The article collates some of the recent literature on the biology of the dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans. The fungus can grow at 28°C, and maximum wood moisture is above 55%. Serpula Iacrymans degrades crystalline cellulose. The intensive production of extracellular oxalic acid is neutralized by calcium and iron. There is considerable variation among the strains with regard to factors such as growth rate, wood decay and response to preservatives. Possible alternative methods of eradication involve interference with the metabolism of nitrogen and sugars. Gel electrophoresis of mycelial proteins and immunological procedures provide valuable supplementary means of identification. Fruit-bodies can be obtained regularly in artificial culture. Inter-stock breeding of monokaryons to dikaryons up to the third generation shows differences among cultures with regard to growth, reaction to temperature, rate of wood decay and resistance to chemicals

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