The pileus is two to three inches broad, viscid, convex, then depressed round the disk, obtusely umbonate, margin acute, reddish-brown to yellowish-brown in the center, the margin liver-color, flesh yellowish-brown.
The gills are decurrent, distant, somewhat branched, firm, elastic, rather thick, purple-brown with an olive tinge.
The stem is two to three inches high, subequal or slightly ventricose; pale yellowish-brown, fibrillose, firm, solid, slimy from the remains of the veil, which form an obsolete filamentose ring.
The spores are elongato-fusiform, 18–20×6µ.
Its favorite habitat is under pine and fir trees. Its taste is sweet and it has the mushroom smell. It is edible, but not first-class.
Found in September and October.
CHAPTER VII.
POLYPORACEAE. TUBE-BEARING FUNGI.
In this family the cap has no gills on the upper surface, but, instead, there are small tubes or pores. This class of plants may be naturally divided into two groups: The perishable fungi with the pores easily separating from the cap and from each other, which may be called Boletaceæ; and the leathery, corky, and woody fungi, with pores permanently united to the cap and with each other, making the family Polyporaceæ.
In each group the spores are borne on the lining of the pore. A spore print may be made in the same manner as from mushrooms having gills. The color of the spores does not enter into the classification as in the case of the Agaricini.