Illustrations of Fungi—XVI

Abstract

The accompanying figures represent some of the tough and woody fungi known as polypores. Most of the species of this group grow on dead wood in brackets of various sizes and shapes, the fruiting surface being composed of tubes or furrows. Sometimes the walls of these tubes split with age and the hymenium appears spiny, resembling the hydnums; sometimes the furrows change-with age to appear like gills. When the fruit-body is perennial, the tubes are often arranged in layers. The family may be divided into four groups, the resupinates, the annual poroid species, the perennial poroid species, and the agaric-like species. The resupinate species are difficult for the beginner; some of the larger species of the other groups are comparatively easy. Polypores as a class are very destructive to trees and timber. On the other hand, one species possesses medicinal properties, some of the encrusted species supply tinder, and several of the more juicy ones are excellent for food if collected when young. The only species recognized as poisonous is the medicinal one, Fomes Laricis, and it is so tough and bitter that no one would think of eating it.