the pores can be separated in a mass from the pileus, as in the genus
Boletus, to which, however, our plant has no farther resemblance, as the
pores are really formed from the substance of the pileus, and are not
tubes. Taste and smell rather acid.
This fungus, which is said to be common on the Continent,
is certainly rather unfrequent in this country ; and though it
is figured by B o l t o n and S o w e r b y , it has not found its way
into any of the local Floras in my possession. I t is a species
which dries uncommonly well by mere exposure to the air, but
is more liable than many others to the depredations of insects.
To prevent their attacks, B u l l i a r d recommends the fungus
to be allowed to dry in the open air for a month ; it is then to
he placed for three or four hours in an oven in which bread has
been baked; it is afterwards to be plunged for some minutes
into a warm infusion of a small quantity of, tobacco and cloves
in water. The fungus is then allowed to dry; and, after having
been again plunged into the same infusion cooled, is considered
hy B u l l i a r d to he perfectly safe. This method is equally
applicable to many other species, as Polyporus sulphureus, &c.
and several Hydna, &c.
I cannot ascertain what W i t h e r i n g had in view when he
described his Boletus hetulinus. He refers to B o l t o n ’s figure,
which is certainly our plant; hut it is equally certain
that his is not. I t is probable he may have confounded two
plants together,'one of which may have been a variety of P. varius,
according to Mr P u r t o n ’s opinion. On the other hand,
the separation of the pores from the pileus, seems to indicate
another species, though not our present one.
Fig. 1. P. hetulinus, mature plant. Fig. 2. Ditto, half-gromn. Fig. 3. Ditto,
young. Fig. 4- Portion o f the pileus; natural size. Fig. 5. Pores. Fig. 6,
magnified.
U'i