its irregular, closely overlapping frond-like
caps, white flesh, and the very small sulphur-yellow tubes. The spores
are white, elliptical. The flesh of young specimens is somewhat juicy.

The geographical distribution is wide, and in places where a moist, warm
temperature prevails plants of this species often attain very large
proportions, sometimes completely encircling the trunk of a tree at its
base. The bright colors fade as the plant matures, and the plant
becomes indurated and friable, when very old crumbling readily in the
hands.

To prepare for the table, very thin slices of young specimens should be
cut and either allowed to slowly simmer on the back of the range, or
soaked in milk and then fried in butter.

Of the genus Fistulina but one species, Fistulina hepatica, figured in
Plate X, is recorded as edible and indigenous to this country.

[Illustration: Plate X.
FISTULINA HEPATICA
1 Specimen, upper view. 2 Same, under view.
3 Specimen, upper view. 4 Same, under view.
5 Spores.
K. MAYO, del.]

PLATE X.

=Fistulina hepatica= Bull. "_Beefsteak Mushroom_," "_Liver Fungus_."

EDIBLE.

_Genus Fistulina_ Bull. Hymenophore fleshy, hymenium inferior, that is,
on the under surface of the cap, at first papillose; the papillae at
length elongated, and forming distinct tubes.

Besides Fistulina _hepatica_, five species of this genus are recorded in
Saccardo's Sylloge, viz., F. _radicata_ Schw., F. _spathulata_ B. & C.,
F. _pallida_ B. & R., F. _rosea_ Mont., and F. _antarctica_ Speg.; the
last indigenous to Patagonia.

F. _hepatica_ is the only species with which I am familiar. The plants
of this species are very irregular in form, rootless, epiphytal, often
stemless, and sometimes attached to the matrix by a very short stem.
This fungus is frequently found upon old oak, chestnut, and ash trees,
developing in the rotting bark. It appears first as a rosy pimple, or in
a series of red granules. In a very short time it becomes tongue-shaped,
sometimes kidney shaped, assuming the color of a beet root. As it
increases in size it changes form again, becoming broad in proportion to
its length, and changing in color to a deep blood red, and finally to a
dull liver tint. Its lower surface is often paler than its upper, it
being tinged with yellow and pinkish hues.

One author states that it requires about two weeks to attain its highest
development, after which it gradu