Page:Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms.djvu/639

 TAB. CCCLVIII. Tode Meck. sel. 1. p. 136. tab. 6. fig. 51.

Eph. Germ. 4 & 50.

OAK LEATHER. Ray 25. no. 27. Lightf. 1004.

may truly be named giganteum, from the gigantic strides it takes through some of our largest oaks. It appears to be compofsd of minute branched fibres which are less compact internally, with little velicular-like subftances, somewhat egg-shaped, resting by their broadest bases on the ends and other parts of the branches. The narrow end seems somewhat opaque, as if it were an operculum. There is also scattered dust of a brownish call, copious among the rotten remains of the wood, giving it the appearance of Scotch snuff. It should seem that this fungus may have given rife to the use of Agaricus Chirurgorum, Pharmac. Edin. and Agaricus querneus, Pharmac. Gener. as Ray says it was used by the country people of Ireland to cure wounds; and thus I think the true styptic Agaric should be the Agaricus querneus, Linn. tab. 181. and not Boletus igniarius, tab. 132. which I believe never has been found growing on the oak, although Boletus fomentarius, tab. 133. which nearly resembles it, sometimes does. It seems the oak Agaric is most strongly recommended. See Dr. Woodville's ''Med. Bot.'', vol. 4. p. 159. Agaricus quercinus nearest resembles the Oak Leather in delicate fibrous texture, and may be readily cut into slices and freed from impurities. The other two are of a less delicate colour, and require more preparation.

I have specimens of part of a poplar affected with a fungus something like the above, which penetrates the tree more thoroughly, as it were taking place of the wood; but in this I have discovered nothing like fructification.