BOLETUS

(Gr. /3«Xa,-, a ma ,) A genus of fungi, numerous 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 witli holes on the lower. The spawn of such plants often forms what is called drj'-rot, insinuating Its fine delicate filamentous ramifications between the tubes' of the wood, forcing them asunder, and so destroying the cohesion and solidity of timber. Boletus igm'arius and foment uri us are the fungi which, when cut into thin slices, dried,.and prepared with saltpetre, form common amadou, or the German tinder of the shops. B. tuAerosus is used in Sweden, as a substitute for cork. B. bovinus is said to be a favourite food of oxen, deer, swine, and some other animals; it is even used for human food. [s. 165]