Toadstools, mushrooms, fungi, edible and poisonous; one thousand American fungi

=FISTULI´NA= Bull. _Fistula_, a pipe. Hymenium formed on the under surface of a fleshy hymenophore, at first warted, the warts developing into cylindrical tubes that remain distinct and free from each other, producing in their interior cellular processes each bearing four spores. Conidia are produced in cavities of the old hymenophore. With the outward appearance of a Polyporus, but separated by the tubes being free from each other. A small genus of which F. hepatica is the principal species. This is known and valued in Europe and wherever found in this country. Unfortunately it is rare or unknown in many localities. A new species has recently been found in the United States—Fistulina firma, by Mrs. A. M. Hadley, Manchester, N.H.—a white-flesh species whose edibility is not reported. Torrey Bull., 1899. F. pallida B. and Rav.; F. radicata, Schw.; F. spathulata B. and C., are reported from Alabama. Edible qualities not stated. The writer has not seen them or he surely would have tested them. The spread and cultivation of F. hepatica is possible. Experiments in this line are desirable. =F. hepat´ica= (Huds.) Fr. _Gr_—resembling the liver. (Plate CXXV, fig. 1, p. 476.) Juicy-fleshy, not rooting. =Pileus= entire, blood-red. =Flesh= thick, soft, viscid above, transversed with tenacious fibers, hence variegated-red. =Tubes= at first pallid. Changeable in form, sessile or extended into a lateral stem. _Fries._ =Spores= salmon-color, nearly round with an oblique apiculus, 3µ _W.G.S._; broadly elliptical, 5–6×3–4µ; conidia, 6–10×5µ _Massee_; yellowish, elliptical, 5–6.5µ long _Peck_. West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. August to frost. _McIlvaine._ Small specimens may be confounded with F. pallida, which follows. Fistulina hepatica is celebrated in most countries, and known usually as the Beefsteak fungus. It grows from decaying crevices in oak, chestnut and other trees and stumps, but those named are its favorites. July, August, September are its months, and after rains. In some localities and years it is rare. At Mt. Gretna, in 1898, a hundred pounds of it could be gathered almost any day. August, 1899, at Mt. Gretna, Pa., I found several specimens in vicinity which, though evidently F. hepatica, were remarkable for their structure—2–4 in. across, irregularly cylindrical, with spore surface covering the entire fungus. Stem curt, eccentric, almost central. Specimens were sent Professor Peck, who writes: “The sample of Fistulina which you send is a singular thing. Saccardo has noted a somewhat similar form but without pore surface. Yours has pore surface, but I do not find spores developed in it. I am inclined to think it a monstrosity, as you do, but as you say you have found several of them I think it would be well to put it on record and I will enter it in my record as Fistulina hepatica monstrosa n. var. and indicate its characters.” Letter from Professor Peck, August 28, 1899. I have partially succeeded in transplanting the mycelium of F. hepatica. Experiments in this direction, I feel confident, will introduce this valuable fungus to localities where it is not now found, or is rare. Experiments with the spores have not been as yet successful. =F. hepatica monstrosa= n. var. Pk. Subglobose, supported on a short stem or stem-like base, the external surface entirely covered with tubules 2–4 mm. long. Pennsylvania. _C. McIlvaine._ In color and texture resembling the common form, but Mr. McIlvaine informs me that there is nothing in the position or place of growth of the specimens to account for their peculiar character. They are 2–4 in. in diameter. _Peck_, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, 27, January, 1900. Excellent. =F. pal´lida= B. and Rav.—_pallidus_, pale. =Pileus= kidney-shaped, pallid-red, pulverulent, 1–2 in. broad, about 1 in. long, margin inflexed. =Tubes= more or less decurrent. =Stem= lateral, striate, when dry, 1½ in. long, ⅓ in. thick. Mountains of South Carolina on the ground. _Ravenel._ Alabama, base of stumps of white oak. Peters. Grev., Vol. 1, No. 5. New Jersey, _Ellis_. [Illustration: PLATE CXXVI.] No. 1. POLYPORUS FUMOSUS. }