Wood-decay fungus fungi of certain types remove cellulose compounds from wood and hence the wood becomes brown colour. Brown rot in a dry, crumbly condition is sometimes incorrectly referred to as "dry rot" in general. The term "brown rot" replaced the general use of the term "dry rot", as wood must be damp to decay, although it may become dry later. Dry rot is a generic name for certain species of brown-rot fungi. Brown-rot fungi of particular economic importance include "Serpula lacrymans" (true dry rot), "Fibroporia vaillantii" (mine fungus), and "Coniophora puteana" (cellar fungus), which may attack timber in buildings. Other brown-rot
Serpula Sea. Species of the genus "Serpula" are common on the west coast of North America from Alaska to Baja California, but are rarely if ever found on the east coast of the United States. They are common in Europe and Africa. Like most tube-building polychaetes, worms of the genus "Serpula" are benthic, sedentary suspension feeders. They secrete and inhabit a permanent calcareous tube attached to hard substrata. As they do not travel outside their tubes, these worms do not have any specialized appendages for swimming. Worms of the genus "Serpula" are commonly found attached to submerged rocks, shells, and even