BOLETUS SQUAMOSUS. SCALY BOLETUS.
BOLETUS squamosus; subacaulis planiusculus lacerato-squamosus flavescens; poris tetragonis. Hudson
Fl. Angl. ed. 2. ml. 2.p. 626. With. Bot. ed. 4. ml. 4. p . 316. ed. 5. ml. 4. p. 357.
Sowerby Fung. ml. 3. t. 366. Fl. D an. t. 1096.
BOLETUS Juglandis; magnus, pileo carnoso, suberoso, ochraceo, disco squamisque umbrinis nigres-
centibus; poris magnis flexuosis, stipite crasso laterali. D e Cand.
BOLETUS Juglandis. Bull. Champ, p. 344. t. 19. Schaf. Fung. t. 101. 102. Bolt. Fung. t. 77.
Lam. Fl. Fr. ed. 2. ml. 2. p. 121. Lam. Fl. Gall. Lam. Diet. Suppl. m l. 1. 0. 673.
BOLETUS platyporus. Albert, et Schwein. Consp. Fung. p. 245. Pers. Syn. Fung.p, 521.
BOLETUS rangiferinus. With. Bot. ed. 5. ml. 4. p . 358., Phil. Trans. Abr. ml. 10. 0. 705. t. 20.
f . 109- Blacks frontisp. Bolt. t. 138.
BOLETUS polymorphus. Bull. Champ, p . 344. t. 144.
BOLETUS cellulosus. L ig h tf. Scot. p. 1032.
BOLETUS subsquamosus. Batsch. Fung. ml. 1 . 1. 10. ƒ 41.
POLYPORUS sessilis, convexo-planus, poris amplissimis albidis. Halle)' Hist. 2278 ?
AURICULA fiammea Malchi. Sterb. Fung. 105. t. 13.
Class a n d Order. CRYPTOGAMIA FU N G I.
[N atural Order. FU N G I, Juss. D e Cand.]
Ge n . C iia r. Pilcus sessilis aut stipitatus, facie inferiore et interdum superiore instructa tubis gongylos reconden-
tibus. DeCand.
PlLEUS magnus, spithameus et ultra, suborbicularis, ju niore
convexus, je täte concavus, ochraceus, disco
fusco, squamis umbrinis, fimbriatis, appressis, vel
saspe revolutis, obsitus. Intra substantia firma
et compacta, demum mollis, putrescens.
PoRl maximi, irreguläres, angulosi, albescentes vel fla-
vescentes.
Stipes figura mire variât, interdum brevis, lateraliter
affixus, simplex ; interdum pedalis, subcentralis,
ramosus', ramis ultimis dichotomis, in pileum
expansis, reliquis varie divisis fere palmatis, basi
plerumque simplicibus, acutis; utsi stipes forma
Cervi Tarandi cornua refert. Color nigricans
apicem versus dilutior ; superficies sublævis.
Pileus large,- a span and more in diameter, somewhat
orbicular; in a young state convex, when older
concave, ochraceous, with the disk brown, covered
with dingy, fimbriated, appressed, and
sometimes revolute scales. Within the substance
is firm and .compact, but at length it becomes
soft and putrid.
Pores very large, irregular, angular, whitish, or yellowish.
The Stipes varies remarkably in figure, sometimes being
short, laterally affixed, and simple ; a t other
times a foot long, subcentrally affixed, blanched,
with the ultimate blanches expanded into a
pileus, the rest variously divided almost palmate,
a t the base generally simple, acute ; so that the
form of the Stipes bears no inaccurate resemblance
to the horns of the Rein-deer. The colour
is blackish, paler towards the*extremity ;
the superficies nearly smooth.
The above synonyms will sufficiently testify how variable is the present species of Boletus, and how difficult it
is to form a specific character that will include all the appearances which in different situations it puts on. Neither
the B. Juglandis nor the B . polymorphus in Bulliard gives a tolerably accurate idea of our plant; but the figure
of Sowerby s B . squamosus is excellent, and highly characteristic.
Upon the trunks of decaying trees, and more frequently on the part where some limb'has been removed, this
elegant .species is not uncommon; in this country (but more particularly in the vicinity of London) it is found
growing most generally on the Elm, frequently on Lime, Walnut and Beech, also on Willow, Maple and Oak: on
the last it is but rarely seen, and we do not remember to have observed it otherwise than of stunted growth on
either of the three last-mentioned trees.
The name Juglandis may perhaps be sufficiently characteristic for Botanists on the Continent of Europe,
where the Walnut is more abundant than in this country; but as we rarely find this Boletus growing on the Juglans,
we have ventured to retain the specific name squamosus, as adopted by Hudson and continued by Sowerby. We
are led to conclude that this specie? is most frequently found on the Elm in the French provinces, as Bulliard enumerates
among the provincial names o f this plant that of Oreille d'Orme, or Ear of the Elm, a name not unap-
plicable, as it frequently affects the auricular form. Bulliard says that it is eaten by the natives; that its-
taste is at first saltish, and that then it becomes sweet to the palate like honey: yet he intimates that the firm texture
of the flesh may render it difficult of digestion to many stomachs; and its smell when advanced in age is
highly disagreeable. He relates the following anecdote respecting i t : “ I t is impossible to see this magnificent
Fungus without a desire to preserve it; and having one day collected several specimens of from twenty to twenty-
two inches in diameter, on going to an inn I had them placed in my bed-room. About midnight I was awakened
by a violent pain in my head; and though in this apartment several panes of glass in the window were wanting,
the smell of these Boleti was so strong that I could scarcely breathe. I rose instantly, opened the door and the
window, removed my Fungi, caused a large fire to be lighted, drank some water, and lay down again: but I found
it impossible to sleep, and I suffered with a dreadful head-ache all the following day. I may conclude that, had
riot the apartment been somewhat ventilated by the fresh air entering at the broken panes, the consequences
might have proved much more serious.”
With respect to its esculent qualities we must remark, that though it may sometimes have been eaten with impunity,
we consider the experiment dangerous, as we experienced very considerable inconvenience for many hours
after having eaten a piece not larger than a small Walnut: the sense of heat and dryness in the throat (which is
the common effect experienced on eating poisonous Fungi) was greater than that produced by any other species.
This Fungus is rarely found in its branched state, f g . 2. but in the hollows of trees, or growing from decaying
wood in damp cellars. I t is worthy of remark, that this plant when found in situations that exclude it from light,
is most generally of a darker colour than when exposed.
I t abounds in Richmond and Greenwich Parks and Kensington Gardens; is particularly subject to the attacks
of insects; but they seldom do any injury to the plant till the pores are in a state of decay.