Boletus

(bo-lē'tūs.) (Bot.) A genus of Fungi, many large species of which spring from the sides of trees when the rind is decayed, forming firm fleshy ma es, which are generally smooth on the upper side, and pierced with holes on the lower. B. igniarius and B. fomentarius are the fungi which, when cut into thin slices, dried, and prepared with saltpetre, form common amadou, or the German tinder of the shops. [s. 102]