _reddish-green_, entire and dimidiate, imbricated, _depressed, somewhat pulverulent-villous, then cracked into scales_. =Stems= connate, irregularly shaped, white. =Pores= minute, angular and torn, whitish. _Fries._ Very changeable in form, sometimes simple with an undulato-lobed, central pileus. Edible. _Curtis._ Mt. Gretna, Pa., Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia, West Virginia. On ground over roots, open woods and grassy places. September, October. _McIlvaine._ Variable in form, but usually in rose-shaped clusters, which are slightly greenish at times; oftener shades of yellow. The substance is the same in texture as P. intybaceus. Cook in same manner. =P. con´fluens= Fr.—stems confluent; adherent. =Pilei= branched, fleshy, fragile, thick, dimidiate, imbricated, confluent, smooth, fleshy-yellow becoming obscure, slightly scaly. =Stem= short. =Pores= short, minute, pallid-white. Eaten about Nice; savor a little sharp. _Cordier_; North Carolina, superior eating. _Curtis._ Pine woods. New Scotland. September. Our specimens are not at all squamulose, and this character is not attributed to the species by all authors. It is probable that it is not uniform in this respect. _Peck_, 39th Rep. N.Y. State Bot. =P. Berk´eleyi= Fr. Very much branched. =Pileoli= very large, subzonate, finally tomentose, yellowish, fleshy, tough becoming corky and hard. =Stem= short or none, arising from a long and thick common base growing out of the ground usually near trees or stumps. =Pores= rather large, irregular, angular, pale yellowish. A magnificent specimen found near Boston a dozen years ago and exhibited in the window of Doyle, the florist, was fully four feet high and from two to three feet broad, containing very many pileoli. North Carolina, edible, _Curtis_; Iowa, _Bessey_; Ohio, _Morgan_; Mt. Gretna, Pa., very large specimens, 20 in. across. _McIlvaine._ Edible when young. =P. gigante´us= Fr.—_gigas_, a giant. Tuft 1–2 ft. and more broad, in many imbricated layers, fleshy-pliant then somewhat coriaceous. =Pilei= _date-brown_, dimidiate, very broad, flaccid, somewhat zoned, rivulose, depressed behind. =Stems= connato-branched from a common tuber. =Pores= _minute, somewhat round, pallid_, at length torn. The rigid cuticle separates into granules or fibrillose squamules. Pores becoming dark when touched. _Fries._ Edible, _Curtis_. Esculent when young. On the continent its esculent qualities are known and appreciated. _Cooke._ West Virginia, Chester county, Pa., Eagle’s Mere, Pa. On decaying stumps and roots. _McIlvaine._ It is well marked by its spore-surface becoming black to the touch. When young and fresh it stews to a pleasant, edible consistency, but is tough if not well cooked or too old. The flavor of a gravy from it is at all times good. =P. sulphu´reus= Fr.—_sulphur_, brimstone. (Plate CXXV, fig. 2, p. 476.) In many cespitose layers, 1–2 ft. and more, _juicy-cheesy_. =Pilei= 8 in. or more broad, _reddish-yellow_, imbricated, undulated, rather smooth. =Flesh= light yellowish, then white, splitting open and not hardened when old. =Pores= minute, plane, _sulphur-yellow_. _Fries._ Soon becoming pale. Commonly sessile, but varying with a stem, lateral on standing trees, but expanded on all sides on fallen ones; also club-shaped, porous throughout. _Sow._ In its fullest vigor it is filled with sulphur-yellow milk. On living trees and stumps. Frequent. August to October. _Stevenson._ =Spores= oval, white, minutely papillose, 8×5µ _W.G.S._; elliptical, hyaline, slightly papillose, 7–8×4–5µ _Massee_. Edible. _Stevenson_, _Curtis_. Maryland, _Miss Banning_; Indiana, _H.I. Miller_; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On willow, apple, cherry, maple, hickory, etc. Frequent. August to November. _McIlvaine._ Frequently in large masses. Commonly broadly attached, but sometimes with a short stem. Very occasionally a single pileus will protrude from a tree like a giant yellow tongue shaded with reddish-orange. Usually the pilei are in clusters united in a solid base, white-fleshed and rich in color. I have seen clusters two feet across. On an old willow at Mt. Gretna, a cluster 18 in. across afforded a dozen meals. Whenever a meal was wanted a pound or two was broken off. It lasted until January. If P. sulphureus is cooked properly it is a delicious fungus. Cut fine, stew slowly and well, season, add butter, milk with a little thickening. =P. macula´tus= Pk.—having _maculæ_-spots. =Pileus= of a cheesy consistence, broad, flattened, sometimes confluent, sessile or narrowed into a short stem, slightly uneven, white or yellowish-white, marked with darker zones and watery spots. =Pores= minute, subangular, short, whitish, sometimes tinged with brown. =Flesh= white. =Pileus= 4–6 in. broad, 6–8 lines thick. Prostrate trunks of trees in woods. Worcester. July. In texture and shape this species is related to P. sulphureus, but the pores are smaller than in that species. The plants are sometimes cespitose, sometimes single. The spots in the dried specimens have a smooth depressed appearance. _Peck_, 26th Rep. Angora, West Philadelphia. September, 1896. Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1897–1898. On white oak trunks. _McIlvaine._ Several specimens of different ages proved good eating. Like P. sulphureus it must be well cooked. =P. hetero´clitus= Fr. _Gr_—one of two; _Gr_, to lean. In many cespitose layers, coriaceous. =Pilei= 2½ in. broad, _orange, sessile, expanded on all sides from a radical tubercle_, lobed, villous, zoneless. Pores irregularly shaped and elongated, golden-yellow. _Fries._ On the ground under oak. Rare. The flat pilei extend horizontally from the tubercle. Irregular, eccentric. _Stevenson._ Minnesota, _Johnson_. Haddonfield, N.J., Hopkin’s woods. June to July, 1890–1896. _McIlvaine._ Of all fungoid growth this is the most showy. Its clusters, often a foot and a half in diameter and spread like mammoth dahlias, are gorgeous in color and conspicuous in design. Resting upon the ground or reared against the base of tree or stump, they deceive by their likeness to gaudy bouquets, left by foreign picnickers. In quality it is the same as P. sulphureus. It does not, however, retain its edibility. As it ages it becomes offensive. =P. por´ipes= Fr.—porous-stemmed. =Pileus= 1.5–3 in. broad, rather fleshy, sinuately repand, smooth, grayish-brown. =Stem= central or excentric, firm, smooth, 1.5–3 in. long, 4–6 lines thick, punctuated by the whitish decurrent pores. On earth in hilly regions. =Cap= 2 in. across, light drab, smooth, slightly furfuraceous toward center, broken into minute appressed squamules, zoned. =Flesh= fibrous, white-pliable. =Tubes= very shallow, round mouths with obtuse divisions, china-white, running down to base of stem. =Stem= eccentric, almost lateral, entirely surrounded by pores, connate at base, ½ in. thick. =Smell= pleasant. New York. Ground. August, _Peck_, Rep. 24; Mt. Gretna, Pa., August to November, _McIlvaine_. A large tufted species growing on the ground in woods, August to November, _McIlvaine_. When raw tastes like the best chestnuts or filberts, but rather too dry cooked. _Curtis._ It must be chopped fine and slowly cooked. =P. immi´tis= Pk.—wide, rude. =Pilei= cespitose-imbricated, broad, slightly convex or flattened, more or less rough or uneven, radiately-wrinkled, tuberculose or fibrous-bristled, zoneless, white, becoming tinged with yellow or alutaceous in drying. =Flesh= white, slightly fibrous, soft and moist when fresh, cheesy when dry, with a subacid odor. =Pores= minute, angular or even subflexuous, about equal in length to the thickness of the pileus, the dissepiments thin, white, often at length dentate or lacerate on the edge. =Spores= minute, white, elliptical, 3–4×18–20µ. =Pilei= 2–4 in. broad, the flesh commonly 3–4 lines thick. Decaying ash trunks. East Berne. August. The species is apparently related to P. cæsareus, but the character of the pores is quite different in the two species. _Peck_, 35th Rep. N.Y. State Bot. Mt. Gretna, Pa. On dead black oak. August to November, 1898. Several clusters grew on dead black oaks. The pilei overlap and the wrinkled corrugated margins curve downward, giving them the semblance of shells. From a distance a group looks like Pleurotus ostreatus. The substance is juicy; while cooking it is at first bitter, but this disappears. It becomes tender and well flavored. =P. alliga´tus= Fr.—_alligo_, to bind to. In many cespitose layers, fibrous-fleshy, rigid-fragile. =Pilei= tan-isabelline, imbricated, unequal, _zoneless, villous_. =Pores= minute, soft, white, readily becoming stopped up with flocci. Often clavate when young. Commonly wrapping round stipules and grasses. _Fries._ =Spores= elliptical, pale, 6×7µ _Massee_. Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia. Among oak trees on grassy ground. July, August, September. _McIlvaine._ Tufts frequently weigh two pounds. When young the plant cooks well, is tender and of sweet, pleasant flavor. When old it has a sour unpleasant odor. IV.—APUS. =P. chio´neus= Fr. _Gr_—snow. White =pileus= 1 in. and more broad, fleshy, _soft, becoming even, smooth_, zoneless, often extended behind, margin inflexed. =Pores= curt, very small, round, equal, quite entire. _Fries._ Always soft, fragile, hyaline-white when moist, shining white when dry. Odor acid. Without a cuticle. _Stevenson._ =Spores= white, oval, 21×3µ _W.G.S._ New York. Decaying wood of frondose trees. _Peck_, 33d Rep. Angora, Philadelphia, Mt. Gretna, Pa. On standing and fallen timber. June to September. _McIlvaine._ This snow-white Polyporus is too conspicuous to be passed unseen. One does not expect to find snow-balls stuck against trees in August. At a distance it resembles one. When young and fresh it is good. =P. betuli´nus= Fr.—_betula_, birch. =Pileus= fleshy, then corky, hoof-shaped, obtuse, zoneless, smooth, _the oblique vertex in the form of an umbo_, pellicle thin, separating. =Pores= late of being developed, curt, minute, unequal, at length separating. _Fries._ On living and dead birch. Common. May to December. =Pileus= 3–6 in. broad. The pileus is at first pale, then acquiring a brownish tinge. The edge is always very obtuse. _Stevenson._ The lower surface or hymenium is frequently rough with numerous acicular projections, making the plant look like a Hydnum when viewed horizontally. _Peck_, 24th Rep. N.Y. State Bot. Massachusetts, Kansas, New York. _Peck_, Rep. 24. Wherever the birch grows this neat, white-fleshed Polyporus abounds. When young it is eaten by deer. Dried it burns with a white flame, or holds fire as well as the best punk. It is a valuable fuel, already prepared for the stove. In the birch forests near Eagle’s Mere, Pa., tons of it can be seen protruding from tree and log. When very young it is fair. Unpleasant when old. V.—RESUPINATI. =P. sinuo´sus= Fr.—full of folds. Broadly effused, adnate, dry, the evanescent mycelium somewhat rooting, white then yellowish. =Pores= large, surface flexuous, acute, lacerated. Odor of licorice. New York. Decaying wood of maple. _Peck_, 40th Rep. Mt. Gretna, Pa. _McIlvaine._ Of but little food value. Collected carefully and boiled, it yields a pleasantly flavored liquor. [Illustration] =MERU´LIUS= Hall. (Plate CXXVI, fig. 3, p. 478.) Hymenophore resting on a loose mold-like mycelium, covered with the soft, waxy, continuous hymenium, having its surface variously plicate or wrinkled, the folds forming irregular pores, sometimes obsoletely toothed. Generally on wood. I have tasted, raw, every species I have found. They are all more or less woody in flavor, and I believe them to be edible. At the best Merulius would be an emergency genus. M. tremellosus is substantial, as is M. rubellus Pk. =M. tremello´sus= Schrad.—_tremellosus_, trembling. Resupinate; margin becoming free and more or less reflexed, usually radiately-toothed, gelatinoso-cartilaginous; hymenium variously wrinkled and porous; whitish and subtranslucent looking, becoming tinged brown in the center. =Spores= cylindrical, curved, about 4×1µ. On wood. From 1–3 in. across, remaining pale when growing in dark places. Margin sometimes tinged rose, radiating when well developed. _Massee._ =Spores= cylindrical, curved, hyaline, 4×1µ _K._ New York. Old logs, stumps, Catskill mountains. _Peck_, 22d Rep. N.Y. State Bot. Mt. Gretna, Pa. Common, both rose-colored and translucent brown species, numerous on decaying wood. October to November, 1898–1899. _McIlvaine._ M. tremellosus is a common species and rather attractive looking. In substance it approaches Tremella and Peziza. The spore-bearing surface is superior (turned upward) and then sometimes turned in at the margin which frequently is bright rose color, sometimes yellowish-rose. It is rather tasteless—slightly woody in flavor, rather tough. An emergency species. =M. rubel´lus= Pk.—_rubellus_, dim. of _ruber_, reddish. Generally cespitose, imbricated, sessile, dimidiate, soft, tenacious, tomentose, evenly red, pale when dry; margin mostly undulately inflexed; hymenium white or flesh-color; folds branching, forming anastomosing pores. =Spores= elliptical, hyaline, minute, 4–5×2.5–3µ. =Pileus= 2–3 in. long, 1.5 in. broad. Somewhat related to M. tremellosus. On trunks of beech in woods. Ohio, _Morgan_; Indiana, _Dr. J.R. Weist_; Mt. Gretna, Pa., November. _McIlvaine._ Specimens identified by Professor Peck. Tough, but edible. FAMILY III.—=HYDNA´CEÆ.= =Hymenium= inferior or amphigenous (not confined to one surface), from the first definitely protuberant, spread over persistent spines, bristles, teeth, tubercles or papilla. _Fries._ While the highest members of this family possess the general form of the mushroom, others, lacking a stem, recline on the back (resupinate); the lowest, without even the appearance of a distinct pileus, seem to be simply spread over the supporting body (effused). In the highest class the spines or other spore-bearing surface are inferior, _i. e._, below the pileus; in the others they are of course superior, _i. e._, above the pileus. Of the eleven genera but two contain species of food value. Hydnum, characterized by its acute spines, embraces species which are eaten as delicacies, and Irpex, distinguished by its somewhat acute teeth growing from a ridgy hymenium, contains those which may furnish sustenance in time of need. In Caldesia, bearing spines, the texture is floccose not fleshy. Sistotrema has a pileus and a central stem, but instead of spines bears irregular flattened teeth. The remaining genera are separated by the tubercles, granules, folds, etc., which take the place of spines or teeth. Several species of Hydnum are common to earth and wood, others are distinct in their habitats. SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA. HYDNUM. Page 494. Sporophore fleshy, with a central stem or entirely resupinate, texture compact, spines acute, distinct at the base. CALDESIELLA. Resupinate; texture floccose, spines acute; spores muriculate. (No edible species reported.) SISTOTREMA. Pileate; fleshy, central-stemmed, teeth flattened, irregular, inferior. (No edible species reported.) IRPEX. Page 504. Resupinate; teeth rather acute, springing from folds or ridges that often anastomose irregularly. RADULUM. Resupinate; tubercles coarse, deformed, subcylindrical, obtuse. (No edible species reported.) PHLEBIA. Resupinate; hymenium covered with folds or wrinkles, having the edge entire or corrugated. (No edible species reported.) GRANDINIA. Resupinate; hymenium with crowded, globose, persistent, hemispherical, minute granules, having their apices more or less excavated. (No edible species reported.) POROTHELIUM. Resupinate; hymenium with scattered wart-like granules, which become more or less elongated and excavated at the apices. (No edible species reported.) ODONTIA. Resupinate; hymenium densely covered with small granules that are divided at the apices in a penicillate manner. (No edible species reported.) KNEIFFIA. Resupinate; hymenium covered with very minute, barren, acute spinules. (No edible species reported.) MUCRONELLA. Spines slender, elongated, acute, not springing from a sporophore or subiculum. (No edible species reported.) =HYD´NUM.= _Gr_—name for some edible fungus. Hymenium inferior, bearing awl-shaped =Spines=, distinct at the base. _Fries._ In this genus the spines proceed from an even surface, not folded or wrinkled, and are covered with the spore-bearing surface. The forms are extremely variable, the type of the first section, H. repandum, being easily mistaken for one of the Agaricaceæ until examined, the stem being nearly central and upright, while in other forms it is lateral or absent. Some are dimidiate (as if part of the pileus had been removed and the plant attached by the remaining portion); the lower forms are resupinate. ANALYSIS OF TRIBES. MESOPUS (_Gr_—middle, a foot). Page 495. Entire, simple, stem central. On the ground, mostly in pine woods. PLEUROPUS (_Gr_—the side; a foot). Stem lateral. None known to be edible. MERISMA (_Gr_—to divide). Page 501. Very much branched or of an irregular form without a distinct margin. APUS (_Gr_—without; a foot). Page 503. Stemless, dimidiate, margin distinct. RESUPINATI (_resupino_, to throw on the back). Without stem or distinct pileus. None known to be edible. MES´OPUS. _Gr_—middle; a foot. (Entire, simple, stem central. On the ground, mostly in pine woods.) =H. imbrica´tum= L.—_imbrex_, a tile. =Pileus= about 2–5 in. broad, _umber_, zoneless, fleshy, rather plane, somewhat umbilicate, _floccose_, tessulato-scaly. =Flesh= dingy whitish. =Stem= curt, 1–3 in. long, 1–2 in. thick, even. =Spines= 4–6 lines long, decurrent, ashy-white. There are two forms; one with the pileus plane and with thick persistent scales, another with the pileus somewhat infundibuliform, and with thinner, at length separating scales. _Stevenson._ =Spores= pale yellow brown, rough, 6–7×5µ _Massee_; 6×5µ _W.G.S._ Fleshy. The numerous scales over lapping toward the center. The surface of the cap often cracks in a tesselated manner. Flesh dingy, buffish or reddish. =Spines= short, blunt, grayish-white and mostly of equal length. In pine and mixed woods. Autumn. Of delicate taste. _Cordier._ Edible. _Curtis._ Fine specimens grew at Mt. Gretna, Pa., from September to November. Until closely examined the cap may be mistaken for that of H. zonatum. The zones of the latter and the pervading rust-color will distinguish it. Both are edible, though H. zonatum is much tougher. H. imbricatum is slightly bitter, raw. It must be sliced thin and well cooked. =H. læviga´tum= Swartz—_lævis_, smooth. =Pileus= 4–6 in. broad, _umber_, fleshy, _compact_, firm, regular, plane, _even, very smooth_, margin circinate (not repand). =Flesh= whitish, compact, but by no means fibrous, soft when fresh, pliant when dry. =Stem= short, thick, even, pallid-brown. =Spines= thin, pallid-brown. Its size is that of H. imbricatum, but it occurs twice as large, with the pileus minutely rimuloso-rivulose, by no means scaly. The stem varies curt and unequal or longer and equal. Quite distinct from H. fragile. _Stevenson._ =Spores= 10–15µ long, _Massee_; globose, warted, pale lemon-yellow, 7µ _Q._ In pine woods. August to October. Edible, _Curtis_; edible, _Leuba_. “Eaten in Alpine districts.” _Barla._ (Plate CXXXI.) [Illustration: HYDNUM SCABROSUM. Natural size. ] =H. scabro´sum= Fr.—_scabrosus_, rough. =Pileus= about 1½-4 in. broad, _brownish-yellow_, compactly fleshy, at first top-shaped, then plane above, very convex beneath, at first tomentose, then rough with flocci which are fasciculate in the form of minute crowded squamules, slightly repand at the margin. =Flesh= very thick, white, descending into the stem. =Stem= very curt, 1 in. long, and equally thick, round or compressed, dotted with the rudiments of spines decurrent upon it, ash-color, attenuated downward, roundish and blackish at the base. =Spines= 4 lines long, equal, awl-shaped, dingy-rust color, whitish at the apex, at first sight grayish-brown. _Fries._ =Spores= 4–5µ diameter. _Massee._ Hydnum scabrosum is frequently found in Pennsylvania, among pines and in mixed woods where pines grow. It occurs at Mt. Gretna, Pa., and on Springton Hills under hemlocks. The caps are soft, fleshy, and equal to H. repandum in quality. =H. squamo´sum= Schaeff.—_squama_, a scale. =Pileus= 1½-3 in. across, reddish-brown, fleshy, irregular, depressed, _smooth_, breaking up into _irregular scales_. =Flesh= whitish. =Stem= curt, attenuated downward, white. =Spines= grayish-brown, whitish at the apex. _Stevenson._ =Spores= subglobose, 5–6µ diameter. _Massee._ =Pileus= smooth and even when young. =Flesh= whitish. =Spores= grayish-brown. =Spines= whitish, giving the lower surface a much lighter appearance than the upper. Under hemlock and spruce in West Virginia, 1884. _McIlvaine._ Caps are good when sliced thin and well cooked. =H. subsquamo´sum= Batsch. =Pileus= fleshy, somewhat convex, subumbilicate, brownish-rust color, superficial scales soon dropping off; spotted with brown. =Stem= stout, unequal, smooth. =Spines= whitish, becoming brown, apex remaining whitish. North Carolina, _Curtis_; Alabama, _Peters_; Massachusetts, _Sprague_. Edible. _Curtis._ Edible. _Cordier._ (Plate CXXXII.) [Illustration: HYDNUM REPANDUM.] =H. repan´dum= L.—_repandus_, bent backward (of the cap, upward). =Pileus= 2–6 in. broad, _pallid_, etc., fleshy, fragile, _somewhat repand_, rather smooth. =Stem= 2–5 in. long, ½-1½ in. thick, irregularly shaped, _pallid_. =Spines= 4 lines long, unequal, of the same color. _Stevenson._ =Spores= pointed, 5–8µ _Massee_. =Pileus= sometimes depressed, often turned upward at margin, often waved, sometimes tomentose. Color variable—light-buff, brown, pinkish, reddish. =Flesh= whitish, compact, fragile. =Spines= conical, up to ¼ in. in length, whitish but rich creamy shades, mostly pointed, but sometimes appearing to be hollow. =Stem= central or eccentric, sometimes covered with white down, thick, uneven, usually crooked, solid, fleshy, light in color. July to November. Edible. _Curtis._ Common to most countries, and, although given as a ground-growing species, it is rather indiscriminate in its habitats. Woods, fields, leaf-covered or bare places, much decayed wood and stumps are its living places. Dr. Cooke thinks it irreproachable. Popularly it goes by the name of the Hedgehog mushroom. H. repandum varies greatly in shape, color and texture. In the open it is usually symmetrical and tough; when clustered it is irregular, often fanciful and quite brittle—tender. When sliced thin an hour’s slow cooking is sufficient. All writers commend it, and properly. =H. rufes´cens= Pers.—_rufus_, red. =Pileus= 2–3 in. across, thin, fragile, usually regular, pubescent, reddish. =Spines= 1–3 lines long, regular. =Stem= 1–3 in. long, commonly thin, nearly equal, reddish. The whole plant is reddish. In all other respects it resembles H. repandum. Usually more regular. Commonly found in woods. New York, _Peck_; North Carolina, _Curtis_, _Schweinitz_. Edible, _Curtis_. Edible, _Leuba_. Fries considered H. rufescens a variety of H. repandum, and the writer agrees with him. It is given distinct place here because Massee and Stevenson—books in the hands of many students of fungi—give it importance. It is quite as good as H. repandum. =H. ferrugi´neum= Fr. =Pileus= 1–4 in. across, corky, soft, convex, then plane or depressed, irregularly pitted, ferruginous, at first with whitish tomentum. =Flesh= ferruginous. =Spines= thin, acute, about 2 lines long, rusty-brown. =Stem= firm, 2–3 in. long, unequal, rusty-brown. =Spores= subglobose, 4µ diameter. In fir woods. Often gregarious; soft when young, corky and dry at maturity. _Massee._ Mt. Gretna, Pa. November to December, 1898. Among pine leaves. Taste mild, mealy. Tough, but when young it cooks tender. =H. zona´tum= Batsch. Ferruginous. =Pileus= 1–2 in. broad, _equally coriaceous_, thin, expanded, somewhat infundibuliform, _zoned, becoming smooth, radiately-wrinkled_, the paler margin sterile beneath. =Stem= ½-¾ in. long, 2–3 lines thick, slender, somewhat equal, floccose, base tuberous. =Spines= 1–1½ lines long, slender, pallid, then rust-color. _Stevenson._ =Spores= rough, globose, pale watery brown, 4µ diameter _Massee_. New York, _Peck_, 24th Rep. Mt. Gretna, Pa. Abundant among hemlocks; West Virginia. _McIlvaine._ Coriaceous. Edible. It will not cook tender, but yields a pleasant flavor to a gravy made of its juices. =H. albo´nigrum= Pk. =Pileus= convex or nearly plane, broadly obconical, tough but soft and densely tomentose on the upper surface, buff-brown or smoky brown, often wholly covered with a whitish downy tomentum, sometimes on the margin only, substance within soft tomentose and buff-brown in the upper stratum, the lower half hard and black. =Spines= short, at first white, then whitish or grayish. =Stem= short, often irregular, compressed or growing together, blackish when moist, buff-brown when dry, covered with a thick dense tomentum, which is frequently more abundant toward the base, hard and black within. =Spores= white, globose, 4–5µ. =Pileus= 1–3 in. broad, sometimes 2 or 3 confluent. =Stem= 1–2 in. long. Ground in mixed woods. Gansevoort. August. _Peck_, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot. Specimens from pine woods New Jersey, _T.J. Collins_, September, 1897. 1½ in. across. Frequent at Mt. Gretna, Pa. Edible. Good flavor, but tough. =H. velle´reum= Pk. This species appears to be very much like the preceding one (H. albonigrum Pk.) from which it is separated by its smaller size and the paler brownish or rusty-brown substance of its pileus and stem. _Peck_, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot. At Mt. Gretna, Pa., the species grows with H. albonigrum. In quality it is the same. (Plate CXXXIII.) [Illustration: HYDNUM ALBIDUM.] =H. al´bidum= Pk. =Pileus= fleshy, thin, broadly convex or nearly plane, subpruinose, white. =Flesh= white. =Spines= short, white. =Stem= short, solid, central or eccentric, white. =Spores= subglobose, 4–5µ broad. The whitish Hydnum is uniformly colored in all parts. It grows in groups or in clusters. In the latter case the caps are sometimes irregular because of the crowded mode of growth and the stems are occasionally eccentric. It is a small species not liable to be mistaken for any other except possibly for very small pale forms of the spreading Hydnum. But wholly white examples of this species have never been seen by me. The =caps= are 1–2 in. broad and the =stems= are generally about 1 in. long and 3–5 lines thick. The plants grow in thin woods or in open bushy places and appear in June and July. It is not a common species, and though well flavored it is not of very great importance as an edible mushroom, because of its scarcity and small size. _Peck_, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot. Port Jefferson. July. This fungus has been tested and found to be edible. _Peck_, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot. Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1897. Specimens identified by Professor Peck. _McIlvaine._ The caps are edible and superior to H. repandum. =H. fen´nicum= Karst. =Cap= fleshy, fragile, unequal, at first scaly, at length breaking up, reddish-brick color becoming darker, margin undulately lobed, 2–4 in. broad. =Flesh= white. =Stem= sufficiently stout, unequal below, attenuated, flexuous or curved, smooth, of the same color as the cap, base acute, light white tomentum outside, inside light pale-blue or dark-gray (wood-ash), 1–3 in. long, .4–1 in. thick. =Teeth= decurrent, equal, pointed, from white dusky, about 4 mm. long. =Spores= ellipso-spheroidical or sub-spheroidical, rough, dusky, 4–6µ long, 3–5µ broad. Found in gravelly or sandy soil in woods. Found at Angora near Philadelphia. Top cracked. Identified by Professor Peck. Occurs frequently at Mt. Gretna, Pa., ground in mixed woods. August to September. The taste and smell are at first inviting, but the extreme bitter which develops destroys all desire to eat it. =H. spongio´sipes= Pk. =Pileus= convex, soft, spongy-tomentose, but tough in texture, rusty-brown, the lower stratum more firm and fibrous. but concolorous. =Spines= slender, 1–2 lines long, rusty-brown, becoming darker with age. =Stem= hard and corky within, externally spongy-tomentose, colored like the pileus, the central substance often transversely zoned especially near the top. =Spores= subglobose, nodulose, purplish-brown, 4–6µ broad. =Pileus= 1.5–4 in. broad. =Stem= 1.5–3 in. long, 4–8 lines thick. Woods. Rensselaer and Saratoga counties. August. This plant was formerly referred to Hydnum ferrugineum Fr. _Peck_, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot. Found in pine woods, near Haddonfield, N.J., by T.J. Collins, September,