anastomosing lamellæ, of a paler colour than the pileus, entire and
rounded at their edges. Thecæ very minute and slender.- Sporidia minute,
globose, white.
The form of the pileus is very inconstant. In general it is more or less
semicircular, nearly horizontal, subentire, and the hymenium forming
either a boldly convex or nearly straight line from the margin to the
base, where the lamellæ are often two inches in depth. Sometimes numerous
smaller pilei are attached inseparably together in various directions,
and press one another out of shape. In like manner, the hymenium
also varies, and sometimes permits the lamellæ to fall down like
the folds of a curtain. Thejlesh is of a pale reddish-brown, darker than
the lamellæ ; and though of considerable substance in some specimens,
in others is scarcely thicker than one-eighth of an inch.
t.
111 order to illustrate the genus Dosdalea, I have taken
the species vrhich most frequently occurs. Though not rare,
it is scarcely met with in the same abundance as ordinary
fungi, and, when obtained, forms a beautiful specimen for the
cabinet, as it preserves its form and colour in the most perfect
manner. Dcedalea, as a genus, is intermediate betwixt
Agaricus and Polyporus. The lamell* are sometimes
nearly simple and regular; but still its firm and
corky permanent substance, sufficiently removes it from the
Agarics. Bnt it is more difficult, as observed hy F r i e s , to
define its limits on the side of the Polypori. The chief difference
capable of being expressed in words, is the greater sinuosity
of the orifices of the hymenium; for, though some species
of Polyporus possess this character, it is generally in an
old state, when in fact the pores are losing their proper character,
as in Polyporus abietinus, already figured in this work.
Fig. 1. A plant in its ordinary perfect state. Fig. 2. A few pilei become confluent.
Fig. 3. A portion q f a pileus, shewing a vertical section ; natural
size. Fig. 4. Transverse section o f one o f the lamellæ. Fig. 5. Thecoe and
sporidia; magnified.