A polypore with a soft hairy cap.

Did not find it in my mushroom guides.
Identified as Inonotus hispidus by Darvin DeShazer.  Thanks Darvin!

Here is the underside.  It is about a foot across.

Went back three days later and took a picture of the cross-section.

The white things are maggots :o)

On 3/5/06 I found two of them in dried out condition on an oak in Northborough.  Did not have the camera with me so I took the pictures when I got home.

Here they are side by side.

The largest is about 6" wide.  The hair does not look as attractive as in the live one.

Underside of one.