Toadstools, Mushrooms, Fungi Edible and Poisonous

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Cohort HYMENOMYCETES. Gr.—a membrane, a fruit-bearing surface; Gr.—a mushroom. (So called from the hymenium or fruit-bearing surface.)

Fungi composed of membranes, fleshy, woody or gelatinous, growing on wood or on the ground. The hymenium or spore-bearing surface exposed at an early stage. The spores are borne on basidia, spread over the surface. The common mushroom is typical of the family. All the members resemble it, more or less, in organization and reproductive organs. These latter, in the mushroom, are spread over lamellæ or gills. The spores, after ripening and dissemination, germinate and produce a mycelium or thread-like vine, which in turn develops the spore-producing part of the plant. Hymenomycetes is divided into the following six Families:—

I.	Spread over the surface of lamellæ or gills.	Agaricaceæ.
II.	Lining the interior of tubes or pores.	Polyporaceæ.
III.	Clothing the surface of spines or protuberances of various forms.	Hydnaceæ.

IV.	Horizontal and mostly on the under surface.	Thelephoraceæ.
V.	Vertical and produced all over the surface.	Clavariaceæ.
VI.	Superior, gelatinous fungi.	Tremellaceæ.

In the Agaricaceæ the hymenium is spread over lamellæ or gills which radiate from a center or stem. The gills are composed of a double membrane, and are simple or branched.

The parts of an Agaric may all be present as in Amanitæ, or severally absent in other genera. When the young fungus is entirely enclosed in a wrapper or case, this case is called the universal veil. When this veil is ruptured by the growth of the stem, that part which remains 2attached to the base is called the volva. The membrane reaching from the stem to the margin of the cap is the partial veil; when it ruptures by the expansion of the cap and all or a portion adheres to and about the stem it forms the annulus or ring. In some species one or both veils may be present, or one or both may be absent.

The stem is central when supporting the cap at its center; excentric when at one side of the center; lateral when it supports the cap from the side. If the stem is absent, the cap is said to be sessile; if the cap is horizontal and supported by a broad base it is dimidiate; if attached to its place of growth by its back it is resupinate.

Genera are largely distinguished by the manner in which the gills are attached to the stem. These distinguishing attachments are shown in the plates illustrating genera and in Plate IV. Gill-shapes.

For convenience Agaricaceæ is divided by the color of the spores into five series: white, pink, brown, purple, black. The last two, owing to the similarity of hue, are by some writers (preferably) included in the black-spored series. Spore color is a valuable assistant in determining species.

Spores white, rarely dingy or inclining to reddish. In the genus Russula the spores of some species are white, in some cream-color, and in several pale ochraceous. Variations from pure white are found in the spores of Tricholoma personatum and a few other species. Gill-color is not a guide to spore-color. Purple, yellow, brown, pinkish gills may produce white spores.

AMANITA.

Universal veil (volva), which is at first continuous (completely enveloping the young plant), distinct from the skin of the cap. Hymenophore or cap, the part which bears the spore-bearing surface, distinct and easily separable from the stem, which leaves a socket in the flesh when it is removed. All growing upon the ground. Fries.

Pileus somewhat fleshy, convex then expanded. Gills free. Universal veil at first enclosing the entire plant, which as it grows bursts 3through, generally carrying the upper part on the pileus, where it appears as patches or scales, the remainder enclosing the stem at the base as a volva, either in a cup-like form, closely adherent or friable and evanescent. The partial veil in youth extends from the stem to the margin of the pileus, enclosing the gills; when ruptured it depends from the stem as a ring. Stem furnished with a ring, and different in substance from that of the pileus. Spores white.

On the ground.

The nearest allied genus, Amanitopsis, is separated by the absence of a ring, and Lepiota by its lack of a volva; Volvaria, Acetabularia and Chitonia, possessing volvas, are distinguished by the color of their spores.

Amanitæ are the most beautiful and conspicuous of fungi. While there are comparatively few species of them, the individual members are plentiful in appearing from spring until the coming of frost. They are solitary or gregarious in growth. Occasionally two or three are found together. They frequent woods, groves, copse, margins of woods and land recently cleared of trees. They are seldom found in open fields. A careful study of all their botanic points should be the first duty of the student of fungi. Familiarity with every characteristic of the Amanitæ will insure against fatal toadstool poisoning, for it is the well-grounded belief of those who have made thorough investigation that, with the exception of Helvella esculenta, now Gyromitra esculenta, the Amanitæ, alone, contain deadly poisons.

No Amanita, or piece of one, should be eaten before its identity is fully established and its qualities ascertained by referring to the descriptions herein given or to the opinion of an expert.

They are the aristocrats of fungi. Their noble bearing, their beauty, their power for good or evil, and above all their perfect structure, have placed them first in their realm; and they proudly bear the three badges 4of their clan and rank—the volva or sheath from which they spring, the kid-like apron encircling their waists, and patch-marks of their high birth upon their caps. In their youth, when in or just appearing above the ground, they are completely invested with a membrane or universal veil, which is distinct and free from the skin of the cap. As the plant grows the membrane stretches and finally bursts. It sometimes ruptures in one place only and remains about the base of the stem as the volva. When such a rupture occurs the caps are smooth. In most species portions of the volva remain upon the cap as scruff or warts—pointed or rough—or as feathery adornment; any or all of which may in part or whole vanish with age or be washed away by rain.

Extending from the stem to the margin of the cap, and covering the gills, is the partial veil—a membranaceous, white texture of varying thickness. As the cap expands this veil tears from it. Portions frequently remain pendant from the edges, the rest contracts to the stem as a ring, or droops from it as a surrounding ruffle, or, if of slight consistency, may be fugacious and disappear, but marks, remains, or the veil itself will always be traceable upon the stem.

The Amanitæ are of all colors, from the brilliant orange of the A. Cæsarea, the rich scarlet or crimson of the A. muscaria, to the pure white of the A. phalloides in its white form.

Their stems are usually long, and taper from the base toward the top. In some forms the base is distinctly bulbous. The volva at the base is attached to the stem at its lower extremity. It may be visible as a cup or ruptured pouch with spreading mouth, or it may be of such friable texture as to appear like mealy scales. Often, when the plant is pulled from the ground, the volva remains, but the marks of its attachment will appear and should be carefully looked for. Their gills are commonly white, are of equal length and radiate from near the stem, which they do not reach, to the circumference of the cap. They are white, unless tinged with age, excepting upon A. Cæsarea and A. Frostiana where they are yellow.^[B] Their caps are umbrella-shaped, flat or convex. Their flesh is white, does not change color when bruised. They are scentless and almost tasteless when fresh, when old they have a slightly offensive odor and taste.

The family is not a large one, not over thirty members complete its circle. Every feature, every part of its several members, should be thoroughly known before the intimacy of eating. While at least nine 5of the family are not only edible but delicate and sapid, far better will it be to leave all alone than to make a mistake. A piece of a poisonous variety the size of a dime will often cause serious disorders if eaten. Many persons have died from eating very small quantities.

Because of its ovate or button-like form when young, it is frequently mistaken for the common field mushroom; even experienced mycophagists have been deceived by it. No other poison has so puzzled scientists. Other varieties of fungi may interfere with digestion, but to the Amanitæ all deaths from toadstool-eating are traceable. Its subtle alkaloid is absorbed by the system, and in most cases lies unsuspected for from six to twelve hours, then its iron grip holds to the death. For centuries it has defied all remedies. The problem has been partially solved. At Shenandoah, Pa., August 31, 1885, a family of five were poisoned by toadstools; two died, three lived. Noting the sad account in the newspapers, I at once wrote to Shenandoah for specimens of the fungi eaten and a description of the treatment. I promptly received from Dr. J.E. Schadle (now Professor Schadle), the physician in charge of the cases, a box containing two harmless varieties and several fine specimens of the Amanita phalloides, all of which were gathered on the same spot and by the same person who gathered the toadstools doing the poisoning. They told the tale. A remarkably full and interesting account of the cases was sent to me by Dr. Schadle. After exhausting all other remedies, and after two of the five had died, he administered subcutaneously, by hypodermic injection, sulphate of atropine—a product of the deadly nightshade analagous to belladonna—¹⁄₁₈₀ to ¹⁄₆₀ of a grain at a dose. It proved to be an antidote and saved the lives of the remaining three.

The action of atropine in arresting the deadly work of poisoning by amanitine had been foreshadowed by Schmidberg and Koppe, and dwelt upon in numerous published articles by Mr. Julius A. Palmer, to whom more than any other is due the branding of the murderous members of the Amanita family; but for the first time atropine was used upon the human system to ward their blows.

All of the species herein described are found in the United States. Of the twenty-seven, nine are edible, nine are either known to be deadly or are so closely allied to deadly species that it is unsafe to class them as other than poisonous until absolute proof is obtained of their harmlessness. 6The remaining nine I have not seen, neither is there any record of their qualities.

* Volva opening at the top or splitting all around, leaving a manifest, free border at the base of the stem. Pileus naked or with broad membranaceous patches.

** Volva splitting regularly all round the lower portion, persistent, more or less closely embracing the base of the bulbous stem. The upper portion being adnate to the pileus appears on it by expansion as scattered, thick warts.

*** Volva friable, entirely broken up into wart-like scales, therefore not persistent at the base of the stem, which is at first globose-bulbous, becoming less so as it lengthens. Pileus bearing mealy patches, soon disappearing or with small, hard, pointed warts.

**** Volva rudimentary, flocculose, wholly disappearing.

A. viro´sa Fr.—virus, poison.

Shining white. Pileus 3–4 in. broad, fleshy, at first conical and acute, afterwards bell-shaped, then expanded, naked, viscous in wet weather, shining when dry, margin always even, but most frequently unequal, turned backward and inflexed. Flesh white, unchangeable. Stem 4–6 in. long, wholly stuffed, almost solid, split up into longitudinal fibrils, cylindrical from the bulbous base, often compressed at the apex, torn into scales on the surface, springing from a lax, wide, thick volva, which bursts open at the apex. Ring close to the top, lax, silky, splitting up into floccose fragments. Gills free, thin, narrow, narrowing at both ends, but a little broader in front, not decurrent on the stem (although the apex of the stem is often striate), crowded, somewhat floccose at the edge. Fries.

The pilei are most frequently oblique, extended and lobed on one side as in Hygrophorous conicus, scarcely ever depressed. The pileus rarely becomes yellow. The fragments of the veil often adhere to the edge of the gills.

7In woods. Uncommon. August to October.

Fetid, poisonous. Stevenson.

Spores spheroid or subspheroid, 10–16µ, K.; 8µ W.P.; sub-globose, 8–10µ Massee.

POISONOUS.

I think it a variety of A. phalloides.

A. phalloi´des Fr. Gr.—phallus-like. (Plate VI, figs. 2, 3, p. 6.) Pileus 3–4 in. broad, commonly shining white or lemon-yellow, fleshy, oval bell-shaped, then expanded, obtuse, covered over with a pellicle which is viscid (not glutinous) in wet weather, naked, rarely sprinkled with one or two fragments of the volva, the regular margin even. Stem 3–5 in. long, ½ in. and more thick, solid downward, bulbous, hollow and attenuated upward, rather smooth, white. Ring superior, reflexed, slightly striate, swollen, commonly entire, white. Volva more or less buried in the soil, bulbous, semifree, bursting open in a torn manner at the apex, with a lax border. Gills free, ventricose, 4 lines broad, shining white. Fries.

Pileus very variable in color, commonly white or yellow (A. citrina Pers.), becoming green (A. viridis Pers.), olivaceous and occasionally variegated with tiger spots; in late autumn with the disk almost black but whitish round the margin. Odor somewhat fetid, but little remarkable as compared with that of A. virosa.

In woods. Frequent. August to November.

A very POISONOUS and dangerous species. Stevenson.

Spores 8–9µ W.G.S.; 8–10µ B.; 7–9µ diam. Massee; globose, 7.6×6µ Peck.

Pileus at first ovate or subcampanulate, then expanded, slightly viscid when young and moist, smooth or rarely adorned by a few fragments of the volva, even on the margin, white, yellowish-brown or blackish-brown. Lamellæ rather broad, rounded behind, free, white. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, stuffed or hollow, smooth or slightly floccose, ringed, bulbous, the ruptured volva either appressed loose or merely forming a narrow margin to the bulb.

Plant 4–8 in. high. Pileus 2–5 in. broad. Stem 3–6 lines thick.

This species is common and variable. It occurs everywhere in woods and assumes such different colors that the inexperienced mycologist is apt to mistake its different forms for distinct species. With us the prevailing 8colors of the pileus are white, yellowish-white, grayish-brown and blackish-brown. It is remarkable that the form with a greenish pileus, which seems to be common enough in Europe, does not occur here. Fries also mentions a form having a white pileus with a black disk. A somewhat similar form occurs here, in which the pileus is grayish-brown with a black disk. Some of the variously colored forms were formerly taken to be distinct species, in consequence of which several synonyms have arisen, of which A. virescens Fl. Dan., Amanita viridis Pers., and Amanita citrina Pers., are examples. A. verna Bull. is a variety having a white pileus, a rather thick annulus and an appressed volva. It sometimes occurs early in the season; hence the specific name. It also occurs late in the season and runs into the typical form so that it is not easy to keep it distinct. The flesh and the lamellæ are white, the stem is white, pallid or brownish, and the annulus is either white or brownish. The bulb is generally very broad and abrupt or depressed, though it sometimes is small and approaches an ovate form. The large bulbs are sometimes split externally in two or three places and are, therefore, two- or three-lobed. In such cases the volva is less persistent than usual and its free portion then furnishes merely an acute edge or narrow margin to the bulb. Specimens sometimes occur in which the margin of the pileus is narrowly adorned with a slight woolly hairiness, but usually it is perfectly smooth and even. By this character, taken in connection with the membranous volva and bulbous base of the stem, the species is readily distinguished. Sometimes a strong odor is emitted by it, but usually the odor is slight. Authors generally pronounce this a poisonous and very dangerous species. Its appearance is attractive, but its use as food is to be avoided. Peck, 33d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Common in woods and recently cleared woodlands. Frequent over the United States. June to frost.

An exceedingly poisonous, dangerous, seductive species, responsible for most of the deaths from toadstool eating; because in its white form it is mistaken for the common mushroom—Agaricus campester. The real fault is with the collector, who should never eat any fungus found in the woods, believing it to be the mushroom. The mushroom does not grow in the woods. Neither has it white gills, nor white spores, nor a volva at the base of the stem as have Amanitæ.

The caps of A. phalloides vary in color—white, oyster-color, smoky 9brown. The color of the commonest form is from white to a light hue of greenish yellow. The center of the cap, whatever may be the prevailing color, is usually several shades darker. In shape, the cap changes from a knob in youth, through the shapes of expansion, until it becomes fully spread, when it is umbrella-shaped, or almost flat. Some forms have a slightly raised portion or umbo in the center of the cap. The gills are white, of good width, rounded next to the stem and free from it.

The stem conforms in color to the cap, but in lighter shades. White-capped varieties have white stems. The stem has a sudden broad, distinct bulb at the base. On the upper side of the bulb there is usually a margin or rim. The stem tapers more or less toward the cap, from which it is easily separable. The cup, wrapper or volva is torn or split or irregular at the upper part, and is not pressed to the stem as in some forms.

Professor Peck, in his 48th Report, gives the following excellent synopsis of differences between the poisonous Amanita and edible fungi, for which it could only by great stupidity be mistaken:

Poison amanita. Gills persistently white. Stem equal to or longer than the diameter of the cap, with a broad, distinct bulb at the base.

Common mushroom. Gills pink, becoming blackish-brown. Stem shorter than the diameter of the cap, with no bulb at the base.

From all forms of the edible Sheathed amanitopsis the Poison amanita differs in its distinctly bulbous stem, in having a collar on the stem and in the absence of striations on the margin of the cap.

From the edible Reddish amanita, it is easily separated by the entire absence of any reddish hues or stains and of warts upon its cap.

From the Smooth lepiota its distinct, abrupt and marginal bulb at once distinguishes it.

A. ver´na Bull.—vernus, of spring. A variety of A. phalloides. POISONOUS. White. Pileus ovate then expanded, somewhat depressed, viscid, margin orbicular, even. Stem stuffed then hollow, equal, floccose, closely sheathed with the free border of the volva. Ring reflexed, swollen. Gills free. Pileus glabrous, even on the margin, white, viscid when moist. Gills white. Stem ringed, white, floccose, stuffed or hollow, closely sheathed at the base by the remains of the membranous volva, bulbous. Spores globose, 8µ broad.

10In woods. Spring and summer.

The Vernal Amanita scarcely differs from white forms of the A. phalloides except in the more persistent and more closely sheathing remains of the wrapper at the base of the stem. It is probably only a variety of that species, as most mycologists now regard it, and it should be considered quite as dangerous. I have not found it earlier than in July, although in Europe it is said to appear in spring, as its name implies. Peck, 48th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Common over the United States. West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, May to November. It appeared at Mt. Gretna, Pa., on May 28, 1899. McIlvaine.

The absence of a ring separates white forms of A. volvata and A. vaginata.

The virulence of its poison is the same as that of A. phalloides.

A. magnivela´ris Pk.—magnus, large; velum, veil. Pileus convex or nearly plane, glabrous, slightly viscid when moist, even on the margin, white or yellowish-white. Gills close, free, white. Stem long, nearly equal, glabrous, white, furnished with a large membranous white annulus, sheathed at the base by the appressed remains of the membranous volva, the bulbous base tapering downward and radicating. Spores broadly elliptical, 10×6–8µ.

Pileus 3–5 in. broad. Stem 5–7 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Solitary in woods. Port Jefferson, Suffolk county. July.

The species resembles Amanita verna, from which it is separated by its large persistent annulus, the elongated downwardly tapering bulb of its stem, and especially by its elliptical spores. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

I have not seen this species. Its resemblance to A. verna is enough to place the ban upon it until it has been tested.

A. map´pa Fr.—mappa, a napkin. From the volva. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, commonly white or becoming yellow, slightly fleshy, convexo-plane, obtuse or depressed, orbicular, dry, margin for the most part even. Stem 2–3 in. long, 3–5 lines thick, stuffed then hollow, almost equal above the bulb, rather smooth, white. Ring superior, soft, lax, here and there torn. Volva regularly circularly split, somewhat obliterated; the globoso-bulbous base united with the stem, with an acute 11and distant margin; the portion covering the pileus divided into broad, irregular, somewhat separating scales. Gills annexed, crowded, narrow, shining, white. Fries.

Odor stinking. The color is that of A. phalloides, with which A. virosa exactly agrees, more rarely straw color, lemon-yellow, becoming green.

In mixed woods. Frequent. Stevenson.

Spores spheroid, 7–10µ K.; 8–9×6–8µ B.; subglobose, 7–9µ diameter Massee.

New York woods and fields, common, September to October, Peck, 22d Rep.; North Carolina, Curtis; New England, Frost; Minnesota, Johnson; Ohio, Morgan; District Columbia, Miss Taylor.

POISONOUS.

Probably but a variety of A. phalloides.

A. spre´ta Pk.—spreta, hated. (Plate VI, fig. 1, p. 6.) Pileus subovate, then convex or expanded, smooth or adorned with a few fragments of the volva, substriate on the margin, whitish or pale-brown. Gills close, reaching the stem, white. Stem equal, smooth, annulate, stuffed or hollow, whitish, finely striate at the top from the decurrent lines of the lamellæ, not bulbous at the base, but the volva rather large, loose, subochreate. Spores elliptical, generally with a single large nucleus, 10–13×6–8µ.

Plant 4–6 in. high. Pileus 3–5 in. broad. Stem 4–6 lines thick.

Ground in open places. Sandlake and Gansevoort. August. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

This is a dangerous species, because containing a deadly poison and resembling the most common forms of Amanitopsis, therefore likely to be mistaken for them. Specimens sent by me to Professor Peck were identified as his species. I add my own description.

Pileus oval, broadly umbonate, date-brown toward and on umbo, soft, dry, smooth, more or less sulcate on edge. Flesh white, thin, except at center. Stem tapers rapidly above ring and at base, white-reddish-brown toward middle, narrows toward volva from which it is almost free at the base, hollow, furfuraceous above ring. Gills white, crowded, free. Ring white, thin, persistent, but at times hard to distinguish because clinging to stem. Volva free, fitting close, upper 12margin thin, lower part quite thick, making stem appear bulbous, which it is not. White forms occur.

Not as virulent as A. phalloides, but like it in its POISONOUS effects. It differs from Amanitopsis in having a ring.

Grows in woods and on wood-margins.

Angora woods, West Philadelphia. On ground in mixed woods, open and grassy places in wood and wood-margins. August to September. McIlvaine.

A. recuti´ta Fr.—having a fresh or new skin. Pileus convex then plane, dry, smooth, frequently bearing fragments of the volva, margin nearly even. Stem stuffed then hollow, attenuated, silky, volva circumscissile, becoming obliterated, margin closely pressed to stem; ring distant, white. Gills striate-decurrent.

In pine woods. Common.

No report upon quality.

A. Cæsa´rea Scop.—king-like. (Called by the Greeks Cibus Deorum, food of the gods.) CAUTION. Pileus 3–8 in. across, hemispherical, then expanded, free from warts, distinctly striate on the margin, red or orange becoming yellow. Gills free, yellow. Stem 4–6 in. long, up to ¾ in. thick at base, slightly tapering upward, yellowish, flocculose, stuffed with white fibrils or hollow, with a conspicuous yellowish ring or veil. Volva white, large, distinct and membranous. Spores elliptical, 8–10µ Peck.

Open woods, under pines on lawns. July to October.

Reported from North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Alabama, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, New York. Peck, Rep. 23, 32, 33, 48.

This emperor of fungi is the most showy of its race. It grows to 10 in. in height. The cap reaches 8 in. in diameter and the stem over 1½ in. in thickness. In very much smaller specimens about the same proportions occur. The cap is at first ovate, then hemispherical, then expanded. It has no warts or scales upon it. The margin is distinctly striate. The flesh is white, yellow or reddish under the skin; next to the gills it is usually yellow.

The stem tapers upward from the socket at its base. It is yellowish and covered with loose fibrils of darker hue. The ring is white, but 13frequently tinged with yellow. In taste and smell it is mild. Open woods is its favorite habitat, yet it is found growing luxuriantly under pines, maples, elms, on lawns. It is not often found, but when it is, it is solitary, or in groups or rings. In the latitude of Philadelphia it is found from July until October 1st. Further south its stay conforms to temperature, and it is more frequent. There is no doubt of its rare edibility abroad, and of its being eaten in America.

A specimen believed to be it should never be eaten until carefully distinguished from A. muscaria and A. Frostiana, which have warts or scales on the cap (which sometimes are not discernible after rain), white gills, and a volva which soon breaks up into fragments or scabs.

Appearing like a small form of A. muscaria, to which it was formerly referred, is A. Frostiana Pk. (Frost’s Agaric). It closely resembles small A. Cæsarea, especially in the yellow tinge of stem, ring and gills. The volva and ring (persistent in A. Cæsarea) soon disappear, but are traceable by fluffy fragments, or yellow stains. It is extremely poisonous.

The differences, concisely, are these: A. Cæsarea (Orange Amanita). Cap smooth, though occasionally with a few fragments of the volva as patches upon it. Gills yellow. Stem yellow. Volva usually persistent, sometimes breaking up into soft, fluffy masses.

A. muscaria (Fly Amanita). Poisonous. Cap covered with remains of the volva as scales or wart-like patches. Gills white. Stem white or light-yellow. Volva not persistent, breaking up into fluffy fragments or scales.

A. Frostiana. Poisonous. Smaller and more delicate than the two preceding. Cap smooth or with yellow scales or wart-like patches. Gills yellow or tinged on edge with yellow. Stem white or yellow, the ring evanescent, but always leaving a yellow mark on stem. Volva yellow, breaking up into yellow fluffy fragments.

Far better for the amateur to let the A. Cæsarea, and anything resembling it, respectfully alone.

New York, Gansvoort. Circle forty feet in diameter. Peck, 32d Rep.; Maryland. There is not a doubt that this fungus can be eaten with impunity, Banning; Alabama, abundant. Edible. Alabama Bull. No. 80.

Rogues and Cordier, French writers, regard it as the finest and most delicate of fungi, the perfume and taste being exquisite.

14The writer has not had opportunity to eat A. Cæsarea. If such should occur he would go about it very cautiously. No suspicion attaches to it abroad, but evidence is accumulating in the hands of the writer (not yet convincing) that either locality may render it poisonous or that A. muscaria varies so much in appearance as to deceive even the expert into mistaking it for A. Cæsarea. It is possible that A. muscaria is, at times, in certain localities, harmless; but no such exception as this is noted in the entire fungoid realm. It is not so common that collectors should mourn its waste. It is better, far, to let it alone.

A. musca´ria Linn.—musca, a fly. (Plate VI, fig. 4, p. 6. Plate IX.) POISONOUS. Pileus 4 in. and more broad, normally at first blood-red, soon orange and becoming pale, whitening when old, globose, then convex and at length flattened, covered with a pellicle which is at first thick, and in wet weather glutinous, but which gradually disappears, and sprinkled with thick, angular, separating fragments of the volva; margin when full-grown slightly striate. Flesh not compact, white, yellow under the pellicle. Stem as much as a span long, shining white, firm, torn into scales, at first stuffed with lax, spider-web fibrils, soon hollow; the adnate base of the volva forms an ovate bulb, which is marginate with concentric scales. Ring very soft, torn, even, inserted at the apex of the stem, which is often dilated. Gills free, but reaching the stem, decurrent in the form of lines, crowded, broader in front, white, rarely becoming yellow.

Var. rega´lis, twice as large. Stem stuffed, solid when young, as much as 1–2 in. thick, becoming light-yellow within; the volva terminates in 8–10 concentric squamoso-reflexed rows of scales. Pileus very glutinous, bay-brown or the color of cooked liver. Gills yellowish.

Var. formo´sa, soft, fragile. Pileus at first lemon-yellow, with mealy, lax, yellowish, easily-separating warts, often naked. Gills often becoming yellow. A. formosa, with the warts rubbed off.

Var. umbri´na, thinner and more slender. Stem hollow, often twisted, bulb narrowed. Pileus at first umber, then livid, with the exception of the disk, which is dingy-brown. Gills at length remote. Stev.

Pileus at first ovate or hemispherical, then broadly convex or nearly plane, slightly viscid when young and moist, rough with numerous 15whitish or yellowish warts, rarely smooth, narrowly and slightly striate on the margin, white, yellow or orange-red. Gills white. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, stuffed with webby fibrils or hollow, bearing a white ring above, ovate-bulbous at the base, white or yellowish; the volva usually breaking up into scales and adhering to the upper part of the bulb and the base of the stem. Spores elliptical, 8–10x6–8µ.

Plant 5–8 in. high. Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Peck, 33d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

A white variety, with the pileus thickly studded with sharp warts, occurs in Albany Rural Cemetery. July. Peck, 24th Rep.

Var. al´ba Pk. It also occurs on Long Island in two forms, the normal one and a smaller one, in which the warts of the pileus are evanescent or wanting. Not unfrequently it makes a close approach to white forms of A. pantherina, in having the upper part of the bulb uniformly margined by the remains of the definitely circumscissile volva, but this margin is more acute than in that species. Peck, 46th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores spheroid-ellipsoid, 10–12x8–9µ K.; 6x9µ, W.G.S.; elliptical, 8–10x6–8µ Peck.

“At Cincinnati, yellow A. muscaria are all we find.” Lloyd.

Reported from most of the states. At Mt. Gretna I found it in great quantity, and frequently three or four tightly crowded together. Many pounds of it were sent to Professor Chittenden, Sheffield Laboratory, Yale University. Near Haddonfield, N.J., large patches annually grow under pines, gorgeous in their rich orange-red caps, usually scaly, with at times lemon-yellow in the same clusters, smooth as A. Cæsarea. It grows from July until after hard frosts.

It is undoubtedly poisonous to a high degree. Its juices in minute quantity, carefully and scientifically injected into the circulation of etherized cats, kill in less than a minute. A raw piece of the cap, the size of a hazel nut, affects me sensibly if taken on an empty stomach. Dizziness, nausea, exaggeration of vision and pallor result from it. The pulse quickens and is full, and a dreaded pressure affects the breathing. I have not noticed change in the pupil of the eye. Nicotine from smoking a pipe with me abates the symptoms, which entirely disappear in two hours, leaving as reminiscence a torturing, dull, skull-pervading headache. If, as is asserted on good authority, the Siberians use it as an intoxicant, they certainly suffer the accustomed penalty. 16It is possible that persons may, in a degree, become immune to its poison, as they do to arsenic, strychnia, opium, nicotine, or it may be that a portion of the poison is extracted by boiling. It is, however, extremely dangerous to rely upon extracting by any means the poison of the Amanita, and to eat the residue. Acetic acid or vinegar does not destroy the poison; it dissolves it to an extent and extracts it, and becomes as poisonous as the plant itself. There is no means of telling how much of the poison remains in the plant after such treatment. The safe plan is to eat, only, of toadstools which do not contain any poison to extract.

One redeeming virtue, alone, rests with A. muscaria—it kills flies.

A. Frost´iana Pk.—in honor of Charles C. Frost. POISONOUS. (Plate VI, fig. 5, p. 6.) Pileus convex or expanded, bright-orange or yellow, warty, sometimes nearly or quite smooth, striate on the margin. Gills free, white or slightly tinged with yellow. Stem white or yellow, stuffed, bearing a slight, sometimes evanescent ring, bulbous at the base, the bulb slightly margined by the volva. Spores globose, 8–10µ in diameter.

Plant 2–3 in. high. Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem about 2 lines thick. June to October.

This appears like a very small form of the Fly Agaric, to which, as var. minor, it was formerly referred. The only decided characters for distinguishing it are its small size and globose spores. Our plant sometimes grows in company with A. muscaria, but it seems to prefer more dense woods, especially mixed or hemlock woods. It is generally very regular and beautiful and has the stem quite often of a yellow color, and the bulb margined above with a collar-like ring. Peck, 33d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina, McIlvaine.

A. Frostiana is found well over the land. It is frequent in shady woods and seems to favor ground under the prevailing tree—oak, chestnut, pine, hemlock, whichever it may be. From the many hundreds I have seen, I think it more likely to be mistaken by the novice for A. Cæsarea than A. muscaria, because of its often yellow gills and stem. It is much smaller and thinner than either. In the states I have found it, it is darker than described, being a rich reddish-orange or scarlet. The partial veil or ring is very evanescent but often found upon the 17stem as a yellow, floccose remnant. The stain of the ring is always noticeable. The volva is seldom found entire. It, too, is evanescent, but, like the veil, is found yellow and fluffy, adhering to the fingers when touched.

It is probable that its highly colored cap has caused it to be gathered by the careless collector of bright-capped Russulæ, and that thus R. emetica got its bad name. Examine carefully any toadstool resembling it. The Russulæ have neither ring nor volva.

A. excel´sa Fr.—excelsus, tall. POISONOUS. Pileus 4–5 in. broad, brownish-gray, darker in the center, fleshy, soft, globose, then plane, pellicle thin, but viscous, and in reality separable in wet weather, then the surface is often wrinkled-papillose, or in a peculiar manner hollowed and pitted, sprinkled with angular, unequal, whitish-gray, easily separating warts, the remains of the friable volva; margin at first even, but when properly developed manifestly striate, even furrowed. Flesh soft, white throughout, unchangeable. Stem 4–6 in. long, 1 in. thick, at first stuffed, almost solid, but at length hollow, globose-depressed at the base, attenuated upward from the bulb, covered, sometimes as far as the ring, sometimes only on the lower part with dense, squarrose, concentric scales (from the epidermis of the stem being torn), striate at the apex. Ring superior, large, separating-free or at length torn. Gills quite free, rounded (not decurrent on the stem in the form of lines), very ventricose, ½ in. and more broad, shining white.

The bulb when young is somewhat marginate, but by no means separable, the margin proper, like that of A. muscaria, is marked with scales, buried in the soil, somewhat rooting, beneath the margin marked here and there with a concentric furrow. The shorter gills intermixed are more numerous than is usual among Amanitæ. There is a smaller variety, with the margin more frequently striate and the stem stuffed, then hollow. Fries.

Solitary, in woods, chiefly under beech. Stevenson.

Spores 6x9µ W.G.S.; 8–9×5–6µ Massee.

North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; South Carolina, Ravenel; California, Harkness and Moore; Massachusetts, Frost, Andrews; Minnesota, Johnson; Rhode Island, Olney.

A. pantheri´na De C.—spotted like a panther. Doubtful. Pileus 18commonly olivaceous-umber when young, fleshy, convex then flattened or somewhat depressed, with a sticky pellicle, which is at first thick and olivaceous dingy-brown, then thinned out, almost disappearing and livid, the disk only becoming brownish; margin evidently striate; the fragments of the volva divided into small, equal, white, regularly arranged, moderately persistent warts. Flesh wholly white, never yellow beneath the pellicle. Stem 3–4 in. long, ½ in. thick, at first stuffed then hollow with spider-web fibrils within, equal or attenuated upward, slightly firm and sometimes scaly downward, greaved at the base by the separable volva which has an entire and obtuse margin. Ring more or less distant, adhering obliquely, white, rarely superior. Gills free, reaching the stem, broader in front, 3–4 lines broad, shining white.

It is readily distinguished from A. muscaria, var. umbrina, by the white flesh never becoming yellow beneath the pellicle. Variable in size and color, which, however, is never red or yellow, and in the position of the ring.

In woods and pastures. Stevenson.

Spores 7–8×4–5µ K.; 6–10µ B.; 8×4µ W.G.S.; 7.6×4.8µ Morgan.

Not poisonous, W.G.S.; not edible, Roze; poisonous, Leuba.

North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, New York. Peck.

A. Ravenel´ii B. and C.—in honor of Henry W. Ravenel. Pileus 4 in. across, convex, broken up into distinct areas, each of which is raised into an acute, rigid, pyramidal wart. Stem 3 in. high, bulbous. Volva thick, warty, somewhat lobed. Ring deflexed.

South Carolina, June, H.W. Ravenel; a very fine species allied to A. strobiliformis, Vitt. Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1859; Alabama, Atkinson (Ll. Volvæ).

Properties not stated.

A. russuloi´des Pk.—resembling a Russula. Pileus at first ovate, then expanded or convex, rough with a few superficial warts, or entirely smooth, viscid when moist, widely striate-tuberculate on the margin, pale-yellow or straw color. Gills close, free, narrowed toward the stem, white. Stem firm, smooth, stuffed, annulate, equal or slightly tapering upward, bulbous; annulus thin, soon vanishing. Volva fragile, subappressed. Spores broadly elliptical, 10×8µ.

19Plant 2–3 in. high. Pileus 1.5–2 in. broad. Stem 3–5 lines thick. Grassy ground in open woods. Greenbush. June.

This species is remarkable for the thin striate-tuberculate margin of the pileus, which causes it to resemble some species of Russula. Peck, 25th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Qualities not stated.

Massachusetts, Francis.

A. strobilifor´mis Vitt.—strobilis, a pine-cone, from the shape of the warts. (Plate VIII, fig. 3, p. 18.) Cap 3–10 in. across, convex or nearly plane, white or cinereous, sometimes yellow on the disk, rough with angular, mostly persistent warts which sometimes fall away and leave the pileus nearly smooth; generally whitish, sometimes tinged with brown; the margin even and extending a little beyond the lamellæ. Gills free, rounded behind. Veil large and portions sometimes adhere to margin of cap. Stem 3–8 in. long, up to 1¼ in. thick, equal or slightly tapering upward, solid, floccose-scaly, white, bulbous, the bulb very large, sometimes weighing a pound, margined above and furnished with one or two concentric furrows, somewhat pointed below, firmly and deeply imbedded in the earth, floccose-mealy when young.

Spores elliptical, 13–15×8–10µ Peck.

Open woods and borders. June to October.

Edible. W.G. Smith, Curtis, Peck.

This is among the best of species. Its size, solidity, flavor are marked. I have found specimens weighing a pound and a half. It grows singly, but when one is found several are apt to be neighbors. When young, the cap is but a small knob upon a beet or top-shaped base, which is largely under ground. It cuts like a soft turnip, and has a strong, pungent, unmistakable odor, like chloride of lime, which entirely disappears in cooking. As the plant develops the bulb decreases in size. On all the many specimens the author has seen and eaten, the scabs are light brown and reddish-brown.

A. solita´ria Bull.—growing alone. Pileus convex or plane, warty, white or whitish, even on the margin. Gills reaching the stem, white or slightly tinged with cream color. Stem at first mealy or scaly, equal, solid, white, bulbous, the bulb scaly or mealy, narrowed below into a root-like prolongation. Ring lacerated, often adhering in fragments to the margin of the pileus and gills. Spores elliptical-oblong, 8–13×6.5µ.

20Plant 4–8 in. high. Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Stem 4–6 lines thick. Peck, 33d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Solitary in woods and open places. July to October.

Georgia, H.N. Starnes; Indiana, H.I. Miller; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

Edible. Curtis, H.N. Starnes, Philadelphia Myc. Club.

In many localities I find it quite plentiful, and it is so reported from Georgia. Southern and middle New Jersey woods abound with it, and at Mt. Gretna, Pa., it is always present in its growing months.

The cap is sometimes tinged with brown as are the angular, erect warts which are generally numerous, but often falling off or few and scattered. The flesh is white and smells like chloride of lime, but not nearly so strong as A. strobiliformis. The volva is broken up into floccose scales which cling to bulb and lower part of stem. These scales may be white and mealy or brownish. The entire fungus has a fluffy exterior, which is easily removed by rubbing. The annulus is torn, a part often adhering to the margin of the pileus and the gills. This and the long, tapering, rooting bulb are marked characteristics. The bulb is brittle. It is difficult to get the fungus from the ground entire.

Stem and cap are juicy, tender, mild in flavor, wholesome. It is not equal in flavor to A. rubescens, but is more delicate.

By many its properties have been stated as poisonous, doubtful. Quantities of it have been eaten by myself and friends. Hypodermic injection of its juices into the blood circulation of live animals prove it perfectly harmless.

A. can´dida Pk.—shining white. Pileus thin, broadly convex or nearly plane, verrucose with numerous small, erect, angular or pyramidal, easily separable warts, often becoming smooth with age, white, even on the margin. Flesh white. Gills rather narrow, close, reaching to the stem, white. Stem solid, bulbous, floccose-squamose, white, the annulus attached to the top of the stem, becoming pendent and often disappearing with age, floccose-squamose on the lower surface, striate on the upper, the bulb rather large, ovate, squamose, not margined, tapering above into the stem and rounded or merely abruptly pointed below. Spores elliptical, 10–13×8µ.

Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Stem 2.5–5 in. long, 5–8 lines thick, the bulb 1–1.5 in. thick in the dried specimens.

21This is a fine large species related to A. solitaria, but differing from it in the character of its bulb and of its annulus. The bulb is not marginate nor imbricately squamose. Its scales are small and numerous. Nor is it clearly radicating, though sometimes it has a slight abrupt point or myceloid-agglomerated mass of soil at its base. The veil or annulus is large and well developed, but it is apt to fall away and disappear with age. Its attachment at the very top of the stem brings it closely in contact with the lamellæ of the young plant and the striations of its upper surface appear to be due to the pressure of the edges of these upon it. It separates readily from the margin of the pileus and is not lacerated. In the mature plant the warts have generally disappeared from the pileus and sometimes its margin is curved upward Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.

Woods. Auburn, N.Y., Alabama, U. and E.; Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, August to October, McIlvaine.

A dozen or more specimens were found in oak woods near Philadelphia, and carefully tested. Their edible qualities were found to be precisely the same as A. solitaria.

A. rubes´cens Pers.—rubesco, to become red. (Plate VIII, fig. 2, p. 18. Plate XII, fig. 4, p. 32.) Pileus about 4 in. broad, dingy-reddish, becoming pale flesh-color, tan, scarcely pure, fleshy, convex, then plane, obtuse, moist but not glutinous in rainy weather and opaque when dry, covered with unequal, soft, mealy, whitish, easily-separating warts, which are smaller, harder and more closely adherent in dry weather; margin even and, when old, slightly striate only in wet weather. Flesh commonly soft, white when fresh, reddening when broken. Stem 4–5 in. long, as much as 1 in. thick, stuffed, somewhat solid, though soft within, conico-attenuated from the thickened base, reddish-scaled, becoming red-white, and without a trace of a distinct volva at the base. Ring superior, large, membranaceous, soft, striate and white within. Gills reaching the stem in an attenuated manner, forming decurrent lines upon it, thin, crowded, soft, as much as ½ in. broad, shining white.

Very changeable, but readily distinguished from all others of the same group by the flesh being reddish when broken; the stem and pileus are commonly spotted-red when wounded. In dry weather it is firmer, flesh reddening more slowly, warts minute. Odor scarcely any. There 22is a remarkable variety circinata, pileus becoming plane, umber-brown, warts adnate, crowded, roundish. A. circinatus Schum. Stevenson.

Spores spheroid-ellipsoid, 7–8×6µ K.; 8×6µ W.G.S.; 7–9×6–8µ B.; elliptical, 8–9µ long. Peck.

Not reported west of the Mississippi river.

Oak woods, borders and open places. July to September. Indiana, H.I. Miller; West Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

It is quite common, often growing in large patches. Recent authors agree upon the edibility and deliciousness of this species. The author knows it to be one of the most plentiful, useful and delicious, after several years of pleasant experience with it.

In July, 1899, at Mt. Gretna, I found, growing from the ground gregariously, a singular fungoid growth from 2–5 in. high; cap hemispherical, 1 in. in diameter, tightly fitting a solid stem of nearly the diameter of the cap. The whole was watery white, and evidently affected by a parasite. It was edible. September 1st Professor Peck wrote to me: “I think I have found the identity of the diseased Agaric, of which you sent me samples some time ago. I mean the one affected by Hypomyces inæqualis Pk. The host is Amanita rubescens, at least sometimes, and probably always.”

The plant is very heavy for its size. The lack of a volva, the dingy color and reddish stains distinctly separate this from any poisonous Amanita.

A. spis´sa Fr.—compact, dense;—of the warts. Pileus umber, sooty or gray, fleshy, somewhat compact, convexo-plane, obtuse, smooth, even, but marked with small, ash-colored, angular, adnate warts; margin even, but often torn into fibers. Flesh firm, white, quite unchangeable. Stem 2–3 in. long, as much as 1 in. thick, solid, turnip-shaped at the base, somewhat rooting with a globoso-depressed not marginate bulb, curt, firm, shining white, at length squamulose with concentric cracks. Ring superior, large. Gills reaching the stem, slightly striato-decurrent, broad, crowded, shining white. Fries.

Spores 14µ W.G.S.; subglobose, 8–10µ C.B.P.; 6µ W.P.; rather pear-shaped, 9–10×6µ Massee.

Cap 2–3 in. across. Stem 2½-3 in. long, up to ¾ in. thick.

New Jersey, oak woods, August and September. McIlvaine.

23A. spissa has been reported from but few localities. It is rare in the latitude of Philadelphia. Half a dozen specimens have been found in neighboring New Jersey.

Taste and smell strong, but when cooked the dish is savory and not unlike one of A. rubescens.

A. as´pera Fr.—asper, rough. Pileus 2–3 in. across. Flesh rather thick at the disk, whitish, white or reddish with tints of livid or gray, reddish or brownish under the cuticle; convex then plane, margin thin and even, rough with firmly adnate, minute, closely crowded, angular warts, reddish-brown or livid-brownish, not pure white, unchangeable. Gills free and rounded behind, not striately decurrent, ventricose, white. Stem stuffed, striate above the ring, short at first, ovate, then elongating to 2–3 in., attenuated upward from a wrinkled bulb, squamulose, white without and within. Ring superior, entire.

Spores 8×6µ Massee; 8×6–7µ W.G.S.

The flesh of stem and bulb when eaten by insects is reddish, the bulb when old is a reddish-brown. The large ring and stem become red when touched. In these particulars it resembles A. rubescens. In smell it is somewhat strong, not unlike A. strobiliformis, but not nearly so pungent.

Cooked it is of excellent quality and flavor. I have eaten it since 1885.

A. abrup´ta Pk.—abrupt, of the bulb. Pileus thin, broadly convex or nearly plane, covered with small angular or pyramidal, erect, somewhat evanescent warts, white, slightly striate on the margin. Flesh white. Gills moderately close, reaching the stem and sometimes terminating in slightly decurrent lines upon it, white. Stem slender, glabrous, solid, bulbous, white, the bulb abrupt, subglobose, often coated below by the white persistent mycelium, the ring membranous, persistent. Spores broadly elliptical or subglobose, 8–10×6–8µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2.5–4 in. long, 3–4 lines thick.

The chief distinguishing mark of this species is the abrupt, nearly globose, bulbous base of the stem. This is somewhat flattened above and is sometimes longitudinally split on the sides. The small warts of the pileus are easily separable, and in mature specimens they have often wholly or partly disappeared. The remains of the volva are not present on the bulb in mature dried specimens, which indicates that the 24species should be placed in the same group with A. rubescens, A. spissa, etc. The latter species have the bulb of the stem similar to that of our plant, but the color of the pileus and other characters easily separate it. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.

Alabama, Underwood; New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine. July to September.

This species is edible and quite equal in quality to A. rubescens. Great care should be exercised in distinguishing it.

A. nit´ida Fr.—niteo, to shine. Pileus when flattened 4 in. broad, whitish, fleshy, somewhat compact, at first hemispherical, wrapped up, the thick volva forming a floccose crust, then broken up into thick, remarkably angular, adhering warts, which become brownish, dry, shining, without a glutinous pellicle, margin always even. Flesh white, quite unchangeable. Stem 3 in. long, 1 in. thick, solid, firm, conico-attenuated, with a bulb-shaped base, squamulose, white. Ring superior, thin, torn, slightly striate, white, villous beneath, at length disappearing. Gills free, crowded, very broad, as much as ½ in., ventricose, shining white. Fries.

Menands. Albany county. Our plant is more slender than the typical form, and has smaller but more numerous warts, but in other respects it exhibits the characters of this species. Peck, 43d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

California, H. and M.; Maryland. Common in nearly every woods in Maryland. Banning.

From its likeness to poisonous species it should be suspected.

A. prairiic´ola Pk—prairie, colo, to inhabit. Pileus thin, convex, slightly verrucose, white, more or less tinged with yellow, even on the margin. Flesh white. Gills rather broad, subdistant, reaching the stem, white. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, somewhat squamose toward the base, white or whitish, the annulus persistent. Spores large, broadly elliptical, 12–14µ long, 7–9µ broad.

Pileus 1.5–3 in. broad. Stem 2–2.5 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

Bare ground on open prairies. Kansas. September. E. Bartholomew.

This species belongs to the same tribe as A. abrupta. The only evidence of the presence of a volva shown by the dried specimens is found in a few inconspicuous, but separable warts on the pileus. There is no 25well marked bulb to the stem and no evidence remains of a volva at its base. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.

Reported from Kansas only. Qualities unknown.

A. monticulo´sa Berk.—mountain, from the warts. Pileus 2.5–3 in. across, convex, areolate, with a wart in the center of each areola; those toward the margin consisting of soft threads meeting in a point, but sometimes simply flocculent, the central warts angular, pyramidal, truncate, discolored. Stem bulbous, scaly, flocculent, white. Veil thick, at length distant. Gills free, ventricose, remote, forming a well-defined area around the top of the stem. The warts are not hard and rigid as in A. nitida, and the free remote gills separate it from that and the neighboring species. Berk.

North Carolina, sandy woods, common. Curtis.

Properties not known.

A. dau´cipes B. and M.—daucum, a carrot; pes, a foot. Pileus 2–5 in. broad, hemispherical, globose. Flesh white, soft, warts regular, pyramidal, saffron color. Gills narrow, reaching the stem, broadest in the middle. Stem 5–6 in. high, solid, base bulbous, with a restricted cortina above, squamulose downward. Veil fibrillose, extending from the margin of the pileus to the apex of the stem, fugacious.

In cultivated fields. Ohio. Sullivant. Properties not given.

A. lenticular´is Lasch.—resembling (the stem) a lentil.

Fries places this species in Amanita, in which Stevenson follows him. Cooke and Massee place it in Lepiota, where it will be found.

A. chlorinos´ma Pk.—smelling like chlorine. (Plate VIII, fig. 1, p. 18.) Pileus convex or expanded, warty on the disk, covered on the even margin with a light powdery, at length evanescent substance, white. Gills white. Stem nearly cylindrical, stout, deeply penetrating the earth. Spores broadly elliptical, 7–10µ long. Odor distinct, chlorine-like.

Plant 6–7 in. high. Pileus 4–6 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. thick. Peck, Bot. Gaz., Vol. 4.

26Burnt ground in woods. August. Closter, N.J., C.F. Austin; Alabama, U. and E.; West Virginia, Nuttall; New Jersey, Ellis; Mt. Gretna, Pa., July, in a cluster of a dozen individuals, and afterward until frost, strong smelling, warts brownish-white. McIlvaine.

It is edible and equal to A. strobiliformis.

A. calyptra´ta Pk. Pileus fleshy, thick, convex or nearly plane, centrally covered by a large irregular persistent grayish-white fragment of the volva, glabrous elsewhere, striate on the margin, greenish-yellow or yellowish-brown tinged with green, the margin often a little paler or more yellow than the rest. Lamellæ close, nearly free, but reaching the stem and forming slight decurrent lines or striations on it, yellowish-white tinged with green. Stem stout, rather long, equal or slightly tapering upward, surrounded at the base by the remains of the ruptured volva, white or yellowish white with a faint greenish tint. Spores broadly elliptic, 10µ long, 6µ broad, usually containing a single large nucleus.

Pileus 10–20 cm. broad. Stem 10–15 cm. long, 12–20 mm. thick.

Rich ground in fir woods or their borders. Autumn. Oregon. Dr. H. Lane.

This is a large and interesting species, well marked and easily recognized by its large size, by the greenish tint that pervades the pileus, lamellæ, annulus and stem, and especially by the large persistent patch of grayish-white felty material that covers the center of the pileus and sometimes extends nearly to the margin. This is in fact the upper part of the ruptured volva that is carried up by the growing plant, and is very suggestive of the specific name. In the young state the plant is entirely enveloped in the volva, which then is similar to a goose egg in size and shape, and its walls are one-fourth to one-half inch thick. So thick and firm are they that the young plant appears sometimes to be unable to break through and it decays in its infancy.

Dr. Lane says that, having found that the Italians made use of this mushroom for food, he began eating it and introducing it to his friends, and he learned by personal trial that it is a thoroughly good and wholesome mushroom, which, when broiled with bacon, fried, baked or stewed, may be eaten with perfect safety and that it is a nutritious food. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 27, January, 1900.

27A. crenula´ta Pk. Pileus thin, broadly ovate, becoming convex or nearly plane and somewhat striate on the margin, adorned with a few thin whitish floccose warts or with whitish flocculent patches, whitish or grayish, sometimes tinged with yellow. Lamellæ close, reaching the stem, and sometimes forming decurrent lines upon it, floccose crenulate on the edge, the short ones truncate at the inner extremity, white. Stem equal, bulbous, floccose mealy above, stuffed or hollow, white, the annulus slight, evanescent. Spores broadly elliptic or subglobose, 7.5–10µ long, nearly as broad, usually containing a single large nucleus.

Pileus 2.5–5 cm. broad. Stem 2.5–5 cm. long, 6–8 mm. thick.

Low ground, under trees. Eastern Massachusetts. September. Mrs. E. Blackford and George E. Morris.

The volva in this species must be very slight, as its remains quickly disappear from the bulb of the stem. The remains carried up by the pileus form slight warts or thin whitish areolate patches. The annulus is present in very young plants, but is often wanting in mature ones, in which state the plant might be mistaken for a species of Amanitopsis. Its true affinity is with the tribe to which A. rubescens belongs. As in that species, the bulb soon becomes naked and exhibits no remains of the volva. It is similar to A. farinosa also in this respect, but quite unlike it in color, in the adornments of the pileus and in the character of its margin, which is even in the young plant and but slightly striate in the mature state. Its dimensions are said sometimes to exceed those here given, and it is reported to have been eaten without harm and to be of an excellent flavor. I have had no opportunity to try. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 27, January, 1900.

28AMANITOP´SIS Roze.

Having a universal veil at first completely enveloping the young plant, which soon bursts through, carrying particles of it on the pileus, where they appear as scattered warts readily brushed off; the remainder or volva closely enwraps the base of the stem. Ring absent. Spores white. This genus was formerly included in Amanita. It differs from Amanita in the absence of a ring or collar upon the stem and in the more sheathing volva. It differs from Lepiota in having a volva.

Close observation is necessary in collecting Amanitopsis for the table. It has no trace of ring or veil upon the stem. So far as the species are known no poisonous one exists. But Amanita spreta Pk., which is deadly, so closely resembles forms of Amanitopsis that those confident of their knowledge will be deceived. The veil or traces of veil, which Amanita spreta always has, sometimes so adheres to and wraps the stem that it is not noticeable without close examination, thus giving to it every appearance of an Amanitopsis.

The volva of A. spreta is attached for a considerable distance to the base of the tapering stem, and is not readily removed. This is a guide to detect it. It is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Amanitopsis corresponds to Volvaria in the pink-spored series, in which, as far as known, there is no poisonous species.

All American species of Amanitopsis are given. Several have not been tested by the writer because of lack of opportunity.

A. vagina´ta Roze—vagina, a sheath. (Plate X, figs. 1, 2, p: 28.) Pileus thin, fragile, glossy, smooth except in rare instances where a few fragments of the volva adhere to it for a time, deeply and distinctly striate on the margin, sometimes umbonate. Flesh white, in the dark forms grayish under the skin. Stem ringless, sometimes smooth, but generally mealy or floccose, hollow or stuffed with a cottony pith, not bulbous. Volva long, thin, fragile, closely sheathing yet free from the stem, except in the lower part, easily detachable and frequently remaining in the ground when the plant is pulled. Color variable, generally mouse-gray, sometimes livid, tawny-yellow or white, in one variety a 29rich date-brown. Spores globose, 8–10µ broad Peck; elliptical 10×7–8µ Massee.

Var. liv´ida Pers.—livid. Leaden brown, gills dingy. (Plate X, fig. 2, p. 28.)

Var. ful´va Schæff.—yellowish. Tawny-yellow or pale ochraceous.

This plant is widely dispersed, having been reported from many localities in the United States, also from Nova Scotia and Greenland.

On ground in woods and on margins of woods, under trees, in shaded grassy places. Sometimes in open stubble and pastures. June to frost. Mt. Gretna, September, 1899, found a cluster on decayed chestnut stump. Various colors abound—hazel, brown, gray, yellow, whitish. The caps and stems are tender as asparagus tips, but without much distinct flavor when cooked.

Great care must be taken to distinguish these forms from Amanita spreta Pk. which is poisonous. See heading of genus—Amanitopsis.

A. niva´lis Grev.—snowy. (Plate X, fig. 3, p. 28.) Pileus at first ovate, then convex or plane, smooth, striate on the thin margin, white, sometimes tinged with yellow or ochraceous on the disk. Flesh white. Gills subdistant, white, free. Stem equal, rather tall, nearly smooth, bulbous, stuffed, white; the volva very fragile, soon breaking up into fragments or sometimes persisting in the form of a collar-like ring at the upper part of the bulb. Spores globose, 7.5–10µ in diameter.

Plant 4–6 in. high. Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 2–4 lines thick. July to October.

It approaches in some respects A. Frostiana, but its larger size, smooth pileus, lighter color and the absence of an annulus will easily distinguish it from that species. Peck, 33d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Specimens have been repeatedly found by the writer in open oak woods near Philadelphia.

A strong, unpleasant bitter, which appears to develop while cooking, renders it unpalatable. It is harmless, but its use is not advised.

A. velo´sa Pk.—velosus, fleecy. Pileus at first subglobose, then bell-shaped or nearly plane, generally bearing patches of the remains of the whitish felty or tomentose volva, elsewhere glabrous, becoming sulcate-striate on the margin, buff or orange-buff. Flesh compact, white. Gills close, reaching the stem, subventricose, pale cream color. Stem 30firm, at first attenuated and tomentose at the top, then nearly equal, stuffed, white or whitish, closely sheathed at the base by the thick volva. Spores globose, 10–13µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 3–4 lines thick.

Under oak trees. Pasadena, California. April. A.J. McClatchie.

This fungus is closely related to A. vaginata, from which it may be separated by the more adherent remains of the thicker volva which sometimes cover the whole surface of the pileus, and by the thicker gills which are somewhat adnate to the stem and terminate with a decurrent tooth. Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 22, No. 12.

As it is probable this species will be found elsewhere than California, and from its close relation to A. vaginata likely to be edible, its description is here given.

A. strangula´ta (Fr.) Roze—choked, from the stuffed stem. (Plate X, fig. 4, p. 28.) Pileus at first ovate or subelliptical, then bell-shaped, convex or plane, warty, slightly viscid when moist, deeply and distinctly striate on the margin, grayish-brown. Gills free, close, white. Stem equal or tapering upward, stuffed or hollow, nearly smooth, white or whitish, the volva soon breaking up into scales or subannular fragments. Spores globose, 10–13µ.

Plant 4–6 in. high. Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 3–6 lines thick. Peck, 33d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

A. Ceciliæ B. and Br. is a synonym.

Not distinct in color and general appearance from A. vaginata, but distinctly separated by its warty pileus and evanescent mouse-colored volva which does not sheath the stem. Pileus striate when young, then sulcate. Stem mealy, especially on the upper part.

Woods, open grassy places, wheat stubble, etc. June to September. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, McIlvaine.

In the latitude of Philadelphia the plant is found in great abundance. Its rather early appearance, staying quality, delicate consistency and flavor make it valuable as a food supply.

Pearl color, bluish-gray and gray are the prevailing cap-coloring.

A. adna´ta (W.G.S.) Roze—adnatus, adnate, of the gills. Pileus about 3 in. across. Flesh thick, whitish, firm, convex, then expanded, rather moist, pale yellowish-buff, often furnished with irregular, woolly 31patches of volva; margin even, extending beyond the gills. Stem 2–4 in. long, ½ in. thick, cylindrical, rough, fibrillose, pale buff, flesh distinct from that of the pileus, stuffed, then hollow; base slightly swollen. Volva adnate, white, downy, margin free and lax, sometimes almost obsolete. Gills truly adnate, crowded, with many intermediate shorter ones, white. Spores subglobose, with an oblique point, 7–8µ Massee.

Tender, good flavor, yielding more substance when cooked than any other Amanitopsis.

A. volva´ta Pk.—possessing a volva. Pileus convex, then nearly plane, slightly striate on the margin, hairy or floccose-scaly, white or whitish, the disk sometimes brownish. Gills close, free, white. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, stuffed, minutely floccose-scaly, whitish, inserted at the base in a large, firm, cup-shaped, persistent volva. Spores elliptical, 10×8µ.

Plant 2–3 in. high. Pileus 2–3 broad. Stem 3–4 lines thick. Peck, 33d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

The plant is easily recognized by its large, cup-shaped volva and cap, which is not smooth, as is usual in a species with a persistent membranous volva, more or less scaly with minute tufts of fibrils or tomentose hairs. The gills are white in the fresh plant.

Professor Peck notes the species as quite rare. Numerous specimens occur in the sandy oak woods of New Jersey, and in oak woods near Angora, Philadelphia. July to October.

Care must be taken to determine the absence of an annulus or any trace of one. Tender, delicate, without pronounced flavor. Equal to Amanitopsis vaginata.

A. farino´sa Schw.—covered with farina, meal. Pileus nearly plane, thin, flocculent-pulverulent, widely and deeply striate on the margin, grayish-brown or livid-brown. Gills free, whitish. Stem whitish or pallid, equal, stuffed or hollow, mealy, sub-bulbous, the volva flocculent-pulverulent, evanescent. Spores variable, elliptical ovate or subglobose, 6–8µ long.

Plant about 2 in. high. Pileus 1 in. to 15 lines broad. Stem 1–3 lines thick. July to September.

This is our smallest Amanita (now Amanitopsis). It is neither very common nor very abundant when it does occur. It is described by 32Schweinitz as “solid,” but I have always found it stuffed or hollow. Peck, 33d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

A. pusil´la Pk.—small. Pileus thin, broadly convex or nearly plane, subglabrous, slightly umbonate, even on the margin, pale brown. Gills narrow, thin, close, free, becoming brownish. Stem short, hollow, bulbous, the bulb margined by the remains of the membranous volva. Spores broadly elliptical, 5–6×4µ.

Pileus about 1 in. broad. Stem 8–12 lines long, 1–2 lines thick.

Grassy ground. Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county. September. Mrs. Anthony. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Edibility not tested.

A. pubes´cens Schw.—downy. Pileus yellow, covered with a thin pubescence, margin involute. Stem short, about 1 in. in length, at first white becoming yellowish, bulbous, bulb thick. Volva evanescent. Gills white.

In grassy grounds. Rare.

North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis.

A. agglutina´ta B. and C.—viscid. Pileus 1–2 in. broad, white, hemispheric then plane, viscid, areolate-scaly from the remains of the volva, margin thin, sulcate. Stem .5–1.5 in. long, 2 lines thick, short, solid, bulbous. Volva with a free margin. Gills broad, ventricose, rotundate-free. Spores elliptic.

In pine woods.

North Carolina, Curtis.

Resembling some of the dwarf forms of A. vaginata but at once distinguished by its solid stem and decidedly viscid, areolate-squamose pileus. Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, 1848.

33LEPIO´TA Fr.

Pileus generally scaly from the breaking up of the cuticle and the adherence of the concrete veil. Gills free, often very distant from the stem and attached to a cartilaginous collar. Stem hollow or stuffed, its flesh distinct from that of the pileus. Ring at first attached to the cuticle of the pileus, often movable, sometimes evanescent.

On the ground. Several are found in hot-houses and hot-beds, and are probably introduced species.

The universal veil, covering the entire plant when very young, is closely applied to the pileus, which from the breaking up of the cuticle is generally scaly. The stem in most species differs in substance from the pileus. This is readily seen by splitting the plant in half from cap to base. It is easily separated from the cap, leaving a cup-like depression therein. Gills usually white. In some species they are yellow-tinted. In others they become a dingy red when wounded or ageing.

The veil in this genus, being concrete with the cuticle of the pileus, never appears as loose warts or patches, neither is there a volva as in Amanita and Amanitopsis. These three genera are the only ones in the white-spored series having gills free from the stem. In a few species the gills are slightly attached to the stem, but are never decurrent upon it as in Armillaria. When the plant is young it is egg-shaped. It then gradually spreads, becomes convex, and opens until it is nearly flat, with a knob in the center.

The only species in this genus known to be poisonous to some persons is L. Morgani Pk., which is distinguished by its green spores and white 34gills becoming green. L. Vittadini has also been regarded with suspicion.

Ring movable. The plant is at first entirely enclosed in a universal veil, which splits around at the base, the lower part disappearing on the bulb, the upper part attached to the pileus breaking up into scales. Stem encircled at the top with a cartilaginous collar to which the free, remote gills are attached.

Ring fixed, attached to the upper portion of the universal veil which sheaths the stem from the base upward, making it downy or scaly below the ring. The remainder of the veil united with the pileus breaking up and becoming downy or scaly. Collar at the apex of stem not so large as in Proceri, hence the gills are not usually so remote. Taste and smell unpleasant, resembling that of radishes.

Ring fixed, somewhat persistent, universal veil closely attached to the pileus. Collar absent or similar in texture to the stem. Stem, not sheathed.

Pileus granular or warty. Universal veil sheathing the stem, at first continuous from the stem to the pileus, finally rupturing, forming a ring nearer the base. Stem not so distinctly different from the pileus as in other sections.

Small, slender, stem hollow. Pileus smooth, dry.

Proce´ri. Ring movable, etc.

L. proce´ra Scop.—procerus, tall. (Plate XIII, p. 34.) Tall Lepiota, Parasol Mushroom, in some localities Pasture Mushroom (a misleading title).

The Flesh not very thick, soft, permanently white. Pileus at first ovate, finally expanded, cuticle soon breaking up into brown scales, excepting upon the umbo, umbo smooth, dark-brown, distinct. The caps vary in shades of brown, sometimes they have a faint tinge of lavender. Gills whitish, crowded, narrowing toward the stem, and very remote from it. Stem variable in length, often very long, tubular, at first stuffed with light fibrils, quite bulbous at base, generally spotted or scaly with peculiar snake-like markings below the ring, which is thick, firm and readily movable. When the stem is removed from pileus it leaves a deep cavity extending nearly to the cuticle.

Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Stem 5–12 in. high, about ½ in. thick.

White spores elliptical, 14–18×9–11µ Peck; 12–15×8–9µ Massee; 14×10µ Lloyd.

Readily known by its extremely tall stem, shaggy cap, distinct umbo and the channel between the gills and stem. Resembles no poisonous species.

Before cooking the scurf should be rubbed from the caps, which alone should be eaten, as the stem is tough. Though the flesh is thin, the gills are meaty and have a pleasant, nutty flavor. Fried in butter it has few equals. It makes a superior catsup.

L. racho´des Vitt. Gr.—a ragged, tattered garment. Pileus very fleshy, but very soft when full grown, globose then flattened or depressed, not umbonate, at first incrusted with a thick, rigid, even, very smooth, bay-brown, wholly continuous cuticle, which remains entire at the disk but otherwise soon becomes elegantly reticulated with cracks; these very readily separate into persistent, polygonal, concentric scales, which are revolute at the margin and attached to the surface with beautifully radiating fibers, the surface remaining coarsely fibrillose-downy. Flesh 36white, immediately becoming saffron-red when broken, easily separating from the apex of the distinct stem, which is encircled with a prominent collar. Stem stout, at the first bulbous with a distinct margin upon the bulb, conical when young, then elongated, attenuated upward, as much as a span long, very robust, 1 in. thick, and more at the base, always even, and without a trace of scales or even of fibrils although the appearance is obsoletely silky, wholly whitish, hollow within, stuffed with spider-web threads, the walls remarkably and coarsely fibrous. Ring movable, adhering longer to the margin of the pileus than to the apex of the stem, hence rayed with fibers at the circumference, clothed beneath with one or two zones of scales. Gills very remote, tapering toward each end or broadest at the middle, crowded, whitish, sometimes reddening. Stevenson.

Veil remarkable in its development and thick margin.

Spores 6×8µ W.G.S.

Fort Edward, Howe; Westfield, N.Y., Miss L.M. Patchen; Pennsylvania, New Jersey, McIlvaine.

A heavier species than L. procera, of which by some writers it has been considered a variety, but it differs in the absence of umbo and flesh becoming tinged with red.

Stem is decidedly swollen downward. Veil heavy, apparently double, thickest at margin of cap to which it remains attached in heavy fragments. It tears from the stem, leaving no mark of ring.

Var. puella´ris Fr.—puella, a girl. Smaller than typical form, shining white, pileus with downy scales. Not yet reported in America.

Edible qualities similar to those of L. procera. It is sold indiscriminately with it in London markets.

L. excoria´ta Schaeff.—stripped of its skin. Flesh spongy, rather thick, white, unchangeable. Pileus at first globose, then flat, hardly umbonate, pale-fawn or whitish, disk dark; cuticle thin, silky or scaly, sometimes areolate, more or less peeled toward margin, hence its name. Gills ventricose, white, free, somewhat remote. Stem attenuated, hollow or stuffed, short, scarcely bulbous, smooth, white, not spotted, very distinct from flesh of pileus. Ring movable but not so freely as that of L. procera.

Stem 1½-2½ high, less than ½ in. thick. Pileus 2–3 in. broad.

Spores 14–15×8–9µ Massee.

37In pastures or grassy lawns. May to September.

North Carolina, edible, Curtis; Massachusetts, Frost; California, H. and M.; Ohio, Morgan; Minnesota, Johnson.

Distinguished from the preceding by its smaller size and short stem which is scarcely bulbous.

Esculent qualities good.

L. mastoi´dea Fr. Gr.—breast-shaped. Pileus rather thin, ovate, bell-shaped, then flattened, with a conspicuous acute umbo, cuticle thin, brownish, breaking up in minute scattered scales; the pileus appears whitish beneath. Stem hollow, smooth, tough, flexible, attenuated from the bulbous base to the apex. Ring entire, movable. Gills very remote, crowded, broad, tapering at both ends, white.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 3–4 lines thick at base, 1½-2 lines at apex.

North Carolina, edible, Curtis. It is generally eaten in Europe. In woods, especially about old stumps. October.

The entire plant is whitish and is well marked by the prominent umbo, which generally has a depression around it. It has the least substance of any in this section, and consequently not much value as food.

L. gracilen´ta Krombh.—gracilis, slender. Pileus rather fleshy, thickest at the disk, ovate then bell-shaped, finally flattened, obscurely umbonate; at first brownish from the adnate cuticle, which, breaking up into broad adpressed scales, allows the whitish pileus to be seen beneath them. Gills remote, very broad, crowded, pallid. Stem whitish, obscurely scaly, hollow or containing slight fibrils, slightly bulbous. Ring thin, floccose, vanishing.

Stem 5–6 in. long, 3–5 lines thick. In pastures, also in woods.

Spores 11×8µ W.G.S.

Almost as tall as L. procera, but slighter in stem and pileus; the ring, instead of being firm and persistent, is thin and fugacious, and the stem is hardly bulbous.

Edible, but not of the first quality.

L. Mor´gani Pk.—in honor of Professor Morgan. (Plate XIV.) Pileus fleshy, soft, at first subglobose, then expanded or even depressed, white, the brownish or yellowish cuticle breaking up into scales except 38on the disk. Gills close, lanceolate, remote, white, then green. Stem firm, equal or tapering upward, subbulbous, smooth, webby-stuffed, whitish, tinged with brown. Ring rather large, movable. Flesh both of the pileus and stem white, changing to reddish and then to yellowish when cut or bruised. Spores ovate or subelliptical, mostly uninucleate, sordid green, 10–13×7–8µ.

Plant 6–8 in. high. Pileus 5–9 in. broad. Stem 6–12 lines thick. Peck in Bot. Gaz., March, 1879.

Open dry grassy places. Dayton, Ohio. A.P. Morgan.

This species is remarkable because of the peculiar color of the spores. No green-spored Agaric, so far as I am aware, has before been discovered, and no one of the five series, in which the very numerous species of the genus have been arranged, is characterized in such a way as to receive this species.

It seems a little hasty to found a series (Viridispori) on the strength of a single species. Until other species of such a supposed series shall be discovered it seems best to regard this as an aberrant member of the white-spored series. The same course has been taken with those Agarics which have sordid or yellowish or lilac-tinted spores.

It gives me great pleasure to dedicate this fine species to its discoverer Mr. Morgan. Peck.

Commonly 6–8 in. high, 5–9 in. diameter, though larger specimens are sometimes found. It is the most conspicuous Agaric in the meadows and pastures of the Miami valley; it appears to flourish from spring to autumn whenever there is abundance of rain.

It is heavier and stouter than L. procera and I am disposed to claim that it is the largest Agaric in the world. Spores 10–12×7–8µ. In immature specimens they are greenish-yellow. Morgan.

Kansas, Bartholomew (Peck, Rep. 50); Kansas, Cragin; Alabama, U. and E.; Georgia, Benson; Louisiana, Rev. A.B. Langlois; Michigan, C.F. Wheeler (Lloyd, Myc. Notes); Texas, Prof. W.S. Carter; Indiana, H.I. Miller.

L. Morgani is one of the largest, handsomest of the genus. It is very abundant in the western and southwestern states. Mr. H.I. Miller, Terre Haute, Ind., writes August 18, 1898: “I have recently measured several which were more than twelve inches across. At the present time this mushroom is growing in more abundance throughout Indiana than any other. It grows luxuriantly in the pastures, generally 39in grand fairy rings, five, ten, fifteen feet in diameter. We find it also in the woods. It is beautifully white and majestic, and these rings can be seen in meadows where the grass has been eaten close, for half a mile or more. The gills are white until the cap is almost opened, by which time the green spores begin to cause the gills to change to green. The meat is fine and is usually more free from worms than other mushrooms. Six families, here, have eaten heartily of them. The experience is that one or two members of each family are made sick, though in two families, who have several times eaten them, no one was made sick. I enjoy them immensely, and never feel any the worse for eating them. I doubt if we have a finer-flavored fungus. The meat is simply delicious. One fairy ring yields a bushel.”

Prof. W.S. Carter, University of Texas, Galveston, reported to me (and sent specimens of L. Morganii) the poisoning of three laboring men from eating this fungus. They were seriously sick, but recovered.

The conclusion is inevitable that this green-spored Lepiota contains a poison which violently attacks some persons, yet is harmless upon others.

I have not had opportunity to test it. It should be tested with great caution.

Clypeola´rii. Clypeus, a shield. Ring fixed; stem sheathed, etc.

L. Frie´sii Lasch.—in honor of Fries. Pileus fleshy, soft, lacerated into appressed tomentose scales. Stem hollow, with a webby pith, subbulbous, scaly. Ring superior, pendulous, equal. Gills subremote, linear, crowded, branched. Fries.

Pileus fleshy but rather thin, convex or nearly plane, clothed with a soft, tawny or brownish-tawny down, which breaks up into appressed, often subconfluent scales, the disk rough with small acute, erect scales. Flesh soft, white. Gills narrow, crowded, free, white, some of them forked. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, subbulbous, hollow, colored like the pileus below the ring, and there clothed with tomentose fibrils which sometimes form floccose or tomentose scales, white and powdered above. Ring well developed, flabby, white above, tawny and floccose-scaly below. Spores 7–8×3–4µ.

Plant 2–5 in. high. Pileus 1–4 in. broad. Stem 2–5 lines thick.

Catskill mountains and East Worcester. July to September.

I have quoted the description of this species as it is found in Epicrisis, 40because the American plant which I have referred to it does not in all respects agree with this description, but comes so near it that it can scarcely be specifically distinct. In the American plant, so far as I have seen it, erect, acute scales are always present, especially on the disk, and the down of the pileus does not always break up into distinct areas or scales. Neither is the stem usually scaly, but rather clothed with soft tomentose or almost silky fibrils. The gills are crowded and some of them are forked. At the furcations there are slight depressions which interrupt the general level of the edges, and give them the appearance of having been eaten by insects. The plant has a slight odor, especially when cut or bruised. Peck, 35th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Remarks under L. acutesquamosa apply to L. Friesii, which Fries himself doubts being distinct from the first. The plants vary greatly in size, color and habitat. The name—acutesquamosa—carries a descriptive meaning with it that L. Friesii does not.

It does not appear to have been reported except by Professor Peck, but probably appears as L. acutesquamosa in other lists.

The edible qualities are excellent.

L. acutesquamo´sa Wein.—acutus, sharp; squama, a scale. Pileus fleshy, obtuse, at first hairy-floccose, then bristly with erect, acute, rough scales. Stem somewhat stuffed, stout, bulbous, powdered above the moderate-sized ring. Gills approximate, lanceolate, simple. Fries.

Pileus convex or nearly plane, obtuse or broadly subumbonate, clothed with a soft tawny or brownish-tawny tomentum, which usually breaks up into imperfect areas or squamæ, rough with erect, acute scales, which are generally larger and more numerous on the disk. Gills close, free, white or yellowish. Stem equal, hollow or stuffed with webby filaments, subbulbous. Spores about 7×3–4µ.

Woods and conservatories. Buffalo, G.W. Clinton; Albany, A.F. Chatfield; Adirondack mountains and Brewertown, Peck.

The form found in the hot-houses seems to have the tomentum of the pileus less dense and the erect scales more numerous than in the form growing in woods. The annulus is frequently lacerated. In the specimens of the woods the erect scales are sometimes blackish in color, and they then contrast quite conspicuously with the tawny or brownish-tawny tomentum beneath them. They vary in size and shape. Some resemble pointed papillæ, others, being more elongated, are almost 41spine-like. These are sometimes curved. They are generally larger and more numerous on the disk than elsewhere, and often they are wholly wanting on the margin. Peck, 35th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Philadelphia, 1897, on lawn and growing from trunk of a maple tree; Mt. Gretna, Pa., mixed woods. McIlvaine.

I first saw specimens of L. acutesquamosa when sent to me by Miss Lydia M. Patchen, President Westfield Toadstool Club. It was later found by myself and tested. Specimens were sent to Professor Peck and identified as L. acutesquamosa.

Caps and stems brownish-purple. The pointed squamules or tufts have dark-brown points, shaded to a delicate purple at base. Gills light, faint flesh-color. Veil is silky, transparent, beautiful, quite tenacious—stretching until cap is well expanded, persistent, though at times fugacious. Smell like stewed mushrooms. The caps are of excellent substance and flavor.

L. his´pida Lasch.—rough. Pileus 2–3 in. across. Flesh thin, white, unchangeable; hemispherical then expanded, umbonate, tomentose or downy at first from the remains of the universal veil; during expansion the down becomes broken up into small, spreading, scaly points, which eventually disappear, umber-brown, sometimes with a tawny tinge. Gills free but near to the stem, the collar of the pileus prominent and sheathing the stem, crowded, ventricose, simple, white. Stem about 3–5 in. long, 3–5 lines thick, attenuated upward, densely squamosely-woolly up to the superior, membranaceous, reflexed ring, dingy-brown, stem tubular, but fibrillosely stuffed. Spores 6–7×4µ Massee.

In margins of and in open mixed woods, under pine trees, Haddonfield, N.J., July to September, 1892. Quite plentiful year after year in the same places. The American plant is taller than the English species, the stem reaching five inches, and the color of the cap a delicate tawny-brown. Smell slight, but pungent like radishes.

The whole fungus is tender and delicious. It is one of the few Lepiotæ that stews well.

L. feli´na Pers.—belonging to a cat. Pileus thin, bell-shaped or convex, subumbonate, adorned with numerous subtomentose or floccose blackish-brown scales. Gills close, free, white. Stem slender, rather 42long, equal or slightly tapering upward, hollow, clothed with soft, loose, floccose filaments, brown. Ring slight, evanescent. Spores elliptical, 6–8×4–5µ.

Plant 2–3.5 in. high. Pileus .5–1.5 in. broad. Stem 1–2 lines thick.

Woods. Adirondack Mountains. August and September.

It is easily distinguished from A. rubrotincta by the darker color of the scales of the pileus, by the loose floccose filaments that clothe the brown stem, by the fugacious ring and the smaller spores. Peck, 35th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

The caps compare favorably with other Lepiotæ in substance and flavor.

L. crista´ta A. and S.—crista, a tuft, crest. Pileus thin, bell-shaped or convex, then nearly plane, obtuse, at first with an even reddish or reddish-brown surface, then white adorned with reddish or reddish-brown scales formed by the breaking up of the cuticle, the central part or disk colored like the scales. Gills close, free, white. Stem slender, hollow, equal, smooth or silky-fibrillose below the ring, whitish. Ring small, white. Spores oblong or narrowly subelliptical, 5–7×3–4µ.

Plant 1–2 in. high. Pileus .5–1.5 in. broad. Stem 1–2 lines thick.

Grassy places and borders of woods. June to September.

This species is easily known by its small size and the crested appearance of the white pileus, an appearance produced by the orbicular unruptured portion of the cuticle that remains like a colored spot on the disk. The fragments or scales are more close near this central part and more distant from each other toward the margin, where they are often wholly wanting. The scales are sometimes very small and almost granular. In very wet weather the margin of the pileus in this and some other species becomes upturned or reflexed. Peck, 35th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Found in Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia. June to September, 1897. McIlvaine.

Scales were appressed and slightly tinged with brown, often very small. Caps of same, upturned and bare near margin. Taste sweet, slightly like new meal. Odor strong.

Cooked it is of good consistency and pleasing to taste.

43L. alluvi´na Pk.—alluvies, the over-flowing of a river. Pileus thin, convex or plane, reflexed on the margin, white, adorned with minute pale-yellow hairy or fibrillose scales. Gills thin, close, free, white or yellowish. Stem slender, fibrillose, whitish or pallid, slightly thickened at the base. Ring slight, subpersistent, often near the middle of the stem. Spores elliptical, 6–7×4–5µ.

Plant 1–2 in. high. Pileus .5–1 in. broad. Stem 1–1.5 lines thick. Alluvial soil, among weeds. Albany. July.

In the fresh plant the scales are of a pale yellow or lemon color, but in drying they and the whole pileus take a deeper rich yellow hue. The ring is generally remote from the pileus, sometimes even below the middle of the stem. Peck, 35th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

In 1897, I found it growing among weeds on lot near University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Seemingly it is a city resident.

The taste and smell are pleasant. Cooked it is tender and savory. Both stems and caps are good.

L. metulæ´spora B. and Br.—metula, an obelisk. Pileus thin, bell-shaped or convex, subumbonate, at first with a uniform pallid or brownish surface, which soon breaks up into small brownish scales, the margin more or less striate, often appendiculate with fragments of the veil. Gills close, free, white. Stem slender, equal or slightly tapering upward, hollow, adorned with soft floccose scales or filaments, pallid. Ring slight, evanescent. Spores long, subfusiform.

Plant 2–3.5 in. high. Pileus .5–1.5 in. broad. Stem 1–2 lines thick.

Woods. Adirondack mountains. August and September.

This species occurs with us in the same localities as L. felina, which it very much resembles in size, shape and general characters, differing only in color, the striate margin of the pileus and the character of the spores.

The species has a wide range, having been found in Ceylon, England, Alabama and Kentucky. Peck, 35th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

This has not been elsewhere noted in the United States, probably from neglect of the spore characters, being reported as L. clypeolaria.

New Jersey and Pennsylvania. McIlvaine.

44Annulo´si. Ring large, fixed; stem not sheathed.

L. holoseri´cea Fr. Gr.—entire, silken. Pileus 3 in. and more broad, whitish or clay-white, fleshy, soft, convex then expanded, rather plane, obtuse, floccoso-silky, somewhat fibrillose, becoming even, fragile, disk by no means gibbous; and wholly of the same color; margin involute when young. Flesh soft, white. Stem 2½-4 in. long, ½ in. and more thick, solid, bulbous and not rooted at the base, soft, fragile, silky-fibrillose, whitish. Ring superior, membranaceous, large, soft, pendulous, the margin again ascending. Gills wholly free, broad, ventricose, crowded, becoming pale-white. Fries.

A species well marked from all others. Inodorous.

On soil in flower beds.

Spores elliptical, 7–8×5µ Massee; 6×9µ W.G.S.

Wisconsin, Bundy; Minnesota, Johnson.

Considered esculent in Europe.

L. Vittadi´ni Fr.—in honor of the Italian mycologist. Pileus 3–4 in. across. Flesh 4–6 lines thick at the disk, becoming very thin at the margin, white; convex then plane, obtuse or gibbous, densely covered with small, erect, wart-like scales, altogether whitish. Gills free but rather close to the stem, 3–4 lines broad, rounded in front, thickish, ventricose, with a greenish tinge. Stem 2½-3½ in. long, up to ⅔ in. thick, cylindrical, with numerous concentric rings of squarrose scales, up to the superior, large ring; whitish, or the edges of the scales often tipped with red, solid. Fries.

In pastures, etc.

Intermediate between Lepiota and Amanita.

Noted by Fries as poisonous. It may or may not be, but as a matter of precaution it is described. A large species, pure white, extremely beautiful.

Massachusetts, Farlow.

L. nauci´na Fr. No translation applicable. Pileus 1–1½ in. broad, white, the disk of the same color, fleshy, soft, gibbous or obtusely umbonate when flattened, even, the thin cuticle splitting up into granules. Stem 1½-3 in. long, stuffed, at length somewhat hollow, but without a definite tube, attenuated upward from the thickened base, fibrillose, 45unspotted, white. Ring superior, tender, but persistent, adhering to the stem, at length reflexed. Gills free, approximate, crowded, ventricose, soft, white.

There is a prominent collar, as in the Clypeolarii, embracing the stem. Stature and appearance of L. excoriata, but commonly smaller, the superior ring adfixed, etc. Fries.

Spores subglobose, 6–7µ Massee.

L. naucina Fr. is the European species which has its American counterpart in L. naucinoides Pk. The variations in the American species are noted under L. naucinoides.

As Amanita phalloides—in its white form—the poisonous white Amanita, resembles L. naucina or L. naucinoides in some stages of its growth and may be confounded with it, careful note should be taken of their external differences. In L. naucinoides the bulb and stem are continuous, each passing into the other imperceptibly; in A. phalloides the junction of stem and bulb is abrupt and remains so, and the bulb is more or less enwrapped in the volva. The ring is also larger than in L. naucinoides and is pendulous, and the gills are permanently white. A certain means of distinguishing between them is by the application of heat as in cooking. On toasting both it will be found that the gills of the Amanita remain white, but those of the Lepiota turn quickly brown.

L. naucinoi´des Pk. No translation applicable. (Plates Plate XV, XII fig. 2, p. 32.) Pileus soft, smooth, white or snowy-white. Gills free, white, slowly changing with age to a dirty pinkish-brown or smoky-brown color. Stem ringed, slightly thickened at the base, colored like the pileus. Spores subelliptical, uninucleate, white, 8–10 long×5–8µ broad. Peck, 48th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Kansas, Cragin; Wisconsin, Bundy; New Jersey, Ellis; Iowa, Macbride; New York, Peck, 23d, 29th, 35th Rep.; Indiana, H.I. Miller, Dr. J.R. Weist.

L. naucinoides Pk. is the American counterpart of L. naucina Fr., a European species, excepting that the spores of the latter are described as globose. The caps are ovate when young and usually from 1½-3 in. across when expanded, but occasionally reach 4 in., smooth, but frequently rough or minutely cracked in the center, white or varying shades of white deepening in color at the summit. In a rare form var. squamo´sa, large, thick scales occur which are caused by the breaking 46up of the cap surface. When young the gills are white or faintly yellow, becoming pinkish or dull brown in age. The pinkish hue is not always apparent. The outer edge of the veil or ring is thickest; usually it is firmly attached to the stem, but movable rings are frequently noticed. When the plant ages the ring is often missing, but traces of it are always discernible. Stem rarely equal, often it is distinctly bulbous, generally tapering upward from a more or less enlarged base, hollow when fully grown, until then containing cottony fibers within the cavity or appearing solid, 2–3 in. long, ¼-½ in. thick.

Its habitat is similar to that of the common mushroom—lawns, pastures, grassy places—though unlike the latter it is found in woods. Until thoroughly acquainted with it, specimens found in woods and supposed to be L. naucinoides should not be eaten. An Amanita might be mistaken for it. It is readily distinguishable from the common mushroom and its allies by the color of the gills and spores which are white, and differences in stem and veil.

It is found from July until after hard frosts. It was first reported edible by Professor Peck in 1875, under the name of Agaricus naucinus.

The L. naucinoides is rewarding the favor with which it has been received as an esculent, it being equal to the common mushroom and quite free from insects. Large crops of it are reported from all over the country, and from many sections it is told of as a stranger. During 1897–98 the author has found it in plenty upon ground familiar to him for years, upon which it had not previously shown itself. The common mushroom must look to its laurels.

Its cultivation as a marketable crop is possible and probable.

L. cepæsti´pes Sow.—cepa, an onion; stipes, stem. (Plate XII, fig. 3, p. 32.) Pileus thin, at first ovate, then bell-shaped or expanded, umbonate, soon adorned with numerous minute brownish scales, which are often granular or mealy, folded into lines on the margin, white or yellow, the umbo darker. Gills thin, close, free, white, becoming dingy with age or in drying. Stem rather long, tapering toward the apex, generally enlarged in the middle or near the base, hollow. Ring thin, subpersistent. Spores subelliptical, with a single nucleus, 8–10×5–8µ.

Plant often cespitose, 2–4 in. high. Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 2–3 lines thick.

47Rich ground and decomposing vegetable matter. Also in graperies and conservatories. Buffalo, G.W. Clinton; Albany, A.F. Chatfield. Peck, 35th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores elliptical, 7–8×4µ Massee; 8×4µ W.G.S.; 8–10×5–8µ Peck.

Haddonfield, N.J., Pennsylvania, McIlvaine; New York, Mrs. E. C. Anthony; Indiana, H.I. Miller. July to October.

Whoever has seen the seed-stalks of an onion knows the shape from which this fungus takes its name. The dense clusters are graceful, dainty, and contain many individuals of all ages—from the very young with egg-shaped heads, like pigmy C. comatus, to the fluff-capped eldest, willowy and fair to look upon. The out-door kind soon droops when matured; the young plants of a cluster will remain fresh for several days after taken from their habitat. Stems in these tufts are often quill-shaped, and the striations on the cap margins are shorter than those on their indoor cousins. These grow in hot-houses and stables. One of the two forms has a yellow cap, the other is white and fair.

These forms have often come to my table as a pleasant winter surprise. Children in the hot-houses of Haddonfield, N.J., watched for its appearance among the bedded plants, sure of a present when they brought me a meal of it. Both the white and yellow varieties were equally enjoyed.

The entire fungus is tender and delicious cooked in any way.

L. farino´sa Pk.—farina, meal. Pileus thin, rather tough, flexible, at first globose or ovate, then bell-shaped or convex, covered with a soft, dense, white veil of mealy down, which soon ruptures, forming irregular, easily-detersible scales, more persistent and sometimes brownish on the disk. Flesh white, unchangeable. Gills close, free, white, minutely downy on the edge. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, somewhat thickened at the base, slightly mealy, often becoming glabrous, hollow or with a cottony pith above, solid at the base, white, pallid or straw-colored, the ring lacerated, somewhat appendiculate on the margin of the pileus, evanescent. Spores subovate, 10–13×8µ.

Pileus 1.5–2.5 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

Mushroom beds in a conservatory, Boston, Mass. March. Communicated by E.J. Forster.

This species is related to L. cepæstipes, from which it may be distinguished 48by its pileus, which is not folded on the margin, and by its larger spores. It is edible. It is very distinct from Amanita farinosa. Peck, 43d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Ohio, Lloyd, Prof. William Miller (Lloyd Myc. Notes).

L. America´na Pk. (Plate XII, fig. 1, p. 32. Plate XVa.) Pileus at first ovate, then convex or expanded, umbonate, scaly, white, the umbo and scales reddish or reddish-brown. Gills close, free, white. Stem somewhat thickened at or a little above the base, hollow, bearing a ring, white. Spores subelliptical, uninucleate, 8–10×5–8µ.

The American lepiota belongs to the same genus as the parasol mushroom and the Smooth lepiota. It has one character in which it differs from all other species of Lepiota. The whole plant when fresh is white, except the umbo and the scales of the cap, but in drying it assumes a dull reddish or smoky-red color. By this character it is easily recognized.

In the very young plant the cap is somewhat egg-shaped and nearly covered by the thin reddish-brown cuticle, but as the plant enlarges the cuticle separates and forms the scales that adorn the cap. On the central prominence or umbo, however, it usually remains entire. The margin of the cap is thin and is generally marked with short radiating lines or striations. The gills do not quite reach the stem and are, therefore, free from it. Sometimes they are connected with each other at or near their inner extremity by transverse branches. They are a little broader near the margin of the cap than at their inner extremity. The stem affords a peculiar feature. It is often enlarged towards the base and then abruptly narrowed below the enlargement, as in the Onion-stemmed lepiota. In some instances, however, the enlargement is not contracted below and then the stem gradually tapers from the base upward. The stem is hollow and usually furnished with a collar, but sometimes this is thin and may disappear with advancing age. Wounds or bruises are apt to assume brownish-red hues.

The caps vary in width from 1–4 in.; the stems are from 3–5 in. long, and 2–5 lines thick. Sometimes plants attain even larger dimensions than these. The plants grow singly or in tufts in grassy ground or on old stumps. They may be found from July to October.

In flavor this species is not much inferior to the parasol mushroom, but when cooked in milk or cream it imparts its own reddish color to 49the material in which it is cooked. It is, however, a fine addition to our list of esculent species. Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

I found several on a decaying willow trunk, and on the ground beside it, in Philadelphia. In July, 1898, large quantities, often clustered, grew under the great, open auditorium of the Pennsylvania Chautauqua, at Mt. Gretna, Pa., from ground covered with crushed limestone.

The caps are meaty and excellent in flavor. They should be broiled or fried.

Granulosi. Pileus granular or warty. Stem sheathed, etc.

L. granulo´sa Batsch.—granosus, full of grains. Pileus thin, convex or nearly plane, sometimes almost umbonate, rough, with numerous granular or branny scales, often radiately wrinkled, rusty-yellow or reddish-yellow, often growing paler with age. Flesh white or reddish-tinged. Gills close, rounded behind and usually slightly adnexed, white. Stem equal or slightly thickened at the base, stuffed or hollow, white above the ring, colored and adorned like the pileus below it. Ring slight, evanescent. Spores elliptical 4–5×3–4µ.

Plant 1–2.5 in. high. Pileus 1–2.5 in. broad. Stem 1–3 lines thick. Woods, copses and waste places. Common. August to October.

This is a small species with a short stem and granular reddish-yellow pileus, and gills slightly attached to the stem, a character by which it differs from all the preceding. The ring is very small and fugacious, being little more than the abrupt termination to the coating of the stem. Peck, 35th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 5–6×3µ B.; 3×4µ W.G.S.; elliptical, 4–5×3–4µ Peck.

Var. rufes´cens B. and Br. Pure white at first, then partially turning red and in drying acquiring everywhere a reddish tint.

Var. al´bida Pk. Persistently white.

Though small many plants grow neighboring. Being fleshy for their size, and of pleasing quality, they well repay gathering. Remove stems.

Open woods, Angora, West Philadelphia; Haddonfield, New Jersey, McIlvaine.

L. delica´ta Fr.—delicatus, delicate. Up to 1½ in. across, reddish, becoming yellowish toward margin. Flesh well proportioned to cap, 50convex, obscurely umbonate, glabrous, slightly viscid. Stem 1½-2 in. long, very thin, but covered with dense downy scales, equal, lighter than cap. Ring usually entire, membranaceous, fluffy from scales. Gills free, crowded, ventricose, white.

Haddonfield, N.J., January, 1896–97, in hot-houses. McIlvaine.

A delicate, delicious Lepiota. Though small, it is meaty. Its appearance in hot-houses (it is found in woods) insures a crop at a time of year when other species are not plentiful, and when anything edible in the toadstool line is most welcome to their lovers.

L. lenticula´ris Lasch.—lenticula, a lentil. Pileus at first globose, then convex, even, naked, pinkish-tan color. Flesh thick, spongy, white. Gills close to stem, but free from it, ventricose, crowded, whitish. Stem 4–6 in. high, thick, equal or swollen at base, solid but spongy, more or less covered with scales; above the ring it is frequently covered with drops of water more or less green, which leave spots when they dry. Veil superior and very large.

Pileus 3–4 in. across. Stem 4–6 in. long, ½ in. and more thick. In damp woods.

Redman’s Woods, Haddonfield, N.J. September, 1894. McIlvaine.

This species is included in Amanita by Fries and Stevenson. Massee places it in Lepiota. In the dozen or more specimens I have found, there was no trace of a volva, even when very young. I tested it carefully and at one time ate three good-sized caps without experiencing any indications of poison. I have seen it during but one season and not then (at one time) in sufficient quantity to make a meal off it. Cooked it has a slight cheesy flavor which is pleasant.

L. illi´nita Fr.—illino, to smear over. Pileus rather thin, soft, at first ovate, then campanulate or expanded, subumbonate, smooth, white, very viscid or glutinous, even or striate on the margin. Gills close, free, white. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, stuffed or hollow, viscid, white. Spores broadly elliptical, 5×4µ broad.

Plant 2–4 in. high. Pileus 1–2.5 in. broad. Stem 2–3 lines thick.

Thin or open woods. Adirondack mountains. July to September.

This is a smooth white species with the stem and pileus clothed with a clear viscid or glutinous veil. The margin of the pileus is often even, but the typical form of the species has it striate. The flesh is soft and 51white. The species may be distinguished from the viscid white species of Hygrophorus by the free, not adnate nor decurrent lamellæ. Peck, 35th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Springton and Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1887–1897. McIlvaine.

Not yet found by me in quantity. Several specimens eaten were of good flavor.

L. rugulo´sa Pk. Pileus thin, submembranaceous, broadly convex or nearly plane, umbonate, rugulose, widely striate on the margin, whitish. Lamellæ thin, narrow, close, free, whitish. Stem short, equal, slightly silky, whitish, the annulus thin, persistent, white. Spores elliptic, 7.5µ long, 4µ broad.

Pileus 12–20 mm. broad. Stem about 2.5 cm. long, 2 mm. thick.

Moist grassy places under trees. Washington, D.C. July. Mrs. E.M. Williams. Perhaps in the fresh state the pileus is not as distinctly rugulose as when dry. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 27, January, 1900.

52ARMILLA´RIA Fr.

Pileus and Stem continuous. Veil partial, sometimes only indicated by the scales which clothe the stem terminating in the form of a ring. Spores white. On the ground or on stumps.

In the young plant the veil extends from the stem to the pileus, sometimes forming scaly patches upon it; below the ring it is attached to the stem often in scales.

But for the presence of the ring the species of this genus could be distributed in Tricholoma, Clitocybe and Collybia, with which they agree in all other characters.

In Amanita and Lepiota, the other ringed genera of the white-spored series, the flesh of the stem and pileus is not continuous; and their stems are therefore easily separated. Amanita is also distinguished by its volva.

Gills sinuately adnexed, stem fleshy, ring often evanescent. (Like Tricholoma.)

Gills not sinuate, more or less decurrent, narrowed behind; ring permanent. (Resembling Clitocybe.)

Gills adnate, equal behind; stem somewhat cartilaginous outside; ring permanent. (Resembling Collybia.)

A. robus´ta A. and S.—robustus, robust, sturdy. Substance of entire plant compact. Pileus 2–3 in. across, varying in shades of gray and 53brown, scaly, fibrillose on margin, decreasing toward center or smooth, convex or top-shaped and margin involute at first, expanding. Flesh firm, very thick. Gills broad, emarginate, nearly free, crowded, whitish, up to ½ in. broad. Veil large, membranaceous, sometimes floccose, remaining adherent to the stem. Stem 1–2 in. long, obese, solid, tapering at the base, brownish-white and fibrillose below veil, white and flocculose above, flesh of stem continuous with that of the cap.

Stevenson gives var. minor with even cap with both gills and ring very narrow.

Spores ovoid-spherical. 7µ. Q.

Edible, Curtis; District Columbia, Mrs. M. Fuller.

In mixed woods. Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, McIlvaine.

The substance of A. robusta differs from all other Armillaria in being very compact. It is not acrid but has a marked flavor. Cut into small pieces and well cooked it makes an acceptable dish. It is best in croquettes and patties, or served with meats.

A. viscid´ipes Pk.—viscidus, sticky; pes, a foot. Pileus fleshy, compact, convex or nearly plane, glabrous, whitish with a slight yellowish or reddish-yellow tint. Flesh white, odor peculiar, penetrating, sub-alkaline. Gills narrow, crowded, sinuate or subdecurrent, whitish. Stem equal, solid, viscid and slightly tinged with yellow below the narrow membranous ring, whitish above. Spores elliptical, 8×5µ.

Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 6–12 lines thick.

In mixed woods. Rock City, Dutchess county. October.

It is a large fine fungus, easily known by its white and yellowish hues, its crowded gills, viscid stem and peculiar penetrating almost alkaline odor. The cuticle of the pileus is thin and soft to the touch, but it sometimes cracks longitudinally and is sometimes slightly adorned with innate fibrils. A. dehiscens is said to have a viscid stem, but it is also squamose and the pileus is yellowish-ochraceous. Peck, 44th Rep N.Y. State Bot.

Quite common in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. McIlvaine.

It loses its strong odor when cooked and is equal to other Armillaria in edibility. Unless well cooked it has a slight saponaceous flavor. This is easily overcome by a few drops of lemon juice or sherry.

54A. appendicula´ta Pk.—bearing an appendicula or small appendage. Pileus broadly convex, glabrous, whitish, often tinged with rust color or brownish rust color on the disk. Flesh white or whitish. Gills close, rounded behind, whitish. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, solid, bulbous, whitish, the veil either membranous or webby, white, commonly adhering in fragments to the margin of the pileus. Spores subelliptical, 8×5µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3.5 in. long; 5–10 lines thick.

Auburn, Ala. October. C.F. Baker.

The general appearance of this species is suggestive of Tricholoma album, but the presence of a veil separates it from that fungus and places it in the genus Armillaria. The veil, however, is often slightly lacerated or webby and adherent to the margin of the pileus. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 24.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., Angora, Pa. On decaying roots in ground. August to November. Found plentifully in resorts of other Armillaria. Edibility the same. McIlvaine.

A. pondero´sa Pk.—ponderosus, weighty, ponderous. Pileus thick, compact, convex or subcampanulate, smooth, white or yellowish, the naked margin strongly involute beneath the slightly viscid, persistent veil. Gills crowded, narrow, slightly emarginate, white inclining to cream color. Stem stout, subequal, firm, solid, coated by the veil, colored like the pileus, white and furfuraceous above the ring. Flesh white. Spores nearly globose, 4µ in diameter.

Plant 4–6 in. high. Pileus 4–6 in. broad. Stem about 1 in. thick.

Ground in woods. Copake, Columbia county. October.

The veil for a long time conceals the gills, and finally becomes lacerated and adheres in shreds or fragments to the stem and margin of the pileus. Peck, 26th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

New England, Frost; New York, Peck, Repts. 26, 29, 41. West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Ground in woods. September to November. McIlvaine.

Professor Peck says in 26th Report: “This species has not been found since its discovery in 1872.”

Where the Armillaria mellea frequents I have often found A. ponderosa. It was plentiful at Mt. Gretna, Pa., in September, 1898. 55Young specimens are quite as edible as A. mellea, and rather more juicy.

A. mel´lea Vahl.—melleus, of the color of honey. (Plate XVI, fig. 1, p. 52.) Pileus adorned with minute tufts of brown or blackish hairs, sometimes glabrous, even or when old slightly striate on the margin. Gills adnate or slightly decurrent, white or whitish, becoming sordid with age and sometimes variegated with reddish-brown spots. Stem ringed, at length brownish toward the base. Spores elliptical, white, 8–10µ long. Peck, 48th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 9×5–6µ W.G.S.; 10×8µ B.; 8–10µ Peck.

The A. mellea is unusually prolific and is common over the United States and Europe. Specimens may be found in the spring-time, but in middle latitudes it is common from August until after light frosts. It is usually in tufts, some of which contain scores of plants and are showy over ground filled with roots, or on stumps or boles of decaying trees. It frequents dense woods and open clearings. I have seen acres of dense woodland at Mt. Gretna, Pa., so covered with it and its varieties that but few square yards were unoccupied.

A description of the typical A. mellea will rarely apply to any one plant. A combination of its variable features in one description would include something of nearly every white-spored Agaric under the sun. Yet there is something indescribable about it which once learned will unerringly betray it.

Its Caps vary from perfectly smooth, through tufts of scales and hairs, more or less dense, to matted woolliness. It may show any one of these conditions in youth and be bald in age. Some shade of yellow is the prevailing color, but this will vary from whitish to dark-purplish or reddish-brown. When water-soaked it is one color, when dry, another. Commonly the margins of the Caps are striated, sometimes they are smooth as a cymbal, and not unlike one, have a raised place or umbo in the center. Flesh white or whitish. Gills when young are white or creamy, usually running down the stem, sometimes slightly notched at attachment. They freckle in age and lose their fair complexion. The Veil or collar about the stem is as variable as fashion—thick and closely woven or flimsy as gossamer, or vanishing as the plant grows old. The 56Stems may be even as a lead pencil, or swollen like a pen-holder, or bulbous toward the base, or distorted by pressure in the tufts. It is as variable in color as the cap, usually darkening downward in hues of brown. The outside is firm and fibrous, sometimes furrowed, inside soft or hollow.

Cap 1–6 in. across. Stem 1–6 in. long, ¼-¾ in. thick.

Var. obscu´ra has the cap covered with numerous small blackish scales.

Var. fla´va has the cap yellow or reddish-yellow, but in other respects it is like the type.

Var. gla´bra has the cap smooth, otherwise like the type.

Var. radica´ta has a tapering, root-like prolongation of the stem, which penetrates the earth deeply.

Var. bulbo´sa has a distinctly bulbous base to the stem, and in this respect is the reverse of var. radicata.

Professor Peck writes: “Var. exannulata (Plate XVI, fig. 2, p. 52) has the cap smooth and even on the margin, and the stem tapering at the base. The annulus is very slight and evanescent or wholly wanting. The cap is usually about an inch broad, or a little more, and the plants grow in clusters, which sometimes contain forty or fifty individuals. It is more common farther south than it is in our state (N.Y.), and is reported to be the most common form in Maryland. This I call var. exannulata.” From Dr. Taylor, Washington, D.C.; Indiana, H.I. Miller.

To these may be added also var. al´bida Pk. in which the pileus is white or whitish.

A variety, perhaps a variation of var. bulbosa was sent to me by E. B. Sterling, Trenton, N.J., and afterward found by myself at Mt. Gretna, Pa. The Cap purplish-brown, convex, striate and light on margin, edge irregular with parts of veil attached. Flesh white, very thin. Gills decurrent, arcuate, pinkish-gray. Stem stuffed, fibrous, white above, dense floccose veil, same color as cap below, swollen toward base which is pointed, sulcate, white inside, closely clustered and some of the stems distinctly bulbous. Taste decidedly unpleasant. An intense acridity develops and increases when the juices of raw pieces are swallowed, and the salivary glands are much excited. The acridity is not lost in cooking. It simply can not be eaten. Specimens were sent by me to Professor Peck who referred it to A. mellea.

I have never seen the abortive form of Clitopilus abortivus, though 57found in many places and in great quantity, showing any part or trace of the original plant. But that a similar monstrosity occurs upon A. mellea is shown by individuals and parts of individuals of a cluster being aborted. Without such positive proof, no one would suspect either of these odd formations to be abortive of either C. abortivus or A. mellea, or any other fungus. I consider the abortive form of A. mellea far superior in substance and flavor to it or any of its varieties.

The Armillaria can not be ranked among the tender or high-flavored toadstools, yet their abundance, meaty caps and nourishing qualities place them among our most valuable food species.

The caps when chopped into small pieces make good patties and croquettes. They have an impressive flavor of their own, and offer an esculent medium for seasoning and the gravies of various meats.

A. nardos´mia Ellis—nardosmius, of the odor of nardus. (A name applied by the ancients to several plants, especially spica nardi—spikenard.) Pileus fleshy, firm, thick and compact on the disk, thin toward the margin, whitish, variegated with brown spots, with a thick, tough and separable cuticle. Flesh white. Gills crowded, subventricose, slightly emarginate, whitish. Stem solid, fibrous, not bulbous, sheathed below by the brown velvety veil, the ring narrow, spreading, uneven on the edge. Spores subglobose, 6µ in diameter.

Pileus about 3 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Ground in woods, Suffolk county. September. Peck, 43d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Several specimens from sandy grounds in pine woods, Haddonfield, N.J., were sent by me to Professor Peck and were identified by him. Plentiful at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September to frost, 1898. In mixed woods, on gravelly ground. Eaten in quantity by several persons. McIlvaine.

Cuticle of caps when dry breaking up into brownish, squamulose scales, margin involute. Gills subdecurrent. Veil thick, persistent. Stem short, subbulbous, solid. Flesh white. Very much resembles a short-stemmed Lepiota. Smell and taste strong, like almonds. Disappears in cooking.

A. mu´cida Schrad.—mucidus, slimy. Pileus commonly shining white, thin, almost transparent, hemispherical then expanded, obtuse, more or less radiato-wrinkled, smeared over with a thick tenacious gluten; margin striate when thinner. Stem 1½-3 in. long, 1–2 lines thick at the apex, thickened at the base, stuffed, thin, rigid, curved ascending, smooth, white, but sooty scaly at the base when most perfectly developed. Ring inserted at the apex of the stem, bent downward and glued close to the stem, furrowed, the white border again erect, with a swollen and entire margin, which sometimes becomes dingy brown. Gills rounded behind, obtuse, adhering to the stem and striato-decurrent, distant, broad, lax, mucid, always shining white.

Very variable in stature, from 1 in. (when of this size the stem is almost equal) to as much as 6 in. broad. The color of the pileus varies gray, fuliginous, olivaceous. The gills sometimes become yellow, but only from disease. Sometimes solitary, sometimes a few are joined in a cespitose manner at the base. Stevenson.

Spores elliptical, 15–16×8–9µ Massee; 17×14µ W.G.S.

North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; Maryland, Miss Banning.

West Virginia mountains, 1882, Haddonfield, N.J., 1891–94, on beech trees and roots. McIlvaine.

Commonly considered esculent in Europe.

Dirt adheres so tenaciously to it that it is difficult to clean. This, however, occurs only when the fungus grows from roots and pushes its way up through covering earth. When growing from trees it is attractive and of good quality.

Should be chopped fine and well cooked.

59TRICHOLO´MA Fr.

Pileus symmetrical, generally fleshy, never truly umbilicate, seldom umbonate. Veil absent or appearing only as fibrils or down on the margin of the pileus. Gills sinuate (the small sudden curve near the stem always apparent in the young plant), sometimes with a slightly decurrent tooth. Stem central, usually stout, fleshy-fibrous, without a bark-like skin. Flesh continuous with that of the pileus. Ring and Volva absent. Spores white or dingy.

But one is known to be poisonous. Some are acrid or unpleasant in flavor. With one exception all grow on the ground in pastures and woods, appearing from May to late in the autumn.

Gills generally white or dingy, frequently spotted or stained. The pileus may be smooth or adorned with fibrous or downy scales, dry, moist, viscid or water-soaked.

The distinguishing feature of Tricholoma is the sinuate gills. In Collybia the stem bears a distinct bark-like skin; in Clitocybe the gills are never sinuate; species of Pleurotus are distinguished by growing on wood only, and Paxillus by their strongly-incurved margin and anastomosing gills.

In cooking Tricholoma consistency must be the guide to plan and time. The tougher varieties require to be cut into small pieces and to be well cooked, while the brittle and delicate varieties will cook quickly. Many of them make excellent soups.

Stem fibrillose from the remains of the adnate universal veil.

Cuticle of pileus viscid when moist, innately fibrillose or scaly, but not lacerated; flesh of pileus thick, firm; margin almost naked.

* Gills not discolored, nor becoming reddish.

** Gills discolored, usually spotted with reddish-brown.

Cuticle of the pileus never moist or viscid; torn into downy or floccose scales. Flesh soft, not water-soaked; margin involute and slightly downy at first.

* Gills not changing color, nor spotted with red or black.

** Gills becoming reddish or gray, the edge at last generally with reddish or black spots.

Pileus rigid, hard, somewhat cartilaginous when fleshy, very fragile when thin, cuticle rigid, granulated or broken up when dry into smooth scales, not torn into fibrils. Young specimens occur which are fibrillose from the veil, not from laceration of the cuticle.

* Gills white or pallid, not becoming spotted with red or gray.

** Gills becoming reddish, grayish or spotted.

Pileus first slightly silky, soon becoming smooth, very dry, neither moist, viscid, water-soaked, nor distinctly scaly; rather thin, opaque, absorbing moisture, but is the same color as the gills. Stem fibrous, by which the smaller species resembling Collybia may be distinguished.

* Gills broad, rather thick, somewhat distant.

**:sericella2 Gills narrow, thin, crowded.

In rainy weather moist; when very young pruinose (but rarely conspicuously) from the universal veil. Flesh soft and spongy or very thin when it is water-soaked.

Pileus fleshy, soft, fragile, marked with drop-like spots or rivulose. Appearing in spring, rarely in autumn.

61Cespitose, in troops or often in rings.

* Gills whitish.

** Gills becoming reddish or smoky-gray.

Pileus compact, then spongy, obtuse, even, smooth, moist but not hygrophanous; firm, growing in troops late in the autumn. Stem stout, base usually thickened, spongy fibrous. Gills at length decurrent but sinuate, by which character they are distinguished from Clitocybe.

* Gills not discolored.

** Gills discolored.

Pileus thin, somewhat umbonate; flesh at length soft, watery. Stem rootless, containing a pith, entirely fibrous.

Flesh not exceeding in depth the width of the not broad, thin gills; thinnest toward the margin, hence somewhat umbonate. Color of the pileus either moist or dry, very variable in the same species. Pileus sometimes pulverulent from the persistence of the veil in dry weather.

* Gills whitish, not spotted.

** Gills more or less violet, gray or smoky. Not represented.

T. eques´tre Linn.—equestre, belonging to a horseman or knight, from distinguished appearance. Pileus fleshy, compact, convex becoming expanded, obtuse, pale-yellowish, more or less reddish tinged, the disk and central scales often darker, the margin naked, often wavy. Flesh white or tinged with yellow. Gills rounded behind, close, nearly free, sulphur-yellow. Stem stout, solid, pale-yellow or white, white within. Spores 6.5–8×4–5µ.

Pileus 3–5 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 6–10 lines thick.

62Pine woods, especially in sandy soil. Albany county. September to November.

This is a noble species but not plentiful in our state (N.Y.). The pileus is said to become greenish very late in the season. The stem, in the typical form, is described as sulphur-yellow in color, but with us it is more often white. The scales of the disk are sometimes wanting. In our plant the taste is slightly farinaceous at first, but it is soon unpleasant.

Var. pinastreti A. and S. is a slender form having a thin, even pileus, thinner and more narrow gills and a more slender stem. A. crassus Scop., A. aureus Schaeff., and A. flavovirens Pers. are recorded as synonyms of this species. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Professor Peck later says in “Mushrooms and Their Use,” p. 52: “I confidently add it to the list of edible species.”

New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In pine forests and groves. September to frost. McIlvaine.

I have eaten it since 1883. All disagreeable odor about T. equestre (which I have seldom noticed) disappears upon cooking. The substance is rather tough, but good.

T. coryphæ´um Fr.—chief, leader. From its distinguished appearance. Pileus very fleshy but not compact, convex then plane, obtuse, viscid, yellowish, streaked with small brownish scales. Stem solid, attenuated upward. Gills emarginate, crowded, white, edge yellow.

Large and of striking appearance. In shady beech woods.

Pronounced a good edible by the Boston Myc. Club.

The color of the plants is given as greenish-yellow. Bull. Boston Myc. Club, 1896.

T. ustale Fr.—uro, to burn. Pileus fleshy, convex, then plane, obtuse, even, smooth, viscid, bay-brownish. Stem stuffed, equal, dry, rufo-fibrillose, apex naked, silky, nearly smooth. Gills emarginate, crowded, white, at length with reddish spots. Cooke.

Chiefly in pine woods.

Pileus 3 in. Stem 2–3 in. long, about ½ in. thick.

Spores 5×8µ W.G.S.; 7–8×5µ Massee.

North Carolina, Curtis, pine woods, Schweinitz; Kansas, Cragin. Massachusetts. Edible. Boston Myc. Club, Bull. No. 5.

63T. resplen´dens Fr.—shining brightly. Pileus fleshy, convex then nearly plane, even, bare, viscid, white, sometimes hyaline-spotted or yellowish on the disk, shining when dry, the margin straight. Flesh white, taste mild, odor pleasant. Gills nearly free when young, then emarginate, somewhat crowded, rather thick, entire, white. Stem solid, bare, subbulbous, even, dry, white. Spores 8×4µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 4–8 lines thick.

Thin woods. Catskill mountains. September. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., in mixed woods. October and November. McIlvaine.

It is of excellent flavor, consistency and food value.

T. transmu´tans Pk.—changing. Pileus convex, nearly bare, viscid when moist, brownish, reddish-brown or tawny-red, usually paler on the margin. Flesh white, taste and odor farinaceous. Gills narrow, close, sometimes branched, whitish or pale yellowish, becoming dingy or reddish-spotted when old. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, bare or slightly silky-fibrillose, stuffed or hollow, whitish, often marked with reddish stains or becoming reddish-brown toward the base, white within. Spores subglobose, 5µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Woods. The plants are often cespitose.

I suspect that Agaricus frumentaceus of Curtis’s catalogue belongs to this species. Both the pileus and stem, as well as the gills, are apt to assume darker hues with age or in drying, and this character suggested the specific name. The species is classed as edible. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Curtis catalogues T. frumentaceum as edible.

T. transmutans is reported from many states. It has a mealy taste and odor. Wherever it is found it is a valuable food species.

T. sejunc´tum Sow.—separated; from the peculiar manner in which the gills separate from the stem. Pileus fleshy, convex then expanded, umbonate, slightly viscid, streaked with innate brown or blackish fibrils, whitish or yellowish, sometimes greenish-yellow. Flesh white, fragile. Gills broad, subdistant, rounded behind or emarginate, white. Stem solid, stout, often irregular, white. Spores subglobose, 6.5µ.

Pileus 1–3 in. broad. Stem 1–3 in. long, 4–8 lines thick.

64Mixed woods. Suffolk county, N.Y. September.

The plants referred to this species are not uncommon on Long Island, growing on sandy soil in woods of oak and pine. They are usually more or less irregular and the pileus becomes fragile. It is quite variable in color, sometimes approaching a smoky-brown hue, again being nearly white. The taste of the typical form is said to be bitter, but the flavor of our plant is scarcely bitter. In other respects, however, it agrees well with the description of the species. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 6µ. W.G.S.

Flesh is tender. Cooked, of good body and peculiar but pleasant flavor. A valuable species, baked, scalloped, fried.

T. terri´ferum Pk.—terra, earth; fero, to bear. Pileus broadly convex or nearly plane, irregular, often wavy on the margin, glabrous, viscid, pale-yellow, generally soiled with adhering particles of earth carried up in its growth. Flesh white, with no decided odor. Gills thin, crowded, slightly adnexed, white, not spotted or changeable. Stem equal, short, solid, white, floccose-squamulose at the apex. Spores minute, subglobose, 3µ.

Pileus 3–4 in. broad. Stem 1–1.5 in. long, 6–8 lines thick.

Woods. Catskill mountains. September. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Found in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. August to frost. McIlvaine.

Not inviting, hard to clean, nevertheless edible and good.

T. portento´sum Fr.—portentosus, strange, monstrous. Pileus 3–5 in. broad, sooty, livid, sometimes violaceous, fleshy, but thin in comparison with the stoutness of the stem, convexo-plane, somewhat umbonate, unequal and turned up, viscid, streaked with black lines (innate fibrils), but otherwise even and smooth, the very thin margin naked. Flesh not compact, white, fragile. Stem commonly 3 in. often 4–6 in. long, 1 in. thick, stout, solid, the whole remarkably fibrous-fleshy, somewhat equal, naked, but fibrilloso-striate, white; the base, which is occasionally attenuato-rooted, villous. Gills rounded, almost free, 3–4 lines to as much as 1 in. broad, distant, white, but varying, becoming pale-gray or yellow. Fries.

65Spores 4–5×4µ K.; 5×4µ W.G.S

West Virginia, 1882; New Jersey, Pennsylvania, in woods and open places. May to November. McIlvaine.

It is one of the first toadstools I experimented upon. I have been constant to it. Its caps fried in butter are unsurpassed.

T. fla´vo-brun´neum Fr.—flavus, yellow; brunneus, brown. Pileus fleshy, conical, then convex, at length expanded, subumbonate, viscid, clothed with streak-like scales. Stem hollow, somewhat ventricose, fibrillose, at first viscid, yellowish within, tip naked. Gills emarginate, decurrent, crowded, yellowish, then reddish. Fries.

Odor that of new meal. Stem 3–5 in. long, ½ in. thick, dull-reddish or brownish. Pileus 3–6 in. broad, disk darker, dingy dull-red or reddish-brown.

North Carolina, Curtis; damp woods, A. fulvus, Schweinitz.

Edible, Cooke, 1891.

T. rus´sula Schaeff.—reddish. (Plate XVIII, fig. 3, p. 60.) Pileus fleshy, convex, becoming plane or centrally depressed, obtuse, viscid, even or dotted with granular squamules on the disk, red or incarnate, the margin usually paler, involute and minutely downy in the young plant. Flesh white, sometimes tinged with red, taste mild. Gills sub-distant, rounded behind or subdecurrent, white, often becoming red-spotted with age. Stem solid, firm, whitish or rose-red, squamulose at the apex. Spores elliptical, 7×4µ.

Pileus 3–5 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 6–8 lines thick.

Mixed woods. Albany. Cattaraugus and Steuben counties. September and October.

According to the description the typical plant has the pileus incarnate and the stem rosy-red, but in the American plant the pileus is generally more clearly red and the stem white, though this is often varied by reddish stains. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mixed woods. August until after frost. At Mt. Gretna, Pa. 1897–1898 the patches were large, generous yielders.

Edible, Cooke; edible, Cordier, Roques.

T. russula is a dressy fungus and has a fashion of its own. The mottlings 66upon its cap, gill and stem, in shades of red, subdued though they be, give it a handsome personality distinct from any other.

The species is a variable one in its minor markings. When moisture is prevalent the caps of all are viscid. Both young and old are often cracked. Stems frequently not squamulose at apex, frequently rosy when young, often flattened. The fibrous interior of the stem and its fibrous connection with the flesh of the cap are very marked. Gills emarginate in youth as well as in age. It is solitary, gregarious, occasionally bunched.

An excellent fungus, a free late grower, meaty, easily cooked, and of fine flavor.

T. frumenta´ceum Bull.—frumentum, made of corn. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, whitish or clay-color and variegated dull red, truly fleshy, convex then plane, obtuse, viscous, dry in fine weather, even, smooth. Flesh white. Stem 3 in. long, ½ in. thick, solid, equal, fibrillose when dry, whitish. Gills rounded, somewhat crowded, rather broad, white, at length spotted-red.

Wholly becoming pale white, but the stem and pileus are alike marked-red, and the gills are at length reddish, wherefore, as well as for the strong smell of new meal, it is undoubtedly nearest to A. pessundatus. When full grown it has all the appearance of Entoloma. On the ground. Stevenson.

Spores 6µ W.G.S.

North Carolina, Curtis. Edible. Porcher says Dr. Curtis was the first to declare it edible.

T. pessunda´tum Fr.—pessum dare, bent downward. Pileus fleshy, compact, convex, very obtuse, repand, viscid, granulose or spotted. Stem solid, firm, at first ovato-bulbous, everywhere villose with whitish scales. Gills emarginate, nearly free, crowded, white, at length spotted with red.

In pine woods. Odor and taste mealy.

Pileus bay, reddish, paler at the margin. Stature of Ag. equestris. Fries.

Spores 5×2.5µ Massee; very minute, globose, 2–3µ C.B.P.

Reckoned edible, but very rare. Stevenson.

California, H. and M.

67II.—Genui´na. Cuticle of pileus torn into downy or fibrillose scales.

T. decoro´sum Pk.—decorus, decorous. Pileus firm, at first hemispherical, then convex or nearly plane, adorned with numerous brownish sub-squarrose tomentose scales, dull ochraceous or tawny. Flesh white. Gills close, rounded and slightly emarginate behind, the edge slightly scalloped. Stem solid, equal or slightly tapering upward, white and smooth at the top, elsewhere tomentose-scaly and colored like the pileus. Spores broadly elliptical, 5×4µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

Decaying trunks of trees. Catskill mountains and Alleghany county. September and October.

A rare but beautiful species. It is often cespitose. It departs from the character of the genus in growing on decaying wood. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Tricholoma decorosum is not rare in Pennsylvania. I have found it at Angora, Philadelphia and in Chester county, Pa., growing in clusters and singly. At first sight one might take it for one of the many forms of Armillaria, but even cursory examination shows the difference.

It is of good consistency and flavor, having a decided mushroom taste.

T. flaves´cens Pk.—pale yellow. Pileus convex, firm, often irregular, dry, slightly silky becoming bare, sometimes cracking into minute scales on the disk, whitish or pale yellow. Flesh whitish or yellowish. Gills close, white or pale-yellow, emarginate, floccose on the edge. Stems firm, solid, often unequal, central or sometimes eccentric, single or cespitose, colored like the pileus. Spores subglobose, 5µ in diameter.

68Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 1–2.5 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Pine stumps. Albany and Rensselaer counties. October.

The species seems to be related to T. rutilans but has not the red or purplish tomentum of that fungus. It, like T. decorosum, is always lignicolous. T. rutilans is sometimes so. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Frequently found in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Pine stumps. September to frost. McIlvaine.

The flesh compares with that of T. rutilans, and makes an equally good dish.

T. gran´de Pk. Pileus thick, firm, hemispherical, becoming convex, often irregular, dry, scaly, somewhat silky-fibrillose toward the margin, white, the margin at first involute. Flesh grayish-white, taste farinaceous. Gills close, rounded behind, adnexed, white. Stem stout, solid, fibrillose, at first tapering upward, then equal or but slightly thickened at the base, pure white. Spores elliptical, 9–11×6µ.

Pileus 4–5 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 1–1.5 in. thick.

Among fallen leaves in woods. Cattaraugus county. September.

The plants are often cespitose, and then the pileus is more or less irregular and the gills somewhat lacerated. The species is related to T. columbetta, from which its larger size, constantly scaly pileus, more cespitose mode of growth, larger spores and farinaceous taste separate it. The scales of the pileus are brownish, and the pileus itself is sometimes slightly dingy on the disk. The young margin is pure white like the stem, and both it and the upper part of the stem are sometimes studded with drops of moisture.

The plant was found on trial to be edible, but not of first quality. The flesh is not very tender, nor the flavor captivating even in young specimens. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. Mixed woods. August to frost. McIlvaine.

Gross when old. Young specimens of medium quality and flavor.

T. columbet´ta Fr.—columba, a pigeon. (Plate XVIII, fig. 5, p. 60.) Pileus convex, then nearly plane, fleshy, obtuse, rigid, somewhat flexuous, dry, at first bare, then silky-fibrillose, becoming even or scaly, white, the margin at first involute, more or less tomentose. Flesh white, 69taste mild. Gills close, emarginate, thin, white. Stem stout, solid, unequal, nearly bare, white. Spores 7–8×4.5µ.

The species is very variable and the following varieties have been described:

Var. A. Pileus nearly always repand or lobed, at first bare, even, at length cracked-scaly, often reddish spotted, the margin when young inflexed, tomentose. Stem obese, even, unequal, swollen, an inch thick. The typical form.

Birch wood among mosses.

Var. B. Pileus subflexuous, silky-fibrillose, at length scaly, sometimes dingy-brown spotted, the margin scarcely tomentose. Stem longer, equal or slightly narrowed at the base.

Bushy places. Intermediate between A and C.

Var. C. Pileus regular, flattened, evidently fibrillose, sometimes spotted with blue, four inches broad. Stem equal, cylindrical, fibrillose-striate, four inches long.

Beech woods. A showy variety so diverse from variety A that it might be regarded as a distinct species, did not variety B connect them, and so much resemble both that it might with equal propriety be referred to either.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 1–4 in. long, 3–12 lines thick.

Woods and pastures. Albany county, N.Y.

It may be distinguished from T. album by its mild taste. It is recorded as edible. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Edible, Curtis, Cooke, Stevenson.

This much varied Tricholoma is as varied in its habitat. I have found it on vacant lots in Philadelphia, in mixed woods at Devon, Pa., and in the forests of the West Virginia mountains, and eaten it since 1881.

It cooks readily and is of mild, agreeable flavor.

T. ru´tilans Schaeff.—rutilo, to be reddish. Pileus fleshy, campanulate becoming plane, dry, at first covered with a dark-red or purplish tomentum then somewhat scaly, the margin thin, at first involute. Flesh yellow. Gills crowded, rounded, yellow, thickened and downy on the edge. Stem somewhat hollow, nearly equal or slightly thickened or bulbous at the base, soft, pale-yellow variegated with red or purplish floccose scales. Spores 6.5–8×6.5µ.

70

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 5–8 lines thick.

On or about pine stumps, rarely on hemlock trunks. July to November. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores subglobose, 5–6µ diameter Massee; 6–8×6µ B.; 6×9µ W.G.S.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. May to November. McIlvaine.

Quite common in West Virginia mountains and in pine woods of New Jersey. The Boston Mycological Club reports it found in quantity in Massachusetts. The flesh when cooked is gummy, like the marshmallow confection. It is excellent.

T. vacci´num Pers.—vacca, a cow. Pileus fleshy, convex or campanulate, becoming nearly plane, umbonate, dry, floccose-scaly, reddish-brown, the margin involute, tomentose. Flesh white. Gills adnexed, subdistant, whitish, then reddish or reddish-spotted. Stem equal, hollow, covered with a fibrillose bark, naked at the apex, pale reddish.

Spores subglobose, 6µ.

Pileus 1–3 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Under or near coniferous trees. Greene and Essex counties. September and October. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Recorded as edible by Gillet.

Plentiful in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia. Have eaten it since 1885. Fair.

T. fuligi´neum Pk.—fuligineus, resembling soot. Pileus convex or nearly plane, obtuse, often irregular, dry, minutely scaly, sooty-brown. Flesh grayish, odor and taste farinaceous. Gills subdistant, uneven on the edge, ash-colored becoming blackish in drying. Stem short, solid, equal, bare, ash-colored. Spores oblong-elliptical, 8×4µ.

71Pileus 1–2.5 in. broad. Stem 1–1.5 in. long, 3–5 lines thick.

Among mosses in open places. Greene county. September. Rare. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Quite common in Pennsylvania and New Jersey on mossy wood margins. It is of fair quality and flavor.

T. ter´reum Schaeff.—the earth. (Plate XVIII, fig. 4, p. 60.) Pileus fleshy, thin, soft, convex, campanulate or nearly plane, obtuse or umbonate, innately fibrillose or floccose-scaly, ashy-brown, grayish-brown or mouse color. Flesh white or whitish. Gills adnexed, subdistant, more or less eroded on the edge, white becoming ash-colored. Stem equal, varying from solid to stuffed or hollow, fibrillose, white or whitish. Spores broadly elliptical, 6–7×4–5µ.

Pileus 1–3 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

Woods. Albany, Rensselaer and Cattaraugus counties. September to November. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 7×5.5µ Morgan; 5–6µ, Massee; 6–7×4µ K.; 6µ W.G.S.

Eaten by Professor Peck. Eaten by McIlvaine. Quality fair.

T. ter´reum Schaeff.—var. fra´grans Pk. Pileus convex or nearly plane, dry, innately-fibrillose or minutely floccose-scaly, grayish-brown or blackish-brown. Gills rather broad, adnexed, whitish or ash-colored. Stem equal, solid or stuffed, rarely hollow, whitish. Spores broadly elliptical, 6–7×4–5µ.

The Fragrant tricholoma has a distinct farinaceous odor and flavor. In other respects it closely resembles the Earth-colored tricholoma of which it is considered a mere variety. The typical European plant is said to be without odor or nearly so and has not been classed among the edible species by European writers. But our variety, though not high-flavored, is fairly good and entirely harmless. Its cap varies considerably in color but is some shade of gray or brown. Its center is without any prominence or very bluntly prominent, and its surface is 72commonly very obscurely marked with innate fibrils or in small plants may have very small flocculose tufts or scales. The flesh is whitish as also are the gills, though these sometimes assume a more decided grayish hue. They are rather broad and loose and sometimes uneven on the edge or even split transversely. They are usually deeply excavated next the stem and attached to it by a narrow part. The stem is whitish or slightly shaded with the color of the cap. It often has a few longitudinal fibrils, but never any collar. It may be either solid, stuffed or spongy within, or in large specimens, hollow.

The plants grow gregariously or sometimes in tufts on the ground under or near trees or in thin woods, especially of pine, or in mixed woods. The caps vary from 1–4 in. broad, and the stems from 1–3 in. long and from 2–6 lines thick. The plants occur in autumn. In Europe there is a variety of this species which also has a farinaceous odor, but it differs from our plant in having reddish edges to the gills. It is called variety orirubens. Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Var. fragrans is plentiful and gregarious among New Jersey pines, October to frost. Other varieties are often found. Specimens found by me at Mt. Gretna, Pa., and sent to Professor Peck who identified them as var. fragrans Pk., were decidedly umbonate. Gills were easily separable from cap.

Var. fragrans is a favorite. It is pleasant to many, even raw. Plentiful salting while cooking develops a high and exquisite flavor.

T. fumes´cens Pk.—smoky. Pileus convex or expanded, dry, clothed with a very minute appressed tomentum, whitish. Gills narrow, crowded, rounded behind, whitish or pale cream color, changing to smoky-blue or blackish where bruised. Stem short, cylindrical, whitish. Spores oblong-elliptical, 5–6.5µ.

Pileus 1 in. broad. Stem 1–1.5 in. high, 2–3 lines thick.

Woods. Columbia county. October. Rare.

The species is remarkable for the smoky or blackish hue assumed by the gills when bruised and also in drying. It is apparently related to T. immundum Berk., but in that species the whole plant becomes blackish when bruised, and the gills are marked with transverse lines and tinged with pink. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. September to November, 1898. McIlvaine.

The size of cap sometimes attains to 3 in and stem to ½ in. in thickness. 73Taste at first farinaceous then sweetish. The caps are of excellent quality and flavor.

T. imbrica´tum Fr.—covered with tiles. Pileus fleshy, compact, convex or nearly plane, obtuse, dry, innately scaly, fibrillose toward the margin, brown or reddish-brown, the margin thin, at first slightly inflexed and pubescent then naked. Flesh firm, thick, white. Gills slightly emarginate, almost adnate, rather close, white when young, becoming reddish or spotted. Stem solid, firm, nearly equal, fibrillose, white and mealy or pulverulent at the top, elsewhere colored like the pileus. Spores 6.5 × 4–5µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 4–10 lines thick. Under or near coniferous trees. Greene and Essex counties. September and October.

This is an edible species. It has a farinaceous odor and taste when fresh. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Closely resembles T. transmutans in size, color and taste. It is, however, easily separated by its dry cap and solid stem. Peck.

Plentiful in pine woods of New Jersey, and among hemlocks in West Virginia. Mt. Gretna, Pa., under pines. October and November, 1898. McIlvaine.

Specimens found at Mt. Gretna had caps dark umber when young, and margin incurved to stem. Gills yellowish. Stem up to 4 in. long, stout, solid, swollen at base, and having a short pointed ending, firm, fibrillose, white. Flavor farinaceous.

Flesh of good texture and taste.

T. sapona´ceum Fr.—sapo, soap. Strong, smelling of an undefinable soap. Cap 2–4 in. across, involute at first, convex then flattened, dry, glabrous, moist in wet weather, never viscid, brownish, more or less spotted or having the skin cracked into scales, occasionally covered with dark fibrils. Flesh firm, whitish becoming reddish when wounded. Gills emarginate, with a hooked tooth (uncinate) thin, distant, pale white. Stem 2–4 in. long, about ½ in. thick, often unequal, base sometimes long and rooting, usually smooth, at times reticulated with black fibrils, or is scaly. Distasteful.

The species is variable in size and color. Stevenson remarks: “Scarcely any species has been more confounded with others.” It may always be safely distinguished by its odor, by its distant gills, by the smooth cuticle of the cap cracking into scales, and by the change of color to reddish when bruised.

West Virginia mountains. August to frost. 1881–85. New Jersey, Pennsylvania. McIlvaine.

This fungus is not extremely unpleasant when eaten—like T. sulphureum, but no one will care to eat it. There is nothing in the flavor to recommend it or to inspire a cultivation of taste for it.

T. sulphu´reum Bull.—sulphur, brimstone. Odor strong, fetid or like gas tar. Cap 1–4 in. across, subglobose, then convex and plane, slightly umbonate, sometimes depressed, fleshy, margin at first involute. Color dingy or reddish sulphur-yellow, at first silky, becoming smooth or minutely tomentose. Flesh thick, yellow. Gills rather thick, narrowed behind, emarginate or acutely adnate, sometimes appearing arcuate from shape of cap. Stem 2–4 in. long, 3–5 lines thick, equal or 75slightly bulbous, often curved, smooth striate, sulphur-yellow, stuffed, fibrous or hollow, yellow within, at times having yellow fibrous roots.

Spores 9–10×5µ Massee.

Very variable in size. Gregarious, common in mixed woods.

West Virginia, 1881. West Philadelphia, 1886. McIlvaine.

When quite young T. sulphureum is showy and inviting. Its smell is discouraging, its taste forbidding. No amount of cooking removes its unpleasant flavor. I have tried to eat enough of it to test its qualities, but was satisfied after strenuous efforts to mark it INEDIBLE.

T. chrysenteroi´des Pk.—like gold. Pileus fleshy, convex or plane, not at all umbonate, firm, dry, glabrous or slightly silky, pale-yellow or buff, becoming dingy with age, the margin sometimes reflexed, flesh pale-yellow, taste and odor farinaceous. Gills rather close, emarginate, yellowish, becoming dingy or pallid with age, marked with transverse veinlets along the upper edge, the interspaces veined. Stem equal, firm, solid, bare, fibrous-striate, yellowish without and within. Spores elliptical, 8–10×5–6µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 3–4 lines thick.

Woods. Lewis and Cattaraugus counties. September.

Nearly allied to T. chrysenterum, but separable by the gills, which are somewhat veiny and not free, by the entire absence of an umbo and by its farinaceous odor and taste. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Frequently found at Angora, and in Woodland Cemetery, West Philadelphia.

Edible. Fair flavor and good quality.

T. o´picum Fr.—uncouth. Pileus 1–1½ in. across. Flesh rather thin, becoming grayish; convex, then expanded, obtusely-umbonate, at length usually upturned and split, very dry, even at first, then minutely scaly, gray. Gills broadly emarginate, ventricose, rather thick, scarcely distant, hoary. Stem 2–3 in. long, 2–3 lines thick, equal, fibrillose, becoming almost glabrous, pallid then grayish, stuffed. Massee.

Among moss, in pine woods, etc.

Inodorous. Somewhat resembling T. saponaceum, but distinguished by the absence of smell.

Waretown, N.J. Under pines and open places in pine woods. August to September, 1889. McIlvaine.

76When wet the caps become darker and have a mottled appearance. They are tender, but rather tasteless. The species serves to make quantity when cooked with others of higher flavor.

T. pipera´tum Pk.—piper, pepper. Pileus rather thin, firm, dry, convex, obtuse or subumbonate, virgate with innate brownish fibrils, varying in color from grayish-brown to blackish-brown, sometimes with greenish or yellowish tints. Flesh white or whitish, taste acrid. Gills broad, close, rounded behind, adnexed, whitish or yellowish. Stem generally short, equal, solid, silky, slightly mealy or pruinose at the top, white or slightly tinged with yellow. Spores elliptic, 6–7µ long, 5µ broad. Pileus 4–7 cm. broad. Stem 5–7 cm. long, 6–12 mm. thick.

The central part of the pileus is sometimes a little darker than the rest. The peppery or acrid taste is very distinct and remains in the mouth many minutes. This and the innately fibrillose character of the pileus are distinguishing characters of the species. The plants appear from September to November. Peck, Torr. Bull., Vol. 26.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. October to November, 1898, on damp ground among moss. McIlvaine.

Cap up to 3 in. across, bell-shaped, then convex, depressed in center and undulate, light-brown, darker toward center, dry, minutely fibrillose. Flesh thick, white, thin toward margin. Gills emarginate, unequal, not forked. Stem 1½-2 in. long, hard, equal or enlarging toward base, white, silky, striate.

Though peppery raw, this Tricholoma is of good substance and flavor when cooked.

* Gills whitish.

T. gambo´sum Fr.—gambosus, swelling near the hoof. Pileus 3–4 in. and more broad, becoming pale-tan, fleshy, hemispherico-convex, then flattened, obtuse, undulated and bent backward, even, smooth, but spotted as with drops, at length widely cracked (not, however, torn into squamules), the margin at the first involute and tomentose. Flesh thick, soft, fragile, white. Stem 2 in. and more long, ½-1 in. thick, solid, fleshy-firm, almost equal, often curved-ascending at the base, white, 77downy at the apex. Gills rounded or emarginato-adnexed, with a somewhat decurrent tooth and when old sinuato-decurrent, crowded, ventricose, 2–3 lines broad, whitish. Fries.

Odor pleasant, of new meal. Often forming large rings or clusters. A whitish form must not be confounded with T. albellus.

Spores 13×11µ W.G.S.; 13–14×8–9µ Massee; 13×10µ Cooke.

Angora, Philadelphia. Chester and Lebanon county, Pa. McIlvaine. Fair.

T. tigri´num Schaeff.—spotted like a tiger. Pileus 2 in. broad, pallid-brown, variegated with crowded and darker dingy-brown spots, compactly fleshy, convex then expanded, obtuse, repand. Flesh thick, firm, white, unchangeable, but thin at the involute margin. Stem 1 in. long and thick, very compact, solid, pruinate, white. Gills rounded behind, at length decurrent with a tooth, crowded, narrow, white, at length darker.

Solitary or cespitose. Very distinguished, obese, and without any marked smell of new meal. In fir woods and open grassy ground. Rare. June to July. Stevenson.

Edible, Cooke, Fries.

T. albel´lum Fr.—albus, white. Pileus about 3 in. broad, becoming pale-white, passing into gray when dry, fleshy, thick at the disk, thinner at the sides, conical then convex, gibbous when expanded, when in vigor moist on the surface, spotted (mottled) as with scales, the thin margin naked. Flesh soft, floccose, white, unchangeable. Stem curt, 1½-2 in. long, 1 in. thick at the base, reaching ½ in. toward the apex, solid, fleshy-compact, ovato-bulbous (conical to the middle, cylindrical above the middle), fibrillose-striate, white. Gills very much attenuated behind, not emarginate, becoming broad in front, very crowded, quite entire, white. Fries.

Spores elliptical, 6–7×4µ Massee; ovoid, 3µ W.G.S.; ovoid, 3µ Cooke.

Pileus not becoming yellow. Odor weak when fresh, taste pleasant, almost that of cooked flesh. There are two forms: one larger, solitary, another smaller, connato-cespitose, quite as in A. albellus Sow. It is often confounded with smaller forms of A. gambosus. Stevenson.

North Carolina, Curtis. Damp woods. Edible.

T. vires´cens Pk.—viresco, to grow green. Pileus convex or nearly plane, sometimes centrally depressed, moist, bare, dingy-green, the margin sometimes wavy or lobed. Gills close, gradually narrowed toward the outer extremity, rounded or slightly emarginate at the inner, white. Stem subequal, stuffed or hollow, thick but brittle, whitish, sometimes tinged with green. Spores broadly elliptical, 5×4µ.

Pileus 3–5 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 6–12 lines thick.

Thin woods. Essex county. July.

The dull smoky-green hue of the pileus is the distinguishing feature of this species. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Quite common in West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. July to October. McIlvaine.

Edible. Tastes somewhat like many Russulæ, when cooked. Flavor good.

T. fumidel´lum Pk.—smoky. Pileus convex, then expanded, subumbonate, bare, moist, dingy-white or clay-color clouded with brown, the disk or umbo generally smoky-brown. Gills crowded, subventricose, whitish. Stem equal, bare, solid, whitish. Spores minute, subglobose, 4.5×4µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1.5–2.5 in. long, 2–3 lines thick.

Woods. Albany county and Catskill mountains. September and October.

The stem splits easily and the pileus becomes paler in drying. It sometimes becomes cracked in areas. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

On ground. Mt. Gretna. October and November. 1897. McIlvaine.

The species was plentiful among the leaf mold, growing from the ground in mixed woods.

The caps are delicate in substance and flavor.

T. leucoceph´alum Fr. Gr.—white; head. Pileus 1½-2 in. across, convex then plane, even, moist, smooth, but when young covered with a satiny down; water-soaked after rain. Flesh thin, tough, white. Gills rounded behind and almost free, white. Stem up to 2 in. long, ¼ in. 79thick, exterior hard, shining, fibrous; interior hollow but solid at base which is attenuated and rooting, twisted. Smell strong of new meal. Taste pleasant.

Spores 9–10×7–8µ.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. Grassy woods and borders. October to November, 1898. McIlvaine.

Quite common. The caps are excellent.

T. al´bum Schaeff.—albus, white. Pileus fleshy, tough, convex, becoming plane or depressed, obtuse, very dry, even, glabrous, white, sometimes yellowish on the disk, rarely wholly yellowish, the margin at first involute. Flesh white, taste acrid or bitter. Gills emarginate, somewhat crowded, distinct, white. Stem solid, elastic, equal or tapering upward, externally fibrous, obsoletely frosted at the apex, white. Spores elliptical, 5–6µ, long.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Woods. Common. August to October. This species is variable in color and in size, being sometimes robust, sometimes slender. It grows singly, in troops or in tufts. It has no decided odor, but a bitter unpleasant taste. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Cooked, tender and of fair flavor.

T. persona´tum Fr.—wearing a mask (from its many varieties of colors). (Plate XVIII, p. 60.) Pileus compact, becoming soft, thick, convex or plane, obtuse, regular, moist, bare, variable in color, generally pallid or ashy tinged with violet or lilac, the margin at first involute and frosted with fine hairs. Flesh whitish. Gills broad, crowded, rounded behind, free, violaceous becoming sordid-whitish or dingy-brown. Stem generally thick, subbulbous, solid, fibrillose or frosted with fine hairs, whitish or colored like the pileus. Spores dingy white, subelliptical, 8–9×4–5µ. On white paper the spores have a slight salmon tint, but they are regular in shape, not angular as in Entoloma.

Pileus 2–5 in. broad. Stem 1–3 in. long, 6–12 lines thick. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Woods and open places, and growing from old, matted stable straw. Common over the United States.

80When T. personatum becomes known to the collector, either in the field or on the table, it is sure to become a favorite. It is fleshy, rotund, stocky, moist and smooth, with a tendency in its cap to be wavy-rimmed and jauntily cocked in wet weather. It grows singly or in troops, occasionally in tufts of from five to six individuals. A patch of it is valuable and worth husbanding with covering of fine straw. Cortinarius violaceus resembles it somewhat in color and shape, but it shows a spidery veil, and has brown spores. It is edible.

The common name of T. personatum in England is Blewits, which translated into understandable English is believed to be “blue-hats.” It is everywhere eaten, being of substantial substance, good flavor and cookable in any way. It is especially fine in patties, stews and croquettes.

T. nu´dum Bull.—naked. Pileus about 3 in. broad, becoming purple-violaceous then changing color, reddish, fleshy, comparatively thin, convexo-plane then depressed, obtuse, even, smooth, with a pellicle which is moist and manifest in rainy weather; margin inflexed, thin, naked. Flesh thin, pliant, colored. Stem about 3 in. long, ½ in. thick, stuffed, elastic, equal, almost naked, mealy at the apex, violaceous then becoming pale. Gills rounded then decurrent (on account of the depressed pileus), crowded, narrow, of the same color as the pileus or deeper violaceous, but soon changing color, at length reddish without the least tinge of violet. Stevenson.

Spores 7×3.5µ Massee; 6–8×4µ B.; 6×3µ W.G.S. On ground among leaves. Esculent, very good and delicate. Cordier. Edible. Roze. Edible, all American authorities.

T. grammopo´dium Bull. Gr.—a line; Gr.—a foot. Pileus 3–6 in. broad, pallid-livid or brownish-red when moist, whitish when dry, fleshy, very thin toward the margin, campanulate then convex, and at length flattened, obtusely umbonate, even, smooth, pellicle moist in rainy weather, not viscous, separating, flesh-colored when moist, white when dry, soft, fragile. Stem tall, about 3–4 in. long, ½ in. and more 81thick, solid, elastic, equal with exception of the thickened base, cylindrical, firm, smooth, evidently longitudinally sulcate, whitish. Gills arcuato-adnate or broadly horizontally emarginate, acute at both ends, very crowded, quite entire, very many shorter, somewhat branched behind, white.

Odor moldy. Striking in appearance; the chief of this group. There is a variety wholly white. In pastures and grassy woods. Stevenson.

Spores 5–6µ Massee.

Distinguished by the grooved stem and crowded gills, which are adnate when the pileus is expanded. Often growing in rings.

North Carolina, Curtis. Not reported elsewhere. Esculent. Cooke. Much eaten in Europe.

T. bre´vipes Bull.—brevis, short; pes, a foot. Pileus about 2 in. broad, umber then becoming pale, fleshy, soft, convex then becoming plane, even, smooth, moist (opaque when dry); flesh of the pileus becoming brownish when moist, becoming white when dry. Stem solid, very rigid, at length fibrous, pruinate at the apex, externally and internally fuscous; otherwise very variable, sometimes very short, 2–3 lines only long and thick, attenuated downward; commonly 1 in., sometimes bulbous, sometimes equal, more slender. Gills emarginato-free, crowded, ventricose, disappearing short of the margin, quite entire, becoming fuscous then whitish. Solitary. Inodorous. The pileus is often stained with soil. Stevenson.

Spores elliptical, 7.5×5µ Peck; 7–4µ Massee.

Esculent and very delicate. Paulet. Esculent. Cooke.

T. hu´mile Pers.—low, small. (Plate XVIII, fig. 6, p. 60.) Very variable in form and color. Cap 2–3 in. across, convex then expanded, wavy, flattened, sometimes umbonate, sometimes depressed, glabrous, occasionally powdered with thin white dust, fragments of veil, sometimes viscid. Color changes with moisture, blackish, grayish, and having somewhat the appearance of an oyster. Gills rounded-adnexed, with a slight tooth, arcuately decurrent, crowded, 2–3 lines broad, whitish. Flesh soft, whitish or grayish. Stem 1–2 in. long, up to ½ in. thick, equal (misshapen by pressure when tufted), light gray, covered 82with fine down, stuffed, becoming hollow, soft, fragile. Gregarious, usually tufted.

Spores 7–8×5–6µ K.

Open woods, in gardens, among cinders, grass, etc., September to frost.

Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia, 1897. McIlvaine.

Its tufted habit and fair size, fleshy cap of good flavor, make it a desirable species. It cooks readily and the caps are of fine flavor.

T. pæ´didum Fr.—pædidus, nasty. Pileus about 1-½ in. across. Flesh very thin, tough, becoming whitish; bell-shaped then convex, at length expanded, umbonate, at length depressed round the conical, prominent umbo, moist, virgate or streaked with innate fibrils radiating from the center, otherwise almost even, smoky-mouse color, opaque, margin naked. Gills adnexed with a slight decurrent tooth, slightly sinuate, crowded, narrow, white then gray. Stem about 1 in. long and 2 lines thick, base slightly bulbous, tough, slightly striate, naked, dingy-gray. Spores elliptic-fusiform, 10–11×5–6µ.

In gardens, on dung-hills, etc. Small, tough, color dingy, without a trace of violet tinge. Massee.

Edible. Cooks tender, and is of good flavor, notwithstanding its name, which in no way applies.

T. subpulverulen´tum Pers.—slightly dusty. Pileus 1–2½ in. across, convex then plane or depressed in center, even, innately pruinose, hoary, white, whitish, grayish, margin extending as a slight rim incurved beyond gills. Flesh white, thick, firm, hygrophanous. Gills rounded without a tooth, close, narrow, white. Stem 2–3 in. long, 3–5 lines thick, equal, solid, somewhat striate, whitish.

Spores 5×3µ Massee; 4×3µ W.G.S.

Biological grounds, University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia. May to November, 1898. McIlvaine.

A species one is glad to find. It has a healthy substantial presence full of promise. It is a solitary grower among grass on lawns and pastures, but its individuals are neighborly. Caps and stems are excellent.

83

CLITO´CYBE Fr.

Pileus generally fleshy, becoming thin toward the margin, flexible or tough, plane or depressed, margin involute. Gills adnate or decurrent, never sinuate. Stem confluent and homogeneous with flesh of pileus, somewhat elastic, with a spongy stuffing, frequently becoming hollow, externally fibrous. Universal veil when present conspicuous on the pileus like frost or silky dew, but commonly wanting.

Growing on the ground, frequently in groups. The thinner and hygrophanous species appear late in autumn. Some are quite fragrant. Collybia, Mycena and Omphalia are separated by their stems being cartilaginous, not externally fibrous as in Clitocybe. Tricholoma by its sinuate gills.

Variations in species of Clitocybe are great. A few are easily fixed in the genus, but many of them will puzzle the amateur and perplex the expert. The gills are always attached to the stem, and usually run down it. They are not notched next to the stem as in Tricholoma.

Like Tricholoma, Clitocybe has many species, most of which are common, and are probably edible. I therefore give Professor Peck’s description of all Clitocybes thus far submitted to him.

I know of but one species which is injurious to some persons—Clitocybe illudens. Many eat and enjoy it. It does not agree with others. A few untried species are suspicious to a like extent. Clitocybe illudens possesses the property of phosphorescence.

Several species of Clitocybe have not been seen or tested by me, nor have I information that these have been tested.

Flesh firm, not watery, nor splitting into plates. Those which turn pale in drying differ from Series B by their silky luster.

Pileus somewhat equally fleshy; convex then plane or depressed, obtuse, regular; gills at first adnate or regularly adnato-decurrent. Normally solitary.

84* Pileus gray or brownish.

** Pileus violet or reddish.

*** Pileus becoming yellowish.

**** Pileus greenish, becoming pale.

***** Pileus white, becoming shining white.

Distinguished from white hygrophanous species and white species of Paxillus.

Pileus fleshy in the center, thin at the margin, at first umbonate, then expanded and depressed, irregular. Gills unequally decurrent, longer in some places than in others, sometimes rounded on one side of the stem or only reaching it as in Tricholoma. Stem somewhat cartilaginous externally, but fibrous.

Cespitose, often grown together at base, variable in form, sometimes solitary.

Pileus becoming thin from the fleshy center to the margin, at length funnel-shaped or deeply umbilicately depressed in the center. Stem spongy, externally fibrous. Gills deeply and equally decurrent from the first. Pileus often becoming discolored or pallid, not hygrophanous.

* Pileus colored or becoming pale, the surface (at least under a lens) innately flocculose or silky, bibulous, not moist.

** Pileus colored or pallid, smooth, moist in rainy weather.

*** Pileus shining whitish, with scattered superficial flocci or becoming smooth.

Flesh thin, soft, watery, hygrophanous.

Flesh of pileus thin, consisting of two separable plates, disk not compact, hygrophanous, depressed then cup-shaped; gills at first adnate then decurrent, descending, straight. Color dingy when moist.

Pileus somewhat fleshy, hygrophanous, convex then flattened or depressed, 85polished, not squamulose nor mealy; gills plane, horizontal, thin, crowded, adnate or decurrent with a small tooth. Color dingy or becoming watery pale.

* Gills becoming ash-colored. Pileus at first dark.

** Gills whitish. Pileus becoming pale.

Pileus thin, convex then deformed, tough, more or less squamulose or furfuraceous; gills adnate, broad, rather thick, generally distant. Color hygrophanous.

* Pileus squalid or brownish with dark squamules. None known to be edible.

** Pileus bright, of one color.

I.—Discifor´mes.

C. nebula´ris Batsch.—nebula, a cloud. (Plate XXIV, fig. 7, p. 82.) The Clouded clitocybe, Clitocybe nebularis, takes its name from the clouded-gray appearance of its thick cap, which is at first convex, but when mature, either flat or a little depressed. Its flesh is white, thickest in the middle, and in a vertical section is seen to taper rapidly downward into the stem. The gills are close together and rather narrow for the size of the plant. They are white or yellowish-white. The stout solid stem usually tapers upward from the base and is whitish.

The cap is two to four inches or more broad, the stem one to two inches long and about half an inch thick. The Clouded mushroom grows in woods, and sometimes forms large tufts or clusters among fallen leaves. It is found in autumn, but is not very common in this country. Authors differ in their estimate of the edible qualities of this mushroom, but the more recent ones generally agree in classing it as edible. “Mushrooms and Their Use,” C.H. Peck.

Spores 4.5×3µ Cooke; elliptical 6×3.5µ Massee; 3×4µ W.G.S.

There has been great diversity of opinion as to the edibility of this species on the continent. Cordier and a friend suffered from it. Paulet counseled mistrust.

86This fungus is quite common in the West Virginia mountains and in some parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where I have found it. It is, however, limited to localities. It is one of my favorites, being of marked flavor and agreeable consistency. I have not known it to harm anyone.

C. cla´vipes Pers.—clava, a club; pes, a foot. Pileus 1½-2½ in. across, rather convex at first, soon plane, at length almost obconical, very obtuse, even, glabrous, dry, sometimes all one color, brown, sooty, livid-gray, etc., sometimes whitish towards the margin, very rarely entirely white. Flesh loose in texture, white, thin at the margin. Gills deeply decurrent, continued down the stem as straight lines, rather distant, flaccid, quite entire, broad, entirely and persistently white. Stem 2 in. long, base ½ in. and more thick, conically attenuated upward, rather fibrillose, livid, sooty, solid, spongy within. Spores elliptical, 6–7×4µ.

In woods, especially pine. Resembling C. nebularis in color, but quite distinct. Smell pleasant, entire substance soft and elastic. Fries.

Spores elliptical, 6–7×4µ Massee; sub-ellipsoid, 5–7×3–4µ K.; 6×8µ W.G.S.

Found in pine woods of New Jersey, and under spruce in West Virginia. Its substance is spongy, therefore does not stew well. Cooked in any other way it is delicate and of excellent flavor.

C. gangræno´sa Fr.—gangræna, gangrene. Pileus fleshy, convex then plane, obtuse, whitish, at first sprinkled with white powder, then naked, variegated, streaked. Gills slightly decurrent, arcuate, crowded, dingy-white. Stem somewhat bulbous, soft, striate, spongy, solid.

Stinking; large, flesh becoming blackish and variegated with black. Stem curved, sometimes excentric. Pileus whitish, here and there greenish, livid, etc. Fries.

87Var. nigres´cens Lasch. Whitish; pileus thin, soft, at first convex, obtuse then plane, somewhat umbonate, and somewhat depressed; gills decurrent, very much crowded, narrow, stem solid, downy.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 1¼-1½ in. long, 2–3 lines thick.

Odor rather sweet, taste unpleasant. Cooke.

New Jersey, Haddonfield, pine woods. July to August. McIlvaine.

This Clitocybe is in every way unattractive. It is not poisonous, but no one would care to eat it.

C. me´dia Pk.—medius, middle. Because intermediate between C. nebularis and C. clavipes. Pileus fleshy, convex, becoming plane or slightly depressed, dry, dark grayish-brown, the margin often wavy or irregular, flesh white, taste mild. Gills broad, subdistant, adnate or decurrent, whitish, the interspaces somewhat venose. Stem equal or but slightly thickened at the base, solid, elastic, not polished, colored like or a little paler than the pileus. Spores elliptical, 8×5µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 4–8 lines thick. Mossy ground in deep woods. North Elba. September.

This species is intermediate between C. nebularis and C. clavipes. In its general appearance, and in the character of the pileus and stem, it resembles C. nebularis, but in the character of the more distant gills and in the size of the spores it is nearer C. clavipes, of which it might perhaps be regarded as a variety. Two forms are distinguishable. In one the gills are more distant, slightly rounded behind, and adnate or abruptly terminated; in the other they are closer and more distinctly decurrent. The plant is edible. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

I have known this fungus very favorably since 1883, and regard it as one of the best. I have seen it in the West Virginia mountains only, but it will probably be found in cool, shaded, high localities all over the country. Both it and the C. nebularis are well worthy of search.

88C. viles´cens Pk.—vilesco, of little value. Pileus convex, then plane or depressed, often irregular, glabrous, slightly pruinose on the involute margin, brown or grayish-brown, becoming paler with age, often concentrically rivulose. Gills close, adnate or decurrent, cinereous, sometimes tinged with dingy-yellow. Stem short, solid, sometimes compressed, grayish-brown, with a whitish tomentum at the base. Spores subglobose or broadly elliptical, 5–6.5µ; flesh whitish-gray, odor slight.

Plant gregarious, 1–2 in. high. Pileus 1–1.5 in. broad. Stem 1–2 lines thick. Grassy pastures. Jamesville, August. Peck, 33d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

A pale form of this species grows on sandy soil, in which the pileus is smoky white, but it becomes grayish-brown in drying. The mycelium binds together a mass of sand, so that when the plant is taken up carefully a little ball of sandy soil adheres to the base of the stem. The stem is sometimes pruinose. The flavor is mild and agreeable. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Sometimes plentiful about Philadelphia. Edible. Caps tender, slight flavor.

C. comitia´lis Fr.—belonging to an assembly. Pileus about 1½ in. across, fleshy, convex, then plane, obtuse, even, glabrous, rather moist but not hygrophanous, every part colored alike, sooty-umber, almost black. Flesh firm, white. Gills very slightly decurrent, horizontal, plane, thin, crowded, white. Stem 2–3 in. long, 3–4 lines thick, equally attenuated upward from the base, glabrous, sooty, elastic, stuffed. Spores elliptical, 7–8×4µ.

Damp places among mosses in pine woods, etc. Distinguished by the blackish color of the almost flat pileus, and the very slightly decurrent gills. Somewhat allied to C. clavipes, but firmer, smaller and inodorous. Massee.

Rather rare. Found in New Jersey among pines; in Pennsylvania in mixed woods.

Edible. Good texture and flavor.

C. cyanophæ´a Fr. Gr.—blue. Pileus 3–4 in. broad, becoming bluish-dusky-brown, compact, convex then plane, obtuse, smooth. 89Stem 3 in. long, 1 in. thick at the base, attenuated upward, robust, solid, smooth, becoming azure-blue when young, abruptly white at the apex. Gills deeply decurrent, crowded, violaceous, then becoming pale.

New York, Albion. In woods. October. Edible. Dr. E.L. Cushing.

Specimens sent to me by Dr. Cushing are the first and only ones of the species I have seen. The description is accurate. The spores were cream color.

C. monadel´pha Morg.—monas, single; adelphos, a brother. From its cespitose habit. (Plate XXVII.) Densely cespitose. Pileus fleshy, convex then depressed, at first glabrous, then scaly, honey color, varying to pallid-brownish or reddish. Stem elongated, solid, crooked, twisted, fibrous, tapering at the base, pallid-brownish or flesh color. Gills short, decurrent, not crowded, pallid flesh color. Spores white, a little irregular, 7.5×5.5µ.

On the ground in wet woods, spring to late autumn. Pileus 1–3 in. Stem 3–7 in. Morgan.

Grassy places. Menands. Albany county. September. Edible. Resembling Armillaria mellea, but distinguished from it by the absence of a collar from the stem, by the more decidedly decurrent lamellæ and by the solid stem. It is also more agreeable in flavor. It is related to C. illudens in habit and manner of growth. Peck, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 8×5µ Peck.

October 15, 1898. Identified by Professor Peck. September until frost.

Grows in great clusters about roots, etc., at Mt. Gretna. Frequently much water-soaked and uninviting. Taste variable, sometimes strong, woody.

It is edible, but care should be exercised in collecting to get young, fresh groups.

C. socia´lis Fr.—socius, a companion. Pileus about 1 in. broad, pale-yellowish with a reddish tinge, fleshy, convex then expanded, acutely umbonate especially when young, even, smooth, dry. Flesh moderately thin, white. Stem 1 in. long, 2 lines or a little more thick, 90solid, fibrous, commonly ascending, smooth, reddish, the rooting base hairy. Gills plano-decurrent, scarcely crowded, becoming yellow. Fries.

A very pretty species, densely gregarious, inodorous. The stem is sheathed-hairy at the base like Marasmius peronatus. Its greatest affinity is with A. vernicosus, of which it is perhaps a variety. Stevenson.

Quite common in pine woods of New Jersey. Though small, goodly messes of it may be gathered from its patches. The caps make a pleasing dish.

None reported as tested for edibility.

C. odo´ra Bull.—odorus, fragrant. (Plate XXIV, fig. 9, p. 82.) Fragrant. Pileus about 2 in. across, flesh rather thick, tough; soon plane and wavy, even, smooth, pale dingy green, silky when dry. Gills adnate, rather close, broad, greenish or pallid. Stem about 1–1½ in. long, 2 lines thick, base incrassated, elastic, stuffed. Spores elliptical, 6–8×4–5µ. In woods. Massee.

Readily distinguished by the strong, aniseed smell, dingy bluish-green pileus, and the pallid or greenish gills.

Sometimes somewhat cespitose. Tough; size variable, color varies between pale green and greenish-gray, usually all colored alike, but the gills are sometimes white; smell pleasant, spicy, especially when dry. Fries.

Spores 6×5µ K.; 8×4µ B.

A rather delicate, even exquisite dish. Cooke.

Edible. Exceedingly spicy. The flavor is pleasant, but rather strong. A few specimens mixed with others of like texture but less flavor make a tasty dish.

C. rivulo´sa Pers.—rivus, a stream. (Named from rivulet-like streaks on pileus.) Pileus 1–3 in. across, flesh thin, convex then plane and depressed, obtuse, often undulately lobed, dingy flesh-color or reddish, becoming pale, glabrous, then covered with a whitish down. Gills slightly decurrent, broad, rather crowded, pinkish-white. Stem about 2 in. long, 3–4 lines thick, rather fibrillose, tough, elastic, whitish, stuffed. Spores elliptical, 6×3.5µ. Massee.

91Among grass by road-sides, etc.

Not common, but when found it is basket-filling. I have found it in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia.

Edible. The caps are rather tough but become glutinous and tender when well cooked. Flavor fine.

C. cerussa´ta Fr.—cerussa, white lead. Pileus 1½-3 in. across, flesh thick at the disk, becoming thin toward the margin; convex then almost plane, obtuse, even, minutely floccose then almost glabrous, white. Gills adnate, then decurrent, very much crowded, thin, permanently white. Stem about 2 in. long, 3–5 lines thick, smooth, tough, elastic, naked, spongy and solid, white. Among dead leaves, etc.

Taste mild, smell almost obsolete. Stem rather thickened at the base and often tomentose. Pileus said to be gibbous, but not umbonate nor becoming rufescent. Gills not changing to yellowish. Fries.

Spores 3µ W.G.S.

Edible. Good.

C. phylloph´ila Fr. Gr.—leaf-loving. Whitish-tan. Pileus 1–3 in. across, rather fleshy, convex then plane, becoming umbilicate and depressed, sometimes wavy, smooth and even. Gills thin, subdistant, white then tinged with ocher, rather broad, very slightly decurrent. Stem 2–3 in. long, equal, stuffed then hollow, whitish, tough, silky-fibrillose. Spores 6×4µ.

Among leaves in woods, etc.

Spores 6×4µ Massee; 6×3µ W.G.S.; 5.5×2.8µ Morgan.

Found at Devon, Pa., 1888; Angora, West Philadelphia, 1897. It is equal to the Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) in texture, but not so high in flavor. Well cooked it is an agreeable and valuable food.

C. pithyoph´ila Secr. Gr.—pine-loving. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, dead-white when moist, shining whitish when dry, fleshy but thin, rather plane, umbilicate, at length irregularly shaped, repand and undulato-lobed, even, smooth, flaccid, the margin slightly striate when old. Stem somewhat hollow, rounded then compressed, equal, even, smooth, obsoletely or scarcely pruinose at the apex, white tomentose at the (not 92bulbous) base. Gills adnate, somewhat decurrent, very crowded, plane, 2–3 lines broad, distinct, quite entire, white.

Odor not remarkable, but pleasant. Gregarious, somewhat cespitose; white indeed, but when moist watery and somewhat hygrophanous, in which it evidently differs from A. phyllophila. A. tuba, which appears in the same places, is very like it. Stevenson.

Spores 6–7×4µ B.

Massachusetts, Sprague; New York, Peck, Bull. 1887.

Albion, Orleans county, N.Y., October, 1898, Dr. Cushing.

Several specimens received were clearly referable to C. pithyophila, though varying in having caps deeply depressed but not umbilicate. The white tomentosity at base was present but indistinct.

Four specimens were eaten and found good. Eaten enjoyably by Dr. Cushing.

C. fus´cipes Pk.—fuscus, dirty; pes, a foot. Pileus thin, broadly convex or plane, umbilicate, glabrous, whitish and striatulate when moist, pure white when dry, odor and taste farinaceous. Gills nearly plane, subdistant, adnate or slightly decurrent, white. Stem equal, glabrous or slightly mealy at the top, hollow, dingy brown when moist, paler when dry. Spores globose, 5–6µ.

Pileus 4–8 lines broad. Stem about 1 in. long. Under pine trees. Carrollton. September. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Edible. Its small size gives it minor importance, but a quantity of it makes an excellent meal.

C. can´dicans Pers.—candico, to be shining white. Entirely white. Pileus about 1 in. across, flesh thin, convex then plane or slightly depressed, umbilicate, regular or slightly excentric, even, with an adpressed silkiness, shining, shining white when dry. Gills adnate then slightly decurrent, crowded, very thin, narrow, straight. Stem 1–2 in. long, 1–2 lines thick, even, glabrous, cartilaginous, polished, equal, hollow, base incurved, rooting, downy. Spores broadly elliptical or subglobose, 5–6×4µ. Massee.

Among damp fallen leaves, etc.

Entirely white, small, rather tough; approaching Omphalia in the structure of the stem. The following form is described by Fries as occurring in pine woods: Stem thin, flexuous, base glabrous; pileus 93plane, not umbilicate, naked (without silky down). Gills scarcely decurrent.

A remarkable form but scarcely to be separated as a species. Fries.

Quite common in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. The caps are excellent when well cooked.

C. dealba´ta Sow.—dealbo, to whitewash. Pileus about 1 in. or a little more broad, white, slightly fleshy, tough, convex then plane and at length revolute and undulated, always dry (not watery in rainy weather), even, smooth, somewhat shining, but as if innately pruinose under a lens. Flesh thin, arid, white. Stem 1 in. long, 2 lines thick, stuffed, wholly fibrous, at length also tubed, equal, but often ascending, whitish, mealy at the apex. Gills adnate, scarcely decurrent, thin, crowded, white.

Pileus sometimes orbicular, sometimes upturned and wavy. Odor weak, pleasant, but not very remarkable. Most distinct from A. candicans in the nature of the stem.

Edible. Its top is exceedingly like ivory. Its charming flavor is exceeded by very few other fungi. Stevenson.

Among leaves and grass. Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia.

This charming fungus is common over the land. I have known it since 1881, and found it from North Carolina to West Virginia.

C. robus´ta Pk.—robustus, stout. Pileus thick, firm, at first convex, soon plane or slightly depressed in the center, glabrous, white, the margin at first involute or decurved, naked. Flesh white. Gills narrow, close, decurrent, whitish. Stem stout, rather short, solid, glabrous, equal or slightly tapering upward, often with a bulbous base, white. Spores elliptical, 8×4–5µ.

Pileus 3–4 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 8–12 lines thick.

Woods among fallen leaves. Catskill mountains. September to November.

This large and robust fungus is closely allied to C. candida Bres., from which it differs in the naked margin of the pileus, the absence of any marked odor and especially in the more elliptical shape of its spores. The same plant has been collected in Maryland by Mr. L.J. Atwater, who considers it edible, having eaten it with satisfaction and safety. Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

94This fungus is quite plentiful in Pennsylvania and in open oak woods in New Jersey. Its size and sometimes gregarious growth give it a permanent food value. Its texture is coarse, but when cooked it is highly satisfactory.

C. gallina´cea Scop.—gallina, a hen. Application not apparent. White; acrid. Pileus 1–1½ in. across, rather fleshy at the disk, margin thin; convex then depressed, but not funnel-shaped, even, dry, opaque. Gills slightly decurrent, narrow, crowded, thin. Stem about 1½ in. long, 2 lines thick, equal, even, solid. Among grass, moss, etc.

Resembling C. dealbata in form, but smaller, opaque, dingy-white, taste somewhat acrid. Stem solid, but not cartilaginous, about 2 in. long, equal, ascending or flexuous, excentric, at first floccosely mealy, always opaque, white. Pileus slightly fleshy, convex then plane, not depressed, obtuse, ½-1 in. broad, unequal, dry, pruinosely hoary; flesh white, compact, but thin. Gills adnato-decurrent, thin, crowded, plane. Fries.

It loses its acridity in cooking and is quite equal to C. dealbata.

C. trunci´cola Pk.—truncus, trunk of a tree. Pileus thin, firm, expanded or slightly depressed in the center, smooth, dry, white. Gills narrow, thin, crowded, adnate-decurrent. Stem equal, stuffed, smooth, often excentric and curved, whitish.

Plant 1 in. high. Pileus 1 in. broad. Stem 1 line thick.

Trunks of frondose trees, especially maples. Croghan. September. Peck, 26th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 5×3.5µ Morgan.

Found on maple trees in West Philadelphia, Pa. Edible. Good quality.

C. decas´tes Fr. Gr.—a decade; a number of ten. From the stems being often joined in bundles of about ten. Densely cespitose. Pileus 5–12 in. across, soon almost plane, disk gibbous or obtuse; margin at first shortly incurved, then expanded, very much waved and often lobed, even, glabrous, dingy-brown or livid when moist, pale clay-color when dry. Flesh exceedingly thin except at the disk, whitish. Stem 4–7 in. long, ½-1½ in. thick, usually slightly thinner upward, rather soft, 95entirely fibrous, solid, white, usually curved and ascending, coalescent into a solid mass at the base. Gills adnato-decurrent, or often more or less adnexed, up to ½ in. broad, rather narrowed towards the margin, often wavy. Spores globose, smooth, 4µ diameter.

On the ground and on sawdust.

Albion, Orleans county, N.Y., Dr. Cushing. October, 1898.

On ground in grassy places (Woodland Cemetery, May 22, 1897). McIlvaine.

Particularly welcome to toadstool lovers are the early comers. The present species is among the first. It is rich in quantity, substance and flavor.

C. mul´ticeps Pk.—multus, many; caput, a head. (Plate XXVIIa, p. 94.) Pileus fleshy, thin except on the disk, firm, convex, slightly moist in wet weather, whitish, grayish or yellowish-gray. Flesh white, taste mild. Gills close, adnate and slightly decurrent, whitish. Stems densely cespitose, equal or slightly thickened at the base, solid or stuffed, firm, elastic, slightly pruinose at the apex, whitish. Spores globose, 5–8µ.

Pileus 1–3 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Open places, grassy ground, etc. Albany and Sandlake. June and October. This species forms dense tufts, often composed of many individuals. In this respect it is related to such species as C. tumulosa, C. aggregata and C. illudens. From the crowding together of many individuals the pileus is often irregular. Sometimes the disk is brownish and occasionally slightly silky. The gills are sometimes slightly sinuate, thus indicating a relationship to the species of Tricholoma. The taste, though mild, is somewhat oily and unpleasant. The plants appear in wet, rainy weather, either early in the season or in autumn. Specimens have been sent to me from Massachusetts by R.K. Macadam and Professor Farlow, and from Pennsylvania by Dr. W. Herbst. Peck, 43d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, New Jersey, Mt. Gretna, Pa. In May, and in autumn months. Very variable in size, color, shape of gills, texture and taste. McIlvaine.

The early spring clusters are remarkable for their tenderness and excellence. Clusters of hundreds of individuals grew abundantly at Mt. Gretna in May, 1899. When the fungus was young the gills were 96sometimes adnate, almost free, often decurrent. The varying color of oysters is well seen in C. multiceps.

Edible. They should be well cooked. The addition of a little lemon juice or sherry conceals a slight raw taste sometimes present.

C. illu´dens Schw.—mocking, deceiving. (Plate XXIXa, p. 96.) Pileus fleshy, convex or expanded, smooth, generally with a small umbo. Gills not crowded, unequally decurrent, some of them branched, narrowed toward each end, the edge, in dry specimens, discolored. Stem firm, solid, long, smooth, tapering at the base.

Height 5–8 in., breadth of pileus 4–6 in. Stem 6–8 lines thick.

Spores 4–5µ Peck.

Grows in clumps or large masses about stumps or decaying trees from August to October. Its bright, deep yellow is attractive from a distance. As many as fifty plants may form a cluster. Cap from 2–6 in., fleshy, convex or expanded, often with a raised center directly over the stem; flesh juicy and yellow; gills yellow, widely separated, running down stem unequally; stem long, firm, solid, smooth, tapering toward base. When cooked the taste is rather saponaceous. Strong stomachs can retain a meal of them, but the fungus generally sickens the eater. Many testings show it to contain a minor poison. It is not deadly, but should not be eaten. Bull. No. 2, Phila. Myc. Center.

New York, Peck, Rep. 23–49. Well known in southern states. Indiana, H.I. Miller.

The mysterious property of phosphorescence is possessed by this fungus. As heat is known to develop in masses of the fungus it is of interest to know whether it is from the phosphorescence or a ferment. Its radiance by night surpasses its splendor by day. Mr. H.I. Miller, of Terre Haute, Ind., first drew the writer’s attention to this quality. A large box of specimens sent by him retained their luminous quality after three days of travel to such an extent that the print of a newspaper could be read when held close to the mass.

Mr. Miller writes: “There is something about this fungus which generates heat. When I bring in a basketful of it, for the pleasure its phosphorescence affords my friends, I find that after having been in the basket for two or three hours, and while piled one bunch upon top of another, that to insert one’s hand among the different clusters is like putting it close to a hot stove.”

97This fungus is so inviting in quantity and beauty that one turns from it with a regret that lingers. Eaten in quantity it acts upon some persons as an emetic. I have several times eaten of it without other than pleasurable sensations, but persons partaking of the same cooking have been sickened.

C. fumo´sa Pers.—fumus, smoke. Pileus 1–3 in. across, fleshy, margin thin; convex, often gibbous when young, regular or wavy, even, pellicle not separable, glabrous, sooty-brown, soon livid or gray when dry. Gills adnate in regular forms, but often decurrent when the pileus is irregular, crowded, distinct, grayish-white from the first. Stem 2–3 in. long, 3–6 lines thick, almost equal, often twisted or curved, glabrous, dingy-white, apex mealy, solid, fibrous. Spores subglobose, 5–6µ diam.

In woods. Autumn.

Gregarious, somewhat cespitose, tough, rather cartilaginous. Pileus truly obtuse, never streaked, often regular. Smell none. Fries.

Var. po´lius. Densely and connately cespitose. Pileus convex, then plane, obtuse, smooth, gray. Stem flexuous, smooth. Gills crowded, whitish. Edible. Cooke, 1891.

Var. polius found growing in large quantities in Boston navy yard in stone barn. Determined by Professor Peck. A fair edible. R.K. Macadam.

This woods-growing Clitocybe has been many times found by me in a hot-house in Haddonfield, N.J. Professor Peck confirmed my identification. Either its spores or mycelium had evidently been carried thither in the wood-earth used by florists. The hot-house crops appeared in March, and continued until June.

Several of the plants showed an effort to comply with some condition unusual to them, by producing gills upon the upper side of the pileus. Those below were venose and crisped.

This wild species had thus been brought into cultivation. The cultivated plants were much more tender than the wild. Both are excellent.

C. connex´a Pk.—connexus, joined. From its relation to Tricholoma. Pileus thin, convex or expanded, subumbonate, clothed with a minute appressed silkiness, white, the margin sometimes faintly tinged with 98blue. Gills crowded, narrow, white inclining to yellowish. Stem equal or tapering downward, solid, whitish.

Plant 2–3 in. high. Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 2 lines thick.

Ground in woods. Croghan. September.

The gills sometimes terminate rather abruptly and are not strongly decurrent, hence it might easily be mistaken for a Tricholoma. The margin of the pileus is sometimes marked with slight ridges as in Ag. laterarius. The odor is weak but aromatic and agreeable. Peck, 26th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Found in plenty in oak woods near Philadelphia, and in West Virginia; a few specimens in southern New Jersey. Autumn.

Edible, and quite equal to most of the Clitocybes.

C. tumulo´sa Kalchbr.—tumulus, a mound. Cespitose. Pileus 1–2 in. across, disk fleshy, margin thin; conico-convex then expanded, obtusely umbonate or obtuse, even, glabrous, brownish-umber, becoming pale, margin drooping. Gills more or less decurrent or slightly emarginate, crowded narrow, white, then grayish. Stem 3–5 in. long, unequal, usually thicker below, minutely downy, pallid, solid.

On the ground in woods. Spring and autumnal months. Readily distinguished by the densely clustered habit, and the umber pileus. The gills are very variable, sometimes distinctly decurrent, at others rounded behind, and almost resembling a Tricholoma. Spores subglobose, 5–6µ. Massee.

California, H. and M.; New York, Peck, Rep. 42.

Sent to me by Mrs. Mary Fuller, Washington, D.C. The specimens eaten were of good consistency and flavor.

C. gigante´a Sow.—giganteus, of gigantic size. Pileus 6–10 in. across. Flesh rather thin in proportion to the size of the fungus, white, or tinged with tan, glabrous when moist, slightly flocculose when dry; margin involute then spreading, glabrous, rather coarsely grooved. Gills slightly decurrent, broad, very much crowded, branched and connected 99by veins, whitish then pale tan-color, not separating spontaneously from the hymenophore. Stem 1–2 in. long and nearly the same in thickness, equal, pallid, solid. Spores white, 5×3µ.

In woods, etc.

A very distinct species, very showy, large, subcespitose, entirely whitish tan-color; without close affinities. Stem solid, compact, and firm inside and outside, 2½ in. long, ½ in. thick, equal, even, glabrous. Pileus depressed from the first, then broadly, i. e., plano-infundibuliform, thin but equally fleshy, soft, not flaccid, but easily splitting from the margin toward the center (almost papery and involute when old), upward of a foot broad, often excentric and generally sinuately lobed, moist and adpressedly downy when growing, slightly flocculose and cracked into scales when dry; margin at first very thin, involute, pubescent, soon spreading, glabrous, at length revolute, coarsely furrowed or radiately wrinkled. Gills slightly decurrent, closely crowded, almost 3 lines broad (2–3 times as broad as thickness of flesh of pileus), connected by veins, thin, fragile, straight, but sometimes varying to crisped and anastomosing, whitish then yellowish or tinged with rufous, smell weak. Fries.

This species was placed in Clitocybe in Syst. Myc. and Epicrisis, but in Hym. Europ. Fries removed it to Paxillus in which he is followed by Stevenson. Cooke and Massee continue it in Clitocybe. Dr. Somers found one measuring over 15 inches in diameter. R.K.M.

North Carolina, Schweinitz. Edible, Curtis; Wisconsin, Bundy; California, H. and M.; Nova Scotia, Dr. Somers.

Large quantities of Clitocybe gigantea grow in the West Virginia mountains, and in woods around Philadelphia. July to November.

Its substance is coarse, but of good flavor. It should be chopped fine.

C. max´ima Gärtn and Meyer. (Fl. Wett.)—greatest. (Plate XXIV, fig. 5, page 82.) Pileus as much as 1 foot broad, becoming pale-tan or whitish, fleshy, compact at the disk, otherwise thin, somewhat flaccid (not capable of being split), broadly funnel-shaped, gibbous with a central umbo, always very dry, the surface becoming silky-even or squamulose; margin involute, pubescent, always even. Flesh white, at length soft. Stem as much as 4 in. long, 1 in. thick, solid, compact, but internally spongy, elastic, attenuated upward, fibrillosestriate, 100whitish. Gills deeply decurrent, pointed at both ends, somewhat crowded, soft, simple, whitish, not changeable.

The pileus is always very dry because the surface absorbs moisture. Odor weak, pleasant, almost that of A. infundibuliformis. On account of its gigantic stature and color, it has often been interchanged with A. gigantea Sow.; it is in no wise, however, allied to that species, but is so closely allied to A. infundibuliformis that it might be taken for a very luxuriant form of it. Stevenson.

Spores 6×4µ Massee; 5×3µ, W.G.S.

New England, Frost; California, H. and M.

Common in the West Virginia mountains, mixed woods in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. June to November. McIlvaine.

It is coarse, dry, hard, but chopped fine and cooked in various ways, either by itself or with meats, it is a good food.

C. infundibulifor´mis Schaeff.—infundibulum, a funnel; forma, form. (Plate XXIV, fig. 11, p. 82.) The Funnel-form clitocybe, Clitocybe infundibuliformis, is a neat and pretty species easily recognized by the funnel shape of its mature cap and by its pale red color. When very young the cap is slightly convex and often adorned with a slight umbo in its center. As it matures the margin becomes elevated so that the cap assumes a shape somewhat resembling that of a wine glass. The margin is sometimes wavy. The flesh is thin and white. The gills are close, thin, white or whitish and decurrent. The stem is smooth, colored like or a little paler than the cap and mostly tapering from the base upward.

The cap is 2–3 in. broad, the stem 1½-3 in. long and ¼-½ in. thick.

The funnel-shaped mushroom grows in woods or copses in summer and autumn, especially in wet seasons. It is somewhat variable in color, but is usually a pale-red, tinged with buff, and sometimes becoming more pale with age. It delights to grow among fallen leaves, and often there is an abundant white cottony mycelium at the base of the stem. When it grows in clusters the caps are apt to be irregular because of mutual pressure. “Mushrooms and Their Use.” Peck.

Spores 5–6×3–4µ B.

Very common and in plenty after rains, when large patches of it may be found. I have usually found the light pinkish-buff color to abound, 101and the stem thinner than described by Prof. Peck. Size of cap from 1–3 in.

It is a good, reliable food species. The stem should be removed, and the caps well cooked.

C. subzonal´is Pk.—sub, under; zonalis, pertaining to a zone. Pileus thin, centrally depressed or subinfundibuliform, marked with two or three obscure zones, with a slight appressed silkiness, pale yellow. Gills close, narrow, equally decurrent, some of them forked, pallid or yellowish. Stem equal, slightly fibrillose, stuffed, pale yellow.

Plant 2 in. high. Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 2–3 lines thick.

Ground in woods. Croghan. September. Peck, 26th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Found in oak woods, Angora, West Philadelphia, growing singly. Specimens few. Edible; pleasant.

C. gil´va Pers.—gilvus, pale brownish-yellow. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, pale yellowish, fleshy, compact, convex then depressed, very obtuse, even, smooth, dampish when fresh, polished and shining when dry, here and there spotted as with drops, the margin remaining long involute. Flesh compact, not laxly floccose, but at length fragile, somewhat of the same color as the pileus. Stem 1–2 in. and more long, ½ in. and more thick, solid, fleshy, stout, not elastic, somewhat equal, smooth, paler than the pileus, villous at the base. Gills decurrent, thin, very much crowded, often branched, arcuate, narrow, pallid then ochraceous.

Odor not remarkable. The stem has been noticed at length also hollow, perhaps eroded by larvæ. It corresponds with the Paxilli. The primary form, which is very different from all the rest, is curt, obese, robust, scarcely ever infundibuliform. Stevenson.

Spores 4–5×5µ K.; 4–5µ Massee.

North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; New York, Peck, R. 51, under pines. July to September.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. July, 1898, ground, mixed woods. McIlvaine.

Pileus 1–2½ in. across, depressed, almost infundibuliform, smooth. Color varied lemon to bright orange. Flesh lemon color throughout. Gills varying in color, usually same color as pileus. Stem all of one 102color, same as pileus, stuffed, sometimes short, and pointed, sometimes thickened at base. Taste and smell pleasant. Edible; good.

C. subinvolu´ta Batsch.—turned under at the margin. Pileus brick color, convex, depressed, smooth, margin closely involute. Flesh pallid. Stem paler, stout, straight, somewhat equal, veined on the lower part with oblique coalescing slightly elevated wrinkles, tomentose and inclining to flesh color above toward the gills, base obtuse. Gills decurrent, rather broad, of the same color as the pileus.

The stem is rough on the surface and destitute of luster. It resembles Paxillus involutus in size and habit, in the crenate and involute margin of the pileus, and in the stem being obsoletely veined at the base and tomentose toward the gills. Stevenson.

New England, Frost; New York, Peck, Rep. 22.

Edible, Cooke.

C. geo´tropa Bull. Gr.—the earth; Gr.—to turn. From the turned down margin. Pileus 2–5 in. across. Flesh thick, white convex, then plane and finally more or less depressed, obtusely umbonate, the prominence remaining after the pileus becomes depressed, very smooth, even, margin thin, incurved, downy, pale pinkish-tan or buff. Gills decurrent, crowded, narrow, simple, white, then colored like the pileus. Stem 3–5 in. long, 1 in. or more thick at the base, slightly attenuated upward, compact, fibrillose, colored like the pileus or paler, solid. Spores elliptical, 6–7×4–5µ. Massee.

In woods and on their borders. Often in rings or troops.

Differs from C. maxima in being firmer, glabrous, and color much more variable; from C. gilva in the thinner pileus, less crowded gills, and white flesh.

Spores 5–7µ W.G.S.

In England and on the continent it is considered excellent and superior to most edible fungi.

Found in West Virginia, 1881; Haddonfield, N J., 1891. Spring and autumn. McIlvaine.

Edible, coarse, dry. In stews and mixed to form croquettes or patties, it is a desirable species, owing to its plentifulness.

C. splen´dens Pers.—splendens, shining. Solitary. Pileus 2–3 in. across, flesh rather thick, white, plane then depressed or funnel-shaped, 103glabrous, shining, yellowish. Gills deeply decurrent, narrow, crowded, simple, white. Stem about 1 in. long, 3 lines thick, glabrous, colored like the pileus, solid, slightly thickened at the base or equal. Massee.

In woods, among pine leaves, etc.

Intermediate between C. gilva and C. flaccida. The typical form of C. gilva differs in the compact pileus, often with drop-like markings, the very much crowded, somewhat branched, pale ochraceous gills and flesh. Fries.

Sent to me from Trenton, N.J., by E.B. Sterling.

Edible; quality good, deficient in flavor.

C. inver´sus Scop.—inverto, inverted. Pileus 2–3 in. across. Flesh thin, fragile; convex, soon funnel-shaped, margin involute, glabrous, even, reddish or dull brownish-orange. Gills decurrent, simple, pallid then reddish. Stem about 1½ in. long, 2 lines thick, glabrous, rather rigid, paler than the pileus, stuffed, soon hollow. Spores subglobose, 4µ diameter. Massee.

Among leaves, etc.

Gregarious, subcespitose, forming very large tufts, especially late in the autumn, deformed. Smell peculiar, slightly acid. Stem sometimes stuffed, usually hollow, hence compressed, rather rigid and corticated outside, not elastic, without a bulb, glabrous, whitish; the somewhat rooting base with white down, and often growing together in tufts, variously deformed, curved, ascending, etc. Fries.

Spores subglobose, 4µ Massee; 3µ W.G.S.

Closely resembles C. infundibuliformis, but differs from it in the color of gills and flesh. The entire plant is dark in color. Solitary; in troops; cespitose.

Found in mixed woods. Haddonfield, N.J. Summer and autumn.

That part of the plant which readily breaks away from the stem is tender and of good flavor. The remainder is tough.

C. flac´cida Sow.—flaccidus, limp. Pileus 2–3 in. across, flaccid, orbicular, umbilicate, umbo persistently absent, margin spreading, arched, glabrous, even, rarely cracking into minute squamules, tawny-rust colored, shining, not becoming pale. Flesh thin, pallid, rather fragile when fresh, but quite flaccid when dry. Gills deeply decurrent, 104arcuate, crowded, narrow, about 1 line broad, white, then tinged yellowish. Stem imperfectly hollow, elastic, tough, 1–2 in. long, 2–3 lines thick somewhat equal, polished, naked, reddish-rust color, base thickened, downy. Spores subglobose, 4–5×3–4µ.

Among leaves, etc. Gregarious, stems often grown together at the base. Sometimes solitary and regular. Summer and autumn. Massee.

Spores subglobose, 4–5×3–4µ.

Found in 1886 in West Philadelphia—oak woods. Since in New Jersey, North Carolina, and interior of Pennsylvania.

Edible. Well cooked it compares favorably with C. infundibuliformis and others of like texture.

C. cati´na Fr.—catinus, a bowl. Pileus 2 in. broad, at first white, in no wise hygrophanous, then passing into pale flesh-color during rain, and into tan-color in dry weather, fleshy, moderately thin, plane then funnel-shaped, always obtuse, even, smooth. Flesh thin, flaccid, white. Stem 3 in. long, 1½ in. thick, stuffed, internally spongy, elastic, tough, thickened and tomentose at the base. Gills decurrent, straight, descending, not horizontal, broad, not much crowded, persistently white. Fries.

Ray Brook, Adirondack mountains. August. The pileus is at first white, but in wet weather it becomes pallid or discolored with age. The plants were found growing among pieces of bark of arbor vitæ lying on the ground. Peck, 43d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Quite common in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Woods among dead leaves. August until frost.

Edible. Excellent in flavor and quality.

C. cyathifor´mis Bull.—cyathus, a cup; formis, form. Pileus 1½-3 in. across, flesh thin, plano-depressed when young, then infundibuliform, even, glabrous, hygrophanous, rather slimy and usually dark brown when moist, becoming pale and opaque when dry, undulate in 105large specimens, the margin remains involute for a long time. Flesh watery, similar in color to the pileus, splitting. Gills adnate, becoming decurrent with the depression of the pileus, joined behind, distant, grayish-brown, sometimes branched. Stem spongy and stuffed inside, elastic, at length often hollow, 2–4 in. long, 3–4 lines thick, attenuated upward, brownish-fibrillose, fibrils forming an imperfect reticulation, colored like the pileus or a little paler, apex naked (not mealy), base villous. Massee.

On the ground in pastures and woods, rarely on rotten wood.

Usually blackish-umber, but varies to paler grayish-brown, pinky-tan, pale cinnamon or brownish; then dingy-ochraceous or tan-color. Margin expanded when old, and also indistinctly striate. Fries.

Var. cineras´cens Fr. Pileus up to 1 in. across, thin, infundibuliform, pale smoky-brown. Gills decurrent, yellowish-white. Stem 1–2 in. long, 1½ line thick, grayish, reticulately fibrillose, hollow.

Spores 8×5µ W.G.S.; 10–12×5–6µ, B.; 9×6µ Morgan.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. Among leaves in woods. September to October. Gregarious. McIlvaine.

Fair in quality.

C. bruma´lis Fr.—bruma, winter. From its late appearance. Pileus about 1 in. across. Flesh thin, expanded, umbilicate then infundibuliform and usually variously waved and lobed, glabrous, flaccid, hygrophanous, livid, whitish or yellowish when dry, disk often darker. Gills decurrent, about 1 line broad, crowded, pallid. Stem up to 2 in. long and about 2 lines thick, nearly equal, slightly curved, glabrous, whitish, often compressed, imperfectly hollow. Spores 4–5×3–4µ.

In woods, etc.

Truly autumnal, being most abundant in November. There are two forms: (a) on pine leaves in pine woods; (b) among heather. (a) Stem rather firm, hollow, about 2 in. long, 2 lines thick, equal or slightly thickened at the apex, at length compressed, somewhat incurved, glabrous, naked, becoming livid, white when dry, base white and downy. Flesh of pileus membranaceous, at first convex, umbilicate, margin reflexed, about 1 in. across, then funnel-shaped, often irregular and undulate, up to 2 in. broad, glabrous, even, livid when moist, whitish then becoming yellowish when dry, disk at first usually darker. Gills decurrent, at first arcuate, then descending, 1 line broad, crowded, 106distinct, livid then yellowish-white, smell weak, not unpleasant. (b) Entirely watery white; stem hollow, somewhat striate, base glabrous; pileus infundibuliform, margin deflexed, milky-white when dry. Gills less crowded, but rather broader, whitish. Fries.

Spores 3µ W.G.S.; 4–5×3–4µ Massee.

Edible. Cooke.

C. morbi´fera Pk.—morbus, disease; fero, to bear. Pileus thin, fragile, glabrous, convex, becoming plane or centrally depressed, slightly hygrophanous, grayish-brown when moist, whitish or cinereous when dry, sometimes slightly umbonate. Gills narrow, close, adnate or slightly decurrent, whitish or pallid. Stem short, equal, hollow, colored like the pileus or a little paler. Spores minute, broadly elliptical, 4µ long, almost as broad.

Pileus .5–1.5 in. broad. Stem about 1 in. long, ⅙–¼ in. thick. Grassy ground and lawns. November. Washington, D.C. F.J. Braendle.

The species seems related to C. expallens, but the margin of the pileus is not striate as in that fungus. The taste is very disagreeable and remains in the mouth a long time. Two persons were made ill by eating it, but their sickness lasted only about three hours. Peck.

I have not seen this species. Its reputation is bad. Caution should be observed.

C. trullisa´ta Ellis. Pileus fleshy, plano-convex, at length depressed in the center, innate fibrous-scaly, becoming smoother on the disk, margin thin. Gills unequal, not crowded, coarse and thick, adnate with a decurrent tooth, at length white pulverulent, purple-violet at first, becoming dark brick-red. Stem stuffed, fibrillose, with a long club-shaped base penetrating deeply into the sand. Spores large, cylindric-oblong, 15–20µ.

In old sandy fields. September to October.

The interior of the stem in the young plant is like the gills, violet-purple, and the club-shaped base is covered with a tomentose coat, to which the sand adheres tenaciously.

107Related to A. laccatus and A. ochropurpureus B.

Resembles the larger forms of A. laccatus, but it has a stouter habit, the pileus is more squamulose, the stem is bulbous or thickened at the base, the mycelium is violet-colored and the spores are oblong. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, November, 1874.

New Jersey, Ellis; New York, Peck, Rep. 33.

Haddonfield, Watertown, N.J. Sandy soil in pine woods. McIlvaine.

Densely cespitose. Caps and stems brown, glutinous and so incrusted with sand that it is almost impossible to clean them. Edible, but not desirable.

C. lacca´ta Scop.—made of lac. (Plate XXIV, fig. 10, p. 82.) Pileus thin, fleshy, convex, sometimes expanded, even or slightly umbilicate, smooth or minutely tomentose-scaly, hygrophanous when moist, dull reddish-yellow or reddish flesh-colored, sometimes striatulate when dry, pallid or pale dull ochraceous. Gills broad, rather thick and distant, attached, not decurrent, flesh-colored. Stem slender, firm, fibrous, stuffed, equal, concolorous.

Height 1–6 in., breadth of pileus 6 lines to 2 in. Common. June to October.

An extremely variable and abundant species occurring almost everywhere throughout the season. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 8–9µ Massee; 8–10µ B.

Var. pallidifo´lia Pk.—pallidus, pale; foliumaf. Gills whitish or pallid, decurrent.

Var. stria´tula Pk.—stria, a furrow. Pileus moist, smooth, thin, showing shading radiating lines, extending from near the center to the margin. In wet or damp places.

A form occurs with a decidedly bulbous base. Gills appearing emarginate with a decurrent tooth.

Clitocybe laccata is made the type of a new genus by Berkeley and Broome. Massee accepts the genus but it is not generally accepted by the standard authors. It is a well defined genus, and a fitting place for C. laccata, C. amethystina, C. ochropurpurea, C. tortilis, which it puzzles anyone to identify as Clitocybe.

C. amethys´tina Bolt.—amethystinus, color of an amethyst. (Plate 108XXIV, fig. 8, p. 82.) Pileus 1–2½ in. across, dark-purple, umbilicate, smooth, minutely tomentose, involute. Gills dark-purple, decurrent, broad. Stem 2–3 in. high, fibrillose, purple, streaked with white fibrils, equal, densely covered with white tomentum at base.

Also written Clitocybe laccata amethystina Sacc.

“In my opinion it is a good species and should be kept distinct as Bolton gave it, and not be tacked on to C. laccata as a variety. I should write it Clitocybe amethystina Bolt.” Peck, letter September 17, 1897.

New York, Peck, Rep. 41; New Jersey, Sterling; Mt. Gretna, Pa., on wood soil, June to frost, 1897–1898, McIlvaine.

Generally included in C. laccata as a variety, and has therefore been reported under that name.

Great quantities of C. amethystina grew in troops on beds made up of wood earth about the cottages at Mt. Gretna, Pa. The woods over them is dense.

The caps are tough, but they cook readily and make a pleasing dish.

C. tor´tilis Bolt.—tortilis, twisted. Pileus membranaceous, convexo-plane then depressed, obscurely marked with radiating striæ. Stem hollow, twisted, fragile. Gills adnate, thick, distant, fleshy-rose, cespitose, small, irregular, pileus and stem rusty in color.

Hard ground in an old road. Sandlake. August. A species closely allied to C. laccata and appearing like an irregular dwarf form of that species. Sometimes cespitose. Peck, 41st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Excepting that this fungus is frequently found with C. laccata, and might be taken for a new species if not here described, it would not be separated from C. laccata.

Its edible qualities are similar.

C. ochropurpu´rea Berk.—ochra, ocher; purpureus, purple. (Plate XXIV, figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, p. 82.) Pileus subhemispherical, at length depressed, fleshy, compact, tough, pale yellow, slightly changing to purplish, cuticle easily separable; margin inflexed, at first tomentose. Stem paler, here and there becoming purplish, solid, swollen in the middle, occasionally equal. Gills thick, purple, broader behind, decurrent. Spores white or pale yellow.

Pileus 2 in. broad. Stem 2½ in. high, ¾ in. thick in the center.

August. On clayey soil in woodlands.

109Its spores darken when shed in quantity, have a granulated and light-lilac appearance. It is a solitary grower, sometimes reaching the height of six inches. The upturned, wavy pileus, showing the purple gills in contrast with the pale Naples-yellow of the cap is markedly attractive. The stem is often rough with fibers, hard and tough. The caps are tough. It grows in grassy woods and open places. The novice, even the expert, will be puzzled to place it in its genus.

Specimens were sent to me by Miss Lydia M. Patchen, Westfield, N.Y., and E.B. Sterling, Trenton, N.J. I afterward found many at Mt. Gretna, Pa. I reported their edible qualities to Prof. Peck who wrote, September 3, 1897: “I have often wished it was edible, but it has such a disagreeable flavor when fresh that I have never ventured to eat it. I have known it to be mistaken for the common mushroom, but not eaten.”

Though tough it cooks tender and is excellent. Stew and put in patties or croquettes.

C. di´topa Fr. Gr.—twofold; Gr.—a foot. Probably from stems growing two together. Pileus thin, submembranaceous, convex, rarely with a small umbo, smooth, hygrophanous, brown when young and moist, grayish-white when dry. Gills grayish, close, thin, attached, not decurrent. Stem slender, equal, smooth, hollow.

Height 1–2 in., breadth of pileus 6–18 lines. Stem 1–2 lines thick.

Pine woods. West Albany. October.

The plant has the odor and taste of new meal. I have seen no specimens with the pileus depressed. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

C. meta´chroa Fr. Gr.—changing color. Separated from C. ditopa by its thicker, depressed pileus, its thicker, less close gills, and the absence of odor.

Pine woods. West Albany. October. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Moderately plentiful in New Jersey pines. September to October.

Edible, tough; when well stewed of good flavor.

C. compres´sipes Pk.—compressus, pressed together; pes, a foot. Pileus thin, convex or expanded, umbilicate, glabrous, hygrophanous, brownish when moist, whitish or pale yellow when dry, margin thin. Gills close, subarcuate or horizontal, adnate or subdecurrent, whitish. Stem firm, hollow, generally compressed, slightly pruinose. Spores elliptical, 5–6.5×4–4.5µ. Flesh white when dry, odor slight, farinaceous.

Plant gregarious, 1–1.5 in. high. Pileus 6–16 lines broad. Stem 1–2 lines thick.

Grassy places. Albany. July.

The moist pileus is sometimes obscurely zonate. The odor is not always perceptible unless the pileus is moist or broken. The stem is sometimes compressed at the top only, sometimes at the base only, and rarely it is wholly top-shaped. Peck, 33d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Found on open lots in West Philadelphia. Though small it usually grows in troops which yield fair quantity. The caps are tender and of good flavor.

C. fra´grans Sow.—fragrans, fragrant. Smell strong, spicy. Pileus about 1 in. across. Flesh rather thick; convex, soon expanded and slightly depressed or umbilicate, even, glabrous, hygrophanous, uniform watery-white, disk not darker, whitish when dry. Gills slightly decurrent, rather crowded, 1 line broad, distinct, whitish. Stem about 2 in. long, equal, slightly curved, elastic, glabrous, whitish, stuffed then hollow.

In woods among moss, etc.

Distinguished from other species resembling it in color and size, by the fragrant smell resembling aniseed. Massee.

Spores 6×4µ. W.G.S.

Found in West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. July to severe frosts. McIlvaine.

Edible. The strong taste of anise is not lost in cooking.

C. pino´phila—pine loving. Pileus thin, convex, umbilicate or centrally depressed, glabrous, moist, pale tan-color, paler or alutaceous when dry. Gills moderately close, subarcuate, adnate or slightly decurrent, whitish. Stem equal, stuffed or hollow, glabrous or subpruinose, 111colored like the pileus. Spores nearly elliptical, 4–6µ long; odor and taste resembling that of fresh meal.

Plant 1–2 in. high. Pileus about 1 in. broad. Stem 1–2 lines thick.

Ground under pine trees. Albany and Ticonderoga. July and August. Peck, 31st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Quite plentiful in pine woods of New Jersey. Edible; pleasant.

112COLLY´BIA Fr.

Pileus fleshy, usually thin, margin incurved at first, not corrugated. Stem different in substance from the pileus, but confluent with it; hollow, with a cartilaginous bark, internally cartilaginous or soft, often rooting. Gills free or obtusely adnexed, membranaceous, soft.

Growing on the ground, wood, leaves and decaying fungi.

In Clitocybe and Tricholoma the substance of the stem and pileus is alike; they differ in the character of the stem. Tricholoma has no distinct bark-like coat, and in Clitocybe the stem is covered with minute fibers. In Mycena as in Collybia the stem is different in substance from the pileus, but is distinguished by the margin of the pileus being straight. It is most closely allied to Marasmius, which is characterized by its tough coriaceous substance, which when dried fully revives and expands on being moistened. The line between them can not always be closely drawn, and there are numerous species which it is difficult to place with certainty in either genus. This does not apply to the fleshy edible species of this genus as they are quite distinct from Marasmius.

Peck’s 49th Report contains a monograph of the New York species of Collybia, supplemented by one of those found in other states.

Several common, prolific, long-season, delicious fungi occur in this genus. They vary in size from “a small coin” to five inches across. They grow in woods, on wood, on ground, on leaves, on lawns and among moss and grass in shaded places. The writer has tested many species raw, and eaten small quantities cooked, which are not herein described for the reason that not enough of a species was found to test to full extent. So far as is reported and as his experience goes, there is not a poisonous species in Collybia. Many of them are strong in odor.

Stem stout, hollow or imperfectly filled with a spongy pith; grooved or striate with fibers.

113* Gills broad, rather distant.

** Gills narrow, crowded.

Stem thin, equal, hollow or with a pith, even, velvety, downy or covered with a bloom.

* Gills broad, rather distant.

** Gills very narrow, closely crowded.

Stem thin, equal, hollow, naked, smooth—except the base—apparently not striate, but some species are minutely striate under a lens.

* Gills broad, lax, usually more or less distant.

** Gills narrow, crowded.

Color brownish becoming gray. Allied to the last section of Tricholoma and Clitocybe, but distinguished from them by the cartilaginous stem.

Some are strong scented. None known to be edible.

C. radica´ta Relh.—radix, a root. (Plate XXIX, p. 112.) Pileus 1½-4 in. across, from convex to nearly plane, broadly umbonate, frequently wrinkled toward and at the umbo, glutinous when moist. Color variable, usually brown in grayish shades, from dark to almost white. Flesh thin, white, elastic. Gills white, thick, tough, distant, ventricose, adnexed, rounded or notched behind like Tricholoma, sometimes with a decurrent tooth. Stem 4–8 in. long, 3–5 lines thick, smooth, firm, same color as pileus, tapering upward, becoming vertically striate or grooved, often twisted, ending in a long, tapering, pointed root deeply planted in the earth.

Spores elliptical, 14–15×8–9µ Massee; 11×17µ W.G.S.; 11×9µ W.P.; 16–17×10–11µ B.

114Often sombre, but erect, neat and handsome. Growing solitary and in troops in woods, usually near stumps, if much decayed, sometimes on them, or on shaded lawns and grassy places. June to October.

Var. furfu´racea Pk. Stem furfuraceous, less distinctly striate.

Var. pusil´la Pk. Plant small. Pileus about 1 in. broad, passing gradually into the typical form. Stem slender.

Professor Peck says: “The variety furfuracea is common and connects this species with C. longipes, which has a villose stem and dry velvety pileus.” 49th Rep.

Common to the United States. Edible. Curtis, according to Dr. F. Peyre Porcher of Charleston, S.C., was the first to declare this edible.

A very attractive species. The purity of its gills is especially noticeable. I began eating it in 1881, and it has continued to be a favorite. The caps should be broiled or fried. They are sweet, pleasing in texture, and delicately flavored.

C. platyphyl´la Fr. Gr.—broad; a leaf. (Plate XXVIII, fig. 1, p. 114.) Pileus 3–4 in. broad, dusky and gray then whitish, fleshy-membranaceous, thin, fragile, soon flattened, obtuse, watery when moist, streaked with fibrils. Stem 3–4 in. long, ½ in. thick, stuffed, soft, equal, fibrilloso-striate, otherwise smooth, naked or obsoletely powdered at the apex, whitish, shortly and bluntly rooted at the base. Gills obliquely cut off behind, slightly adnexed, ½ in. and more broad, distant, soft, white.

Odor not remarkable. It inclines toward the Tricholomata in the somewhat membranaceous cuticle of the soft stem. Fries. Spores 13×19µ W.G.S.

Solitary, gregarious, rarely clustered. On rotten wood, roots, ground near stumps, among leaves, etc. June to October.

Distinguished by the very broad and deeply emarginate gills, which frequently slope up behind to near the cap then with a short turn downward connect with the stem which is either stuffed or hollow, and by the abundant, cord-like rooting mycelium. The gills are very broad. Professor Peck says: “The species is quite variable. The pileus is sometimes irregular and even eccentric, the thin margin may be slightly striate, is often split and in wet weather may be upturned or revolute. The lamellæ are sometimes ½ in. broad or more and transversely split. They may be obscurely striated transversely and even veiny above with 115venose interspaces. Occasionally a slight anise-like odor is perceptible, but in decay the plants have a very disagreeable odor and disgusting appearance.” 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, 1880–1885; Haddonfield, N.J., 1896. Gregarious, and in large bunches. Mt. Gretna and Eagle’s Mere, Pa., 1897, McIlvaine.

When fresh, in good condition, the caps are good, but they are not nearly equal in substance or flavor to C. radicata and C. longipes. They are best broiled or fried.

Var. re´pens Fr. Pileus more fleshy, depressed. Stem hollow, compressed, pruinate at the apex, with a creeping, string-like mycelium.

It is best distinguished by its white, villous, anastomosing, very much branched mycelium which creeps a long distance in a rooting string-like manner. The so-called roots are quite different from the stem, not a prolongation of the stem itself. Fries.

Clearly a variety of C. platyphylla. C. platyphylla is quite variable, even puzzling. Edible qualities the same.

C. long´ipes Bull.—longus, long; pes, a foot. Pileus 1–2 in. across, conical then expanded, umbonate, dry, minutely, beautifully velvety. Color from pale to date-brown, sometimes umber. Flesh white, thin, elastic. Gills white, broad, tough, thick, adnexed, distant, ventricose, rounded behind, emarginate. Stem 4–6 in. long, 2–4 lines thick, tapering upward, usually densely and minutely velvety like the cap, nearly same color, with a long, tapering root.

On much decayed stumps and logs. July to October. Closely resembles C. radicata. It is readily distinguished by its velvety cap and stem. It is more glutinous.

Spores spheroid, 12µ Q.

California. Edible. H. and M.

West Virginia mountains, 1880–1885; Cheltenham, Pa., 1889. McIlvaine.

Excepting from California, C. longipes has not previously been reported as found in the United States. It is not plentiful in the forests of West Virginia, yet I often found it upon rotting stumps and logs, solitary, but up to a dozen in the same vicinity. It is unmistakable. Its rich yet dull velvety cap and stem and the purity of its gills hold the finder’s admiration.

116The caps fried or broiled are delicious, resembling in every way those of C. radicata.

C. fu´sipes Bull.—fusus, a spindle; pes, a foot. (Plate XXVIII, fig. 4, p. 112.) Pileus 1–3 in. broad, reddish-brown, becoming pale and also dingy-tan, fleshy, convex then flattened, umbonate (the umbo at length vanishing), even, smooth, dry, here and there broken up in cracks when dry. Stem 3 in. and more long, commonly ½ in., but here and there as much as 1 in. broad, fibrous-stuffed then hollow, remarkably cartilaginous externally, swollen, ventricose in the middle, attenuated at both ends, often twisted, longitudinally furrowed, red or reddish-brown, rooted in a spindle-shaped manner at the base. Gills annulato-adnexed (joined into a ring), soon separating, free, broad, distant, firm, connected by veins, crisped, white then becoming somewhat of the same color as the pileus, often spotted. Stevenson.

Spores 6×3µ W.G.S.; 4–5×2–4µ B.

Solitary, gregarious, usually densely clustered on decaying wood, roots, etc. August until after heavy frosts.

West Virginia, 1882, McIlvaine.

In the West Virginia mountains C. fusipes is frequent. Caps in the clusters rarely exceed 1½ in. across. They show an auburn or burgundy shade of brown in their color. When young they are smooth and appear to remain so unless rained upon or moistened, when they crack more or less finely in drying. At first the connection of the gills with the stem is peculiar—they join in a collar-like ring at the top of the stem. As the cap expands the gills part more or less and separate from the stem. The stem is markedly spindle-shaped, though variously flattened by compression in dense clusters; the outside often splitting, breaking and turning out from the stem.

The caps, alone, are good, the stem being hard and refractory. The caps are very fine, cooked in any way.

The caps dry well, and are a pleasant addition to gravies, soups and other dishes. They make a choice pickle.

C. macula´ta A. and S.—macula, a spot. Pileus fleshy, firm, convex or nearly plane, even, glabrous, white or whitish, sometimes varied 117with reddish spots or stains. Flesh white. Gills narrow, crowded, adnexed, sometimes nearly or quite free, white or whitish. Stem generally stout, firm, equal or slightly swollen in the middle, striate, white, stuffed or sometimes hollow, commonly narrowed at the base, rooting, often curved at the base, rarely slightly thickened and blunt. Spores subglobose, 4–6µ broad, sometimes showing a slight point at one end.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Var. immacula´ta Cke. This differs from the type in having no reddish spots or stains.

This species is easily recognized by its large size, firm or compact substance and white color. It grows in soil filled with decaying vegetable matter or on much decayed wood. Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Philadelphia, Pa. Weed grown lot near University of Pennsylvania. September to frost. Grew gregariously over a large lot. The plants varied greatly in size and appearance. The gills of most were crenulate (scalloped). Assorted specimens were sent Professor Peck who wrote: “They are all forms of C. maculata.”

The caps were stewed and eaten in abundance by many, and pronounced “Fine.”

C. butyra´cea Bull.—butyrum, butter; buttery to the touch. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, normally reddish-brown, but becoming pale, fleshy, convex then expanded, more or less umbonate, dry, even, smooth. Flesh buttery, soft, somewhat hygrophanous, flesh-color then white. Stem 2–3 in. long, attenuated upward from the thickened white downy base, hence much thinner at the apex, 2–3 lines only, but at the base ½-1 in. thick, externally covered over with a rigid cartilaginous cuticle, internally stuffed with soft spongy pith, or hollow only when old, striate, reddish, commonly smooth, but varying with white deciduous scales, and occasionally wholly downy with soft hairs. 118Gills slightly adnexed, somewhat free, thin, crowded, notched at the edge, white, never spotted-reddish. Stevenson.

Spores 6–10×3–5µ B.; elliptical, 7–9×4–5µ.

Cap greasy looking. Umbo dark.

The color of the cap is variable. The species differs from C. dryophila in having an umbonate pileus, slightly uneven gill-edges and stem which tapers upward.

Solitary and in troops under coniferous trees. Spring, autumn.

West Virginia, Chester county and Eagle’s Mere, Pa., McIlvaine.

The caps cook quickly, are tender and have a good flavor.

C. velu´tipes Curt.—velutum, velvet; pes, a foot. Pileus 1–4 in. broad in the same cluster, tawny, sometimes paler at the margin, moderately fleshy at the disk, but thin at the circumference, convex then soon becoming plane, often eccentric, irregular and bent backward, smooth, viscous; margin spreading and at length slightly striate. Flesh watery, soft, slightly tawny-hyaline. Stem 1–3 in. long, 1–4 lines thick, tough, externally cartilaginous, umber then becoming black, densely, minutely velvety, commonly ascending or twisted, commonly equal, even, internally fibrous-stuffed and hollow. Gills broader and rounded behind, slightly adnexed, so as at first sight to appear free, somewhat distant, very unequal, becoming pallid-yellow or tawny. Fr.

Spores ellipsoid, 7µ W.G.S.; 6×4µ B.; elliptical, 7×3–3.5µ Massee.

Our American plant, common to the states, is rarely found attaining such dimensions. Its usual size is from 1–2 in. across, more frequently 119at 1–1¼. It is generally found in clusters more or less dense. The color varies from yellowish to a dark yellowish-brown. The center is darker than the margin. The cap viscid when moist, often irregular from crowding. Gills may be rounded or notched at their attachment to the stem, whitish or yellowish. Stem usually hollow, 1–4 in. long, 1–3 lines thick, whitish when young becoming colored with the dense brownish velvety hairs.

It grows on stumps, roots in the ground, trunks and earth heavily charged with wood matter. I have found it in every month of the year. The heavier crop appears in September, October and November, and lasts until long after heavy frosts. Then sporadic clusters spring up wherever the winter sun gives them encouragement.

It sometimes does considerable damage to the tree so unfortunate as to be its host. It begins its growth upon some injured or decayed spot and by continually insinuating itself under the surrounding bark it, by its mycelium and growth, pries the bark away from the wood until the tree is entirely denuded.

It is a valuable species, not only on account of its continuous growth, but because of its plentifulness and excellent substance.

C. con´fluens Pers.—Pileus ¾-1½ in. broad, thin, tough, flaccid, convex or nearly plane, obtuse, rarely somewhat umbonate, glabrous, hygrophanous, reddish grayish-red or reddish-brown and often striatulate on the margin when moist, pallid, whitish or grayish when dry. Lamellæ narrow, crowded, free, whitish or yellowish-gray. Stem 2–5 in. long, 1–2 lines thick, equal, cartilaginous, hollow, clothed with a short dense somewhat pulverulent whitish pubescence or down. Spores minute ovate or subelliptical, slightly pointed at one end, 5–6×3–4µ.

Among fallen leaves in woods. Common. July to October.

The plants commonly grow in tufts, but sometimes in lines or arcs of circles or scattered. They revive under the influence of moisture and thereby indicate an intimate relationship to the genus Marasmius. The pileus varies much in color, but commonly has a dull reddish or russety tinge when moist, sometimes approaching bay-red. It fades in drying and becomes almost white or grayish-white, but sometimes the center remains more deeply colored than the margin. The stem is commonly 120rather long in proportion to the width of the pileus. Occasionally it is somewhat flattened either at the top or throughout its entire length. Sometimes the stems become united at the base which union is suggestive of the specific name. Peck, 49th Rep.

West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine. July to frost.

The caps of C. confluens are of excellent substance and flavor. Their quantity makes up for their small size. I have gathered them 2 in. across, but their average size is about 1 in. They dry well.

C. esculen´ta Wulf.—esculent. Pileus ½ in. and more broad, ochraceous-clay, often becoming dusky, slightly fleshy, convex then plane, orbicular, obtuse, smooth, even or when old slightly striate. Flesh tough, white, savory. Stem 1 in. and more long, scarcely 1 line thick, or thread-like and wholly equal, obsoletely tubed, tough, stiff and straight, even, smooth, slightly shining, clay-yellow, with a long perpendicular, commonly smooth, tail-like root. Gills adnexed, even decurrent with a very thin small tooth, then separating, very broad, limber, somewhat distant, whitish, sometimes clay-color.

Gregarious but never cespitose. The tube of the stem is very narrow. Stevenson.

The smallest edible Collybia. Cooke. Edible. In dense woods. Curtis. It is dried and preserved. Cordier.

In pastures and grassy places. Spring and early summer.

Edible, but rather bitter flavor. In Austria, where it is in great plenty in April, large baskets are brought to market under the name of Nagelschwämme—nail mushrooms.

Professor Peck describes C. esculentoides Pk., 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot., which he states: “Differs from the type in its paler and more ochraceous color and in its farinaceous flavor, and is related to the European C. esculenta from which it differs essentially in the umbilicate pileus and in the absence of any radicating base to the stem.”

C. dryophil´a Bull. Gr.—oak-loving. (Plate XXVIII, fig. 3, p. 112.) Pileus 1–3 in. across, bay-brown-rufous, etc., becoming pale, but not 121hygrophanous, slightly fleshy, tough, convexo-plane, obtuse, commonly depressed in the center, even, smooth; margin at first inflexed then flattened. Flesh thin, white. Stem 1–3 in. long, 1–3 lines thick, cartilaginous, remarkably tubed, thin, even, smooth, somewhat rooting, commonly becoming yellow or reddish. Gills somewhat free, with a small decurrent tooth, but appearing adnexed when the pileus is depressed, crowded, narrow, distinct, plane, white or becoming pale.

There are numerous monstrous forms which are very deceiving: a. Stem elongated, waved, decumbent, inflated at the base; pileus broader, lobed; gills white. b. Funicularis, larger, cespitose, the lax and decumbent stem equal and hairy at the base, gills sulphur-yellow. These forms, analagous with A. repens Bull., occur on heaps of leaves. c. Countless specimens growing together in a large cluster; stems thick, inflated, irregularly shaped, sulcate, brown, the mycelium collecting the soil in the form of a ball; pileus very irregularly shaped, full of angles, undulated, blackish then bay-brown. In gardens. Stevenson.

Spores elliptic-fusiform, 7–8×4µ; 6µ W.G.S.

Professor Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot., gives the following: Pileus thin, convex or nearly plane, sometimes with the margin elevated, irregular, obtuse, glabrous, varying in color, commonly some shade of bay-red or tan-color. Flesh white. Lamellæ narrow, crowded, adnexed or almost free, white or whitish, rarely yellowish. Stem equal or sometimes thickened at the base, cartilaginous, glabrous, hollow, yellowish or rufescent, commonly similar in color to the pileus. Spores, 6–8×3–4µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 1–2 lines thick.

Woods, groves and open places. Common. June to October.

West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. McIlvaine.

C. dryophila is so common and variable that descriptions would fail to cover it in its eccentricities. The writer has eaten it in all the forms obtained since 1881. A very pretty form grew in large quantities among pine needles at Eagle’s Mere, Pa., in August, 1897. It was cooked and served at the hotel table. Many ate it and were delighted.

Dr. Badham refers to a case in which illness was caused by eating it. In my eighteen years' experience with it, knowing it to have been enjoyably eaten by scores of persons, I have not heard of the slightest discomfort from it.

122C. spinulif´era Pk.—spinula, a little thorn. Pileus fleshy, thin, convex or nearly plane, glabrous, hygrophanous reddish tan-color tinged with pink and slightly striatulate on the margin when moist, paler when dry, adorned with minute colored spinules or setæ. Gills narrow, close, rounded behind and free, pale cinnamon-color, becoming somewhat darker with age, spinuliferous. Stem slender, tough, glabrous, shining, hollow, reddish-brown, often paler or whitish at the top, especially in young plants, with a whitish myceloid tomentum at the base. Spores elliptical or nearly so, 4µ.

Plant cespitose. Pileus 8–16 lines broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, about 1 line thick.

Prostrate trunks and ground among leaves in woods. Lewis county. September.

In this species the lamellæ, under a lens, appear to be minutely pubescent or velvety. This is due to the colored spinules or setæ which clothe them. Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Angora, Pa. September, 1897. Among moss in mixed woods. September to frost. McIlvaine.

Specimens identified by Professor Peck. Stems of some tapered at base.

Excepting the extreme base of stems the whole plant is tender and of good flavor.

C. acerva´ta Fr.—acervus, a heap. Pileus fleshy but thin, convex or nearly plane, obtuse, glabrous, hygrophanous, pale tan-color or dingy pinkish-red and commonly striatulate on the margin when moist, paler or whitish when dry. Gills narrow, close, adnexed or free, whitish or tinged with flesh-color. Stem slender, rigid, hollow, glabrous, reddish, reddish-brown or brown, often whitish at the top, especially when young, commonly with a white matted down at the base. Spores elliptical, 6×3–4µ.

Plant cespitose. Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, about 1 line thick.

123Decaying wood and ground among fallen leaves in woods. Adirondack mountains. August and September. Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

This very pretty plant resembles forms of C. dryophila. The coloring of the stems is often extremely delicate, like paintings upon rice paper.

West Virginia mountains; Eagle’s Mere, Pa. August to frost. McIlvaine.

The entire plant is tender, delicate and of fine flavor. In these qualities it is not distinguishable when cooked from the smaller forms of C. dryophila.

124MYCE´NA Fr.

Pileus regular, rarely depressed in the center, thin, usually streaked with longitudinal lines, at first conico-cylindrical, margin at the first straight, closely embracing the stem which is attenuated upward. Stem hollow, slender, cartilaginous. Gills adnate or adnexed, sometimes with a small tooth, never decurrent. Spores white.

Generally small and slender, growing on branches, twigs, heaps of leaves, sometimes on the ground, some minute species on single dead leaves. Long, rooting stems are not uncommon. Clitocybe and Omphalia are separated by their decurrent gills and in Collybia the margin is at first incurved.

In this genus the species of the various sections are not always distinguished by single sharply defined characteristics, so that it will sometimes be necessary to pay attention to all the features. Species with a thread-like stem are found in other sections than Filipedes and some of the Lactipedes are slippery when moist, but not truly viscous.

Stem juiceless, not dilated into a disk at the base. Edges of gills darker, minutely toothed.

Stem juiceless, not dilated at the base. Gills of one color, not changing color. Color pure-colored, bright, not becoming brownish or gray. On the ground.

Stem firm, rigid, rather tough, juiceless, more or less rooting. Gills changing color, white, then gray or reddish, generally at length connected by veins.

Tough, persistent, inodorous, usually on wood, very cespitose, but individuals of the same species sometimes grow singly on the ground.

Stem fragile, juiceless, fibrillose at the base, scarcely rooting. Pileus hygrophanous. Gills becoming discolored, at length somewhat connected by veins.

Thin, fragile, often soft, normally growing singly on the ground. A few strong smelling, cespitose on wood.

Stem thread-like, flaccid, somewhat tough, rooting, juiceless, generally extremely long in proportion to the pileus. Gills becoming discolored, paler at the edge.

Straight, growing singly on the ground; inodorous. Pileus dingy-brown, becoming paler.

Gills and rooting stem milky when broken.

Stem juiceless but externally sticky with gluten. Gills at length decurrent with a tooth.

Stem dry, rootless, the base naked and dilated into a disk or small hairy bulb. Growing singly, slender, soon becoming flaccid.

Stem very thin, dry, growing as if inserted in the supporting surface, not downy, not disk-like at the base.

Gills adnate with a small decurrent tooth. Small, very tender, becoming flaccid with the first touch of the sun.

126Mycena is a large genus composed of small species. About sixty members have been found in America. They are from ½ to 1 in. across the cap, with thin stems and altogether delicate appearance. Yet the flesh of most of them has a gummy consistency in the mouth, and they shrink but little in stewing. Heretofore not any appear to have been reported as edible, probably because the size of the species has not attracted experimenters. While some have a strong odor and taste of radishes, and one species is bitter, it is probable that all are edible. The writer has eaten, raw and cooked, small quantities (all he has found) of many species not here reported as edible, which will, when further tested, be reported upon.

The substance and flavor of those here given is remarkably pleasant. Their late coming, hardiness and abundance are commendable qualities.

M. prolif´era Sow.—proles, offspring; fero, to bear. (Plate X, figs. 6, 7, p. 28.) Pileus ⅔-1¼ in. across, slightly fleshy, expanded bell-shape, dry, the broad umbo darker (dingy-brown), slightly striate, and at length furrowed or rimosely split at the margin (pale yellowish or becoming brownish-tan). Stem 2½-3 in. long, firm, rigid, smooth, shining, slightly striate, rooted. Gills adnexed, somewhat distinct, becoming pale white.

Inodorous, only at length nauseous. Very closely allied to M. galericulata, in habit approaching nearest to M. cohærens. The stems are pallid at the apex, but slightly tawny-bay-brown below, and glued together by hairy down at the base. There is a white form with transparent stem—on trunks. Fries.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. On ground in grass. Mycelium spreading on leaves. McIlvaine.

127Found in great plenty. Base of stems is sometimes white when in dense tufts.

The whole plant is tender, cooking in fifteen minutes, and is of fine flavor. No one will want a better fungus.

M. rugo´sa Fr.—ruga, a wrinkle. Pileus ash-color but becoming pale, very tough, slightly fleshy at the disk, otherwise membranaceous, bell-shaped then expanded, at length rather plane, somewhat obtuse, more or less corrugated (unequal with elevated wrinkles), always dry, not moist even in rainy weather, striate at the circumference. Stem commonly short, remarkably cartilaginous, tubed, rigid, tough, straight, at length compressed, even, smooth, pallid, with a short oblique hairy root. Gills arcuato-adnate, with a decurrent tooth, united behind in a collar, somewhat distant, connected by veins, broad, ventricose, white then gray, edge sometimes quite entire, sometimes with saw-like teeth.

Always inodorous. Formerly connected with M. galericulata. M. rugosa is arid, very tough, more rarely cespitose, the pileus firm, somewhat obtuse, wrinkled but without striæ, the gills arcuato-adnate with a hooked tooth, white then ash-color. The genuine M. galericulata is fasciculato-cespitose, somewhat fragile, the pileus thinner, at first conical and umbonate, striate without wrinkles, the gills adnate, with a decurrent tooth, white then flesh-color. Between these there is a long series of intermediate forms. Fries.

California, H. and M.; Kansas, Cragin; Wisconsin, Bundy; New York, September, Peck, 46th Rep.; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On decaying wood and ground near stumps. August to November. McIlvaine.

The tenacity frequently occurring in Mycena is well shown in this species. The caps and stem cook tender, but it is better to discard the stems, as the two do not become tender at the same time.

M. galericula´ta Scop.—galericulum, a small peaked cap. (Plate Plate X, fig. 5, p. 28.) Pileus somewhat membranaceous, conical bell-shaped then expanded, striate to the umbo, dry, smooth, becoming brownish-livid or changeable in color. Stem rigid, polished, even, smooth, with a spindle-shaped root at the base. Gills adnate, decurrent with a tooth, connected by veins, whitish and flesh-colored.

Very protean. Normally growing in bunches, the numerous stems 128(never sticky) glued together with soft hairy down at the base. But it occurs also solitary, larger, pileus as much as 2 in. broad, wrinkled-striate. The essential marks by which it is distinguished from A. rugosa are these: Stem in general thinner, less tense and straight, often curved, more fragile. Pileus membranaceous, conico bell-shaped, umbonate, striate but not corrugated, moist in rainy weather. Gills adnate, with a decurrent tooth, more crowded, whitish then flesh-colored. The color both of the pileus (normally dingy-brownish then livid) and of the stem (normally becoming livid-brownish) is much more changeable than that of A. rugosa, becoming yellow, rust colored, etc. It is not so tough and pliant as A. rugosa. Forms departing from the type are very numerous; the most beautiful is var. calopus (Gr., beautiful; Gr., a foot) with chestnut-colored stems, united in a spindle-shaped tail. Fries.

Spores spheroid or subspheroid, 9–10×6–8µ K.; 8–11×4–6µ B.; 6–7×4µ Massee.

Common. Autumnal. Very variable. On trunks, fallen leaves.

Two well-marked varieties of this very variable species were observed the past season. One grows on the ground among fallen leaves. It has a dark brown pileus, close lamellæ and a very long stem, generally of a delicate pink color toward the top. It might be called var. longipes. The other grows under pine trees, has a broadly convex or expanded grayish-brown pileus and a short stem. It might be called var. expansus. Peck, 26th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

“M. alcalina is closely allied to it (M. galericulata), but has a stronger alkaline odor and a rather more fragile stem. In one of your specimens I detect a slight incarnate tint to the gills, and this is pretty conclusive evidence that it belongs to M. galericulata. Species of Mycena are not generally reckoned among edible fungi or even promising fungi; I suppose on account of the thin flesh of the cap, but of course it is possible to make up in numbers what is lacking in size. I am glad to know you have found this to be an esculent one.” Letter Professor Peck to C. McIlvaine, October 5, 1893.

The caps and stems when young make as good a dish as one cares to eat. The substance is pleasant, and the flavor delicate. They are best stewed slowly in their own fluids, after washing, for ten minutes and seasoned with pepper, salt and butter.

M. parabo´lica Fr.—shaped like a parabola. Pileus becoming black 129at the disk, inclining to violaceous, otherwise becoming pale, whitish, somewhat membranaceous, at first erect and oval, then parabolic, obtuse, never expanded, moist, somewhat shining when dry, smooth, even, striate toward the entire margin. Stem 2–3 in. long, 1 line thick, tubed, tense and straight but not very rigid, thickened and bearded-rooted at the base, pale below, dark violaceous above, when young white-mealy, otherwise even, smooth, dry. Gills simply adnate, ascending, somewhat distant, rarely connected by veins, quite entire, white, somewhat gray at the base.

Stem less rigid than that of A. galericulatus. Truly gregarious or cespitose. Fries.

Spores 12×6µ B.; elliptical, 11–12×6µ Massee.

Trenton, N.J. June. E.B. Sterling; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, on decaying stumps, trunks of oak, chestnut, poplar, pine. June until far into the winter. McIlvaine.

Plant up to 2½ in. high. Caps usually about ½ in., but reaching ¾ in.

A neat, attractive plant, whether single or in dense tufts. Its smell is strong of fresh meal, and taste of that delicate flavor one finds in the succulent base of the round, swamp rush, when pulled from its sheath—one that every country school boy and girl knows. It is pleasant raw, and delicious when cooked.

M. latifo´lia Pk.—latus, broad; folium, a leaf. Pileus convex, rarely somewhat umbonate, striatulate, grayish-brown. Gills white, broad, hooked, decurrent-toothed. Stem slender, smooth, hollow, subconcolorous, white-villous at the base.

Height 1–1.5 in., breadth of pileus 4–6 lines. Stem .5 lines thick.

Under pine trees. Center. October.

A small species with quite broad gills, growing among the fallen leaves of pine trees. Gregarious. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. Among pine needles, scattered, sometimes four or five in a cluster. September to October. McIlvaine.

Autumnal. Not rare. The caps though small are tenacious in the mouth and lose little in cooking. The substance is agreeable and flavor fine.

M. collaria´ta Fr.—collare, a collar. Pileus ½ in. and more broad, typically dingy-brown, but becoming pale, commonly gray-whitish, becoming brownish only at the disk, membranaceous, bell-shaped then convex, somewhat umbonate, striate, when dry rigid, smooth, not soft nor slightly silky. Stem about 2 in. long, tubed, thread-like but almost 1 line thick, tough, dry, smooth, even or slightly striate under a lens, becoming pale. Gills adnate, joined in a collar behind, thin, crowded, hoary-whitish or obsoletely flesh-colored.

The gills are somewhat distant when the pileus is expanded. There is not a separate collar as in Marasmius rotula; the gills are only joined in the form of a collar, and remain cohering when they separate from the stem. Fries.

Spores 8–10×4–6µ B.

New York. Old stumps and rotten logs. June. Peck, 23d Rep. Mt. Gretna, Pa. Cespitose on decaying wood. July, September and October. McIlvaine.

Very much like M. galericulata, but gills not connected by veins. The caps usually have a pinkish hue, often brownish. The stems are not as tender as the caps. The flavor is excellent.

M. hæma´topa Pers. Gr.—blood; Gr.—a foot. Pileus about 1 in. broad, white flesh-color, fleshy-membranaceous, slightly fleshy chiefly at the disk, conical then bell-shaped, obtuse, nay convex and spuriously umbonate, naked, even or slightly striate at the margin, which is at the first elegantly toothed. Stem 2–4 in. long, 1 line and more thick, remarkably tubed, rigid, normally everywhere powdered with whitish, delicate, soft hairy down, sometimes, however, denuded of it. Gills adnate, often with a small decurrent tooth, the alternate ones shorter, in front disappearing short of the slight margin of the pileus, whitish and wholly of the same color at the edge.

Cespitose (very many of the stems conjoined and hairy at the base), 131firm, stature almost that of M. galericulata, wholly abounding with dark blood-colored juice.

On stumps. Frequent. September. Stevenson.

Spores spheroid-ellipsoid, 10×6–7µ K.

I find a non-cespitose form of this species with red-margined gills. Its red juice, however, will serve to distinguish it and show its true relations. Peck, 31st Rep.

Common in tufts like M. galericulata and of about the same size, but is readily distinguished by its red juice. This pretty plant can often be gathered in considerable quantity, and well repays the collector.

132HIA´TULA Fr.

Pileus symmetrical, very thin, without a distinct pellicle, formed by the union of the backs of the gills, splitting when expanded. Gills almost or quite free, white. Stem central. Spores white.

Allied to Lepiota in the thin pileus and free gills, but differing in the entire absence of a ring. Not at all deliquescent as in the genus Coprinus, near to which it was at one time placed by Fries. Massee. Reported from North Carolina.

OMPHA´LIA Fr.

Pileus generally thin, usually umbilicate at first, then funnel-shaped, often hygrophanous, margin incurved or straight. Gills truly decurrent from the first, sometimes branched. Stem distinctly cartilaginous, polished, tubular, often stuffed when young. Flesh continuous with that of the pileus but differing in character. Spores white, somewhat elliptical, smooth.

Generally on wood, preferring hilly woods and a damp climate.

Resembling Collybia and Mycena in the flesh of stem and pileus being different in texture and in the externally cartilaginous stem. It is perfectly separated by the gills being markedly decurrent from the first.

133The American species of Omphalia number between thirty-five and forty. Many of them are common. Few woods are free from them. Several of them are beautiful. They are usually small and lacking in substance. Raw, the writer has not found one that is objectionable in any way; a few have a woody taste. But two species have been found by him in sufficient quantity to make a dish. It is probable that all are edible. At best the species of Omphalia are valuable in emergency only.

* Pileus dilated from the first, margin incurved.

Pileus campanulate at first, margin straight and pressed to the stem.

O. onis´cus Fr. Gr.—a wood-louse. From the ashy color. Pileus scarcely 1 in. broad, dark ashy becoming pale, gray-hoary when dry, somewhat membranaceous, or slightly fleshy, flaccid, fragile when old, convexo-umbilicate or funnel-shaped, often irregular, undulato-flexuous, even-lobed, smooth, even, margin striate. Stem 1 in. long, 1 line and more thick, stuffed then tubed, slightly firm, moderately tough, sometimes round, curved, sometimes unequal, compressed, ascending, undulated, gray. Gills shortly decurrent, somewhat distant, quaternate, ash-color. Not cespitose. Fries.

Spores 12×7–8µ B.

Massachusetts, Sprague; California, H. and M., who record it as edible.

O. umbellif´era—umbella, a little shade; fero, to bear. From its umbrella-like shape. (Plate XXXIV, p. 132.) Pileus about ½ in. broad, commonly whitish, slightly fleshy-membranaceous, convex then plane, broadly obconic with the decurrent gills, not at all or only slightly umbilicate, hygrophanous, when moist watery, rayed with darker striæ, 134when dry even, changeable in appearance, silky, flocculose, rarely squamulose, the margin, which is at first inflexed, crenate (scalloped). Stem short, not exceeding 1 in. long, almost 1 line thick, stuffed then soon tubed, slightly firm, equal or dilated toward the apex into the pileus, of the same color as the pileus, commonly smooth, but varying pubescent, white villous at the base. Gills very broad behind, triangular, decurrent, very distant, edge of the gills straight.

Cosmopolitan. The common form is to be found everywhere from the sea level to 4,000 feet. Stevenson.

Spores 3×4µ W.G.S.; 10×4µ W.P.; green variety 10×6µ W.P.; broadly elliptical, 8–10×5–6µ Peck.

O. umbellifera is known the world over. It is very variable in size and color. With us it is seldom over ¾ in. broad. Stem ½-1 line thick. It grows on decaying wood and ground full of decaying material. There are several varieties. All are edible, but not worth describing. This description is given that the student may recognize one of our common plants, and eat it, if very hungry.

O. campanel´la Batsch.—campana, a bell. Pileus thin, rather tough, hemispherical or convex, glabrous, umbilicate, hygrophanous, rusty yellow-color and striatulate when moist, paler when dry. Gills moderately close, arcuate, decurrent, yellowish, the interspaces venose. Stem firm, rigid, hollow, brown, often paler at the top, tawny-strigose at the base. Spores elliptical, 6–7×3–4µ.

Pileus 4–8 lines broad. Stem about 1 in. long, scarcely 1 line thick.

Much decayed wood of coniferous trees. Very common. May to November. Peck, 45th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores ellipsoid, 6–8×3–4µ C.B.P.; 7×3µ W.P.; 6–9×3–4µ B.

The quantity alone, in which this small species can be found, makes it worth mentioning as an edible species. It is common over the United States where coniferous trees abound. Its favorite habitat is upon the rotting debris of these trees. Occasionally it grows from the ground, but only from that which is heavily charged with woody material. It is social in troops, or affectionate in clusters, or maintains a single existence.

It is edible, of good substance when stewed, tender and of fair flavor.

135

PLEURO´TUS.

Stem excentric, lateral or none. Epiphytal (very rarely growing on the ground), irregular, fleshy or membranaceous. Fries.

The excentric, generally lateral stem, absent in some of the species, separates this from other genera of the white-spored series.

Pileus varying from fleshy in the larger to membranaceous in the smaller forms, but never becoming woody. Veil generally wanting, when present its remains sometimes appear on the margin of the pileus, or as an evanescent ring on the stem. Gills, edge acute, generally decurrent, in some species with a well-marked tooth, rarely simply adnate. Stem fleshy, confluent and homogeneous with the pileus.

Wood, dead or alive; a few species appear on the ground.

P. ulmarius and others of the larger forms, when growing in an upright position, may have the stem central and the pileus horizontal. The stems of some species of Clitocybe and Omphalia if growing laterally are sometimes excentric and oblique.

This genus is analogous to Claudopus, pink-spored, and Crepidotus, brown-spored.

Spores white, but those of P. sapidus are faintly tinged with lilac, and of P. ostreatus, var. euosmus, with purple.

Pileus entire, laterally extended, excentric, not truly lateral.

* Veil fugacious, fragments adhering to stem or margin of pileus.

** Veil none, gills sinuate or obtusely adnate.

*** Veil none, gills very decurrent, stem distinct, almost vertical.

**** Veil none, gills very decurrent, stem proper absent, pileus lateral, extended behind into a short, stem-like oblique base.

Pileus not at first resupinate, lateral, prolonged without a definite margin behind, into a very short lateral, stem-like base.

Pileus resupinate from the first, then reflexed.

If any odium attaches to the word toadstool, it should be forgotten and forever banished in presence of this cleanly, neat, handsome genus, choice in its growing places from lichen-covered stumps, or bark-clad boles, or highly perched limbs, or the scented surfaces of decaying wood. Several of its species perfume themselves throughout with pleasant spicy odors. Many are most accommodating in their constant coming.

Mr. H.I. Miller, superintendent Terre Haute and Indianapolis Railroad, writes: “Most of the mushroom books give greatest space to the A. campester. For some parts of the country this may be desirable, but for Indiana and Ohio, considering the food value, the P. ostreatus is the best fungus we have in these states, from the fact that anybody wanting a mess can nearly always obtain a basketful of this variety, whereas the others depend upon a good many weather conditions. Having located a few logs and stumps in the spring, where the P. ostreatus grows, these same stumps and logs can be used all season. The crops are successive, and while some of the spots seem to be barren for a few days at a time, the others will be bearing. It does not make much difference what the kind of log or stump, whether it be beech, oak or elm, or what the species of tree. I think I have found them on all our forest trees, and it is not necessary for the tree to be dead. If there is a decaying portion, the spores seem to be carried by the little black beetle that infests the ostreatus, from one place to another, and wherever a small spot of dead wood is found we are likely to find the P. ostreatus. This being the only edible mushroom that we can find in large quantities all through the season in this neck of the woods, it seems to me that a general knowledge of it will serve the economic purpose more than any other fungi.”

The presence of the P. ostreatus and its esculent companions is noted from our northern boundary to the gulf. Poplar, maple, birch, hickory, ash, apple, laburnum and oak trees are its favored residences. Deer feed upon it, and kine are attracted by its scent even when deep under snow. When properly selected and slowly cooked, the Pleuroti are toothsome.

From the fact that the spores of this fleshy and valuable genus find 137fostering lodgment in many trees when in decay, it is more than probable that the several species can be propagated by planting their spores upon such decaying woods, or by transplanting the mycelium.

Growths of P. ostreatus, P. sapidus, P. salignus, and probably other species of Pleurotus, can be forced, by watering the spots upon which they are known to grow. Dr. Kalchbrenner mentions that the P. sapidus is in this way cultivated in Hungary. Acting upon this mention the writer had good success with P. ostreatus. Experiments in this direction are likely to be interesting and rewarding.

No species is suspected of being noxious.

An analysis of P. ostreatus is given by Lafayette B. Mendel, Sheffield Laboratory of Physiological Chemistry, Yale University, as follows:

Water	73.70%
Total solids	26.30
The dry substance contained:
Total nitrogen	2.40
Extractive nitrogen	1.27
Protein nitrogen	1.13
Ether extract	1.6
Crude fiber	7.5
Ash	6.1
Material soluble in 85% alcohol	31.5

I.—Excen´trici.

P. dry´inus Pers. Gr.—oak. Pileus 2 in. broad, whitish, variegated with spot-like scales which become dingy-brown, lateral, oblique, rather plane. Flesh thick. Stem very curt and obese, commonly 1 in. long and thick, somewhat lateral, somewhat woody, squamulose, white, with a short, blunt root. Veil scarcely conspicuous on the stem, but appendiculate round the margin of the pileus when young. Gills not very decurrent, somewhat simple, not anastomosing behind, narrow, white, becoming yellow when old.

On trunks, oak, ash, willow, etc. Stevenson.

Spores 10×4µ Massee.

Edible. Cordier, Cooke.

When young the caps are tender; of the consistency, when cooked, of 138Polyporus sulphureus. In taste and smell the species varies from other Pleuroti, in having a distinct musk-like flavor. This is agreeable, reminding one of the common mushroom—A. campester.

P. ulma´rius Bull.—ulmus, an elm. Pileus 3–5 in. and more broad, becoming pale-livid, often marbled with round spots, fleshy, compact, horizontal, moderately regular although more or less excentric, convex then plane, disk-shaped, even, smooth. Flesh white, tough. Stem 2–3 in. long, 1 in. thick, solid, firm, elastic, somewhat excentric, curved-ascending, thickened and tomentose at the base, not rarely villous throughout, white. Gills horizontal, emarginate or rounded behind, slightly adnexed, broad (broader in the middle), somewhat crowded, whitish.

The pileus is sometimes cracked in a tessellated manner. Stevenson.

Spores nearly globose, 5µ long Morgan; 5–6.5µ broad Peck; 6µ W.G.S.

Var. aceri´cola—acer, maple; colo, to inhabit. Plant smaller, cespitose.

Trunks and roots of maple trees. Adirondack mountains. September.

Var. populi´cola—populus, poplar; colo, to inhabit. Plant subcespitose, stem wholly tomentose. West Albany. Peck, Monograph, N.Y. Species of Pleurotus, Rep. 39.

The gills are sometimes torn across like those of Lentinus.

The historic elms of Boston Common have borne copious crops of this well-known and easily distinguished species from time immemorial. Every fall, about the first of September, if the season is favorable, later if not, copious crops appear decorating the trunks, and branches, sometimes at a height of thirty or forty feet. Growth takes place where branches have broken off or the trees have been wounded from other causes. They occur very generally on elms in the outlying districts of the city, but are rare in the country, seeming to be distinctly urban in their tastes. No damage is apparent from their growth.

Immediately in the rear of Independence Hall, Philadelphia, a fine cluster appears with equal autumnal regularity.

Though the elm tree is the chosen habitat of this fungus, it is little less select in its choice than other members of its genus.

139When young and small P. ulmarius is tender and of acceptable flavor. The stems and centers of older specimens should be cut away, and the tender parts of the caps, only, used.

P. tessula´tus Bull.—tessela, a small cube for pavement. Pileus becoming pale-tawny, horizontal, compactly fleshy, convex then plane, and in a form which is somewhat lateral depressed behind, irregular, even, smooth, variegated with round and hexagonal paler spots. Flesh thick, white. Stem short, 1 in. or little more long, solid, compact, equal or attenuated at the base, very excentric, curved-ascending, even, smooth, white. Gills sinuate behind, uncinato-adnate, thin, crowded, white or becoming yellow.

Solitary; according to some cespitose. The pileus is not cracked in a tessellated manner, as one might easily imagine from the name, but variegated with spots. Smaller than A. ulmarius (to which it is too closely allied), but almost more compact, with a smell of new meal.

On trunks. Stevenson.

North Carolina, Schweinitz. Edible. Curtis. Edible. Cordier.

On specimens growing cespitose and singly, found at Haddonfield, N.J. September, 1895, on trunk of apple tree, and at Eagle’s Mere, Pa., singly on sugar maple, August, 1898, the margin of caps were beautifully marked, but not cracked.

In quality it is better than P. ulmarius.

P. subpalma´tus Fr.—sub and palma, a palm. Pileus 3–5 in. across. Flesh thick, soft, variegated; convex then more or less flattened, irregularly circular, obtuse, wrinkled, smooth, with a gelatinous cuticle, rufescent. Stem excentric or almost lateral, but the pileus is always marginate behind, fibrillose, short, equal, flesh fibrous, soft. Gills adnate, 3–4 lines broad, crowded, joined behind, dingy. Massee.

On old trunks, squared timber, etc.

Very remarkable for having the flesh variegated as in Fistulina hepatica. Pileus, especially when young, covered with a viscid pellicle. Fr.

Spores minutely echinulate, nearly globose, 5.6×7µ Morgan.

Ohio, Morgan; Wisconsin, Bundy.

I frequently found this species in North Carolina, growing from oak ties and standing oak timber. I did not notice distillation of rufescent drops from the cap. The soft flesh had good flavor. The gelatinous 140cuticle imparts its character to the dish. Mixed with Lentinus lepideus, a much tougher plant, which grows in great abundance in the same localities, it makes toothsome food.

P. lignati´lis Fr.—lignum, wood. Dingy whitish. Pileus 1–4 in. broad, rarely central, commonly more or less excentric, occasionally wholly lateral, often kidney-shaped, fleshy, thin, but compact and tough, fissile, convex then plane, obtuse and often umbilicate, flocculoso-pruinate, at length denuded with rain, repand, margin at first involute then expanded, undulato-lobed when luxuriant. Stem sometimes 2–3 in., sometimes 3–4 lines long (even obliterated), stuffed then hollow, always thin, unequal, curved, curved or flexuous, tough and flexile, whitish, everywhere pruinato-villous, rooting and somewhat tomentose at the base. Gills adnate, very crowded and narrow, unequal, divergent in the lobes, shining white. Fries.

Exceedingly variable, wholly inconstant in form; substance thin and pliant; commonly densely cespitose, but also single. Odor strong of new meal.

On wood, beech, etc. Stevenson.

Parasitic on a rotten plant of Polyporus annosus on elm. W.G.S.

White and grayish-white, margin faintly striate; white-spotted, odor distinctly farinaceous. C.M.

Spores 3–4µ long, Morgan, Cooke, W.G.S.; 4–5µ K.

Var. abscon´dens Pk.—obscure. New York, Peck, Rep. 31, 39.

On trunks, scattered, sometimes loosely clustered. Griffins, Delaware county, N.Y. September. New York, Peck, Rep. 31, 39.

Kingsessing, near Philadelphia; Mt. Gretna, Pa. McIlvaine.

This is a good species in every way. I have not found it in extended quantity, but it is probable that it will be found in plenty when closer observed and better known.

P. circina´tus Fr.—to make round. Wholly white, not hygrophanous. Pileus about 3 in. broad, orbicular, horizontal, fleshy, tough, convex then plano-disk-shaped, obtuse, even, but covered over with a shining whitish slightly silky luster. Stem 1–2 in. long, 3–4 lines thick, stuffed, elastic, equal, central or slightly excentric, commonly straight, smooth, bluntly rooted at the base. Gills adnate, slightly decurrent, crowded, broad (as much as 3 lines), white. Fries.

141An exceedingly distinct species. Regular, solitary, with a weak, pleasant, not mealy odor. The pileus is a little thicker than that of A. lignatilis, but less compact; the gills are twice as broad. As A. lignatilis is changeable, this is always constant in form.

On rotting birch stump. Stevenson.

California, H. and M.

Found at Eagle’s Mere, Pa., August, 1898, on birch trees. Generally solitary; sometimes six or eight on one tree, beautifully shining white, at a distance resembling young Polyporus betulinus. Large quantities of it grow in the extensive birch forests at Eagle’s Mere, yielding a ready food supply. Its flavor is pleasant, and texture, when cooked, quite tender.

P. pubes´cens Pk.—pubes, down or soft hair. Pileus fleshy, convex, suborbicular, pubescent, yellowish. Gills broad, subdistant, rounded behind, sinuate, pallid tinged with red. Stem short, firm, curved, eccentric, colored like the pileus. Spores globose, 8µ broad.

Pileus about 2 in. broad. Stem scarcely 1 in. long.

Trunks of trees. Lyndonville. C.E. Fairman. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, on oak trunks. McIlvaine.

High, agreeable flavor; texture about as in P. ostreatus.

P. sa´pidus Kalchb.—savory. Cespitose, or several pilei appearing to spring from a common branched stem. Pileus 1–3 in. across. Flesh thick, excentric, regular, convex or obtusely gibbous then depressed, glabrous, white or brownish. Stem stout, solid, several usually springing from a thickened knob, whitish, 1–2 in. long, expanding upward into the pileus. Gills decurrent, rather distant, narrow, whitish. Spores elliptical, 10–11×4–5µ.

On elm trunks.

A very variable species; according 142to Kalchbrenner, the spores have a faint tinge of lilac, and the pileus is white, tawny, brownish, or umber on the same trunk. The white form only has been met with in this country. Massee.

Spores with a lilac tinge, oblong or a little curved and pointed, 8.3×3.7µ Morgan; oblong, 9–11.5×4–5µ Peck; 10–11×4–5µ Massee.

Not observed in England until 1887.

Quite common throughout the United States, growing upon decaying wood, whether above or under ground. It has few distinct features. The only positive one distinguishing it from P. ostreatus is its lilac-tinted spores. The tint is faint but noticeable upon white background. Excepting for purposes of the student, its separation, as a species, from P. ostreatus is not necessary. When old it has more body than the latter, but is equally superior as a food fungus.

Professor Peck remarks of it: “A stew made of it is a very good substitute for an oyster stew.”

It can be cultivated by watering the places upon which it is known to appear.

P. pome´ti Fr.—pometum, an orchard. Pileus white, fleshy, soft, sub-flaccid, irregular, involute, convex, even, smooth, disk depressed. Gills decurrent, crowded, separate behind. Stem 2–3 in. high, 3–4 lines thick, excentric, solid, tough, ascending, rooting.

On trunks of pear and apple trees.

Especially distinguished by the rooting stem.

North Carolina, edible, Curtis; California, H. and M.

P. ostrea´tus Jacq.—ostrea, an oyster. (Plate XXXV, p. 134, XXXVa, p. 142.) Pileus 3–5 in. broad, when young almost becoming black, soon becoming pale, brownish-ash color, passing into yellow when old, fleshy, soft, shell-shaped, somewhat dimidiate, ascending, smooth, moist, even, but sometimes with the cuticle torn into squamules. Stem shortened or obliterated, firm, elastic, ascending obliquely, thickening upward, white, strigoso-villous at the base. Gills decurrent, anastomosing behind, somewhat distant, broad, white, sometimes turning light yellow, and without glandules.

For the most part cespitose, imbricated, very variable, sometimes 143almost central. The pileus is at first convex and horizontal, then expanded and ascending. Stevenson.

Spores 10–12×4–5µ Massee; 7.5–10×4µ Peck.

General over the United States.

Var. glandulo´sus Ag. g. Bull.—With the habit of the typical form, but larger. Pileus dark brown, becoming pale. Gills white, with scattered small wart-like or glandular bodies.

On trunks. A very constant but somewhat rare variety; easily known by the dark-brown pileus. The gland-like bodies on the gills are due to the outward growth of the hyphæ of the trama in minute patches here and there. Massee.

Var. euos´mus Berk.—strong-smelling. Strong scented, imbricate. Pileus fleshy, depressed, shining, silky when dry, at first white with a tinge of blue, then brownish. Stem short or obsolete. Gills decurrent, ventricose, dingy, white. Spores 12–14×5µ, pale pinkish-lilac.

On elm trunks. Pilei very much crowded, 2 in. or more across, deeply depressed, unequal, at first white, invested with a slight blue varnish, at length of a pale brown. Stems distinct above, connate below. Gills rather broad; running down to the bottom of the free portion of the stem. Spores oblong, narrow, oblique, white, tinged with purple. The whole plant smells, when first gathered, strongly of tarragon. B. and Br.

Found at Richmond, Ind., Dr. J.R. Weist. On hickory stump at Mt. Gretna, Pa., McIlvaine; Haddonfield, N.J., T.J. Collins.

This esculent fungus closely allied to P. ostreatus, and differing only in having lilac spores, has been followed from book to book by a bad reputation, probably because of its “rosy” or lilac spores—all fungi having pink spores having been, until recently, ignorantly branded by authors as poisonous. The writer has eaten meals of it many times, as have his friends. It is in every way equal to P. ostreatus.

The rare qualities of this species are stated in the descriptive heading of the genus. Its very name implies excellence. The camel is gratefully called the ship of the desert; the oyster mushroom is the shellfish of the forest. When the tender parts are dipped in egg, rolled in bread crumbs, and fried as an oyster they are not excelled by any vegetable, and are worthy of place in the daintiest menu.

P. salig´nus Schwam.—salix, willow. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, sooty 144ash-color or ochraceous, fleshy, compact, spongy, somewhat dimidiate, horizontal, at first pulvinate, even, at length depressed behind and here and there strigose, the incurved margin entire. Stem always short, firm, more or less tomentose. Gills horizontal, hence less manifestly decurrent, separate behind, but branched in the middle, crowded, dingy, often eroded at the edge, not glandular.

Among the larger and firmer species. Solitary, scarcely ever cespitose. It is commonly confounded with A. ostreatus, but is certainly a different species. Although the stature is in general the same, it is easily distinguished by the pileus being more compact, and more pulverulent when young, then depressed, by the gills being thinner, more crowded, somewhat branched, but not anastomosing behind, and dingy soot-color; the spores also are dingy. Stevenson.

Spores oblong or cylindrical-oblong, 8×4µ W.G.S.; 8–10×3–4µ B.

Dr. Curtis wrote of this: “Indeed I have found several persons who class this among the most palatable species. To such persons a dish of fresh mushrooms need seldom be wanting, as this one can be had every month of the year in this latitude.”

In New Jersey, in the vicinity of Philadelphia, Pa., I have found P. salignus in quantity. It has been sent to me by Dr. J.R. Weist, of Richmond, Ind., who writes, “I have eaten it with great enjoyment.”

In 1881 I found it frequently on water beeches and willows, and thoroughly tested its edible qualities. R.K. Macadam, Boston.

When young or fresh, it is quite equal to any Pleurotus. When old, as with others of the Pleuroti, it is tough. Nevertheless their margins are always edible unless decaying.

II.—Dimidia´ti.

P. petaloi´des Bull.—petal of a flower. Pileus 1–2 in. long, dingy-brown, becoming pale, dimidiate, fleshy, but in no wise compact, rather plane, somewhat spathulate, continuous with the stem and depressed behind, hence the villous down of the stem ascends to this point (the disk) of the pileus, otherwise smooth, even, margin at first involute then expanded. Stem about ½ in. long, sometimes however very short, solid, firm, compressed, channeled when larger, more or less villous, whitish. Gills decurrent, very crowded, very narrow (scarcely beyond 2 mm. broad), linear, very unequal, white then ash-color.

145Taste bitter. The form on wood is somewhat horizontal, gregarious here and there imbricated. Stevenson.

Spores 9–10×4µ Massee; 8×4µ W.G.S.; minutely globose, 3–4µ Peck.

Edible. Cooke, Cordier.

P. spathula´tus Pers.—shaped like a spathula. Pileus rather thin, 1–2 in. broad, ascending, spathulate, tapering behind into the stem, glabrous, convex or depressed on the disk and there sometimes pubescent, alutaceous or brownish tinged with gray, red or yellow. Gills crowded, linear, decurrent, whitish or yellowish. Stem compressed, sometimes channeled above, grayish-tomentose. Spores elliptical, 7.6×4–5µ broad; odor and taste farinaceous.

Ground. Sandlake. June. Edible.

It grows singly or in tufts and is an inch or more in height. The margin is thin and sometimes striatulate and reflexed. Toward the base the flesh is thicker than the breadth of the gills. The cuticle is tough and separable. The flesh is said by Gillet to be tender and delicate. Persoon describes the disk as spongy-squamulose, but in our specimens it is merely pubescent or tomentose. Peck, 39th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Recorded as edible by Professor Peck. At Eagle’s Mere, Pa., I found many specimens agreeing with this description. They grew from decaying wood under ground, yet had the appearance of growing from the earth. It is probable that others have been deceived. In quality I found this to be one of the best.

P. sero´tinus Fr.—late. Pileus fleshy, 1–3 in. broad, compact, convex or nearly plane, viscid when young and moist, dimidiate kidney-shaped or suborbicular, solitary or cespitose and imbricated, variously colored, dingy-yellow, reddish-brown, greenish-brown or olivaceous, the margin at first involute. Gills close, determinate, whitish or yellowish. Stem very short, lateral, thick, yellowish beneath and minutely tomentose or squamulose with blackish points. Spores minute, elliptical, 5µ long, 2.5µ broad.

Dead trunks of deciduous trees. Peck, 39th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1887, and at Mt. Moriah, near Philadelphia, from August until November, 1898. Upon these findings the pileus was tomentose at base, as was the short stem.

146The species is not noticeably viscid after its youth. The viscidity can be detected in old specimens by moistening the pileus. Its flavor is not marked, nor is its texture as pleasing as most others of its genus, but being a late species it satisfies the longing of the mycophagist for his accustomed food.

P. pulmona´rius Fr.—pulmo, lung, from texture. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, ash-colored, continuous with the stem, fleshy, soft, but tough, flaccid, obovate or kidney-shaped, plane or reflexo-conchate at the margin, even, smooth. Flesh thin, soft, white. Stem very short, solid, exactly lateral, horizontal or ascending, round, villous, expanded into the pileus. Gills decurrent but ending determinately, moderately broad, distinct, not branched or anastomosing at the base, livid or ash-color.

The primary form is solitary. The pileus is ashy-tan when dried. It differs from A. salignus alike in the definitely lateral stem and in the thin flaccid pileus. Fries.

Not previously reported.

Found by Miss Madeleine Le Moyne, Washington, Pa., September, 1898, and sent to writer. Gills 3 lines broad, not narrow in proportion to flesh.

Taste and smell similar to P. ostreatus. Cooked it is tender, and more succulent than P. ostreatus.

III.—Resupina´ti.

P. mastruca´tus Fr.—mastruca, a sheepskin. Pileus up to 2 in. long and 1 in. broad, sessile, at first resupinate then expanded and horizontal, often lobed, upper stratum of pileus gelatinous, brown, bristling with squarrose or erect squamules. Flesh thickish. Gills radiating from the point of attachment, broad, rather distant, grayish-white.

On old trunks. Imbricated. Readily distinguished by the brown, squarrosely scaly pileus. Massee.

Spores oblong, oblique, 8×5µ Morgan.

In June, 1886, the writer found this species in oak woods near Philadelphia. It grew on fallen trunks and on decaying spots of living timber.

It is edible, and of good flavor, but is rough in the mouth. If found in quantity, the extract of it would make a delicate soup.

147HYGROPH´ORUS Fr.

Pileus regular or undulated and wavy, often viscid or moist. Flesh of the pileus continuous with that of the stem and descending as a trama into the gills. Gills adnate or adnexed, more or less decurrent, waxy, often thick and forked, edge always thin and sharp, often branched.

On the ground. Many species are brightly colored. Spores white.

This genus differs from the preceding genera in the manifest trama, the substance of which is similar to that of the pileus; from Lactarius and Russula by the trama not being vesicular, but somewhat floccose with granules intermixed; from Cantharellus, its nearest ally, by the sharp edge of the gills. The Cortinarii, Paxilli and Gomphidii are at once distinguished from it by their colored spores and the changing color of their gills, as well as by other marks. From all the other genera of Agaricini it is distinguished by a mark peculiar to itself, viz., by the hymeneal stratum of the gills changing into a waxy mass, which is at length removable from the trama. This altogether singular character is specially remarkable in H. caprinus, coccineus, murinaceus, etc. Hence the gills seem full of watery juice, but they do not become milky like those of the Lactarii. Fries.

From the description by Fries, the author of the genus, it is manifest that one has to wait the ripening of the fungus before the peculiar characteristic mark of the genus, i. e.—gills turning into a waxy mass, easily removable from the cap—can be observed. Many of the species are difficult to determine when fresh. Nevertheless, there is an indescribable, watery, waxy, translucent appearance about the gills which catches the eye of the expert, and is soon learned by the novice. The white spores readily separate the genus from kindred shapes in the colored-spored genera.

So far as tested none of the species is poisonous. One English species 148is fetid. It is probable that they are all edible, varying in quality only. Fries well, and is superior in croquettes and patties.

Universal veil viscid, with occasionally a floccose partial one, which is annular or marginal.

* White or becoming yellowish.

** Reddish.

*** Tawny or yellow.

**** Olivaceous-umber.

***** Dingy cinereous or livid.

Veil none. Stem even, smooth or fibrillose, not rough with points. Pileus firm, opaque, moist after rain, not viscid. Gills distant, arcuate.

* Gills deeply and at length obconically decurrent.

** Gills ventricose, sinuately arcuate or plano-adnate.

Veil none. Whole fungus thin, watery, succulent, fragile. Pileus when moist viscid, shining when dry, rarely floccoso-scaly. Stem hollow, soft, without dots. Gills soft. Most of the species are brightly colored and shining. This tribe is the type of the genus.

* Gills decurrent.

** Gills adnexed, somewhat separating.

H. chry´sodon Fr. Gr—gold; a tooth. From tooth-like squamules. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, white, shining when dry, but commonly yellowish with minute adpressed squamules at the disk, light yellow-flocculose at the involute margin, fleshy, convex then plane, obtuse, viscid. Flesh 149white, sometimes reddish. Stem 2–3 in. long, about ½ in. thick, stuffed, soft, somewhat equal (sometimes, however, irregularly shaped or thickened at the base), white, with minute light yellow squamules, which are more crowded and arranged in the form of a ring toward the apex. Gills decurrent, distant, 3 lines broad, thin, white, somewhat yellowish at the edge, sometimes crisped.

Odor not unpleasant. There is a manifest veil, not woven into a continuous ring, but collected in the form of floccose squamules at the apex of the stem and the margin of the pileus. Var. leucodon with white squamules. Fries.

In woods.

The lamellæ are said to be crisped, and when young, to have the edge yellow-floccose; but I have seen no such specimens. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 8×4µ Cooke.

West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. McIlvaine.

A pleasant, excellent species, whose rarity is regrettable.

H. ebur´neus Bull. Fr.—ebur, ivory. Wholly shining white. Pileus fleshy, sometimes thin, sometimes somewhat compact, convexo-plane, somewhat repand, even, very glutinous in rainy weather, margin soon naked. Stem sometimes short, sometimes elongated, stuffed then hollow, unequal, glutinous like the pileus, rough at the apex with dots in the form of squamules. Gills decurrent, distant, veined at the base, 3–4 lines broad, tense and straight, quite entire. Fries.

Odor mild, not unpleasant. Very changeable. The veil is absent, unless the very plentiful gluten which envelops the stem be regarded as a universal veil; margin of the young pileus involute, only at the first pubescent, soon naked. The stem is soft internally, at length hollow, attenuated toward the base.

In woods and pastures. Frequent. September to October. Stevenson.

The whole plant is pure white when fresh, but in drying the gills assume a cinnamon-brown hue. Peck, Rep. 26.

Spores 6×5µ Cooke; 4×5µ W.G.S.; 5–6µ K.; 6×4µ C.B.P.

A common and wide-spread species frequenting woods and pastures.

Edible. Curtis.

The author ate it in West Virginia, in 1882; at Devon, Pa., 1887; 150Haddonfield, N.J., 1890. It is well flavored but in texture is not of first quality.

H. pena´rius Fr.—penus, food. Pileus tan-color, opaque, fleshy, especially when young, at first umbonate, then very obtuse, hemispherical then flattened, even, smooth, commonly dry, margin at first involute, exceeding the gills, undulated when flattened. Flesh thick, hard, whitish, unchangeable. Stem curt, 1½ in. or more long, about ½ in. thick at the apex, solid, compact, hard, attenuated at the base into a spindle-shaped root, ventricose to the neck, again attenuated upward or wholly fusiform-attenuated, pale-white, smeared with tenacious, easily dried slime, warty. Flesh firm, but externally more rigid, cuticle somewhat fragile. Veil not conspicuous. Gills adnato-decurrent, acute behind, distant, thick, 3–4 lines broad, veined, tan inclining to pale. Fries.

Odor pleasant, taste sweet. The fusiform root is as long as the stem.

In mixed woods. Stevenson.

Spores 7–8×4–5µ.

Edible. Cooke.

Large specimens occurred in mixed woods, in November, 1898, at Mt. Gretna. The caps varied from 1½-5 in. across. The color was white, tinged with yellow, much lighter than described. The caps look coarse and the stems are not inviting; but the caps have a pleasant odor. When stewed for twenty minutes they are meaty and tasty.

H. erubes´cens Fr.—erubesco, to become red. Pileus 2–4 in. and more broad, white becoming everywhere red, fleshy, gibbous then convexo-plane, viscid, adpressedly dotted with squamules or becoming smooth, sometimes wholly compact, sometimes thin towards the margin which is at the first naked. Flesh firm, white. Stem sometimes short, robust, 2 in. long, 1 in. thick and attenuated upward, sometimes elongated, 4 in. long, equal or attenuated at the base, solid, flexuous, with red fibrils, dotted with red upward. Gills decurrent, distant, soft, white, with red spots. Fries.

Veil none. The ground color is white, as it is also internally, but it 151everywhere becomes red and the pileus often rosy blood-color. Handsome, growing in troops, commonly forming large lax circles.

In pine woods. Stevenson.

Spores ellipsoid, very obtuse at both ends, 8–10×4–5µ K.; 8×4µ Cooke.

Edible. Cooke.

H. ni´tidus B. and Rav.—shining. Pileus thin, fleshy, convex, broadly umbilicate, smooth, shining, viscid, pale yellow with the margin striatulate when moist, nearly white when dry. Gills arcuate, decurrent, yellow. Stem slender, brittle, smooth, viscid, hollow, yellow. Flesh yellow.

Height 2–4 in., breadth of Pileus 8–12 lines. Stem 1–2 lines thick.

Swamps. Sandlake. August.

The cavity of the stem is very small. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Found in many states and places, usually on moist ground beside streams, or spring heads. It sometimes parades itself in irregular processions, at others in sparse patches. It is delicate in flavor, and tender cooked.

H. limaci´nus Fr.—limax, a slug. Pileus 1½-2½ in. broad, disk umber then sooty, paler round the margin, fleshy, convex then flattened, obtuse, smooth, viscid. Flesh rather firm, white. Stem 2–3 in. long, ½ in. thick, solid, firm, ventricose, sticky, flocculose, fibrilloso-striate, roughened with squamules at the apex. Gills adnate, then decurrent, somewhat distant, thin, white inclining to ash-color. Fries.

Veil entirely viscous, not floccose.

In woods among damp leaves. Stevenson.

Spores 12×4µ Cooke.

New York, Peck, Rep. 34. Thin woods and open places.

Reported edible Bulletin No. 5, 1897, Boston Mycological Club.

H. hypoth´ejus Fr. Gr.—under; Gr—sulphur (under gluten). Pileus 1–2 in. broad, at first smeared with olivaceous gluten, ash-colored, when the gluten disappears, becoming pale and yellowish, orange 152or rarely (when rotting) rufescent, fleshy, thin, convex then depressed, obtuse, even, somewhat streaked. Flesh thin, white then becoming light yellow. Stem 2–4 in. long, 2–3 lines and more thick, stuffed, equal, even, viscous, but rarely spotted with the veil, at length hollow. Partial veil floccose, at the first cortinate and annular, soon fugacious. Gills decurrent, distant, distinct, at first pallid (even whitish) soon yellow, sometimes flesh-color. Fries.

Very protean, changeable in color and variable in size. Stem not scabrous. There is no trace of the veil when the plant is full grown. Appearing after the first cold autumn nights, and lasting even till snow.

In pine woods. Frequent. Stevenson.

Spores 10×6µ Cooke; 12×4µ W.G.S.

Hollis Webster, in Bulletin No. 5, 1897, Boston Mycological Club, writes: “H. hypothejus Fr., when dried, is crisp and nutty, and very good to carry in the pocket for occasional nibble.”

II.—Camarophyl´lus.

H. praten´sis Fr.—pratum, a meadow. (Plate XXXVII, figs. 1, 2, 3, p. 146. Plate XXXVIII, p. 147.) Pileus 1–2 in. and more broad, somewhat pale yellowish, compactly fleshy especially at the disk, thin toward the margin, convex then flattened, almost top-shaped from the stem being thickened upward, even, smooth, moist (but not viscous) in rainy weather, when dry often rimosely incised, here and there split regularly round. Flesh firm, white. Stem 1½-2 in. long, ½ in. and more thick, stuffed, internally spongy, externally polished-evened and firmer, attenuated downward, even, smooth, naked. Gills remarkably decurrent, at first arcuate, then extended in the form of an inverted cone, very distant, thick, firm, brittle, connected by veins at the base, very broad in the middle, of the same color as the pileus. Fries.

Very protean. Veil none. The flesh of the pileus is formed as it were of the stem dilated upward. The typical form resembles the Cantharelli. Everywhere becoming light yellow-tawny, but varying with the stem and gills pale-white.

In pastures. Common. Stevenson.

Spores 6×4µ Cooke; 6–10×4–6µ K.

153Common over the United States. West Virginia, 1881, North Carolina, 1890, Pennsylvania, 1887, Mt. Gretna, 1897–1898. McIlvaine.

Gregarious, and often in tufts, sometimes in partial rings.

An exceedingly variable species. White, buff, smoky, pinkish colors are common. The cap shapes are also diverse. The margins of some are incurved; of others repand. The weather seems to have much to do with their shapes.

M.C. Cooke says: “It requires careful cooking, as it is liable to be condemned as tough, unless treated slowly, but it is a great favorite abroad.” He calls them “Buff Caps.”

All fungi are the better for slow cooking. The H. pratensis in all its forms is excellent, but particularly so in croquettes and patés.

H. virgin´eus Fr.—virgo, a virgin. (Plate XXXVII, fig. 6, p. 146.) Wholly white. Pileus fleshy, convex then plane, obtuse, moist, at length depressed, cracked into patches, floccose when dry. Stem curt, stuffed, firm, attenuated at the base, externally becoming even and naked. Gills decurrent, distant, rather thick. Fries.

Flesh sometimes equal, sometimes abruptly thin. Commonly confounded with H. niveus, but it is more difficult to distinguish it from white forms of H. pratensis. It is distinguished chiefly by its smaller stature, by the color being constantly white, sometimes becoming pale, by the obtuse pileus being scarcely turbinate, at length cracked into patches and floccose when dry, and by the gills being thinner, etc.

In pastures. Common. Stevenson.

Spores 12×5–6µ Cooke.

Tastes like M. oreades. M.J.B. Delicious broiled or stewed. Cooke.

“Mony littles make muckle,” says the Scotch proverb. It applies well to the brave little toadstool looking through the first grass of lawns for the coming of spring, and coming again in the autumn, defiant of early frosts. Small though it be, its numbers soon fill the basket.

The “Ivory Caps” are plentiful, and extend their haunts to the woods, where thick mold or grassy places abound.

H. ni´veus Fr.—niveus, snow-white. (Plate XXXVII, fig. 7, p. 146.) Wholly white. Pileus scarcely reaching 1 in. broad, somewhat membranaceous, and without a more compact disk, hence truly umbilicate, 154bell-shaped then convex, smooth, striate and viscid when moist, not cracked when dry. Flesh thin, everywhere equal, white, hygrophanous. Stem 2 in. or a little more long, 1–2 lines thick, tubed, equal, even, smooth, tense and straight. Gills decurrent, distant, thin, scarcely connected by veins, arcuate, quite entire.

Thinner, tougher, and later than H. virgineus, etc. Being hygrophanous the pileus is shining white when dry. Very tender forms occur.

In pastures. Stevenson.

Spores 7×4µ Cooke.

The H. niveus, H. virgineus, “Ivory Caps” as M.C. Cooke calls them, are pretty and plentiful in some sections. In the West Virginia mountains, along grass-grown road-sides, their purity and exquisite perfume attracted me in 1881. I have them and a few others to thank for seducing me into becoming a mycophagist. I think of them affectionately. I have seldom met with them since. They are found on lawns and in pastures and on grassy edges of woods, early in spring and late in autumn.

H. boreal´is Pk.—northern. Pileus thin, convex or expanded, smooth, moist, white, sometimes striatulate. Gills arcuate-decurrent, distant, white. Stem smooth, equal or tapering downward, stuffed, white.

Plant 2 in. high. Pileus 8–12 lines broad. Stem 1 line thick.

Ground in woods. Croghan and Copake. September and October.

The species is related to H. niveus but the pileus is not viscid. Peck, 26th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Found at Mt. Gretna, Pa., October 20, 1898, ground in mixed woods. The cap is white, silky, smooth, not viscid. Stem likewise.

A neat species pleasant in every way.

H. dis´tans Berk.—distant (of the gills). Pileus about 2 in. broad, white, with a silky luster, here and there stained with brown, somewhat fleshy, plane or depressed, viscid. Stem white above, gray below, and attenuated, not spotted. Gills decurrent, few, very distant, somewhat ventricose, pure white then tinged with ash-color, interstices obscurely wrinkled.

155Often umbilicate. Remarkable for the few and distant gills. Stevenson.

Spores 10×8µ Cooke.

Caps white, shaded to light pinkish-brown toward center. Gills very distant. Leaves adhere to cap.

Specimens tested were of mild, pleasant flavor.

H. sphæro´sporus Pk. Pileus fleshy and thick in the center, sub-obconic, convex, obtuse or slightly umbonate, whitish, inclining to reddish-brown, the margin incurved. Flesh firm, white. Gills rather broad, subdistant, adnate or slightly decurrent, white. Stems tufted, flexuous, solid, glabrous, often slightly thickened at the base, colored like the pileus. Spores globose, 6–8µ broad.

Pileus 6–12 lines broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 2–3 lines thick.

Iowa. October. Communicated by C. McIlvaine.

The fresh plant is said to have no decided odor, but when partly dried it emits a slight but rather unpleasant odor. It belongs apparently to the section Camarophyllus, and is related to Hygrophorus Peckii. Peck, Torr. Bull., Vol. 22, No. 12.

Received by the writer from Hon. Thomas Updegraff, MacGregor, Iowa, and forwarded to Professor Peck as a new species.

The fungus has but slight taste and is without odor when fresh.

It is probably edible. Not received in sufficient quantity to test.

H. cera´ceus Fr.—cera, wax. Pileus about 1 in. broad, waxy-yellow, shining, slightly fleshy, thin, but slightly firm, convexo-plane, obtuse, slightly pellucid-striate, viscid. Stem 1–2 in. and more long, about 2 lines thick, hollow, often unequal, flexuous and at length compressed, even, smooth, of the same color as the pileus, never darker at the apex. Gills adnato-decurrent, broad, almost triangular, distinct, yellow. Fries.

Fragile; easily distinguished from others by its waxy (not changeable) color. Stevenson.

Spores 8×6µ Cooke.

Eaten in Germany.

156Found at Angora and Kingsessing, Philadelphia, 1887. August to October. Open grassy places in woods, and in pastures. Scattered and in troops. Excellent. Stew slowly.

H. cantharel´lus Schw. Gr—a small vase. (Plate XXXVII, fig. 5, p. 146.) Pileus thin, convex, at length umbilicate or centrally depressed, minutely squamulose, moist, bright red, becoming orange or yellow. Gills distant, subarcuate, decurrent, yellow, sometimes tinged with vermilion. Stem smooth, equal, subsolid, sometimes becoming hollow, concolorous, whitish within.

Height 2–4 in., breadth of pileus 6–12 lines. Stem 1–2 lines thick.

Swamps and damp shaded places in fields or woods. July to September. Common. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Var. fla´va. Pileus and stem pale yellow. Gills arcuate, strongly decurrent.

Var. fla´vipes. Pileus red or reddish. Stem yellow.

Var. fla´viceps. Pileus yellow. Stem red or reddish.

Var. Ro´sea. Has the pileus expanded and the margin wavy scalloped. Swamps. Sandlake. Peck, 23d Rep.

Common in the Adirondack region, and throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, in all its varieties.

The resemblance to H. miniatus in color is great, but there is a marked difference in the gills, which extend further down the thinner stem. It is tougher, and takes longer to cook. It has a flavor of its own which is enjoyed by some and condemned by others.

H. cocci´neus Schaeff.—of a scarlet color. (Plate CXXXVI, fig. 6, p. 508.) Pileus 1–2 in. and more broad, at first bright scarlet, then soon changing color and becoming pale, slightly fleshy, convex, then plane and often unequal, obtuse, at first viscid and even, smooth, not floccose-scaly. Flesh of the same color as the pileus. Stem 2 in. long, 3–4 lines thick, hollow, then compressed and rather even, not slippery, scarlet upward, always yellow at the base. Gills wholly adnate, decurrent with a tooth, plane, distant, connected by veins, watery-soft as if fatty, when full grown purplish at the base, light yellow in the middle, glaucous at the edge. Fries.

Flesh of the pileus descending into the gills and forming a trama of the same color. Fragile. Varying in stature, easily mistaken for some 157of the following species which are of the same color. Pileus at length becoming yellow. Stevenson.

Spores 10–12×6µ Cooke; 7×4µ Morgan.

Edible. Cooke, Peck.

In woods and pastures. In troops. Common in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. McIlvaine.

Excellent when stewed for twenty minutes.

H. fla´vo-dis´cus Frost—flavus, yellow; discus, disk. Pileus convex or plane, smooth, glutinous, white with a pale-yellow or reddish-yellow disk. Flesh white. Gills adnate or decurrent, subdistant, white, sometimes with a slight flesh-colored tint, the inter-spaces sometimes veiny. Stem subequal, solid, glutinous, white, sometimes slightly stained with yellow. Spores elliptical, 6–8×4µ.

Plant 2–3 in. high. Pileus 1–3 in. broad. Stem 2–8 lines thick.

Pine woods. West Albany. November.

This, like H. fuligineus, has a short white space at the top of the stem, free from the viscidity that exists elsewhere. It resembles in many respects Hygrophorus speciosus, which has the pileus red, fading to yellow with advancing age. Perhaps the three may yet prove to be forms of one very variable species, for the most conspicuous differences between them consist in the colors of the pileus. The constancy with which the three styles of coloration has thus far been maintained indicates a specific difference, but color alone is not generally regarded as having any specific value. Peck, 35th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 6.4–7.6×4µ Peck.

I find this very good but its dirty pellicle should be peeled before using. Peck, in letter, 1896.

Mr. Hollis Webster writes of H. flavo-discus (Yellow Sweet Bread) in Bull. No. 45, of the Boston Mycological Club, 1897: “This is a mushroom worth going a long way to get. It is abundant in rich woods 158under pines in certain localities, and is a great favorite with those who know it. It is easily prepared and requires little cooking.”

I have eaten enjoyably of it since 1881.

Plentiful in the Jersey pines, in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and equal to any toadstool of its size.

H. fuligi´neus Frost—resembling soot. Pileus convex or nearly plane, glabrous, very viscid or glutinous, grayish-brown or soot-color, the disk often darker or almost black. Gills subdistant, adnate or decurrent, white. Stem solid, viscid or glutinous, white or whitish. Spores elliptical, 7–9×5µ.

The Sooty hygrophorous resembles the Club-stemmed clitocybe in the color of its cap, but in nearly every other respect it is different. When moist the cap is covered with an abundant gluten which when dry gives it a shining appearance as if varnished. The color varies from grayish-brown to a very dark or sooty-brown with the central part usually still darker or almost black, but never with an umbo. The flesh and the gills are white. The stem also is white or but slightly shaded toward the base with the color of the cap. It is variable in length and shape, being long or short, straight or crooked, everywhere equal in thickness or tapering toward the base. It is glutinous and unpleasant to handle.

The cap is 1–4 in. broad, the stem 2–4 in. long, and 4–8 lines thick. The plants grow either singly or in tufts. In the latter case the caps are often irregular from mutual pressure.

The plants occur early in October and November, in pine woods or woods of pine and hemlock intermixed.

This mushroom is tender and of excellent flavor, but its sticky and often dirty covering should be peeled before cooking. Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

159Found at Angora, near Philadelphia, August 1, 1897. Densely cespitose.

Raw it tastes like dead leaves. Tender and of fine flavor when cooked.

H. minia´tus Fr.—minium, red lead. (Plate XXXVII, fig. 4, p. 146.) Pileus thin, fragile, at first convex, becoming nearly plane, glabrous or minutely squamulose, often umbilicate, generally red. Gills distant, adnate, yellow, often tinged with red. Stem slender, glabrous, colored like the pileus. Spores elliptical, white, 8µ long.

Cap ½-2 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 1–2 lines thick. Peck, 48th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Var. lutes´cens. Pileus yellow or reddish-yellow. Stem and gills yellow. Plant often cespitose. Peck, 41st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 10×6µ Cooke; elliptical, white.

Grows where it pleases and abundantly throughout the land. In wet weather I have found it in July and late in autumn.

Professor Peck says: It is scarcely surpassed by any mushroom in tenderness of substance and agreeableness of flavor.

The gunner for partridges will not shoot rabbits; the knowing toadstool seeker will pass all others where H. miniatus abounds.

H. puni´ceus Fr.—blood-red. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, glittering blood-scarlet, in dry weather and when old becoming pale especially at the disk, slightly fleshy for its breadth, at first bell-shaped, obtuse, commonly repand or lobed, very irregular, even, smooth, viscid. Flesh of the same color, fragile. Stem 3 in. long, ½-1 in. thick, solid when young, at length hollow, very stout (not compressed), ventricose (attenuated at both ends), striate, and for the most part squamulose at the apex, when dry light yellowish or of the same color as the pileus, always white and often incurved at the base. Gills ascending, ventricose, 2–4 lines broad, thick, distant, white-light yellow or yellow and often reddish at the base. Fries.

The largest of the group and very handsome. It certainly differs from H. coccineus, for which it is commonly mistaken, in stature, in the adnexed gills, and in the white base of the striate stem. The attachment of the gills varies, but from the form of the pileus they ascend to the base of the cone and appear free.

160In pastures. Stevenson.

Spores 8×5µ Cooke.

Edible. Cooke. No harm would come of confusing it with the vermilion mushroom—H. miniatus Pk.

H. con´icus Fr.—conical. Pileus thin, submembranaceous, fragile, smooth, conical, generally acute, sometimes obtuse, the margin often lobed. Gills rather close and broad, subventricose, narrower toward the stem, free, terminating in an abrupt tooth at the outer extremity, scarcely reaching the margin, yellow. Stem equal, fibrous-striate, yellow, hollow.

Height 3–6 in., breadth of pileus 6–12 lines. Stem 1–2 lines thick.

Ground in woods and open places. North Elba and Center. August to October.

The color of the pileus is variable. I have taken specimens with it pale sulphur-yellow and others with it bright red or scarlet. The plant turns black in drying. Peck, Rep. 23, New York State Bot.

Spores 10×7µ Cooke; 10×6µ Morgan.

An old-time cure-all had medicinal virtues proportionate to its offensiveness. Old-time writers, contrariwise, gave every toadstool a bad name which changed color or displeased their noses. The pretty little Hygrophorus conicus, for these reasons, has, until now, been under the ban of suspicion. M.C. Cooke, in his handy book, Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms, was the first to lighten its sentence and make it a sort of ticket-of-leave culprit.

The writer has frequently eaten it, and is glad to vouch for its harmlessness and testify to its eminent respectability.

H. chloroph´anus Fr. Gr—greenish-yellow. Pileus 1 in. broad, commonly bright sulphur-yellow, sometimes, however, scarlet, not changing color, somewhat membranaceous, very fragile, at first convex, then plane, obtuse, orbicular and lobed, and at length cracked, smooth, viscid, striate. Stem 2–3 in. long, 2–3 lines thick, hollow, equal, round, rarely compressed, wholly even, smooth, viscid when moist, shining when dry, wholly unicolorous, rich light yellow. Gills emarginato-adnexed, very ventricose, with a thin decurrent tooth, thin, distant, distinct. Fries.

Very much allied to H. conicus, but never becoming black, and otherwise 161certainly distinguished by its convex, obtuse, striate pileus, by its even and viscous stem, and by its emarginato-free, thin, somewhat distant, whiter gills. Like H. ceraceus in appearance.

In grassy and mossy places. Common. August to October. Stevenson.

Spores 8×5µ Cooke; 8µ Q.

Received from E.B. Sterling, Trenton, N.J., August, 1897.

Open grassy woods.

But three specimens were tested. They were in every way agreeable.

LACTA´RIUS Fr.

The hymenophore continuous with the stem. Pileus somewhat rigid, fleshy, becoming more or less depressed, often marked with concentric zones. Gills unequal, membranaceous-waxy, slightly rigid, milky, edge acute, decurrent or adnate and often branched. Stem stout, central, rarely excentric except in those growing on trunks. Spores globose, minutely echinulate, white, rarely yellowish.

Nearly all grow on the ground.

Distinguished from all other fungi by the presence of a granular milk which pervades every part of the plant and especially the gills; it is commonly white, sometimes changing color and in section Dapetes highly colored from the first. The nature of the milk, especially its taste, whether acrid, subacrid or mild, must be carefully noted in distinguishing species, as it is the most useful characteristic.

In Russula, the only allied genus, the milk-bearing cells are present, but their contents do not appear as milk.

Many of the species are peppery, acrid, astringent; some mildly so, others will be long remembered if tasted raw. Yet not a species is hotter than some radishes, onions, and others of our favorite vegetables. Who would condemn them because they are peppery? There is not a single species of Lactarius which retains its pepperiness after cooking. This quality has to be and is supplied by one of our favorite condiments—pepper 162itself. Simply because they are toadstools and hot, they have been condemned without trial. It is remarkable that not one of the fungi known to be deadly gives any warning by appearance or flavor of the presence of a poison. The day will probably come when it can be said that if toadstool eaters will confine themselves to hot species, otherwise attractive, they will run no risk. Panus stypticus is astringent, not hot.

Stem central. Gills unchangeable, not pruinose nor becoming discolored. Milk white at first, usually acrid.

* Tricholomoidei—inclining to Tricholoma. Pileus moist, viscid, margin incurved and downy at first.

** Limacini—limax, a slug. Pileus viscid when moist, with a pellicle, margin naked.

*** Piperati. Pileus without a pellicle, hence absolutely dry, often more or less downy or unpolished.

Stem central. Gills naked. Milk highly colored from the first.

Stem central. Gills pallid then discolored, at length dark and powdered with the white spores. Milk at first white, mild, or from mild becoming acrid.

* Viscidi—viscidus, viscid, sticky. Pileus viscid at first.

** Impoliti—impolitus, unpolished. Pileus squamulose, downy or pruinose.

*** Glabrati—glaber, smooth. Pileus polished, smooth.

Stem excentric or lateral. Growing on trunks. None known to be edible.

L. tormino´sus Fr.—tormina, gripes. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, convex, then depressed, viscid when young or moist, yellowish-red or paleochraceous tinged with red or flesh color, often varied with zones or spots, the at first involute margin persistently tomentose-hairy. Gills thin, close, narrow, whitish, often tinged with yellow or flesh color. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 4–8 lines thick, equal or slightly tapering downward, hollow, sometimes spotted, whitish. Spores subglobose or broadly elliptical, 9–10µ. Milk white, taste acrid.

Woods. Adirondack mountains and Sandlake. August. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Poisonous, and Gillet declares it to be deleterious and even dangerous, and that in the raw state it is a very strong drastic purgative. On the other hand, Cordier states that almost all authors agree in stating that it is eaten with impunity, and that Letellier has eaten it more than once without inconvenience.

Cooke states: “Whether it is poison is rather uncertain, and probably assumed from its acridity.”

Bulliard says: “It is very acrid and this is changed by heat into an astringent of such power that a very little suffices to produce the most terrible accidents.” On the other hand, Boudier says that the presence of an acrid milk is an indication of no importance, that in certain parts of the country they eat such Lactaria as even L. piperatus and do not experience any trouble. Certain Russulæ as acrid as any Lactaria are known to be inoffensive.

The Russians preserve it in salt and eat it seasoned with oil and vinegar.

L. tur´pis Fr.—turpis, base, from its ugly appearance. Pileus large, as much as 3–12 in. broad, olivaceous inclining to umber, fleshy, rigid, convex becoming plane, disk-shaped or umbilicate, at length depressed, innately hairy at the circumference or wholly covered over with tenacious gluten, zoneless, sometimes tawny toward the margin, at length entirely inclining to umber; margin for a long time involute, at the first villous, olivaceous-light-yellow, then more or less flattened, at length 164often densely furrowed. Flesh compact, white, then slightly reddish. Stem 1½-3 in. long, ½-1 in. and more thick, solid, hard, equal or attenuated downward, even or pitted and uneven, but not spotted, viscid or dry, pallid or dark olivaceous, ochraceous-whitish at the apex. Gills adnato-decurrent, thin, 1–2 lines broad, much crowded, forked, white straw-color, spotted brownish when broken or bruised. Milk acrid, white, unchangeable. Fries.

Gregarious, rigidly and compactly fleshy; habit almost that of Paxillus involutus. It varies with the stem hollow, and the pileus somewhat zoned.

Spores spheroid or subspheroid, uniguttate, echinulate, 6–8µ K.; minutely spinulose, 6–8µ Massee.

New Jersey, Trenton, E.B. Sterling; North Carolina, Curtis, Schweinitz; Mt. Gretna, Pa. September, 1898. Along road in woods, moist places. McIlvaine.

The species is attractive by its very homeliness and odd individuality. It is not inviting. Cooked it is coarse and resembles L. piperatus. An emergency species.

L. controver´sus Fr.—contra, against; verto, to turn. Pileus 3 in. and more broad, fleshy, compact, rigid, at the first convex, broadly umbilicate, when fuller grown somewhat funnel-shaped, oblique, on emerging from the ground dry, flocculose, whitish, then with rain smooth, viscid, reddish, with blood-colored spots and zones (especially toward the margin), margin acute when young, closely involute, more or less villous. Flesh very firm. Stem commonly 1 in. long and thick, sometimes, however, 2 in. long and then manifestly attenuated toward the base and often excentric, solid, obese, even but pruinate and as if striate at the apex from the obsoletely decurrent tooth of the gills, wholly white, never pitted. Gills decurrent, thin, very crowded, 1–2 lines broad, with many shorter ones intermixed, but rarely branched, pallid-white-flesh-color. Milk white, unchangeable, plentiful. Fries.

Odor weak but pleasant, taste very acrid. Allied to L. piperatus.

In woods. Uncommon. August to October. Stevenson.

Spores echinulate, 8×6µ W.G.S.; globose, rough, 6–8µ Massee.

California, H. and M.

Edible, rather deficient in aroma and flavor. Cooke.

165

L. blen´nius Fr. Gr—slimy. Pileus 3–5 in. across. Flesh thick, firm; soon expanded and more or less depressed, glutinous, dingy greenish-gray, often more or less zoned with drop-like markings; margin at first incurved and downy. Gills slightly decurrent, crowded, narrow, whitish or with an ochraceous tinge. Stem 1–2 in. long, up to 1 in. thick at the apex, where it expands into the thick flesh of the pileus, often attenuated at the base, viscid, colored like the stem or paler, soon hollow. Milk persistently white, very acrid. Spores subglobose, 7–8×6µ.

In woods, on the ground, very rarely on trunks.

L. turpis somewhat resembles the present species but differs in the darker olive-brown pileus and the yellow down on the incurved margin, especially when young. Massee.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad, fleshy, rarely subzonate, convex, the margin generally involute and adpresso-tomentose (quite smooth, Fries); at length more or less depressed, dull cinereous-green, at first viscid, more or less pitted. Milk white, not changeable. Gills rather narrow, pale ochraceous, scarcely forked, not connected by veins. Stem 1 in. long, ¼-½ in. thick, paler than the pileus, attenuated downward, obtuse, smooth, at length hollow, sometimes pitted, very acrid. Berk.

Edible. Coarse.

L. insul´sus Fr.—tasteless. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, convex and umbilicate, then funnel-shaped, glabrous, viscid, more or less zonate, yellowish, the margin naked. Gills thin, close, adnate or decurrent, some of them forked at the base, whitish or pallid. Stem 1–2 in. long, 4–6 lines thick, equal or slightly tapering downward, stuffed or hollow, whitish or yellowish, generally spotted. Spores 7.6–9µ. Milk white, taste acrid.

Thin woods and open, grassy places. Greenbush and Sandlake, N.Y. July and August.

166Our plant has the pileus pale yellow or straw color, and sometimes nearly white, but European forms have been described as having it orange-yellow and brick-red. It is generally, though often obscurely, zonate. The zones are ordinarily more distinct near the margin, where they are occasionally very narrow and close. The milk in the Greenbush specimens had a thin, somewhat watery appearance. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. July to September. Common in mixed woods and grassy places. McIlvaine.

Edible. Cordier, Curtis.

L. insulsus is another peppery member of Lactarius which has suffered unjustly. I have eaten it since 1881, and think it the best of the hot milk species. Its flesh is not as coarse as others, and is of better flavor. There is little difference in quality between it and L. deliciosus.

L. hys´ginus Fr. Gr—a crimson dye. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, rigid, at first convex, then nearly plane, umbilicate or slightly depressed, even, viscid, zoneless or rarely obscurely zonate, reddish-incarnate, tan-color or brownish-red, becoming paler with age, the thin margin inflexed. Gills close, adnate or subdecurrent, whitish, becoming yellowish or cream-colored. Stem 1–2 in. long, 4–8 lines thick, equal, glabrous, stuffed or hollow, colored like the pileus, or a little paler, sometimes spotted. Milk white, taste acrid.

Woods. Sandlake and Canoga, N.Y. July and August. Not common.

The reddish hue of the pileus distinguishes this species from its allies. The gluten or viscidity of the pileus in our specimens was rather tenacious and persistent. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores subglobose, whitish on black paper, yellowish on white paper, 9–10µ Peck; 10×7–8µ Massee.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1897. Mixed woods. August, September.

Not very acrid. The entire acridity disappears in cooking. Several specimens were found and eaten, enough to prove it esculent and of good quality.

L. plum´beus Fr.—like plumbum, lead. Pileus 2—5 in. broad, compact, convex, then infundibuliform, dry, unpolished sooty or brownish-black. Gills crowded, white, or yellowish. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 3–6 lines thick, solid, equal, thick. Milk white, acrid, unchangeable. Spores 6.3–7.6µ.

The specimens which I have referred to this species were found in the Catskill mountains several years ago, growing in hemlock woods, under spruce and balsam trees. I have not met with the species since. The pileus in the larger specimens had a minutely tomentose appearance, but in the dried specimens this has disappeared. They also varied in color from blackish-brown to pinkish-brown and grayish-brown, but they can scarcely be more than a mere form or variety of the species the description of which, as given by Fries, I have quoted. In the Handbook the pileus is described as dark fuliginous-gray or brown, and Gillet describes it as black-brown, dark fuliginous or lead color, and adds that the plant is poisonous and the milk very acrid and burning. Cordier says that the flesh is white and the taste bitter and disagreeable. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Poisonous. Gillet.

L. pergame´nus Fr.—parchment. White. Pileus fleshy, pliant, convex then plano-depressed, spread, zoneless, slightly wrinkled, smooth. Stem stuffed, smooth, changing color. Gills adnate, very narrow, horizontal, very crowded, branched, white, then straw-color. Milk white, acrid.

Very much allied to L. piperatus, but differing in the stem being stuffed, at length softer internally, elongated, 3 in., unequal, attenuated downward and here and there ascending, quite smooth; in the pileus being thinner, pliant, elastic, most frequently irregular and excentric, for the most part flexuous, at first convex (not umbilicate), then rather plane, the surface very smooth, but unpolished and wrinkled in a peculiar manner; and in the gills being adnate, not decurrent, very crowded, very narrow (scarcely 1 line broad), always straight and horizontal, not arcuate or extended upward, soon straw-color. The flesh is very milky, but the gills are sparingly so. Fries.

In woods. October.

168Spores subglobose, rather irregular, 6–8µ C.B.P.; broadly elliptical, echinulate, 7×5–6µ Massee.

Eaten on the continent and Nova Scotia. Edible. Cooke.

North Carolina, Curtis; New England, Frost; Ohio, Morgan.

L. pipera´tus Fr.—piper, pepper. (Plate XLI, fig. 1, p. 160.) Pileus 4–9 in. broad, white, fleshy, rigid, umbilicate when young, reflexed (margin at first involute) at the circumference, when full grown wholly funnel-shaped, for the most part regular, even, smooth, zoneless. Flesh white. Stem 1–2 in. long, 1–2 in. thick, solid, obese, equal or obconical, even, obsoletely pruinose, white. Gills decurrent, crowded, narrow, scarcely broader than 1 line, obtuse at the edge, dividing by pairs, arcuate then all extended upward in a straight line, white, here and there with yellow spots. Milk white, unchangeable, plentiful and very acrid.

Compact, firm, dry, inodorous. The pileus becomes obsoletely yellow when old. Although the gills are spotted with yellow, they do not change to straw color like those of L. pergamenus. Fries.

Spores white, nearly smooth, 6.3–7.6µ Peck; subglobose, 8–9µ diameter Massee; 5×6µ W.G.S.

Pennsylvania, West Virginia, 1881–1885. New Jersey, Pennsylvania in woods and on grassy places. July to October. McIlvaine.

Edible. Curtis.

L. piperatus is a readily distinguished species. It is very common. In 1881, after an extensive forest fire in the West Virginia forests, I saw miles of the blackened district made white by a growth of this fungus. It was the phenomenal growth which first attracted my attention to toadstools. I collected it then in quantity and used it, with good results, as a fertilizer on impoverished ground.

It has been eaten for many years in most countries, yet a few writers continue to warn against it. It is the representative fungus of its class—meaty, coarse, fair flavor. It is edible and is good food when one is hungry and can not get better. It is best used as an absorbent of gravies.

L. decepti´vus Pk.—deceiving. Pileus 3–5 in. broad, compact, at first convex and umbilicate, then expanded and centrally depressed or subinfundibuliform, obsoletely tomentose or glabrous except on the margin, white or whitish, often varied with yellowish or sordid stains, the 169margin at first involute and clothed with a dense, soft or cottony tomentum, then spreading or elevated and more or less fibrillose. Gills rather broad, distant or subdistant, adnate or decurrent, some of them forked, whitish, becoming cream-colored. Stem 1–3 in. long, 8–18 lines thick, equal or narrowed downward, solid, pruinose-pubescent, white. Spores white, 9–12.7µ. Milk white, taste acrid.

Woods and open places, especially under hemlock trees. Common. July to September.

Trial of its edible qualities was made without any evil consequences. The acridity was destroyed by cooking. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Alabama, U. and E.; New York, Peck, 38th Rep.; West Virginia, 1881–1885, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Woods and open places. July to October. McIlvaine.

In common with all peppery Lactarii the present species loses the quality in cooking. The edible qualities then depend upon texture, substance, flavor. The species is coarse but meaty and of fair flavor.

L. velle´reus Fr.—vellus, fleece. Pileus 2–5 in. broad, compact, at first convex and umbilicate, then expanded and centrally depressed or subinfundibuliform, the whole surface minutely velvety-tomentose, soft to the touch, white or whitish, the margin at first involute, then reflexed. Gills distant or subdistant, adnate or decurrent, sometimes forked, whitish becoming yellowish or cream-colored. Stem .5–2 in. long, 6–16 lines thick, firm, solid, equal or tapering downward, pruinose-pubescent, white. Milk white, taste acrid. Spores white.

Woods and open places. Common. July to September. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores white, nearly smooth, 7–9µ. Peck; 4×8µ W.G.S.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Woods and open places. July to October. McIlvaine.

Poisonous according to some authors. Cordier. Edible. Leveille. Eaten it for eighteen years. McIlvaine.

This common, very acrid species is characterized by the downy covering of its cap.

It is a coarse species, but meaty. Its acridity is lost in cooking, when it makes a fair dish.

170L. involu´tus Soppitt.—involved. Every part white or with a very slight ochraceous tinge. Pileus 1–2 in. across, flesh about 1½ lines thick, equal up to the margin, compact, rigid, convex, soon becoming plane or slightly depressed, margin strongly and persistently involute, extreme edge minutely silky, remainder even and glabrous. Gills very slightly decurrent, densely crowded, not ½ line broad, sometimes forked. Stem ⅔-1 in. long, 2–3 lines thick, equal, or slightly thickened at the base, glabrous, even, solid, very firm. Milk white, unchangeable, not scanty, very hot. Spores obliquely elliptical, smooth, 5×3µ.

Very firm and rigid, resembling in habit L. vellereus in miniature. Most nearly allied to L. scoticus, but known at once by the exceedingly narrow, densely-crowded gills and the smooth, elliptical spores. Massee.

West Virginia, 1881–1885, plentiful. Angora, West Philadelphia. August, September, 1897. In mixed woods. McIlvaine.

Much smaller than L. piperatus. Pileus convex, then plane with depressions in center, margin involute. Gills slightly decurrent, densely crowded, very narrow. Stem short, firm, solid. Milk white, very hot.

L. involutus is readily mistaken for small forms of L. vellereus and L. piperatus. The extremely narrow gills, so close and firm that it takes sharp eyes to follow them, are a distinguishing mark.

Its flesh is of same consistency as L. piperatus—hard and coarse. It loses its pepperiness in cooking and is a good emergency plant, or solvent.

America is rich in this section. Fries records but two species, L. deliciosus and L. sanguifluus, while America has four. The edible properties of three are known to be good; L. subpurpureus has not come under observation, but is added to complete the series as it is probably edible and is well marked by its dark-red milk. McIlvaine.

L. delicio´sus Fr.—delicious. (Plate XLI, fig. 3, p. 160.) Pileus 2–6 in. broad, orange-brick-color, yellowish or grayish-orange, becoming pale, fleshy, when quite young depressed in the center, margin naked, involute, then plano-depressed or broadly funnel-shaped with the margin unfolded, smooth, slightly viscid, zoned (zones sometimes obsolete). Flesh soft, not compact, pallid, colored at the circumference 171only by the juice. Stem 1–2 in. and more long, 1 in. thick, stuffed then hollow, at length fragile, equal or attenuated at the base, spotted in a pitted manner, of the same color as the pileus or paler. Gills somewhat decurrent, crowded, narrow, arcuate, often branched, typically saffron-yellow, but becoming pale and always becoming green when wounded. Milk aromatic, from the first red-brick-saffron. Fries.

Spores white, spheroid, echinulate 7–8µ K.; 6µ W.G.S.; echinulate, 9–10×7–8µ Massee; subglobose, 7.6–10µ Peck.

In woods, under firs, etc.

Pileus dingy orange-red becoming pale, often greenish. Every part turns to a homely green when bruised. It is from 3 to 5 in. across, thick, convex, then depressed in center, margin at first curved in. Gills decurrent, narrow, saffron-color. Milk saffron-red or orange changing to green; sweet scented but slightly acrid. I have never seen but one specimen with milk distinctly orange, and changing to green. The milk in this species varies in color, much depending upon moisture. It grows in patches, sometimes in clusters.

Edible. Curtis.

There is no question of its edibility. Old and modern writers applaud it. Each cooks to his liking and thinks his own way best. It requires forty minutes' stewing or baking; less time if roasted or fried. It can be cooked in any way, but, like all Lactarii, it must be well cooked.

L. in´digo Schw.—(Plate XLI, fig. 2, p. 160.) Pileus 2–5 in. broad, at first umbilicate with the margin involute, then depressed or infundibuliform, indigo-blue with a silvery-gray luster, zonate, especially on the margin, sometimes spotted, becoming paler and less distinctly zonate with age or in drying. Gills close, indigo-blue, becoming yellowish and sometimes greenish with age. Stem 1–2 in. long, 6–10 lines thick, short nearly equal, hollow, often spotted with blue, colored like the pileus. Milk dark-blue.

Dry places, especially under or near pine trees. Not rare but seldom abundant. July to September. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores subglobose, 7.6–9µ long Peck.

West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Solitary and in groups, in pine and mixed woods. July to September. McIlvaine.

The exceptional color of L. indigo will halt anyone with ordinary observing power. It is unnecessary to describe it further. Being a 172large, stout plant it frequently lifts the leaf mat as it pushes upward, making leaf-mounds under which it is hidden, as do many of the Cortinarii. But even in such instances there are usually a few solitary plants standing prominently forth as sentinels.

It is edible, but coarse. Good flavor.

L. chelido´nium Pk. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, at first convex, then nearly plane and umbilicate or centrally depressed, grayish-yellow or tawny, at length varied with bluish and greenish stains, often with a few narrow zones on the margin. Gills narrow, close, sometimes forked, anastomosing or wavy at the base, grayish-yellow. Stem 1–1.5 in. long, 4–6 lines thick, short, subequal, hollow, colored like the pileus. Spores globose, 7.5µ. Milk sparse, saffron-yellow; taste mild.

Sandy soil, under or near pine trees. Saratoga and Bethlehem.

The milk of this species resembles in color the juice of celandine, Chelidonium majus. It is paler than that of L. deliciosus. By this character and by the dull color of the pileus, the narrow lamellæ, short stem and its fondness for dry situations, it may be separated from the other species. Wounds of the flesh are at first stained with the color of the milk, then with blue, finally with green. A saffron-color is sometimes attributed to the milk of L. deliciosus, which may indicate that this species has been confused with that, or that the relationship of the two plants is a closer one than we have assigned to them. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. In mixed woods, gravelly low ground. September, October. McIlvaine.

A score or more solitary specimens were found and eaten. The substance and flavor are not distinguishable from L. deliciosus, which is lauded to the summit of good toadstools.

L. subpurpu´reus Pk.—sub, under; purpureus, purple. Pileus at first convex, then nearly plane or subinfundibuliform, more or less spotted and zonate when young, and moist dark-red with a grayish luster. Gills close, dark-red, becoming less clear and sometimes greenish-stained with age. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, soon hollow, often spotted with red, colored like the pileus, sometimes hairy at the base. Spores subglobose, 9–10µ. Milk dark-red.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 3–5 lines thick.

173Damp or mossy ground in woods and swamps. July and August.

At once known by the peculiar dark-red or purplish hue of the milk, which color also appears in the spots of the stem and in a more subdued tone in the whole plant. The color of the pileus, gills and stem is modified by grayish and yellowish hues. In age and dryness the zones are less clear, and dried specimens can scarcely be distinguished from L. deliciosus. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

I have not seen this species.

L. pal´lidus Fr.—pale. Pileus 3–6 in. broad, flesh-color or clay-color to pallid, somewhat tan, fleshy, umbilicato-convex, depressed, obtuse, margin broadly and for a long time involute, smooth, gluey, zoneless. Flesh pallid. Stem 2 in. and more long, about ¾ in. thick, somewhat equal, stuffed then hollow, even, smooth, of the same color as the pileus. Gills somewhat decurrent, arcuate, rather broad, 1½-2 lines and more; somewhat thin, crowded, somewhat branched, whitish at length of the same color as the pileus. Milk white, unchangeable. Fries.

Taste somewhat mild. Stature that of L. deliciosus, but more lax in texture and always pallid. There is a variety with the pileus inclining to dingy-brown. Stevenson.

Mixed woods. September to October.

Spores echinulate, almost round, 8µ W.G.S.; 7–11µ Cooke; 9–10×7–8µ Massee.

North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Massachusetts, Frost; Minnesota, Johnson; Rhode Island, Bennett.

Edible. Cooke.

L. quie´tus Fr.—calm, mild. Pileus 3 in. broad, fleshy, depressed, obtuse, margin deflexed, smooth, at first viscid, somewhat cinnamon, flesh-color, disk darker, somewhat zoned, soon dry, somewhat silky, opaque, becoming pale. Flesh white then reddish. Stem 2–3 in. long, ½ in. and more thick, stuffed, spongy, smooth, reddish, at length beautifully rust-color. Gills adnato-decurrent, somewhat forked at the 174base, 1½-2 lines broad, white then soon brick-red. Milk white, unchangeable, sweet. Fries.

In woods. August to November. Stevenson.

Spores echinulate, 8–10×6–7µ Massee; 10–12µ Cooke.

Nova Scotia, Somers; New York, Peck, Rep. 42.

Edible. Cooke. Eaten in France and held in estimation.

L. theio´galus Fr. Gr—brimstone; milk. Pileus 2–5 in. broad, fleshy, thin, convex, then depressed, even, glabrous, viscid, tawny-reddish. Lamellæ adnate or decurrent, close, pallid or reddish. Stem 1–3 in. long, 4–10 lines thick, stuffed or hollow, even, colored like the pileus. Spores yellowish, inclining to pale flesh-color, subglobose, 7.5–9µ. Milk white, changing to sulphur-yellow, taste tardily acrid, bitterish.

Woods and groves. Common. July to October.

Our plant does not fully accord with the description of the species as given by Fries. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores subglobose, 7–8µ diameter Massee; subglobose, 7.5–9µ Peck.

West Virginia, 1881–1885; Mt. Gretna, Pa. July, 1897; New Jersey, common in mixed woods. July to frost. McIlvaine.

L. theiogalus possesses all the good qualities of the hot milk species. While I ate it whenever I chose in West Virginia, I did not again eat it until 1897 at Mt. Gretna. There several partook of it and thought it rather coarse, but of good flavor. It requires long cooking.

L. fuligino´sus Fr.—fuligo, soot. Pileus 1–2.5 in. broad, firm, becoming soft, convex plane or slightly depressed, even, dry, zoneless, dingy ash-color or buff-gray, appearing as if covered with a dingy pruinosity, the margin sometimes wavy or lobed. Gills adnate or subdecurrent, subdistant, whitish then yellowish, becoming stained with pink-red or salmon-color where wounded. Stem 1–2 in. long, 3–5 lines thick, equal or slightly tapering downward, firm, stuffed, colored like the pileus. Spores globose, yellowish, 7.5–10µ. Milk white, taste tardily and sometimes slightly acrid.

Thin woods and open grassy places. Greenbush and Sandlake, N.Y. July and August. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

A form with the pileus colored like that of L. lignyotus, but with the gills much closer than in that species, was found in a swamp near Sevey. July. Peck, 43d Rep.

POISONOUS. Barla and Reveil, Cordier.

175L. fumo´sus Pk. Pileus 1.5–2.5 in. broad, firm, convex, then expanded and slightly depressed in the center, smooth, dry, smoky-brown or sordid-white. Gills close, adnate or slightly rounded behind, white, then yellowish. Stem 3–5 lines thick, firm, short, smooth, stuffed, generally tapering downward. Spores distinctly echinulate, yellow, 6µ in diameter. Flesh and Milk white; taste at first mild, then acrid.

Plant 1.5–2 in. high.

Grassy ground in open woods. Greenbush. July.

The peculiar smoky hue of the pileus and yellow spores enable this species to be easily recognized. The flesh when wounded slowly changes to a dull pinkish-color. Related to L. fuliginosus. Peck, 24th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

L. ru´fus Fr.—red. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, convex and centrally depressed, then funnel-shaped, generally with a small umbo, glabrous, sometimes slightly floccose or pubescent when young, especially on the margin, zoneless, bay-red or brownish-red, shining. Gills narrow or moderately broad, sometimes forked, close, subdecurrent, yellowish or reddish. Stem 2–4 in. long, 3–5 lines thick, nearly equal, firm, stuffed, paler than or colored like the pileus. Spores white, 7.6–10µ. Milk white, taste very acrid.

Low woods and swamps. North Elba. August. Rare.

The red Lactarius is known by its rather large size, dark-red pileus and intensely acrid taste. It has been found but once in our state. The flesh is pinkish and the stem sometimes pruinose. It is designated by authors as very poisonous and extremely poisonous. Cordier even says that worms never attack it. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Massachusetts, Frost; New York, Peck, Rep. 23, Rep. 38.

I have not recognized this species. It is given as markedly POISONOUS.

L. glycios´mus Fr. Gr—sweet; Gr—scent. Pileus ½-1½ in. broad, thin, convex nearly plane or depressed, often with a small umbo or papilla, minutely squamulose, ash-colored, grayish-brown or smoky-brown, sometimes tinged with pink, the margin even or slightly and distinctly striate. Gills narrow, close, adnate or decurrent, whitish or 176yellowish. Stem ½-1½ in. long, 1–3 lines thick, equal, glabrous or obsoletely pubescent, stuffed, rarely hollow, whitish or colored like the pileus. Milk white, taste acrid and unpleasant, sometimes bitterish, odor aromatic. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Smell agreeable, of melilot, as that of L. camphoratus.

Spores spheroid, echinulate, 6–8µ K.; subglobose, size variable, 6–10µ Massee.

The American plant, so far as observed, does not have the red hues ascribed to the European.

Haddonfield, N.J., T.J. Collins; Scranton, Pa., Dr. J.M. Phillips; Chester county, Pa., September, 1887, on ground in woods, McIlvaine.

This small Lactarius was found on several occasions. Its odor is attractive, but its taste is not. Cooked it is of high flavor, but will not be liked by many.

L. aqui´fluus Pk.—watery. Pileus fragile, fleshy, convex or expanded, at length centrally depressed, dry, smooth, or sometimes appearing as if clothed with a minute appressed tomentum, reddish tan-colored, the decurved margin often flexuous. Gills rather narrow, close, whitish, becoming dull reddish yellow. Stem more or less elongated, equal or slightly tapering upward, colored like the pileus, smooth, hollow, the cavity irregular as if eroded. Spores subglobose, rough, 7.6µ. Flesh colored like the pileus. Milk sparse, watery.

Plant 3–8 in. high. Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Stem 5–10 lines thick.

Swamps and wet mossy places in woods. Sandlake and North Elba. August and September.

The relationship of this plant is with L. serifluus, to which it was formerly referred, but from which I am now satisfied it is distinct. The hollow stem is a constant character in our plant, and affords a ready mark of distinction. The plant, though large, is very fragile, and breaks easily. The taste is mild or but slightly acrid. Sometimes there is an obscure zonation on the pileus, which, in large specimens, is apt to be irregular and much worm-eaten. The milk looks like little drops of water when first issuing from a wound, but it becomes a little less clear on exposure to the atmosphere. The decided but agreeable odor of the dried specimens persists a long time. Peck, 28th Rep.

This plant is sometimes cespitose. The pileus when dry is tawny-gray and scaly or cracked scaly. The margin may be even or coarsely 177sulcate-striate. The flesh is grayish or reddish-gray. The color of the lamellæ varies from creamy-white to tawny-yellow. The stem often has a conspicuous white myceloid tomentum at its base. I have never found this plant with a white or milky juice, and therefore I am disposed to regard it not as a variety of L. helvus, but as a distinct species. Its mild taste and agreeable odor suggested a trial of its edible qualities. It is harmless, but the lack of flavor induces me to omit it from the list of edible species. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Var. brevis´simus Pk. Pileus 1–1.5 in. broad, grayish-buff. Gills crowded, adnate, yellowish or cream-color. Stem very short, 6–8 lines long.

Black mucky soil in roads in woods. Township 24, Franklin county. September.

Plant fragrant; sometimes cespitose. Peck, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Angora, West Philadelphia, in moist oak woods. August, 1897, Philadelphia Myc. Center.

Flesh rather hard when cooked, and insipid. Good as an absorbent or in emergency.

L. lignyo´tus Fr.—lignum, wood. Pileus 1–4 in. broad, broadly convex plane or slightly depressed, dry, with or without a small umbo, generally rugose-wrinkled, dark-brown, appearing subpulverulent or as if suffused with a dingy pruinosity, the margin sometimes crenately lobed and distinctly plicate. Gills moderately close or subdistant, adnate, white or yellowish, slowly changing to pinkish-red or salmon color where wounded. Stem 1–3 in. long, 2–6 lines thick, equal or abruptly narrowed at the apex, even, glabrous, stuffed, colored like the pileus, sometimes plicate at the top. Milk white, taste mild or tardily and slightly acrid.

Var. tenu´ipes. Pileus about 1 in. broad. Stem slender, 2–3 in. long and about 2 lines thick.

Wet or mossy ground in woods and swamps. Adirondack mountains and Sandlake. July and August. Not rare in hilly and mountainous districts. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores globose, yellowish, 9–11.3µ Peck; pale ochraceous, subglobose, minutely echinulate, 9–10µ diameter Massee.

West Virginia mountains, 1881–1885; Eagle’s Mere; Mt. Gretna, 178Pa. Solitary and gregarious, moist woods and wooded places. July to September. McIlvaine.

In my long experience with the plant I have not seen any change of color, save that, like the white milk of other species, it darkens slightly to a cream color. I have found it distinctly umbilicate and quite umbonate in the same patch.

L. lignyotus is one of the best of Lactarii and quite equal to L. volemus.

L. corru´gis Pk.—having wrinkles or folds. Pileus 3–5 in. broad, firm, convex, then nearly plane or centrally depressed, rugose reticulated, covered with a velvety pruinosity or pubescence, dark reddish-brown or chestnut-color, fading with age to tawny-brown. Gills close, dark cream-color or subcinnamon, becoming paler when old, sordid or brownish where bruised or wounded. Stem 3–5 in. long, 6–12 lines thick, equal, solid, glabrous or merely pruinose, paler than but similar in color to the pileus. Spores subglobose, 10–13µ. Milk copious, white, taste mild.

Thin woods. Sandlake, Gansevoort and Brewerton, N.Y. August and September.

This curious Lactarius is related to L. volemus, from which it may be separated by its darker colors and its corrugated pileus. The flexuous reticulated rugæ present an appearance similar to that of the hymenium of a Merulius. The pileus is everywhere pruinose-pubescent and the gills bear numerous spine-like or acicular cystidia or spicules, 4–5µ long. These are so numerous on and near the edges of the gills that they give them a pubescent appearance. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

I found many at Mt. Gretna, Pa., up to 6½ in. in diameter. Flesh not so firm as L. volemus. Stem equal, rugulose, flattened in old specimens. Milk very slightly acrid.

Better in taste and quality than L. volemus.

L. lute´olus Pk.—yellowish. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, fleshy, rather thin, convex or nearly plane, commonly umbilicately depressed in the center and somewhat rugulose, pruinose or subglabrous, buff-color. Flesh white, taste mild. Milk copious, flowing easily, white or whitish. Gills close, nearly plane, adnate or slightly rounded behind, whitish, 179becoming brownish where wounded. Stem 1–1.5 in. long, 3–5 lines thick, short, equal or tapering downward, solid, but somewhat spongy within, colored like the pileus. Spores globose, 7.6µ broad.

Dry woods. East Milton, Mass. August. H. Webster.

This species is related to Lactarius volemus and L. hygrophoroides, but its smaller size and short stem will distinguish it from the former and its close gills from the latter. Its paler buff-color will separate it from both. Some specimens have a narrow encircling furrow or depressed zone near the margin and a slightly darker shade of color on the margin. The milk constitutes a remarkable feature of the species. According to the notes of the collector it is exceedingly copious, rather sticky, serous in character with white particles in suspension. It flows from many points as soon as the plant is disturbed and it stains the gills. It is impossible to collect an unstained specimen, so free is the flow of the milk. He, Mr. Webster, says: “I have never succeeded in picking a specimen so quietly as to prevent an instant and copious flow of its milk.” Torrey Bull., Vol. 23, No. 10, 1896.

Angora, West Philadelphia, August, 1897. In oak woods. August, September. McIlvaine.

Quite frequent there. My attention was directed to it by the “narrow encircling furrow or depressed zone near the margin.”

It is of like quality to L. volemus.

L. Gerar´dii Pk. Pileus 1.5–4 in. broad, broadly convex plane or slightly depressed, dry, generally rugose-wrinkled, with or without a small umbo or papilla, dingy-brown, the thin spreading margin sometimes flexuous lobed or irregular. Gills distant, adnate or decurrent, white or whitish, the interspaces generally uneven. Stem 1–2 in. long, 3–6 lines thick, subequal, stuffed or hollow, colored like the pileus. Spores globose, white, 9–11.3µ. Milk white, unchangeable, taste mild.

Woods and open places. Poughkeepsie, W.R. Gerard. Greenbush, Sandlake and Croghan, N.Y. July to September.

This Lactarius closely resembles the Sooty lactarius in color, but differs from it in its more distant gills, white spores and constantly mild taste. Wounds of the flesh and gills do not become pinkish-red as in that plant. From L. hygrophoroides its darker color, hollow stem and more globose rougher spores separate it. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

180In the color of the pileus and stem this species is like the larger forms of L. fuliginosus. Peck, 26th Rep.

Edible. Boston Myc. Club Bull.

L. vole´mus Fr.—volema pira, a kind of large pear. (Plate XLI, fig. 4, p. 160) Pileus 2–5 in. broad, firm, convex, nearly plane or centrally depressed, rarely funnel-shaped, sometimes with a small umbo, generally even, glabrous, dry, golden-tawny or brownish-orange, sometimes darker in the center, often becoming rimose-areolate. Gills close, adnate or subdecurrent, white or yellowish, becoming sordid or brownish where bruised or wounded. Stem 1–4 in. long, 4–10 lines thick, subequal, variable in length, firm, solid, glabrous or merely pruinose, colored like the pileus, sometimes a little paler. Milk copious, white, taste mild, flat.

Var. subrugo´sus. Pileus rugose-reticulated on the margin. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores globose, white, 9–11.3µ Peck; 5–6µ diameter Massee.

Very delicious raw and celebrated from early times. Fries.

Common over the United States, well known everywhere and distinguished for its edible qualities. It is crisp and unless carefully cooked is hard and granular. It should have long, slow cooking, though it may be roasted or fried.

L. hygrophoroi´des B. and C.—resembling Hygrophorus. Pileus 1–4 in. broad, firm, convex or nearly plane, umbilicate or slightly depressed, rarely funnel-shaped, glabrous or sometimes with a minute velvety pubescence or tomentum, dry, sometimes rugose-wrinkled and often becoming cracked in areas, yellowish-tawny or brownish-orange. Gills distant, adnate or subdecurrent, white or cream-color, the interspaces uneven or venose. Stem .5–1 in. long, 4–8 lines thick, short, equal or tapering downward, solid, glabrous or merely pruinose, colored like the pileus. Spores subglobose 181or broadly elliptical, nearly smooth, 9–11.3µ. Milk white, taste mild.

Grassy ground and borders of woods. Albany, Greenbush and Sandlake. July and August.

This plant has almost exactly the color of L. volemus, but differs from it in its distant gills, short stem, less copious milk and less globose spores. Its flesh is white, with a thickness about equal to the breadth of the gills. It is probably edible, but has not yet been tested. The typical L. hygrophoroides is described as having the pileus yellowish-red and pulverulent, and the gills luteous. It is also represented as a small plant; but our specimens, while not fully agreeing with this description, approach so closely to it in some of their forms that they doubtless belong to the same species. We have therefore extended the description so that it may include our plant. In wet weather the pileus sometimes becomes funnel-form by the elevation of the margin. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1897, grassy grounds and borders of woods. Mixed, moist woods and grassy borders. July to September. McIlvaine.

Pileus up to 4 in. across. Stem 1–2½ in., tapering, equal or tapering downward. When growing in woods the stem is longer than when growing on borders.

Its edible qualities are excellent.

L. mitis´simus Fr.—mitis, mild. Pileus 1–3 in. broad, golden-tawny, zoneless, fleshy, thin, somewhat rigid, convex, papillate, depressed, papilla vanishing, even, smooth, somewhat slippery when moist. Flesh pallid. Stem elongated, 1–3 in. long, ⅓-½ in. thick, stuffed, then hollow, even, smooth, of the same color as the pileus. Gills adnato-decurrent, somewhat arcuate, then tense and straight, 1–1½ lines and more broad, thin, crowded, a little paler than the pileus, most frequently stained with minute red spots. Milk white, mild, plentiful.

Thin; very much allied to L. subdulcis, but distinguished by the taste being mild, then somewhat bitterish, and especially by the bright, golden-tawny, resplendent color of the pileus and stem. Fries.

In mixed and pine woods. August to November. Stevenson.

Spores 6–8×5–6µ Massee; 10µ Cooke; spheroid, echinulate, 6–7µ C.B.P.

182California, H. and M.

Edible. Cooke. Eaten on the continent.

L. subdul´cis Fr.—sub; dulcis, sweet. Pileus .5–2 in. broad, thin, convex, then plane or slightly funnel-shaped, with or without a small umbo or papilla, glabrous, even, zoneless, moist or dry, tawny-red, cinnamon-red or brownish-red, the margin sometimes wavy or flexuous. Gills rather narrow, thin, close, whitish, sometimes tinged with red. Stem 1–2.5 in. long, 1–3 lines thick, equal or slightly tapering upward, slender, glabrous, sometimes villous at the base, stuffed or hollow, paler than or colored like the pileus. Spores 7.6–9µ. Milk white, taste mild or tardily and slightly acrid, sometimes woody or bitterish and unpleasant. Flesh whitish, pinkish or reddish gray, odor none.

Fields, copses, woods, swamps and wet places. July to October. Very common.

This species grows in almost every variety of soil and locality. It may be found in showery weather on dry, rocky soil, on bare ground or among mosses or fallen leaves. In drier weather it is still plentiful in swamps and wet, shaded places, and in sphagnous marshes. It sometimes grows on decaying wood. It is also as variable as it is common. Gillet has described the following varieties:

Var. cinnamo´meus. Pileus cinnamon-red, sub-shining. Stem stuffed, then hollow; taste mild, becoming slightly acrid or bitter.

Var. ru´fus. Pileus dull chestnut-red; becoming more concave. Stem spongy; taste mild.

Var. ba´dius. Pileus bay-red, shining as if varnished, with an obtuse disk and an inflexed, elegantly crenulate margin. Stem very glabrous, hollow.

The first and second varieties have occurred within our limits. The first also has the stem elastic and furnished with a whitish or grayish tomentum or strigose villosity at the base, when growing among moss in swamps. A form occurred in Sandlake, in which some of the specimens 183were proliferous. The umbo had developed into a minute pileus. With us the prevailing color of the pileus is yellowish-red or cinnamon-red. Sometimes the color is almost the same as that of L. volemus and L. hygrophoroides, and again it is a tan-color or a bay-red, as in L. camphoratus, from which such specimens are scarcely separable, except by their lack of odor. In young plants the pileus usually has a moist appearance, which is sometimes retained in maturity. Cordier pronounces the species edible, and says that he has tested it several times without inconvenience. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 10µ Cooke; 7µ W.G.S.

West Virginia mountains, 1881–1885; Pennsylvania, New Jersey, everywhere on moist ground. July to October. McIlvaine.

Edible. Curtis.

The description of Fries as enlarged and modified by Professor Peck, together with that of the varieties placed to the credit of the species by Gillet, are given above in full. The species with its ascribed varieties is common and well known. Var. ba´dius occurs in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. They are all edible and vary but little in quality. L. subdulcis requires long cooking.

L. muta´bilis Pk.—changeable. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, thin, convex or nearly plane, zonate when moist, reddish-brown, the disk and zones darker, zoneless when dry, flesh colored like the pileus. Milk sparse, white, taste mild. Gills narrow, close, adnate, whitish, with a yellowish or cream-colored tint when old. Stem 1–2 in. long, 3–5 lines thick, equal or tapering upward, stuffed or spongy within, glabrous, colored like the pileus. Spores subglobose, rough, 7.6µ broad.

Low, damp places. Selkirk and Yaphank, N.Y. June and September.

The species is allied to L. subdulcis, from which the larger size and zonate pileus separate it. The zones disappear in the dry plant, and this change in the marking of the pileus suggests the specific name. They appear to be formed by concentric series of more or less confluent spots and are suggestive of such species as L. deliciosus and L. subpurpureus. Peck, 43d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania. Solitary but frequent. In moist woods and margins of woods. June to October. McIlvaine.

184I have been familiar with and eaten this plant since 1882, but thought it might be a variety of L. deliciosus, with light-colored milk.

L. mutabilis is an excellent species, equal to any Lactarius.

L. camphora´tus Fr.—camphor. Pileus 1–2 in. across, brown-brick-red, somewhat zoned, sometimes zoneless, fleshy, thin, depressed, dry, smooth. Stem short, 1–2 in., stuffed, somewhat undulated, of the same color as the pileus. Gills adnate, crowded, yellowish-brick-color. Milk mild, white, odor agreeable, spicy. Fries.

Strong smelling. So like L. subdulcis that it can be distinguished safely only by its odor of melilot when dried. Stevenson.

Pileus .5–1.5 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 2–3 lines. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores spherical, echinulate, 6–7µ Q.; subglobose, 8–9µ Massee; 7.6–9µ Peck.

Taste and smell not of camphor, but of melilot.

North Carolina, Curtis; South Carolina, Ravenel; Wisconsin, Bundy; New York, Peck, Rep. 23, Mon. 38th Rep.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, July to October, in moist places. Mixed woods, etc. McIlvaine.

Edible. Gillet.

Its mild taste distinguishes it at once from L. rufus.

It has high but pleasant flavor. If the flavor is too evident to suit some tastes, it is well to mix milder species with it.

185RUS´SULA Pers.

Pileus regular, rigid, usually becoming more or less depressed. Flesh of the pileus descending into the gills forming a cellular trama. Veil and consequently the ring absent. Stem smooth, stout, rigid, brittle, spongy within. Gills rigid, fragile, edge thin and acute. Spores rounded, often echinulate, white or yellowish. On the ground.

Closely allied to Lactarius but separated by the absence of milk. The gills of some species exude watery drops in moist weather. Owing to the similarity of form and the variable coloring many species are difficult to determine; all the characters should be carefully noted, not omitting that of the taste.

Russulæ are readily distinguished by the stout, short, brittle stem and the fragility of the pileus and gills. They especially love open woods and appear during the summer and fall months, some being found until sharp frosts occur.

It has been claimed by mushroom growers, until within a few years, that the spores of the mushroom have to pass through the digestive apparatus of the horse before they will germinate. It has been conclusively demonstrated that such a transmission is not a necessity. It was for a long time my opinion—following the opinion of others—that such assistance was necessary. In my many efforts to propagate valuable food species of the wild toadstools I endeavored to find the method by which the spores were disseminated, and through what digestive medium they passed—either of insect or animal—before germination. Noticing that the Russulæ were fed upon by a small black beetle, I planted in suitable places, not the toadstools, but the beetles found upon them. The result was that in several instances I grew the Russulæ. My experiments, while interesting, are not conclusive, because I later found that the same results could be obtained from the toadstool itself when 186planted under its own natural life conditions. It is certain that beetles can not be raised by planting Russulæ.

The beetles known as tumble-bugs—canthon lævis—deposit eggs in the center of balls made of animal droppings; dig a hole in the ground and drop them into it. These droppings frequently contain the spores of the meadow mushroom. Thus planted with the proper surrounding of manure, and at the proper depth, the spores germinate, spread mycelium, and a crop of mushrooms is the result. The beetle becomes a horticulturist. No wonder the Egyptians, thousands of years ago, made it—the scarabeus—their sacred emblem, and that, today, the fleur-de-lis of France, so the Rosicrucians say, perpetuates its glorious worth and calling.

Most Russulæ are sweet and nutty to the taste; some are as hot as the fiercest of cayenne, but this they lose upon cooking. To this genus authors have done especial injustice; there is not a single species among them known to be poisonous, and, where they are not too strong of cherry bark and other highly flavored substances, they are all edible; most of them are favorites. Where they present no objectionable appearance or taste, their caps make most palatable dishes when stewed, baked, roasted or escalloped. The time of cooking should be determined by the consistency of the variety; some will cook in five minutes, others not under thirty. Salt, butter and pepper are the only necessaries as seasoning.

Pileus fleshy throughout, hence the margin is at first bent inward and always without striæ, without a distinct gluey pellicle (in consequence of which the color is not variable, but only changes with age and the state of the atmosphere). Flesh compact, firm. Stem solid, fleshy. Gills unequal.

Pileus compact, firm, covered with a thin, closely adnate pellicle, which at length disappears, margin abruptly thin, at first inflexed, then spreading, acute, even. Stem at first compact, at length spongy-soft within. Gills somewhat forked, with a few shorter ones intermixed, commonly attenuated at both ends, thin and normally narrow.

Pileus without a viscid pellicle, absolutely dry, rigid, the cuticle commonly breaking up into flocci or granules. Flesh thick, compact, firm, vanishing away short of the margin which is straight (never involute), soon spreading, and always without striæ. Stem solid, at first hard, then softer and spongy. Gills, a few dimidiate, others divided, rigid, dilated in front and running out with a very broad, rounded apex, whence the margin of the pileus becomes obtuse and is not inflexed. Exceedingly handsome, but rather rare.

of the section). Page 198.

Pileus fleshy, firm, with a thin margin which is at first inflexed, then expanded and striate, covered with a thin adnate pellicle. The gills consist of many shorter ones mixed with longer ones, along with others which are forked. Stem solid, stout, spongy within.

Pileus more or less fleshy, rigid-fragile, covered with a pellicle which is always continuous, and in wet weather viscid and somewhat separable; margin membranaceous, at first convergent and not involute, in full-grown plants commonly sulcate and tubercular. Flesh commonly floccose, lax, friable. Stem spongy, at length wholly soft and hollow. Gills almost all equal, simple, broadening in front, free in the pileus when closed. Several doubtful forms occur. R. integra is specially fallacious from the variety of its colors.

* Gills and spores white.

** Gills and spores white, then light-yellowish or bright lemon-yellowish.

*** Gills and spores ochraceous.

R. ni´gricans Bull.—nigrico, to be blackish. Pileus 2–4 in. and more broad, olivaceous-fuliginous, at length black, fleshy to the margin which is at first bent inwards, convex then flattened, umbilicato-depressed, when young and moist slightly viscid and even (without a separable pellicle), at length cracked in scales. Flesh firm, white, 188when broken becoming red on exposure to the air. Stem 1 in. thick, persistently solid, equal, pallid when young, at length black. Gills rounded behind, slightly adnexed, thick, distant, unequal, paler, reddening when touched. Fries.

Compact, obese, inodorous, within and without at length wholly black, in which it differs from all others. The flesh becomes red when broken because it is saturated with red juice, although it does not exude milk. Sometimes a very few of the gills are dimidiate.

In woods. Common. June to November. Stevenson.

Var. albo´nigra Krombh.—albo, white; negro, to be black. Pileus fleshy, convexo-plane, depressed in the middle, at length funnel-shaped, viscid, whitish, smoky about the margin. Flesh white, turning black when broken. Stem solid, stout, dusky, becoming blackened. Gills decurrent, crowded, unequal, dusky-whitish. In grassy places.

Spores papillose, 8µ W.G.S.; subglobose, rough, 8–9µ Massee.

New York. Our specimens agree with the description in every respect, except that the gills are not distant. Peck, 32d Rep.

Mild when raw, but with a heavy woody taste.

Cooked it makes a good dish, but does not equal most Russulæ.

R. purpuri´na Quel. and Schulz.—purple. (Plate XLVa.) Pileus fleshy, margin acute, subglobose, then plane, at length depressed in the center, slightly viscid in very wet weather, not striate, often split, pellicle separable, rosy-pink, paling even to light yellow. Gills crowded in youth, afterward subdistant, white, in age yellowish, reaching the stem, 2–4 lines broad in front, not greatly narrowed behind, almost equal, not forked. Stem spongy, stuffed, very variable, cylindrical, attenuated above and below the middle, rosy-pink becoming paler (rarely white) toward the base, color obscure in age. Flesh fragile, white, reddish under the skin; odor slight, taste mild. Spores white, globose, sometimes sub-elliptical, 4–8µ long, minutely warted.

Pileus 1.5–2.5 in. across. Stem up to .4 in. thick, 1.2 in. long.

“This is a beautiful and very distinct species easily known by its red stem, mild taste and white spores.” Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

R. adus´ta Fr.—aduro, to scorch. Pileus pallid or whitish, grayish-sooty, equally fleshy, compact, depressed then somewhat infundibuliform, margin at first inflexed, smooth, then erect, without striæ. Flesh 189unchangeable. Stem solid, obese, of the same color as the pileus. Gills adnate then decurrent, thin, crowded, unequal, white then dingy, not reddening when touched. Fries.

Spores subglobose, almost smooth, 8–9µ Massee.

In pine and mixed woods.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, in pine woods and in mixed woods. August to frost. McIlvaine.

R. adusta is solitary but often in small troops. It is easily recognized by the brownish blotches upon its cap, and the crowding of its thin gills.

The solid flesh must be well cooked. It is then of good flavor.

R. bre´vipes Pk.—brevis, short; pes, a foot. Pileus 3–5 in. broad, at first convex and umbilicate, then infundibuliform, dry, glabrous or slightly villose on the margin, white, sometimes varied with reddish-brown stains. Flesh whitish, taste mild, slowly becoming slightly acrid. Lamellæ thin, close, adnate or slightly rounded behind; white. Stem solid, white.

Spores globose, verruculose, 10–13µ.

Stem 6–10 lines long, 6–10 lines thick.

Sandy soil in pine woods. Quogue. September.

This species is related to Russula delica, but is easily distinguished by its short stem and crowded gills. The pileus also is not shining and the taste is tardily somewhat acrid. From Lactarius exsuccus it is separated by the character of the gills and the very short stem which is about as broad as it is long. The spores also are larger than in that species. The gills in the young plant are sometimes studded with drops of water. They are not clearly decurrent. Some of them are forked at the base. The pileus is but slightly raised above the surface of the ground and is generally soiled by adhering dirt and often marked by rusty or brownish stains. The plants grew in old roads in the woods where the soil had been trodden and compacted. Peck, 43d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

190West Virginia, 1882; Pennsylvania, 1887–1894; New Jersey, 1892. Solitary in pine and hemlock woods, generally on bare, compact ground. August to October. McIlvaine.

This species is a sparse grower, but its good size and respectable numbers soon fill the basket. When fresh it is of good substance and flavor.

R. del´ica Fr.—delicus, weaned. (Milkless, juiceless in gills.) White. Pileus 3–5 in. broad, fleshy throughout, firm, umbilicate then infundibuliform, regular, everywhere even, smooth with a whitish luster, the involute margin without striæ. Flesh firm, juiceless, not very thick, white. Stem curt, 1–2 in. long, ½ in. and more thick, solid, even, smooth, white. Gills decurrent, thin, distant, very unequal, white, exuding small watery drops in wet weather. Fries.

Spores minutely echinulate, white, broadly elliptical, 8–10×6–7µ Massee.

In appearance it resembles Lactarius vellereus and L. piperatus, but its gills do not distill milk or juice. It differs, too, in its mild taste. It is related to R. brevipes Pk.

A large, coarse species, cup-shaped at maturity. I have found it in several localities in Massachusetts in July and August. It is of fair quality cooked, but much inferior to R. virescens, etc. Macadam.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, in mixed woods, August to October. McIlvaine.

Edible. Taste mild. From the juiceless variety of L. vellereus its mild taste alone furnishes a separate character. Peck.

I have eaten it since 1882, but it is not a favorite. Its quality is fair.

R. sor´dida Pk.—dirty. (Plate XLIV, fig. 4, p. 184.) Pileus firm, convex, centrally depressed, dry, sordid-white, sometimes clouded with brown. Gills close, white, some of them forked. Stem equal, solid, concolorous. Spores globose, 7.5µ. Taste acrid. Flesh changing color when wounded, becoming black or bluish-black.

Plant 4–5 in. high. Pileus 3–5 in. broad. Stem 6–12 lines thick.

Ground under hemlock trees. Worcester. July.

It resembles L. piperatus in general appearance. The whole plant turns black in drying. Peck, 26th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Ohio, Morgan; Pennsylvania, Herbst; West Virginia, 1881–1885, 191Pennsylvania, New Jersey, pine, hemlock and mixed woods, July to September. McIlvaine.

It is of better quality than most coarse-grained Russulæ.

R. furca´ta Fr.—furca, a fork. Pileus 3 in. broad, sometimes greenish, sometimes umber-greenish, fleshy, compact, gibbous then plano-depressed or infundibuliform, even, smooth, but often sprinkled with slightly silky luster, pellicle here and there separable, margin thin, at first inflexed, then spreading, always even. Flesh firm, somewhat cheesy, white. Stem 2 in. or a little more long, solid, firm, equal or attenuated downward, even, white. Gills adnato-decurrent, rather thick, somewhat distant but broad, attenuated at both ends, frequently forked, shining white. Fries.

Spores globose, echinulate, 6–7µ C.B.P.; 7–8×9µ Massee.

In woods, and grass under trees.

The frequently forked gills, from which the species takes its name, their being thick and slightly decurrent, help to distinguish it. It is quite common in its several varieties.

Taste mild at first. A slight bitter develops which disappears in cooking. It is then of good quality, not equal to R. virescens. Older writers marked it poisonous, doubtless for no other cause than its slight bitter. I have eaten it freely for fifteen years.

R. sangui´nea Fr.—sanguis, blood. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, blood-red or becoming pale round the even, spreading, acute margin, fleshy, firm, at first convex, obtuse, then depressed and infundibuliform and commonly gibbous in the center, polished, even, moist in damp weather. Flesh firm, cheesy, white. Stem stout, spongy-stuffed, at first contracted at the apex, then equal, slightly striate, white or reddish. Gills at first adnate, then truly decurrent, very crowded, very narrow, connected by veins, fragile, somewhat forked, shining white. Fries.

Spores 9–10µ diameter Massee.

In pine and mixed woods. July to October.

Color same as R. rubra but differs in its hard cheesy flesh, rigid, slightly yellowish gills in age. The gills of R. sanguinea are truly decurrent, and pointed in front.

192Poisonous. Stevenson. Krapp says he has experienced grave inconveniences from eating it.

Myself and very many friends eat all fresh inviting Russulæ. We do not discriminate against a single peppery or acrid species, not even the R. emetica which has been severely maligned. In fact the peppery Russulæ are usually substantial in flesh and choice in substance.

The opinion of many is that R. sanguinea is one of the best. I have eaten it for years.

R. depal´lens Pers.—palleo, to be pale. Pileus 3–4 in. across, pallid-reddish or inclining to dingy-brown, etc., fleshy, firm, convex, then plane, more rarely depressed, but commonly irregularly shaped and undulated, even, the thin, adnate pellicle presently changing color, especially at the disk, the spreading margin even, but slightly striate when old. Flesh white. Stem about 1½ in. long, solid, firm, commonly attenuated downward, white, becoming cinereous when old. Gills adnexed, broad, crowded, distinct, but commonly forked at the base, often with shorter ones intermixed. Inodorous, taste mild. The color of the pileus is at first pallid-reddish, or inclining to brownish, then whitish or yellowish, opaque in every stage of growth. It approaches nearest to the Heterophyllæ. Fries.

In beech woods, pastures, etc. August to September.

Spores subglobose, echinulate, 7–8µ Massee.

R. depallens somewhat resembles R. heterophylla. Both are edible. It is a solitary grower and not common, but when found it occurs in good quantity. It belongs to the best class of Russulæ.

R. subdepal´lens Pk.—sub, de and palleo, to be pale. Pileus fleshy, at first convex and striate on the margin, then expanded or centrally depressed and tuberculate-striate on the margin, viscid, blood-red or purplish red, mottled with yellowish spots, becoming paler or almost white with age, often irregular. Flesh fragile, white, becoming cinereous with age, reddish under the cuticle, taste mild. Lamellæ broad, subdistant, adnate, white or whitish, the interspaces venose. Stem stout, solid but spongy within, persistently white.

Spores white, globose, rough, 8µ broad.

Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 6–12 lines thick.

Under a hickory tree. Trexlertown, Pa. June. W. Herbst.

193Closely related to Russula depallens, from which it differs in having the margin of the pileus striate at first and more strongly so when mature, also in the pileus being spotted at first, the gills more distant, the stem persistently white and the spores white. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club. Vol. 23, No. 10. October, 1896.

I do not doubt its edibility. See R. depallens.

R. ochrophyl´la Pk.—ochra, a yellow earth; phyllon, a leaf. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, firm, convex becoming nearly plane or slightly depressed in the center, even or rarely very slightly striate on the margin when old, purple or dark purplish red. Flesh white, purplish under the adnate cuticle, taste mild. Gills entire, a few of them forked at the base, subdistant, adnate, at first yellowish, becoming bright ochraceous buff when mature, dusted by the spores, the interspaces somewhat venose. Stem equal or nearly so, solid or spongy within, reddish or rosy tinted, paler than the pileus. Spores bright ochraceous buff, globose-verruculose, 10µ broad.

The ochery-gilled Russula is a large fine species, but not a common one. It differs but little in color and size from the European pungent Russula, Russula drimeia, but it is easily distinguished from it by its mild taste.

The cap is dry, convex or a little depressed in the center, purple or purplish red, the white flesh purplish under the cuticle, which, however, is not easily separable.

The gills are nearly all entire, extending from the stem to the margin of the cap. They are therefore much closer together near the stem than at the margin. They are at first yellowish, but a bright ochraceous buff when mature. They are then dusted by the similarly colored spores.

The stem is stout, nearly cylindric, firm but spongy in the center and colored like the cap, but generally a little paler. There is a variety in which the stem is white and the cap deep red. In other respects it is like the typical form. Its name is Russula ochrophylla albipes.

The ochery-gilled Russula grows in groups under trees, especially oak trees, and should be sought in July and August. Peck, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, July to September, McIlvaine.

Edible. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

194Ri’gidæ.

R. lac’tea Fr.—lac, milk. Pileus 2 in. broad, at the first milk-white, then tan-white, throughout compactly fleshy, bell-shaped, then convex, often excentric, without a pellicle, always dry, at the first even, then slightly cracked when dry, margin straight, thin, obtuse, even. Flesh compact, white. Stem 1½-2 in. long, 1½ in. thick, solid, very compact, but at length spongy-soft within, equal, even, always white. Gills free, very broad, thick, distant, rigid, forked, white. Fries.

Spores subglobose, echinulate, 7–9µ Massee.

Closely allied to R. albella Pk. from which it differs in its shorter stem, and pileus cracking into areolæ, and gills not being entire.

In mixed woods, in patches, not common.

Botanic creek, West Philadelphia, Pa., patches, McIlvaine, 1887.

Edible and of good flavor. Macadam.

Raw, it has a raw, rather unpleasant taste and odor, a little like some acorns. But its firm, thick flesh, meaty gills and stem, and good flavor when well cooked, rank it equal to any.

R. albel’la Pk.—whitish. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, thin, fragile, dry, plane or slightly depressed in the center, even or obscurely striate on the margin, commonly white, sometimes tinged with pink or rosy-red, especially on the margin. Flesh white, taste mild. Lamellæ entire, white, becoming dusted by the spores. Stem 1–2 in. long, 3–4 lines thick, equal, solid or spongy within, white.

Spores white, globose, 7.6µ broad.

Dry soil of frondose woods. Port Jefferson. July.

Closely allied to R. lactea, but differing in its fragile texture, entire lamellæ, more slender stem, and in the pileus not cracking into areas. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

R. vires’cens Fr.—viresco, to be green. (Plate XLIV, fig. 6, p. 184.) Pileus green, compactly fleshy, globose then expanded, at length depressed, often unequal, always dry, not furnished with a pellicle, wherefore the flocculose cuticle is broken up into patches or warts, margin straight, obtuse, even. Flesh white, not very compact. Stem solid, internally spongy, firm, somewhat rivulose, white. Gills free, somewhat 195crowded, sometimes equal, sometimes forked, with a few shorter ones intermixed, white. Fries.

Taste mild; good, raw.

Spores scarcely echinulate, almost globular, 6µ W.G.S. Spores 8–10µ Massee; 6–7.6µ Peck.

Cap round when young, very hard, then convex or becoming dished, sometimes repand. It is without a separable skin, covered with various sized areas of mouldy looking patches which are at times distinctly cracked. The color varies from a bright bluish-green to grayish-green, such shades remind one of mouldy cheese or the shades of Roquefort; again the color may vary in shades of light leather brown, occasionally the caps are almost white, opaque in each shade of color. Flesh crisp, brittle, thick, white, mild, good raw. Gills and stem as described.

R. virescens is common in the United States but not generally plentiful. It is a solitary grower, usually but few are found in a patch. Striking in appearance when its green colors are present, and always clean looking and inviting. It sometimes attains the size of 5 in. across. It is a hot weather Russula and rarely appears before the latter part of June, then after rains.

To eat, it should be in a healthy, fresh condition. All Russulæ impart a stale flavor if any part of gills or cap is wilting, drying or decaying. It requires forty minutes' slow stewing, or it can be dressed raw as a salad. Roasted or fried crisp in a hot buttered pan it is at its best. It should be well salted.

R. lep´ida Fr.—lepidus, neat, elegant. Pileus 3 in. broad, blood-red-rose, becoming pale, whitish especially at the disk, somewhat equally fleshy, convex then expanded, scarcely depressed, obtuse, opaque, unpolished, with a silky appearance, at length often cracked scaly, margin spreading, obtuse, without striæ. Stem as much as 3 in. long, often 1 in. thick, even, white or rose-color. Gills rounded behind, rather thick, somewhat crowded, often forked, connected by veins, white, often red at the edge.

Taste mild; wholly compact and firm, but the flesh is cheesy, not somewhat clotted. The gills are often red at the edge, chiefly toward the margin, on account of the margin of the pileus being continuous with the gills. Fries.

Spores 8–10×6–8µ Syll.

196Frequent. July to October, in mixed woods.

A common and variable species in size and color, but the cap is always some shade of rose-red or lake. The flesh is compact and cheesy. The gills sometimes edged with pink as they near the margin. Taste mild.

The crisp flesh of R. lepida requires forty minutes' slow stewing, if stewed. It yields a delicate pink shade to the dish. Roasted or cooked in a hot buttered pan it is excellent.

R. ru´bra Fr.—ruber, red. Pileus unicolorous, a cinnabar-vermilion, but becoming pale (tan) when old, disk commonly darker, compact, hard but fragile, convex, then flattened, here and there depressed, absolutely dry, without a pellicle, but becoming polished-even, often sinuously cracked when old, margin spreading, obtuse, even, always persistent. Flesh white, reddish under the cuticle. Stem 2–3 in. long, about 1 in. thick, solid, even, varying white and red. Gills obtusely adnate, somewhat crowded, whitish, then yellowish, with dimidiate and forked ones intermixed.

Very acrid, very hard and rigid, most distinct from all the others of this group in the pileus becoming polished-even, although without a pellicle, in the flesh being somewhat clotted, and in the very acrid taste. Gills often red at the edge. Fries.

Spores whitish, Fries; spheroid, 8–10µ K.

Krapp says he has experienced grave inconveniences from eating it. European authorities mark “poisonous.”

I do not hesitate to cook it either by itself or with other Russulæ and serve it at my table. It is easier cooked than R. virescens and others of the crisp species, and has equal flavor.

R. Linnæ´i Fr.—in honor of Linnæus. Pileus 3–4 in. broad, unicolorous, dark purple, blood-red or bright rose, opaque, not becoming pale, everywhere fleshy, rigid, plano-depressed, sometimes spread upward, even, smooth, dry, without a separable pellicle, margin spreading, obtuse, without striæ. Flesh thick, spongy-compact, white. Stem 1½ in. and more long, 1 in. and more thick, stout, firm, but spongy-soft within, somewhat ventricose, obsoletely reticulated with fibers, intensely blood-red. Gills adnate, somewhat decurrent, rather thick, not crowded, broad (more than ½ in.), fragile, sparingly connected by veins, white, 197becoming yellow when dry, with a few dimidiate ones intermixed, somewhat anastomosing behind. Fries.

Spores wholly white, Fries; ellipsoid, spheroid, echinulate, 11µ Q.; 9–11×8–9µ Massee.

West Virginia, 1881–1885. West Philadelphia, Pa., on Bartram’s Botanic creek. McIlvaine.

R. Linnæi is one of our handsomest and best Russulæ. European authors state its habit to be exactly that of R. emetica, but though I have known it intimately for many years I have not been struck with this in the American plant. Its large size, its more or less red stem never entirely white, at times hollow, cavernous, its less solid flesh, habit of growing in troops, sometimes parts of rings, flourishing best where the leaf mat is heaviest, loving the leaf drift in fence-corners, are well marked distinctions.

When young there is no better Russula. As it ages the stem becomes soft, spongy and should be thrown away. The caps, only, eaten.

R. oliva´cea Fr.—oliva, an olive; olivaceus, the color of an olive. Pileus 2–4 in. across, dingy-purple then olivaceous or wholly brownish-olivaceous, fleshy, convexo-flattened and depressed, slightly silky and squamulose, margin spreading, even. Flesh white, becoming somewhat yellow. Stem firm, ventricose, rose-color to pallid, spongy-stuffed within. Gills adnexed, wide, yellow, with shorter and forked ones intermixed.

Mild. Near to R. rubra, but certainly distinct in the stem being definitely spongy, in the pileus being unpolished, and in the gills being soft and brightly colored; corresponding with R. alutacea. Fries.

Spores light yellow, Fries; spheroid, punctate, 10µ Q.; globose, minutely granulate, yellow, 9–10µ diameter Massee.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1897–1898.

Pileus 2–4 in. across, 2–3 in. long, ½-⅓ in. thick.

The caps are equally good with R. alutacea. They must be fresh, and similarly cooked.

R. fla´vida Frost—yellow. (Plate XLIV, fig. 3, p. 184.) Pileus fleshy, convex, slightly depressed, unpolished, bright yellow. Gills white, adnate, turning cinereous. Stem yellow, solid, white at the extreme apex. Frost Ms.

198Pileus fleshy, convex, slightly depressed in the center, not polished, yellow, the margin at first even, then slightly striate-tuberculate. Gills nearly entire, venose-connected, white, then cinereous or yellowish. Stem firm, solid, yellow, sometimes white at the top.

Spores yellow, subglobose, 6.5–7.6µ in diameter. Flesh white, taste mild.

Plant 2–3 in. high. Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 4–6 lines thick. Frost Mss.

Ground in woods. Sandlake. August. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

R. flavida is showy, solitary and in patches. The stem when young and solid is equally good with the cap. Cooks in twenty-five minutes and is of good flavor.

R. ves´ca Fr.—vesco, to feed. Pileus red-flesh-color, disk darker, fleshy, slightly firm, plano-depressed, slightly wrinkled with veins, with a viscid pellicle, margin at length spreading. Flesh cheesy, firm, shining white. Stem solid, compact, externally rigid, reticulated and wrinkled in a peculiar manner, often attenuated at the base, shining white. Gills adnate, crowded, thin, shining white, with many unequal and forked ones intermixed, but scarcely connected by veins.

Of middle stature. Taste mild, pleasant. Fries.

Spores globose, echinulate, white, 9–10µ diameter. Massee.

In mixed woods. Common. August to frost.

R. vesca is frequent in woods or margins, and under trees in the open. It is especially fond of growing in the grass under lone chestnut trees. The caps seldom exceed 2-½ in. across.

It is one of the best.

R. cyanoxan´tha (Schaeff.) Fr. Gr—blue; Gr—yellow. (From the colors.) (Plate XLIV, fig. 1, p. 184.) Pileus 2–3 in. and more broad, lilac or purplish then olivaceous-green, disk commonly becoming pale often yellowish, margin commonly becoming azure-blue or livid purple, compact, convex then plane, then depressed or infundibuliform, sometimes even, sometimes wrinkled or streaked, viscous, margin deflexed then expanded, remotely and slightly striate. Flesh firm, 199cheesy, white, commonly reddish beneath the separable pellicle. Stem 2–3 in. long, as much as 1 in. thick, spongy-stuffed, but firm, often cavernous within when old, equal, smooth, even, shining white. Gills rounded behind, connected by veins, not much crowded, broad, forked with shorter ones intermixed, shining white.

Allied to R. vesca in its mild, pleasant taste and in other respects, but constantly different in the color of the pileus, which is very variable, whereas in R. vesca it is unchangeable. The peculiar combination of colors in the pileus, though very variable, always readily distinguishes it. Fries.

Spores 8–9µ, cystidia numerous, pointed, Massee; 8–10×6–8µ Sacc.

In mixed woods. Common. August to October.

Pronounced one of the best esculent species by all authorities.

R. heterophyl´la Fr. Gr—differing; Gr—a leaf. (Gills differing in length.) Pileus very variable in color, but never becoming reddish or purple, fleshy, firm, convexo-plane then depressed, even, polished, the very thin pellicle disappearing, margin thin, even or densely but slightly striate. Flesh white. Stem solid, firm, somewhat equal, even, shining white. Gills reaching the stem in an attenuated form, very narrow, very crowded, forked and dimidiate, shining white.

Taste always mild, as in R. cyanoxantha, from which it differs in its smaller stature, in the pileus being thinner, even, never reddish or purplish, with a thin closely adnate pellicle, in the stem being firm and solid, and in the gills being thin, very narrow, very crowded, etc. The apex of the stem is occasionally dilated in the form of a cup, so that the gills appear remote. Fries.

Spores echinulate, 5×7µ W.G.S.; 7–8µ diameter Massee.

Common. Woods. July to November.

Edible, of a sweet nutty flavor. Stevenson.

R. heterophylla is very common. Its smooth, even pileus, colored in some dingy shade of green, distinguishes it. It is much infested by grubs. Specimens for the table should be young and fresh. Wilted specimens are unpleasant.

R. fœ´tens Fr.—fœtens, stinking. Pileus 4–5 in. and more broad, dingy yellow, often becoming pale, thinly fleshy, at first bullate, then expanded and depressed, covered with a pellicle which is adnate, not 200separable, and viscid in wet weather, margin broadly membranaceous, at the first bent inward with ribs which are at length tubercular. Flesh thin, rigid-fragile, pallid. Stem 2 in. and more long, ½-1 in. thick, stout, stuffed then hollow, whitish. Gills adnexed, crowded, connected by veins, with very many dimidiate and forked ones intermixed, whitish, at the first exuding watery drops.

Fetid. Taste acrid. Very rigid, most distinct from all others in its very heavy empyreumatic odor. In very dry weather the odor is often obsolete. The margin is more broadly membranaceous and hence marked with longer furrows than in any other species. It differs from all the preceding ones in the gills at the first exuding watery drops. The gills become obsoletely light yellow, and dingy when bruised. Fries.

Pileus fleshy, with a wide thin margin, hemispherical or convex, then expanded or depressed, viscid when moist, widely striate-tuberculate on the margin, dull pale yellow or straw color. Lamellæ rather broad, close, venose-connected, some of them forked, whitish. Stipe nearly cylindrical, whitish, hollow. Spores white. Plant sometimes cespitose.

Height 2–4 in.; breadth of pileus 2–3 in. Stipe 4–6 lines thick.

Pine woods. West Albany. October.

Taste mild at first, then slightly disagreeable. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores minute, echinulate, almost globular, 8µ W.G.S.; 8–10µ Massee.

In woods. Common. July to October.

Var. granula´ta has the pileus rough with small granular scales. Peck, Rep. 39.

A very coarse and easily recognized species. Reckoned poisonous, though eaten by slugs. W.G.S.

The verdict is against it. Both smell and taste are usually unpleasant. Cooked it retains its flavor, more closely resembling wild cherry bark than anything else. On two occasions I ate enough to convince me that it was not poisonous.

R. el´egans Bresad.—elegans, pretty. Mild at first, becoming acrid with age. Pileus 2–3 in. across. Flesh rather thick; convex then depressed; margin tuberculose and striate when old, viscid, bright rosy flesh-color, soon ochraceous at the circumference, everywhere densely 201granulated. Gills adnexed or slightly rounded, narrow behind, very much crowded, equal, rarely forked, whitish, becoming either entirely or here and there ochraceous-orange. Stem 1½-2 in. long, 5–7 lines thick, a little thickened at the base, rather rugulose, white, base ochraceous. Flesh white, turning ochraceous and acrid when old.

Spores 8–10µ diameter Massee.

Allied to R. vesca. Known by the bright rose-colored, densely granular pileus and tuberculose margin. When old the pileus is almost entirely ochraceous. Massee.

Frequent in the West Virginia forests, 1881–1885. Chester county, Pa., 1887–1890. In mixed woods. July to September. McIlvaine.

It differs from R. vesca in its cap being minutely granulated instead of streaked, and in becoming acrid with age.

The caps are of good quality, needing to be well cooked.

* Gills and spores white.

R. eme´tica Fr.—an emetic. (Plate XLIV, fig. 2, p. 184.) Pileus 3–4 in. broad, at first rosy then blood-color, tawny when old, sometimes becoming yellow and at length (in moist places) white, at first bell-shaped then flattened or depressed, polished, margin at length furrowed and tubercular. Flesh white, reddish under the separable pellicle. Stem spongy-stuffed, stout, elastic when young, fragile when older, even, white or reddish. Gills somewhat free, broad, somewhat distant, shining white.

Handsome, regular, moderately firm, but fragile when full grown, taste very acrid. Fries.

Spores shining white, Fries; spheroid, echinulate, 8–10µ K.; 7µ W.G.S.

Maryland, Miss Banning; New York, Peck, Rep. 22; Indiana, Illinois, H.I. Miller.

Said to act as its name implies as an emetic. Certainly poisonous. Stevenson.

Krapp says he has himself experienced rare inconveniences from eating it. Preferred to others in Indiana and Illinois. H.I. Miller, 1898.

The varying reports upon R. emetica are quoted above. In 1881, in 202the West Virginia mountains, I began testing this Russula and soon found that it was harmless. At least twenty persons ate it in quantity, during its season, for four years. Yet, in my many published articles, I continued, out of regard for the opinions of others and in excess of caution, to warn against all bitter and peppery fungi. But from that time until the present I have eaten it, and I have made special effort to establish its innocence by getting numbers of my friendly helpers to eat it.

It was suggested by one of its prosecutors that perhaps I was mistaking another fungus for it. In October, 1898, I sent to Professor Peck a lot of the Russula I was eating. He wrote: “It seems to be R. emetica as you state. It certainly is hot enough for it.”

R. pectina´ta Fr.—pecten, a comb. Pileus 3 in. broad, at first gluey, toast-brown, then dry, becoming pale, tan, with the disk always darker, fleshy, rigid, convex then flattened and depressed or concavo-infundibuliform (basin-shaped); margin thin, pectinato-sulcate (deeply ribbed), here and there irregularly shaped. Flesh white, light yellowish under the pellicle, which is not easily separable. Stem curt, 3 in. long, ¾–1 in. thick, rigid, spongy-stuffed, longitudinally slightly striate, shining white, often attenuated at the base. Gills attenuato-free behind, broader toward the margin, somewhat crowded, equal, simple, white.

Odor weak, but nauseous, approaching that of R. fœtens. Fries.

Spores 8–9µ diameter Massee.

New York, Peck, 43d Rep. West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Common in woods, grassy, mossy places. July to frost. McIlvaine.

Named from the furrows of the margin being like the teeth of a comb.

Both the appearance and smell of this Russula will detect it. The peculiar comb-like furrows of its margin, viscid or varnished-looking cap, and strong but more spicy smell than cherry-bark are noticeable.

It is edible, but so strong in flavor that a piece of one will spoil a dish if cooked with other kinds.

R. ochroleu´ca Fr. Gr—pale yellow; Gr—white. Pileus yellow, becoming pale, fleshy, flattened or depressed, polished, with an adnate pellicle, the spreading margin becoming even. Stem spongy, stuffed, firm, slightly reticulato-wrinkled, white, becoming cinereous. Gills rounded behind, united, broad, somewhat equal, white becoming pale.

Odor obsolete, but pleasant. The pileus is never reddish. It agrees 203wholly with R. emetica in structure and stature, as well as in the acrid taste; it differs however in the stem being slightly recticulato-wrinkled, white becoming cinereous, in the adnate pellicle of the pileus, in the margin remaining for a long time even (remotely striate, but not tubercular, only when old), and in the gills being rounded behind and becoming pale. The color of the pileus is constant. The gills remain free and do not exude drops. Fries.

Cap 2–4 in. across. Stem 2–3 in. long, up to ¾ in. thick.

Spores papillose, 7µ W.G.S., 8×9µ Massee.

Frequent in woods. July to October.

Not as common as R. emetica, yet frequently found, usually solitary, at times gregarious. It is quite peppery, but loses pepperiness in cooking. Myself and others have frequently eaten it.

R. ci´trina Gillet—citrina, citron colored. Mild. Pileus 2–3 in. across, slightly fleshy at the disk, margin thin; convex then more or less expanded and slightly depressed, rather viscid when moist, smooth, slightly wrinkled at the margin when old, bright lemon-yellow, color usually uniform, sometimes paler at the margin, occasionally with a greenish tint, center of pileus at length becoming pale-ochraceous; pellicle separable. Gills slightly decurrent, broadest a short distance from the margin, and gradually becoming narrower towards the base, forked at the base and also sometimes near the middle, white, 1½ lines deep at broadest part. Stem 2–3 in. long, about 4 lines thick, equal or slightly narrowed at the base, slightly wrinkled, straight or very slightly waved, solid.

Spores subglobose, echinulate, 8µ diameter.

In woods.

Known by the clear lemon-yellow or citron-colored pileus and the persistently white gills and stem. The taste is mild at first, but becomes slightly acrid if kept in the mouth for a short time. Massee.

R. citrina can hardly be classed among the acrid species. The taste is slightly of cherry-bark and disappears in cooking. It is usually found in patches which contain ten to twenty individuals. It is a species of fair quality.

R. fra´gilis Fr.—fragile. Pileus 1–1½ in. broad, rarely more, flesh-color, changing color, very thin, fleshy only at the disk, at the first convex 204and often umbonate, then plane and depressed, pellicle thin, becoming pale, slightly viscid in wet weather; margin very thin, tuberculoso-striate. Stem 1½-2 in. long, spongy within, soon hollow, often slightly striate, white. Gills slightly adnexed, very thin, crowded, broad, ventricose, all equal, shining white. Fries.

Very acrid. Smaller and more fragile than the rest of the group, directly changing color. The color is variable, often opaque, typically flesh-color, when changed in color white externally and internally, often with reddish spots. Among varieties of color is to be noted a livid flesh-colored form, with the disk becoming fuscous.

It is not easy to define it from fragile forms of R. emetica, but the gills are much more crowded, thinner, and often slightly eroded at the edge, ventricose; the pileus thinner and more lax, etc. Stevenson.

Var. nivea Fr.—nivea, snowy. Whole plant white.

Spores minutely echinulate 8–10×8µ Massee.

Though one of the peppery kind, I have not, after fifteen years of eating it, had reason to question its edibility. The caps are not meaty, but what there is of them is good.

R. puncta´ta Gillet—punctata, dotted. Mild. Pileus 1½-2½ in. across. Flesh thin, white, reddish under the cuticle; convex then flattened, viscid, rosy, disk darkest, punctate with dark reddish point-like warts, pale when old; margin striate. Gills slightly adnexed, 2 lines broad, white then yellowish, edge often reddish. Stem about 1 in. long, 4–5 lines thick, attenuated and whitish at the base, remainder colored like the pileus, stuffed.

Spores 8–9µ diameter Massee.

Among grass.

Edible. Boston Myc. Club Bull. 1896.

R. in´tegra Fr.—integer, entire, whole. Pileus 4–5 in. across, typically red, changing color, fleshy, campanulato-convex then expanded and depressed, fragile when full-grown, with a gluey pellicle, at length furrowed and somewhat tubercular at the margin. Flesh white, sometimes yellowish above. Stem at first short, conical, then club-shaped 205or ventricose, as much as 3 in. long, up to 1 in. thick, spongy-stuffed, commonly stout, even, shining white. Gills somewhat free, very broad, up to ¾ in., equal or bifid at the stem, somewhat distant, connected by veins, pallid-white, at length light yellow, somewhat powdered yellow with the spores.

Taste mild, often astringent. The most changeable of all species, especially in the color of the pileus which is typically red, but at the same time inclining to azure-blue, bay-brown, olivaceous, etc. Sometimes the gills are sterile and remain white. Fries.

Spores ellipsoid-spheroid or spheroid echinulate, globose, rough, 8–9µ C.B.P.; 9–10µ diameter, pale ochraceous. Massee.

It is difficult to separate R. integra from R. alutacea. The spores usually show upon the gills as pale dull yellow powder. It is of equal excellence.

R. decolo´rans Fr.—de and coloro, to color. Pileus 3–5 in. broad, color various, at first orange-red, then light yellow and becoming pale, fleshy, spherical then expanded and depressed, remarkably regular, viscid when moist, thin and at length striate at the margin. Flesh white, but becoming somewhat cinereous when broken, and more or less variegated with black spots when old. Stem elongated, 3–5 in., cylindrical, solid, but spongy within, often wrinkled-striate, white then becoming cinereous especially within. Gills adnexed, often in pairs, thin, crowded, fragile, white then yellowish.

Taste mild. Colors changeable according to a fixed rule, but not variable. The gills are not ochraceous-pulverulent as in R. integra, nor shining and pure yellow as in R. aurata, etc. Fries.

Spores yellow, 8.3µ Morgan.

New York, Peck, 23d Rep. Angora, West Philadelphia, Pa., 1897, in mixed woods. August to October. McIlvaine.

Esculent and of good quality. Morgan.

Meals of it make one regret its scarcity.

R. basifurca´ta Pk.—forked near stem. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, firm, convex, umbilicate, becoming somewhat funnel form, glabrous, slightly viscid when moist, the thin pellicle scarcely separable except on the margin, dingy-white, sometimes tinged with yellow or reddish-yellow, the margin nearly even. Lamellæ rather close, narrowed toward the 206base, adnate or slightly emarginate, many of them forked near the base, a few short ones intermingled, white becoming yellowish. Stem 8–12 lines long, 5–6 lines thick, firm, solid, becoming spongy within, white.

Spores elliptical, pale yellow, uninucleate or shining, 9×6.5µ. Flesh white, taste mild, then bitterish.

Dry hard ground in paths and wood roads. Canoga, N.Y. July.

This species closely resembles pale forms of R. furcata, from which it is separated by the absence of any silky micor and by the yellowish color and elliptical shape of the spores and by the yellowish hue of the lamellæ. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1898, to frost. Gravelly ground. Solitary. Gills adnate. Identified as his species by Professor Peck.

The slight bitterish taste disappears in cooking. It is edible and of fair quality.

R. aura´ta Fr.—aurum, gold. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, varying lemon-yellow, orange and red, disk darker, fleshy, rigid, brittle however, hemispherical then plane, disk not depressed, pellicle thin, adnate, viscid in wet weather, margin even, and slightly striate only when old, but sometimes wrinkled. Flesh lemon-yellow under the pellicle, white below. Stem 2–3 in. long, solid, firm, but spongy within, cylindrical, obsoletely striate, white or lemon-yellow. Gills rounded free, connected by veins, broad, equal, shining, never pulverulent, whitish inclining to light yellow, but vivid lemon-yellow at the edge. Fries.

West Virginia, 1881–1885; Pennsylvania, 1887–1898. In woods under pines. July to October. McIlvaine.

Pileus sometimes depressed in center, very viscid when wet.

A troop of this Russula upon brown wood mat is a pretty sight. Its rich and brightly-colored cap attracts the eye from a distance. The yellow edge of its gills is the distinctive mark of the species.

The smell is pleasant, the taste slightly of cherry bark.

Cooked it is one of the best Russulæ.

R. atropurpu´rea Pk.—atre, black; purpureus, purple. Dark purple Russula. Pileus 3–4 in. broad, at first convex, then centrally depressed, glabrous, dark purple, blackish in the center, the margin even or slightly striate. Flesh white, grayish or grayish-purple under the separable pellicle, taste mild, odor of the drying plant fetid, very unpleasant. 207Lamellæ nearly equal, subdistant, sometimes forked near the stem, at first white, then yellowish, becoming brownish where bruised. Stem 2–3 in. long, 5–8 lines thick, equal, glabrous, spongy within, white, brownish where bruised. Spores subglobose, minutely rough, pale ochraceous with a salmon tint, 8–10µ.

Open woods. Gansevoort. July.

In color this species resembles R. variata, but in other respects it is very different. It is very distinct in the peculiar color of its spores, and in the brownish hue assumed by wounds. Peck, 41st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Philadelphia, Pa. July, 1897. Open woods. Solitary. Philadelphia Myc. Center.

Many were eaten and enjoyed. Only fresh plants are acceptable, and they should be cooked as soon as gathered. Even in wilting they become unpleasant.

R. aluta´cea Fr.—aluta, tanned leather. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, commonly bright blood-color or red, even black-purple, but becoming pale, especially at the disk, fleshy, bell-shaped then convex, flattened and somewhat umbilicate, even, with a remarkably sticky pellicle, margin thin, at length striate, tubercular. Flesh snow-white. Stem 2 in. long, solid, stout, equal, even, white, most frequently variegated-reddish, even purple. Gills at first free, thick, very broad, connected by veins, all equal, somewhat distant, at first pallid light yellow, then bright ochraceous, not pulverulent.

It is distinguished from R. integra by its gills not being pulverulent. Fries.

Spores yellow 7–9µ Massee; 11–14×8–10µ Sacc., Syll.

July to frost. McIlvaine.

R. alutacea is easily recognized among Russulæ by its mild taste and broad yellow gills. In young specimens one sometimes has to look at the gills at an angle to detect the yellow. It is quite common but a solitary grower. It is everywhere eaten as a favorite. Only fresh plants yield a good flavor. When the stem is soft, it should be thrown away.

208R. puella´ris Fr. (Plate XLIV, fig. 7, p. 184.) Mild. Pileus 1–1½ in. across, flesh almost membranaceous except the disk; conico-convex then expanded, at first rather gibbous, then slightly depressed, scarcely viscid, color peculiar, purplish-livid then yellowish, disk always darker and brownish; tuberculosely striate, often to the middle. Gills adnate but very much narrowed behind, thin, crowded, white then pale-yellow, not shining nor powdered with the spores. Stem 1–1½ in. long, 2–4 lines thick, equal, soft, fragile, wrinkled under a lens, white or yellowish; stuffed, soon hollow; taste mild.

Spores subglobose, pale-yellow, echinulate, 10×8–9µ Massee.

In woods.

Among the most frequent and readily recognized of species, occurring in troops. Always small, thin, taste mild. Allied to R. nitida, but more slender; color paler, and not shining. Fries.

Distinguished from R. nitida and R. nauseosa by the absence of smell. Massee.

Var. inten´sior Cke. Nearly the same size as the typical form; pileus deep purple, nearly black at the disk.

The stem has a tendency to become thickened at the base, and turns yellowish when touched.

Var. rose´ipes Sec., given by Massee, has been retained as a distinct species by Professor Peck, Rep. 51, and is described in place. R. pusilla Pk., 50th Rep., is closely allied to it.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina. Common in woods and under trees in short grass. July to September. McIlvaine.

This little Russula is ubiquitous. It does not amount to much when other fungi are plenty, because of its very thin cap, but it thrives in all sorts of summer weather. When its companions are scarce or parched R. puellaris is gladly gathered by the mycophagist, its numbers making up for its lightness and lack of flavor.

R. pusil´la Pk.—little. Pileus very thin, nearly plane or slightly and umbilicately depressed in the center, glabrous, slightly striate on the margin, red, sometimes a little darker in the center, the thin pellicle separable. Flesh white, taste mild. Lamellæ broad for the size of the plant, subventricose, subdistant, adnate or slightly rounded behind, white, becoming yellowish-ochraceous in drying. Stem short, soft, solid or spongy within, white.

209Spores faintly tinged with yellow, 7.6µ broad.

Pileus scarcely 1 in. broad. Stem 6–12 lines long, 2–3 lines thick.

Bare ground in thin woods. Port Jefferson. July.

The coloring matter of the pileus may be rubbed upon paper and produce on it red stains if the surface is previously moistened with water or dilute alcohol. This is one of the smallest Russulas known to me. The pileus was less than an inch broad and the stem less than an inch long in all the specimens seen by me. The species is closely allied to R. puellaris, and especially resembles the variety intensior in color. It differs in its smaller size, even or but slightly striate margin, broad lamellæ and in the stem or flesh not becoming yellowish spotted where touched. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, 1881–1885. Pennsylvania, 1896–1897. July to September. McIlvaine.

It makes up in quality what it lacks in quantity.

R. rose´ipes (Secr.) Bres.—rosa, a rose; pes, a foot. (Plate XLIV, fig. 5, p. 184.) Pileus 1–2 in. broad, convex becoming nearly plane or slightly depressed, at first viscid, soon dry, becoming slightly striate on the thin margin, rosy-red variously modified by pink orange or ochraceous hues, sometimes becoming paler with age, taste mild. Gills moderately close, nearly entire, rounded behind and slightly adnexed, ventricose, whitish becoming yellow. Stem 1½-3 in. long, 3–4 lines thick, slightly tapering upward, stuffed or somewhat cavernous, white tinged with red.

Spores yellow, globose or subglobose.

The plants grow in woods of pine and hemlock and have been collected in July and August. The flesh is tender and agreeable in flavor. Peck, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores globose, minutely echinulate, pale ochraceous, 8–10µ diameter Massee.

R. roseipes is common in West Virginia under hemlocks and spruces. At Mt. Gretna, Pa., it grew sparingly under pines. It is excellent.

R. Ma´riæ Pk. Pileus fleshy, convex, subumbilicate, at length expanded and centrally depressed, minutely pulverulent, bright pink-red (crimson lake), the disk a little darker, margin even. Lamellæ rather 210close, reaching the stem, some of them forked, venose-connected, white, then yellowish. Stem equal, solid, colored like the pileus except the extremities which are usually white. Spores globose, nearly smooth, 7.6µ in diameter; flesh of the pileus white, red under the cuticle, taste mild.

Plant 2 in. high. Pileus 1.5–2 in. broad. Stem 3–6 lines thick. Dry ground in woods. Catskill mountains. July.

The minute colored granules, which give the pileus a soft pruinose appearance, are easily rubbed off on paper, and water put upon the fresh specimens is colored by them. Peck, 24th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

New York, Peck, 24th and 50th Rep.; West Virginia, 1882–1885; Mt. Gretna, Pa., solitary in mixed woods. July to September. 1897–1898. McIlvaine.

It is on a par with most Russulæ.

R. ochra´cea Fr.—ochra, a yellow earth. Mild. Pileus about 3 in. across. Flesh rather thick at the center, becoming thin toward the margin, pale ochraceous, soft; convex then expanded and depressed, margin coarsely striate, pellicle thin, viscid, ochraceous with a tinge of yellow, disk usually becoming darker. Gills slightly adnexed, broad, scarcely crowded, ochraceous. Stem about 1½ in. long, 5–7 lines thick, slightly wrinkled longitudinally, ochraceous, stuffed, soft.

Spores globose, echinulate, ochraceous, 10–12µ diameter.

In pine and mixed woods.

The mild taste and ochraceous color of every part, including the flesh, separate the present from every other species.

Commonly confounded with Russula fellea, but known at once by its mild taste. Agreeing most nearly with R. lutea in color, but differing in the softer flesh, which becomes ochraceous upward; sulcate margin of the pileus, and broader, less crowded gills. Pileus persistently ochraceous, disk usually darker. Stem sometimes yellow, sometimes white. Fries.

North Carolina, borders of woods, Curtis; California, Harkness and Moore.

Fries says that the flavor is mild, but Roze places it in the list of suspected species, although he notes it as not acrid; it may be inferred that he considers the flavor unpleasant. Macadam.

“Like chicken,” not common. Boston Myc. Club Bull. 1896.

211R. lu´tea (Huds.) Fr.—luteus, yellow. Pileus 1–2 in. broad, yellow, at length becoming pale, and occasionally wholly white, thinly fleshy, soon convexo-plane or plano-depressed, sticky when moist, even or when old obsoletely striate at the margin. Flesh white. Stem ½ in. long, 3–4 lines thick, stuffed then hollow, soft, fragile, equal, even, white, never reddish. Gills somewhat free, connected by veins, crowded, narrow, all equal, ochraceous-egg-yellow.

Always small, very regular, taste mild. When young the pileus is always of a beautiful yellow. Fries.

Spores yellow, echinulate, 8µ W.G.S.; globose, rough, 6–7µ C.B.P.; 8–10×7–8µ Massee.

Allied to R. vitellina, but differs in having the margin of the cap even, and but little odor.

The plant I have so referred has the gills at first white and the stem yellow like the pileus; it may be a new species. In beech woods, Morgan; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, in mixed woods, often under beeches, August to November, McIlvaine.

The plants I have found have white gills when young (few species have not), but rapidly become yellow. The stem is usually white when young, and sometimes remains so, but often becomes more or less yellow.

It is a pretty species. The flavor is not as strong as in some species, but is delicate.

R. nauseo´sa Fr. Pileus variable in color, typically purplish at the disk, then livid, but becoming pale and often whitish, laxly fleshy, thin, at first plano-gibbous, then depressed, viscid in wet weather, furrowed and somewhat tubercular at the somewhat membranaceous margin. Flesh soft, white. Stem short, about 1 in. long, 4 lines thick, spongy-stuffed, slightly striate, white. Gills adnexed, ventricose, somewhat distant, here and there with a few shorter ones intermixed, light yellow then dingy ochraceous.

The taste is mild, but also nauseous, as the odor often is. The habit is that of R. nitida, of the same color of pileus, but differing in the color of the gills. Fries.

Cap about 2 in. across. Stem 1–2 in. long, ¼-½ in. thick.

Spores dingy yellow, 8–9µ diameter. Massee.

North Carolina and Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, 212New Jersey, in pine and mixed woods. August to October. McIlvaine.

The odor and taste of R. nauseosa are misnamed, therefore the plant. They are heavy at times, when the plant is wet or old, as is the case with R. fœtens, but they are always of cherry bark. Both odor and taste disappear in cooking. The species is as good as any Russula of its texture.

R. vitelli´na Fr.—vitellus, yolk of egg. Pileus 1 in. broad, uni-colorous, light yellow then wholly pallid, somewhat membranaceous, at length tuberculoso-striate, somewhat dry, disk very small, slightly fleshy. Stem thin, scarcely exceeding 1 in. long, 2 lines thick, equal. Gills separating-free, equal, distant, rather thick, connected by veins, saffron-yellow.

Pretty, very fragile, strong-smelling, mild. Fries.

Spores 7–8µ diameter Massee.

West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, August to October. In pine and mixed woods, July to October. Not common in number.

This pretty species has a cherry-bark taste and smell like R. fœtens, though not so offensively heavy. It is not poisonous. A small piece of it will affect a whole dish of other Russulæ.

R. chamæleonti´na Fr.—changing color like a chamæleon. Pileus 1–2 in. broad, thinly fleshy, soon flattened, sometimes oblique with a thin, separable, viscid pellicle, which is at first flesh-color, then presently changing color, becoming yellow at the disk and at length wholly yellow, margin even, then slightly striate. Stem as much as 3 in. long, but thin, somewhat hollow, slightly striate, white. Gills more or less adnexed, thin, crowded, equal, narrow, somewhat forked, light-yellow-ochraceous.

Mild, inodorous, very fragile. Pileus rosy blood-red, purplish lilac, etc. Sometimes even at the first yellowish at the disk. Fries.

Spores globose, ochraceous, 7–8µ diameter Massee.

In pine and in mixed woods. August to October. McIlvaine.

The change in color of the cap which gives name to this species is not remarkable. Most species of Russulæ are sensitive to light. An otherwise highly colored cap will be almost white when a leaf adheres to it. If in youth it grows under dense shade it will be very much 213lighter than if where light is generous, and will remain so. If in growing it thrusts itself out of shadow, its color will change and it will deepen. The apparent rarity of R. chamæleontina I think due to the close observation necessary to detect its changes in color, which, as I have found it, are by no means constant. It is quite plentiful in the pines of southern New Jersey, and at Mt. Gretna, Pa., it is frequently found.

It is a good esculent species.

214CANTHAREL´LUS Adans.

Hymenophore continuous with the stem, descending unchanged into the trama. Gills thick, fleshy, waxy, fold-like, somewhat branched, obtuse at the edge. Spores white. Fleshy, putrescent fungi, without a veil. Fries.

In Cantharellus the gills—vein-like and generally thick with an obtuse edge—are entirely different from those of all the preceding genera. In those they are thin, and distinct from the pileus and from each other. In Hygrophorus the gills are frequently thick, but the edge is always sharp. The species of Craterellus are funnel-shaped, resembling some of those in Cantharellus, but are distinguished by their lack of evident gills.

Monograph New York Species of Cantharellus, Peck, Bull. 1887.

The members of this genus are few, but they are choice. Of them is the Cantharellus cibarius, of which Trattinik quaintly says: “Not only this same fungus never did any one harm, but might even restore the dead.”

The writer first made its acquaintance when among the West Virginia mountains in 1881. The golden patches of single and clustered cibarius, fragrant as ripened apricots, tufting the short grass or mossy ground under beeches, oaks and like-growing trees, through which the sunlight filtered generously, were so tempting, that he determined there must be luxury, even in death, from such toadstools.

Experiments made by the writer in West Virginia where the species grows luxuriantly and is of much higher flavor than any he has found elsewhere, prove that it is easy to transplant within congenial habitats, either by the mycelium or spores. Nature, there, resorts to washing masses of leaves containing the propagating parts of the fungus along the depressions of the water-sheds, and it is found growing plentifully where the wind has drifted forest leaves against trees, brush, and fence-corners.

Other species of the genus do not, as a rule, grow so plentifully, neither are they of equal excellence, but several of them are equal to 215any other species. Suspicion has been thrown upon C. aurantiacus. There is such a marked difference between the excellence of the genus in West Virginia and other localities, that it is possible C. aurantiacus may be noxious elsewhere, but the writer has not found it so; and it would be an astonishing contradiction of Nature’s ways if it was.

Stevenson says: “It (C. cibarius) must have four hours slow cooking.” The writer has found thirty minutes to be sufficient; and it will fry in butter as quickly as any other fungus.

* Stem solid.

** Stem tubular.

All the species known to be edible belong to Mesopus.

C. ciba´rius Fr.—cibaria, food. (Plate XLVI, fig. 4, p. 214. Plate XLVII.) Pileus fleshy, obconic, smooth, egg-yellow, slightly depressed. Gills thick, distant, more or less branching and anastomosing, concolorous. Stem firm, solid, often tapering downward, concolorous. Flesh white.

Height 2–4 in., breadth of pileus 2–3 in. Stem 3–6 lines thick.

In open woods and grassy places. Common. July and August.

Edible. The smell of apricots is not always clearly perceptible in American specimens. Peck, Monograph New York Species of Cantharellus, Rep. 23.

216Spores 6×8µ W.G.S.; 7.6×5µ Morgan; spheroid-ellipsoid, 8–9×5–6µ K.; 11µ Q.

Reported from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from Columbia river to Louisiana. June to September.

Wherever grown C. cibarius is one of the best. In European countries it is highly rated, and is expensive. Its mode of growth varies with its plentifulness. In the West Virginia mountains large patches of it closely cover the ground. Clusters weighing ½ pound are frequent.

When shredded, or cut across the fibers, slow cooking for half an hour is sufficient, if the plants are fresh. If gathered for some hours, they should be soaked for a time.

C. mi´nor Pk. Pileus fleshy, thin, convex then expanded and depressed, egg-yellow. Gills very narrow, distant, sparingly branched, yellowish. Stem slender, subflexuous, equal, smooth, hollow or stuffed, concolorous.

Height 1–2 in., breadth of pileus 6–12 lines.

In open woods. July. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 6.4–7.6×4–5µ Peck.

West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania. McIlvaine.

Grows in the West Virginia mountains, along with C. cibarius, and separate from it. It is more tender than C. cibarius, and not equal in flavor to those found there. I usually cooked them together and thus got quantity well flavored.

C. auranti´acus Fr.—orange-yellow. (Plate CXXXVI, fig. 4, p. 508.) Pileus fleshy, obconic, nearly plane above, smooth or minutely tomentose, dull orange with the disk usually brownish, the margin decurved 217and sometimes yellowish. Gills narrow, close, repeatedly forked, orange, sometimes yellowish. Stem inequal, generally tapering upward, colored like the pileus. Flesh yellowish, taste mild.

Height 2–3 in., breadth of Pileus 1–3 in. Stem 2–4 lines thick.

Ground and very rotten logs in woods or in fields. Common. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 6.4–7.6×4–5µ Peck, 10×5µ Massee.

Var. pallidus Pk. Pileus and gills pale yellow or whitish yellow.

Stevenson says of the English species, “Unpleasant, reckoned poisonous.” The writer’s acquaintance with C. aurantiacus has been principally confined to West Virginia. There its taste is mild, scent but little, flavor not distinguishable from eastern C. Cibarius. There it is perfectly safe and wholesome; neither have the writer and his friends any reason for condemning it.

C. umbona´tus Fr.—having an umbo. Pileus 1 in. and more broad, ashy-blackish, slightly fleshy, convex when young, umbonate, at length depressed, even, dry, flocculoso-silky on the surface, shining brightly especially under a lens. Flesh soft, white, often becoming red when wounded. Stem 3 in. long, about 4 lines thick, stuffed, equal, elastic, villous at the base, ash-colored, but paler than the pileus. Gills decurrent, thin, tense and straight, crowded, repeatedly divided by pairs, shining-white.

Odor and taste scarcely notable. Gregarious. Among the taller mosses the stem is longer. Often overlooked from its habit being that of an agaric. It varies with the pileus squamulose and blackish.

In woods. April to August. Fries.

The rather prominent gills of this small species are likely to confuse those not familiar with its variance from the genuine type. Reddish tinge to flesh not noticed in the American species. The writer has gathered it in several states and enjoyed it for many years.

C. rosel´lus Pk.—rosy. Pileus thin, funnel-shaped, regular, glabrous, pale pinkish-red. Flesh white. Gills narrow, close, dichotomous, deeply decurrent, whitish, tinged with pink. Stem equal, slender, solid, subglabrous, often flexuous, colored like the pileus. Spores minute, broadly elliptical, 3.5×2.5µ.

Pileus 4–8 lines broad. Stem about 1 in. long, scarcely 1 line thick.

218Mossy ground in groves of balsam. North Elba. September. This small species belongs to the section Agaricoides, and is apparently closely allied to C. albidus, from which its smaller size and different color distinguish it. The pileus is sometimes deeply umbilicate. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Frequent in pine woods of New Jersey, near Haddonfield, where the plant is sturdier than described. Though small it grows gregarious and in troops from which appetizing quantities can be gathered.

It makes a pretty dish of pinkish hue and one of rare excellence.

C. lutes´cens Bull.—yellowish. (Plate CXXXVI, fig. 9, p. 508.) Pileus thin, fleshy, convex, umbilicate, brownish-floccose, yellowish. Gills very distant, sparingly branched, arcuate-decurrent, pale ochraceous. Stem slender, slightly tapering downward, smooth, shining, bright orange-tinted yellow, stuffed or hollow.

Height 2–3 in., breadth of Pileus 8–15 lines.

Mossy ground in woods. Catskill and Adirondack mountains, also Sandlake. August to October.

This is regarded by some as a variety of A. tubæformis. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

In mixed and scrub-pine woods near Haddonfield, N.J.; mixed woods Angora and Kingsessing, Philadelphia.

Perhaps constancy to C. cibarius has influenced the writer in favor of members of its family, and accounts for the gusto in “Fine” set opposite his notes to the present species. Nevertheless such is his opinion.

C. flocco´sus Schw.—woolly. (Plate XLVI, fig. 1, p. 214.) Pileus fleshy, elongated funnel-form or trumpet shape, floccose-squamose, 219ochraceous-yellow. Gills vein-like, close, much anastomosing above, long decurrent and subparallel below, concolorous. Stem very short, thick, rarely deeply rooting.

Height 2–4 in., breadth of Pileus at the top 1–3 in.

Woods and their borders. Not rare. Utica, Johnson. Albany and Sandlake. July and August. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 12.5–15×7.6µ Peck.

New York, Peck, Rep. 23; Maine, Mrs. Stella F. Fairbanks; West Virginia, McIlvaine.

A beautiful species of good quality.

C. bre´vipes Pk.—brevis, short; pes, a foot. (Plate XLVI, fig. 5, p. 214.) Pileus fleshy, obconic, glabrous, alutaceous or dingy cream-color, the thin margin erect, often irregular and lobed, tinged with lilac in the young plant; folds numerous, nearly straight on the margin, abundantly anastomosing below, pale umber tinged with lilac. Stem short, tomentose-pubescent, ash-colored, solid, often tapering downward. Spores yellowish, oblong-elliptical, uninucleate, 10–12µ×5µ.

Plant 3–4 in. high. Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 4–6 lines thick.

Woods. Ballston, Saratoga county. July.

This interesting species is related to the C. floccosus, both by its short stem and its abundantly anastomosing folds. The two species should be separated from the others and constitute a distinct section. The flesh in C. brevipes is soft and whitish, and the folds are generally thinner than in C. floccosus. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Plentiful in West Virginia mountains in 1884, growing in patches. Found in mixed woods near Cheltenham, Pa., and at Springton, Pa., 1887.

220In West Virginia it is prolific and rivals the C. cibarius in excellence. The flesh is softer, not so fibrous, and cooks more readily.

In that locality there is a marked difference between C. brevipes and C. floccosus. The latter is much longer, and markedly resembles the large end of a gold lined cornet. Like the C. cibarius it is not of as good quality in eastern states.

NYC´TALIS Fr.

Hymenophore continuous with the stem. Gills fleshy, thick, juicy, obtuse at the edge, not decurrent on the stem nor fold-like. Veil (in species which have been fully observed) floccoso-pruinose.

Fleshy fungi, not reviving, of uncertain and irregular occurrence, differing in many respects from one another and from the rest of the Agaricini. Fries.

The typical species are saprophytic on decaying fungi. But one species, Nyctalis asterophora, reported in America. See Peck, 26th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

221MARAS´MIUS Fr.

Pileus regular, thin, tough and pliant. Gills pliant, rather tough, somewhat distant, variously attached or free, with an acute entire edge. Stem cartilaginous or horny, continuous with the pileus but of different texture. Not putrescent but drying up with lack of moisture, reviving and assuming the original form with the advent of rain. This character distinguishes Marasmius from all other genera of Agaricaceæ.

Its nearer relations are Collybia and Mycena.

Fries says that all Agaricaceæ having the smell of garlic are found in this genus. On the ground, but generally on wood or leaves.

Professor Peck reports over forty species of this genus found in New York state. Several not found in New York are reported from other states. The writer has found a few such species in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Many untried species will probably prove to be edible; the majority are too small to be of food value. M. urens, reported poisonous, and M. peronatus, heretofore considered poisonous, have been found by the writer to be edible. Several species not described herein have been tested for edibility to a limited extent only.

In this genus occurs the famed M. oreades, the Mousseron of France, the Champignon and Scotch bonnet of England, the Fairy-ring mushroom of America.

Flesh of pileus pliant, at length rather leathery, grooved or wrinkled, margin incurved at first. Stem somewhat cartilaginous; mycelium woolly, absent in some species.

Stem solid or stuffed, then hollow, fibrous within, outside covered with down. Gills separating from the stem, free.

* Base of stem woolly or strigose.

** Stem naked at the base, often interwoven with twisted fibers.

Stem rooting, distinctly tubular, not fibrous, distinctly cartilaginous. Gills receding then free. Pileus thinner than in the preceding group, hygrophanous, even or with the margin striate.

* Stem woolly below, smooth above.

** Stem when dry covered with velvety down.

Stem short, not rooting, often with a floccose or downy, tubercular base. Pileus convex, involute, then plane and more or less depressed, in which state the gills typically adnate are subdecurrent. On twigs, branches, etc. Gregarious.

* Stem quite smooth above, shining, base not swollen.

** Stem covered with velvety down, rather swollen at the base.

Stem horny, hollow, often filled with pith, tough, dry. Mycelium rooting, not floccose. Pileus somewhat membranaceous, bell-shaped, then expaned, margin at first straight and pressed to the stem.

Stem rigid, rooting or dilated at the base. Pileus bell-shaped or convex. Type manifestly that of Mycena.

Stem thread-like, flaccid, base not dilated or floccose but appearing to enter the matrix abruptly. Pileus soon becoming plane or umbilicate. On leaves.

* Stem quite smooth, shining.

** Stem minutely velvety or hairy.

Pileus sessile, resupinate.

* Stem woolly or strigose at base.

M. u´rens Fr.—uro, to burn. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, unicolorous, pale yellowish, becoming pale, slightly fleshy, moderately compact at the disk, even, but here and there scaly or cracked in wavy lines when dry, smooth, the thin margin involute. Stem 2–3 in. long, 3 lines thick, solid, composed of crisp tough fibers, rigid, equal, sometimes however ventricose, ½ in. thick, everywhere clothed with white flocci, pale, white-downy at the base. Gills free, united behind, at length remote from the stem, distant, tough, at first pale-wood-color, then brown.

Gregarious, somewhat cespitose. Taste very stinging. The stem is not strigosely sheathed at the base. Fries.

In mixed woods. Frequent. June to September.

A curious form occurred with the pileus turning very dark when full-grown. B. and Br. POISONOUS. Worthington Smith has tested it by accident. It produced headache, swimming of brain, burning in throat and stomach, followed by severe purging and vomiting. Stevenson.

Gregarious or cespitose. Taste very pungent, a feature which separates the present from M. oreades. Not coarsely tomentose at the base, as in M. peronatus, but only downy. Massee.

Spores 3×4µ W.G.S.; elliptical, 8×4µ Massee.

Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia. McIlvaine.

I have not known it to disagree with myself or friends. That it may not agree with some persons is unquestioned. Collectors should carefully test it upon themselves.

M. perona´tus Fr.—pero, a kind of boot. Pileus 1–2 in. and more broad, light yellowish or pallid brick-red, then becoming pale, wood-color or tan, at first fleshy-pliant, then coriaceo-membranaceous, convex then plane, obtuse, flaccid, slightly wrinkled, even at the disk, at length pitted, striate at the margin. Flesh white. Stem 2–3 in. long, 1–2 lines thick, stuffed, fibrous, tough, attenuated upward, at length hollow and compressed, furnished with a bark, light yellow then pallid, cuticle villous but separating and reddish when rubbed, somewhat incurved at the base, where it is clothed with dense, somewhat strigose, yellowish or 224white villous down. Gills adnexed, then separating, free, moderately thin, and crowded, when young whitish, pallid wood-color, at length somewhat remote, reddish.

B. Woolly sheathed at the base. Taste acrid like that of M. urens, odor none. Fries.

In woods. Common. Stevenson.

Spores pip-shaped, 7×4µ W.G.S.; 10×6–7µ Massee.

New York. Thin woods. North Elba. August. September. Peck, 42d Rep.; West Virginia, June to December, West Philadelphia and Mt. Gretna, Chester county, Pa. McIlvaine.

M. peronatus is the wood-cousin of M. oreades. It is still reputed poisonous by all writers upon the subject, though M.C. Cooke gives it the benefit of a doubt. The name is given because of the base of the stem being densely covered with short hairs or a woolly down, and is thus easily recognized. It is common in woods, among decaying leaves, especially of the oak, from May until after frosts. It is usually solitary, but a few individuals are sometimes clustered. It is quite peppery to the taste, but pleasantly so. I have repeatedly eaten it, as have my friends. It loses its acridity in cooking, and though the caps are tougher than M. oreades, they make a highly flavored and delicious dish. Collectors should carefully test it for themselves.

M. ore´ades Fr. Gr—mountain-nymphs. Scotch bonnet. Champignon. Mousseron. (Plate LI, p. 221.) Pileus 1–2 in. broad, reddish then becoming pale, absorbing moisture, whitish when dry, fleshy, pliant, convex then plane, somewhat umbonate, even, smooth, slightly striate at the margin when moist. Stem 2–3 in. long, 1½ lines thick, solid, very tough, equal, tense and straight, everywhere clothed with a villous-woven cuticle which can be rubbed off, pallid; bluntly rooted at the base, naked, not villous or tomentose. Gills free, broad, distant, the alternate ones shorter, at first soft, then firmer, pallid-white.

Odor weak, but pleasant, stronger when dried, taste mild. Commonly growing in circles or rows. Fries.

Spores 6–7×5–6µ K.; elliptical, 8×5µ Massee; nearly elliptical, white, 7.6–9µ long Peck.

Common throughout the states during the summer months after rains, 225and in rings, but can be found from May until after frost. If one knows where the rings are to be found M. oreades can be gathered when shriveled, and are quite as good, after soaking, as when fresh.

M. oreades must be sought for where the grass is luxuriant. It hides among it. It is well worthy of the search. Raw, fresh or shriveled, it is sweet, nutty, succulent when eaten; stewed well it is delicious. Though tough its consistency is agreeable. The most delicate stomachs can digest it. The writer saved the life of a lovely woman by feeding her upon it when nothing else could be retained; and of another, by feeding Coprinus micaceus, after a dangerous operation. He introduced these species, together with a few others, into a large hospital in Philadelphia, where they were used with marked beneficial effect, and such use is now widespread.

When dried, by exposure to the air or sun, it can be kept indefinitely, neither losing its aroma or flavor, which it graciously imparts to soups or any other dish.

Collybia dryophila, Stropharia semi-globata, and Naucoria semi-orbicularis are sometimes found growing with it. These species are delicious and harmless.

Lafayette B. Mendel in the Am. Jour. of Physiology, March, 1898, gives the following analysis:

Twenty freshly gathered specimens (from New Haven) weighed 9 grams, an average weight of 0.45 grams each. The analysis gave:

Water	74.96%
Total solids	25.04
Total nitrogen of dry substance	5.97
Ash of dry substance	7.23

M. Wyn´nei B. and Br. Pileus 1–1½ in. broad, lilac-brown, tardily changing color, fleshy, convexo-plane, somewhat umbonate. Stem 2 in. long, 1½ line thick, tubed, furfuraceous, somewhat of the same color as the pileus. Gills adnexed, thick, distant, bright-colored, beautifully tinged with lilac; interstices even.

Inodorous. Gregarious or cespitose. The stem springs from a white mycelium, but is by no means strigose or tawny at the base. Quite distinct from M. fusco-purpureus. Fries.

226Among leaves, twigs, etc. Stevenson.

Spores elliptical, 7–8×4µ Massee.

Kingsessing, West Philadelphia. Gregarious and cespitose, among leaves, etc., in oak woods. September to October, 1885.

This very pretty fungus very much resembles at first sight the small purplish Clitocybes, but is readily distinguished on examination. I ate the caps and enjoyed them during the seasons of 1885 and 1887, but have not seen the plant since.

The caps are equal to M. oreades.

M. scorodo´nius Fr. Gr—a plant that smells like garlic. Pileus ½ in. and more broad, rufous when young, but soon becoming pale, whitish (not hygrophanous), slightly fleshy, pliant, convex then soon plane, obtuse, always arid; even when young, at length wrinkled and crisped. Stem 1 in. long, scarcely 1 line thick, horny, tough, tubed, equal, very smooth throughout, shining, reddish, inserted and naked at the base. Gills adnate, often separating, connected by veins, at length crisped in drying, whitish.

Commonly gregarious. Readily distinguished from neighboring species by its strong odor of garlic. Fries.

Heaths and dry pastures on twigs, etc. Rare.

Edible. Esteemed for flavoring. Stevenson.

Spores elliptical, 6×4µ Massee.

North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; New England, Frost; New Jersey, Ellis; New York, August, Peck, 23d Rep.

M. ca´lopes Fr. Gr—beautiful; a foot. Pileus about 4 lines broad, whitish, slightly fleshy, tough, convex then flattened, obtuse, rarely depressed, even, smooth, slightly wrinkled when dried. Stem 1 in. long, 1 line thick, tubed, slightly attenuated upward, even, smooth, tough, dull-red or bay-brown-red, shining, somewhat rooted. Gills slightly emarginate, in groups of 2–4, thin, white.

Inodorous. Almost smaller than M. scorodonius, but the stem is longer, otherwise very like it. Fries.

Spores elliptical, 7×4µ Massee.

227Twigs and stems among fallen leaves in woods. Ticonderoga. August.

This might easily be mistaken for M. scorodonius, but it is without odor, and has a different insertion of the lamellæ. It is sometimes cespitose. The pileus in our specimens is whitish. Peck, 31st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Because of its similarity to M. scorodonius, which is edible, it is given here.

II.—Mycena.

A. Chordales.

M. allia´ceus Fr.—allium, garlic. Pileus 1–1½ in. broad, whitish inclining to fuscous, often milk-white when young, somewhat membranaceous, campanulate then expanded, somewhat umbonate, even, at length striate and sulcate, smooth, dry. Stem as much as 8 in. long, horny, rigid, fistulose, attenuated upward, pruinato-velvety, blackish, rooted at the base where it is somewhat incurved and naked. Gills adnexed in the form of a ring, then free, slightly ventricose, arid, slightly distant, fuscous-whitish, crisped when dry.

Odor strong, of garlic, persistent. There is nothing of a reddish tinge in the whole plant. The stem is not tomentose at the base as in the Tergini. Fries.

Among leaves and on rotten wood. Frequent. August to October. Stevenson.

Spores 14–16×8µ. Massee.

North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; Minnesota, Johnson; Novia Scotia, Somers.

Edible. Bull. Boston Myc. Club.

228HELIOMYCES Lev.

Pileus membranaceous, between leathery and gelatinous, radiately sulcate. Gills equal, edge acute. Stem somewhat woody, cylindrical, central.

Allied to Marasmius, but differing in its sub-gelatinous substance.

None reported edible.

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LENTI´NUS Fr.

Pileus fleshy-coriaceous, pliant, tough and hard when old, persistent. Gills becoming dry, tough, simple, unequal, thin, margin acute, toothed, more or less decurrent. Stem when present central, excentric or lateral, hard and firm, continuous with the flesh of the pileus.

Growing on wood.

Spores somewhat round, even, white.

Distinguished from other coriaceous genera by its serrated and torn gills.

“The genera Lentinus and Lenzites are found in every region of the world; their principal center, however, is in hot countries, where they attain a splendid development. On the contrary, toward the north they rapidly decrease in number.” Fungi. Cooke and Berkeley.

In habitat and mode of growth Lentinus closely resembles Pleurotus, and parallel genera with colored spores. When young the species are inviting, and when well cooked are meal-giving. They are not delicacies, but substantials. They dry well. Grated they make soups, and give their pleasant flavor to any dish.

Stem distinct.

Stem lateral or absent. None known to be edible

I.—Meso´podes (center-stemmed).

L. Lecom´tei Fr. Pileus coriaceous, funnel-shaped, regularly reflexed, hairy, tawny. Gills crowded, pallid. Stem short, hairy, tawny.

Common to the states.

Professor Peck writes to me: “This plant, by reason of its rather tough substance, has commonly been referred to Lentinus, under the name L. Lecomtei Schw., but this reference is scarcely satisfactory to me, since the edge of the lamellæ is scarcely at all serrate as required by that genus. It seems to me it would go better under the genus Panus. It is variable—sometimes eccentric or even lateral. It is sometimes called Lentinus strigosus, but I do not think the two are distinct species, however distinct they may be in form.” February 26, 1894.

Like all Lentinus the present species is rather tough, yet chopped into small pieces, well cooked and seasoned, it is quite equal to P. ostreatus and many others of high renown.

L. tigri´nus Fr.—tigris, a tiger. From the markings. Pileus commonly 2 in. broad, white, variegated with somewhat adpressed, blackish, hairy squamules, fleshy-coriaceous, thin, commonly orbicular and central, at first convexo-plane, umbilicate, at length funnel-shaped, often split at the margin when dry. Stem about 2 in. long, thin, solid, very hard, commonly attenuated downward, minutely squamulose, whitish, often ascending and becoming dingy-brown at the base, at first furnished at the apex with an entire reflexed ring, which soon falls off. Gills decurrent 230(by no means sinuate), narrow, crowded, unequal, toothed like a saw, white.

Somewhat gregarious, even cespitose, thinner and more coriaceous and regular than L. lepideus B., wholly blackish with squamules. Fries.

On old stumps. Rare. Stevenson.

When fresh very tender and easily torn, when dry coriaceous. Sow. Smell strong, acrid, like that of some Lactarii. M.J.B.

Spores 6.6×3.3µ Morgan; elliptical, smooth, 7×3.5µ Massee.

Agreeable taste and odor, eaten in Europe. Roques.

Edible, tough when old and never very delicate or digestible.—M. C. Cooke.

Not found in sufficient quantity to test.

L. lepi´deus Fr. Gr—scaly. (Plate XVI, fig. 3, 4, p. 52.) Pileus 2–4 in. broad, pallid-ochraceous, variegated with adpressed, darker, spot-like scales, fleshy, very compact and firm, irregular, commonly excentric, convex then depressed, but not truly umbilicate, sometimes broken up into cracks. Flesh pliant, white. Stem short, commonly 1 in. long, solid, stout, very irregularly formed, almost woody, tomentose-scaly, whitish, rooted at the base, at the first furnished with a veil toward the apex. Gills decurrent, but sinuate behind, crowded broad, transversely striate, whitish, edge torn into teeth.

Odor pleasant. Fries.

Spores 11×5µ W.G.S., 7×3µ. Massee.

Lentinus lepideus is a sort of commercial traveler. It is common wherever railroads are. It is partial to oak ties and its mycelium is injurious to them. It is found upon pine and other timbers. The writer has collected large clusters of it from oak sawdust. The European plant is noted as “almost always solitary.” In the United States it is seldom so. It is noted as growing in damp, dark places, but it loves the sun.

As a food it is about on a par with P. ulmarius, not as tough, but harder when old. It is a reliable species from spring until late autumn, is persistent and dries well. It is neat, handsome, prolific. When young it makes a good dish, and when old can be used to advantage in soups.

231L. cochlea´tus Fr.—cochlea, a snail. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, flesh-color, but becoming pale, somewhat tan, fleshy-pliant, thin, commonly excentric, imbricated, very unequal, somewhat lobed or contorted, sometimes plane, sometimes funnel-shaped-umbilicate, but not pervious, smooth. Stem solid, firm, sometimes central, most frequently excentric, sometimes wholly lateral, always sulcate, smooth, flesh-colored upward, reddish-brown downward. Gills decurrent, crowded, serrated, white-flesh-color. Fries.

Pliant, tough, flaccid, very changeable in form, sometimes solitary, sometimes cespitose, imbricated, growing into each other. From very small forms which are commonly solitary, with the stem and pileus scarcely 1 in. it ranges to 3 in.

On stumps. Frequent. August to October.

According to Fries the odor is weak, of anise; but it is generally strong and very pleasant. Stevenson.

Spores nearly globular, 4µ diameter Morgan; spheroid or ellipsoid-spheroid, uniguttate, 4–6µ K.; almost globular, 4µ W.G.S.

The dense clusters of all sized members are usually plenty in favored localities. It is inviting in appearance, taste and spicy odor. It retains a suspicion of the latter when cooked which gives the dish a flavor pleasant to many. It must be young to be tender. When dry—like others of its kind—it can be grated and used in many ways.

L. Un´derwoodii Pk. Pileus fleshy, tough, convex or nearly plane, the glabrous surface cracking into areola-like scales which are indistinct or wanting toward the margin, whitish or slightly tinged with buff or pale ochraceous. Flesh white. Gills moderately close, decurrent, slightly connecting or anastomosing at the base, somewhat notched on the edge, whitish, becoming discolored in drying. Stem stout, hard, solid, eccentric, squamose, colored like the pileus. Spores oblong, 13–15×5–6.5µ.

Plant cespitose. Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, about 1 in. thick.

This differs from L. magnus in its cespitose habit, eccentric stem, longer spores, less distinctly areolate-squamose pileus and in its habitat. The gills are connected at the base very much like those of Pleurotus ostreatus. Peck, Torr. Bull. Vol. 23, No. 10.

North Carolina, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

232The writer first met with it in North Carolina, near Washington, on oaks and railroad timbers, and in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. It attains quite a size, grows singly and in clusters. Its clean, cake-like appearance is attractive. Cooked it ranks with P. ulmarius, L. lepideus, and Panus strigosus.

PA´NUS Fr.

Whole fungus between fleshy and leathery, tough, not woody, texture fibrous. Gills unequal, tough, becoming leathery, edge acute and unbroken. Stem present or absent.

Growing on wood. Various in form, lasting long. Allied to Lentinus but differing in the tough and very entire gills.

Spores even, white.

* Stem excentric.

** Stem lateral.

*** Stem absent. Pileus resupinate or dimidiate.

Species of this genus are among our most observable fungi. Their settlements are frequent on decaying trees, stumps, branches, on fences, cut timber, etc. Most of them are small, but their coriaceous build prevents their shrinking in cooking. Most species have a pleasant farinaceous taste and odor, which they yield, together with a gummy substance, to soups and gravies.

Tasting a small piece will immediately tell, if the species is not known, whether it is edible or of the styptic kind.

P. concha´tus Fr.—Formed like concha, a shell-fish. Pileus about 2333 in. across, tough and flexible, unequal, excentric or dimidiate, margin often lobed, cinnamon-color becoming pale, at length more or less scaly. Flesh thin. Gills narrow, forming decurrent lines on the stem, somewhat branched; pinkish-white then pale-ochraceous. Stem about ⅔ in. long, 3–4 lines thick, solid, unequal, pale, base downy. Massee.

On trunks of beech, poplar, etc.

Often imbricated and more or less grown together. Allied to Panus torulosus, but distinguished by the much thinner pileus, more expanded and excentric, also dimidiate, flaccid, cinnamon becoming pale, but the form not constant. Stem about ½ in. long, 4 lines thick, often compressed, downy at the base. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, scaly when old. Gills decurrent in long, parallel lines, not at all resembling those of Pleurotus ostreatus, which anastomose behind, but frequently unequally branched, at first whitish or pale flesh-color, then wood-color, crisped when dry. Fries.

Always known by its shell-like form and its tough substance.

Sent to the writer by Mr. E.B. Sterling, Trenton, N.J. September, 1898.

The appearance of scales upon the pileus was scarcely noticeable. Taste pleasant. The fungus is tough when old, but yields an excellent gravy.

P. torulo´sus Fr.—a tuft of hair. (Plate LIV, p. 232.) Pileus 2–3 in. broad, somewhat flesh-color, but varying reddish-livid and becoming violet, entire, but very excentric, fleshy, somewhat compact when young, plano-infundibuliform, even, smooth. Flesh pallid. Stem short, commonly 1 in., solid, oblique, tough, firm, commonly with gray, but often violaceous down. Gills decurrent, somewhat distant, simple, separate behind, reddish then tan-color.

Very changeable in form, at first fleshy-pliant, at length coriaceous. In the covering of the stem it approaches Paxillus atro-tomentosus, but there is no affinity between them. Fries.

On old stumps.

Spores 6×3µ W.G.S.

North Carolina, Curtis; Massachusetts, Frost; Minnesota, Johnson; Kansas, Cragin; New York, Peck, Rep. 30.

Much esteemed in France, W.D.H. Edible, but tough. M.C.C.

234P. lævis B. and C.—light. Pileus 3 in. broad, orbicular, slightly depressed, white, clothed in the center with long, intricate, rather delicate hairs, which are shorter and more matted toward the inflected margin; substance rather thin. Stem 3 in. high, ½ in. thick, attenuated upward, generally excentric, sometimes lateral, not rooting, solid, hairy below like the margin of the pileus. Gills rather broad, entire, decurrent, but not to a great degree, the interstices even above, behind clothed with the same coat as the top of the stem. Spores white.

On oak and hickory trunks.

A most distinct species, remarkable for its great lightness when dry and the long villous but not compressed or compound flocci of the pileus. Sometimes the center of the pileus becomes quite smooth when old.

One of the prettiest of fungi. The markings upon the white margin are more precise than those of the finest bee comb. One does not tire looking at the work of Nature’s geometrician. It is not plentiful, but is of useful size. It has good flavor and cooks quite tender.

P. strigo´sus B. and C.—covered with stiff hairs. Pileus white, excentric, clothed with coarse strigose pubescence, margin thin. Stem strigose like the pileus. Gills broad, distant, decurrent. Allied to P. lævis.

Pileus 8 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 1 in. or more thick.

On oak stumps.

Decaying wood of deciduous trees. September.

It is remarkable for its large size and the dense hairy covering of the pileus and stem. Peck, 26th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

A remarkably handsome fungus. A specimen taken from a cluster growing upon an apple tree measured 10 in. across. Its creamy whiteness, and short hairy stem make it unmistakable among other tree-fungi.

When very young it is edible, but soon becomes woody. Even when aged it yields a well flavored gravy.

P. farina´ceus Schum.—farina, meal. From the scurf on the pileus. Pileus cinnamon-umber, somewhat coriaceous, flexuous, cuticle separating into whitish-bluish-gray scurf. Stem short, lateral, of the same color as the pileus. Gills determinately free, distinct, paler.

The habit is that of P. stipticus. Stevenson.

Pennsylvania, A. pleurotus f., Schweinitz; Ohio, Morgan.

Var. albido-tomentosus. See Panus albido-tomentosus.

P. al´bido-tomento´sus Cke. Mass.—albidus, white; tomentum, down. Pileus about ⅔ in. long, ½ in. broad, horizontal, sometimes imbricated, semi-circular, subcoriaceous, flexuous or regular, pale umber, densely clothed with a short, whitish, velvety down, which seems to be persistent, but thinner and shorter toward the shortly incurved margin. Stem lateral, very short, or entirely absent, and attached by a downy base. Gills radiating from the point of attachment; narrowed behind, lanceolate, honey-colored, margin entire, rigid, scarcely crowded, shorter ones intermixed. Spores subglobose, smooth, 5µ diameter.

On trunks and branches.

Pileus about 1 in. broad, often in imbricated tufts. It is doubtful whether this is not a distinct species from the type described by Fries. Cooke and Massee.

Panus albido-tomentosus is given by Cooke and Massee as a variety of Panus farinaceus. The writer decides to give it place as a species.

It has been sent to me by Mr. H.I. Miller, from Terre Haute, Ind., by Dr. E.L. Cushing, Albion, N.Y., Miss Madeleine Le Moyne, Washington, Pa. I have found it in West Virginia, New Jersey and many parts of Pennsylvania. It is plentiful in patches upon branches and boles of deciduous trees. Long, slow cooking makes it tender. It makes a luscious gravy after thirty minutes' stewing.

P. betuli´nus Pk.—betula, birch. Pileus thin, suborbicular or dimidiate, nearly plane, glabrous, prolonged behind into a short stem, grayish-brown, darker or blackish toward the stem. Gills narrow, close, decurrent, 236whitish. Stem adorned with a slight tawny hairiness which is more fully developed toward the base. Spores minute, 4–5×1.5–2µ.

Decaying wood of birch. Newfoundland. October, Rev. A.C. Waghorne. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 23, No. 10.

Common in West Virginia mountains on birches, 1882; found at Eagle’s Mere, Pa., August, 1898. Quite plentiful on decaying birch trees, which abound there. Size from ½-1½ in. across.

Eaten raw it has a gummy quality and very pleasant nutty flavor. I did not have opportunity to cook it, but regard it as a species well worth trying.

P. stip´ticus Fr.—stypticus, astringent. Pileus ½-1 in. broad, cinnamon becoming pale, arid, thin, but not membranaceous, kidney-shaped, pruinose, the cuticle separating into furfuraceous scales. Stem not reaching 1 in. long, solid, definitely lateral, compressed, dilated upward, ascending, pruinose, paler than the gills. Gills ending determinately (not decurrent), thin, very narrow, crowded, elegantly connected by veins, cinnamon. Fries.

Gregarious, cespitose, remarkable for its astringent taste. The pileus sometimes has a funnel-shaped appearance with lobes all around.

On stumps, etc. Common. August to February.

Reckoned poisonous. Stevenson.

Spores obovoid-spheroid, 2–3×1–2µ K.; 3×4µ W.G.S.

Plentiful and general. The markings upon the cap in moist weather are sometimes exquisitely regular.

The immediate and lasting unpleasantness of this fungus to mouth and throat, whether cooked or raw, will cancel all desire to eat of it forevermore. A nibble will detect it. It is reckoned poisonous, and may be. No one but a determined suicide would resort to it. Dr. Lambotte asserts that it is a violent purgative.

237XER´OTUS Fr.

Hymenophore continuous with the stem, descending into the trama which is homogeneous with the coriaceous pileus. Gills coriaceous, broadly plicæform, dichotomous, edge quite entire, obtuse. Rigid, persistent, analogous with the Cantharelli, but differing in the whole structure. Fries. The gills are more distant than in any species of Agaricaccæ.

None edible.

TRO´GIA Fr.

Gills fold-like, edge longitudinally channelled (in the single European species only crisped). In other respects agreeing with Xerotus. Soft, flaccid, but arid and persistent, texture fibrillose. Fries.

Reviving when wet. Spores white. Stevenson.

Spores elongated or cylindrical.

American representative, Trogia crispa, var. variegata.

Pileus and gills variegated with bluish or greenish-blue stains. Sandlake. September. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Not edible.

238SCHIZOPHYL´LUM Fr.

Pileus fleshless, arid. Gills coriaceous, fan-wise branched, united above by the tomentose pellicle, bifid, split longitudinally at the edge. Spores somewhat round, white. Fries.

The two lips of the split edge of the gills are commonly revolute. The farthest removed of all the Agaricini from the type.

Growing on wood. Stevenson.

Common on decaying wood. Tough.

LENZITES Fr.

Pileus corky or coriaceous, texture arid and floccose. Gills coriaceous, firm, sometimes simple and unequal, sometimes anastomosing and forming pores behind, trama floccose and similar to the pileus, edge somewhat acute. The European species are dimidiate, sessile, persistent, growing on wood, quite resembling Dædalea. Fries.

Allied most nearly to Trametes and Dædalea and forming as it were the transition from Agaricaceæ to Polyporaceæ. In tropical countries they are more woody in texture. Stevenson.

Very common. None edible.

239

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under; rhodon, rose.

In Volvaria, Pluteus and most of Clitopilus, the spores are regular in shape, as in the white-spored series, in the rest of the subgenera they are generally angular and irregular.

Though European writers, generally, condemn the rosy-spored series as inedible, a few of our best American edibles are found in it—notably Pluteus cervinus.

VOLVA´RIA Fr.

Spores regular, oval, pink, or salmon. Veil universal, forming a perfect volva, distinct from the cuticle of the pileus. Stem separating easily from the pileus. Gills free, rounded behind, at the very first white then pinkish, soft. Analogous with Amanita.

Growing in woods and on rich mold, rotten wood and damp ground, hence often found in hot-houses and gardens. V. Loveiana Berk. is parasitic on Clitocybe nebularis.

There are thirteen species reported from different parts of the United States. Most of them grow upon wood. Two species have previously been reported as edible, to which I have added V. Taylori, tested by myself.

One species, V. gloiocephala, is upon the authority of Letellier, given as poisonous. It is found in several parts of the United States, but no comment has been made upon its edibility. I have not seen it. A careful study of its botanic characters is urged. It should be regarded as poisonous until its reputation is cleared up, as it probably will be.

* Pileus dry, silky or fibrillose.

** Pileus more or less viscid, smooth.

240

V. bombyci´na Schaeff.—bombyx, silk. Pileus 3–8 in. broad, wholly white, fleshy, soft, at first globose, soon bell-shaped, at length convex, somewhat umbonate, everywhere silky or, when older, hairy-scaled, more rarely becoming smooth at the vertex. Flesh not thick, white. Stem 3–6 in. long, ½ in. thick or more at the base, solid, equally attenuated from the base to the apex, even, smooth, white. Volva, soon torn asunder, ample, 2–3 in. broad, membranaceous, lax, slashed, somewhat viscid, persistent. Gills free, very crowded when young, almost cohering, ventricose, in groups of 2–4, then toothed, flesh-colored.

Ovate when young. According to some becoming brownish. The stem is curved-ascending on vertical trunks and straight on prostrate ones. Commonly solitary, sometimes however cespitose. Stevenson.

Spores elliptic, smooth, 6–7×4µ Massee; 6–8µ Lloyd.

Considered edible. Stevenson. Edible. Curtis.

Very general but not common over the United States. It is a large plant, from 3 in. upward across cap. Growing from wood, oaks, maples, beech, etc.

The writer has not been successful in finding it. Drawing, spore-print and description received from H.I. Miller, Terre Haute, Ind.

Upon such an authority as the late Dr. Curtis there is no doubt of its edibility.

V. volva´cea Bull.—volva, a wrapper. Pileus 2–3 in. across. Flesh white, thick at the disk, very thin elsewhere, soft, bell-shaped then expanded, obtuse, grayish-yellow, virgate or streaked with adpressed blackish fibrils. Gills free, about 2 lines broad, pale flesh-color. Stem 2–4 in. long, about 4 lines thick, almost equal, white, solid. 241Volva large, loose, whitish. Spores smooth, elliptical, 6–8×3.5–4µ; no cystidia. Massee.

On the ground by roadsides, etc., also in stoves.

Allied to V. bombycina, but constantly different in the less ample and less persistent, brownish volva. Pileus 3 in. across, rarely more, gray, elegantly virgate with blackish fibrils; flesh-color of the gills not so pure. Fries.

Once found in woods at roots of a tree. It occurs every year in the cellar of our drug store. Lloyd “Volvæ.”

North Carolina, Schweinitz; Minnesota, Johnson; Ohio, Morgan.

Probably edible, should be carefully tested.

V. Tay´lori Berk. Pileus 1¾ in. high and broad, livid, conico-campanulate, obtuse, striately cracked from the apex, thin, margin lobed and sinuated. Stem 2½ in. long, ¼ in. thick, pallid, solid, nearly equal, slightly bulbous at the base. Volva date-brown, lobed, somewhat lax, small. Gills uneven, broad in front, very much attenuated behind, rose-color.

Pileus beautifully penciled and cracked. The dark volva, bell-shaped pileus, and uneven, attenuated gills are marked characters. The habit is rather that of some Entoloma than of its more immediate allies. Fries.

Spores 6×9µ W.G.S.; broadly elliptical, smooth, 5×3.5–4µ Massee.

Indiana, Mrs. L.H. Cox; West Philadelphia, in much decayed stump of maple. McIlvaine.

Caps 1½-2 in. across and beautifully penciled and cracked. Stem 1½-3 in. long. Gills up to ⅓ in. wide. The spores when shed in body are a beautiful maroon. Resembling V. volvacea, but lighter in color, and having a brown volva. Specimens sent me by J.J. Newbaker, Steelton, Pa., had snow-white caps and when young were velvety to the touch. Gills tinged with pink; volva dark brown.

The few specimens eaten were of good flavor, somewhat resembling Pluteus cervinus.

V. specio´sa Fr.—speciosus, handsome. Pileus 3–5 in. broad, whitish, gray or umber at the disk, fleshy, globose when young, then bell-shaped, at length plane and somewhat umbonate, even, smooth, gluey. Flesh soft, floccose, white. Stem 4–8 in. long, as much as 1 in. thick, solid, firm, slightly attenuated from the base as far as the apex, when young, white-villous and tomentose at the base, then becoming smooth, white. Volva bulbous rather than lax, free however, variously torn into loops, membranaceous, ½-1 in. broad, externally tomentose, white. Gills free, flesh-colored.

The gills are wholly the same as those of A. bombycinus. It occurs also thinner, with the pileus wholly gray. Fries.

Spores 12–18×8–10µ K.; elliptical or subglobose, smooth, 14–16×8µ Massee.

Distinguished by the whitish, viscid pileus, and the downy volva and stem. Massee.

“Common in cultivated soil, especially grain fields and along roads. A fine edible agaric and our most abundant one in California.” McClatchie. Volvæ, U.S., Lloyd.

V. gloioceph´ala Dec. Fl. Gr—sticking; head. Pileus dark opaque brown, fleshy, bell-shaped then expanded, umbonate, smooth, glutinous, striate at the margin. Stem solid, smooth, becoming brownish or tawny; the volva, which is circularly split, pressed close. Gills free, reddish.

Fragments of the volva are sometimes seen on the pileus. The stem is commonly more slender than that of A. speciosus. Fries.

On the ground. Uncommon. June to October. Stevenson.

Pileus about 3 in. across, with a strong regular, obtuse umbo in the center, of a delicate mouse-gray, viscid when moist, but when dry shining, quite smooth, margin striate in consequence of the thinness of the flesh. Stem 6 in. or more high, about ½ in. thick in the center, attenuated upward, bulbous at the base, clothed with a few slight fibers, easily splitting, solid, rather dingy, ringless. Volva loose, villous like the base of the stem, splitting into several unequal lobes; the gills are broad, especially in front, narrower behind and quite free, so as to leave a space round the top of the stem, white, tinged with grayish-pink; 243margin slightly toothed. Smell strong and unpleasant, and taste disagreeable. M.J.B. Very poisonous according to Letellier. Stevenson.

Spores 19×9µ W.G.S.; elliptical, smooth, 10–12×6–7µ Massee.

Distinguished by the smoky, glutinous pileus. The measurement of the spores as given by Saccardo (19×9µ) is certainly too large, and is probably an uncorrected error. Massee.

North Carolina, Curtis; South Carolina, Ravenel; Ontario, Dearness; California, Harkness and Moore; Ohio, Morgan; Mississippi, Minnesota, Johnson.

PLU´TEUS Fr.

Stem fleshy, distinct from the pileus. Gills free, rounded behind (never emarginate), at first cohering, white, then colored by the spores.

Generally growing on or near trunks of trees.

Resembling Volvaria in all respects but the volva. Spores rosy.

Several of the genus are edible. Pluteus cervinus is one of our earliest, persistent, plentiful, delicious food species. The caps of those tested are tender, easily cooked and best fried.

* Cuticle of the pileus separating into fibrils or down, which at length disappear.

** Pileus frosted with atoms, somewhat powdery.

*** Pileus naked, smooth.

P. cervi´nus Schaeff.—cervus, a deer. (Plate LXI, fig. 1, p. 242.) Pileus fleshy, at first campanulate, then convex or expanded, even, glabrous, generally becoming fibrillose or slightly floccose-villose on the disk, occasionally cracked, variable in color. Lamellæ broad, somewhat ventricose, at first whitish, then flesh-colored. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, firm, solid, fibrillose or subglabrous, variable in color. Spores broadly elliptical, 6.5–8×5–6.5µ.

244Plant 2–6 in. high. Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 3–6 lines thick.

The typical form has the pileus and stem of a dingy or brown color and adorned with blackish fibrils, but specimens occur with the pileus white, yellowish, cinereous, grayish-brown or blackish-brown. I have never seen it of a true cervine color. It is sometimes quite glabrous and smooth to the touch and in wet weather it is even slightly viscid. It also occurs somewhat floccose-villose on the disk, and the disk, though usually plane or obtuse, is occasionally slightly prominent or subumbonate. The form with the surface of the pileus longitudinally rimose or chinky is probably due to meteorological conditions. The gills, though at first crowded, become more lax with the expansion of the pileus. They are generally a little broader toward the marginal than toward the inner extremity. Their tendency to deliquesce is often shown by their wetting the paper on which the pileus has been placed for the purpose of catching the spores. The stem is usually somewhat fibrous and striated but forms occur in which it is even and glabrous. When growing from the sides of stumps and prostrate trunks it is apt to be curved. Two forms deserve varietal distinction.

Var. al´bus. Pileus and stem white or whitish.

Var. al´bipes. Pileus cinereous yellowish or brown. Stem white or whitish, destitute of blackish fibrils.

In Europe there are three or four forms which have been designated as species under the names of A. rigens, A. patricius, A. eximius and A. petasatus, but Fries gives them as varieties or subspecies of A. cervinus, though admitting that they are easily distinguished. None of these have occurred in our state. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Var. visco´sus. The normal character of the cuticle of the species is slightly viscid in wet weather, but the specimens we collected and photographed were exceedingly viscid. They also differed from the normal form in their lighter color, flesh much thicker at the disk and thin at the margins, and cuticle not appearing fibrillose. It is close to petasatus, but differs, however, in its narrower gills and in having no striæ. It is a good variety if it is not a good species. Lloyd, Myc. Notes.

Spores 7–8×5–6µ K.; 6–8×4–5µ B.; 4×5µ W.G.S.; 5.8×4.6µ Morgan.

Frequent on decaying stumps, roots and wood, May to frost. McIlvaine.

Its free gills should distinguish it from any Entoloma, though both have pink spores and eventually pink gills. Among the earliest of 245large species. The sight of it is stimulating to the mycophagist. He then knows the toadstool season to be truly opened.

Caps only are tender. The stems are edible, but they are not of the same consistency as the caps, therefore will not cook with them. Fried in a buttered pan or broiled, they are exceedingly toothsome.

In October, 1898, a beautiful variety (see Plate LXI, fig. 2, p.—), occurred which I had not previously seen. It was sent by me to Professor Peck. The plants grew in large clusters from rotting, refuse straw in the ruin of a stable; the white, cottony mycelium running upon and through the straw. The solid stems of some were straight, others curved, ranging from 2–6 in. long, the taller ones tapering from base to spindling apex, the shorter ones decidedly bulbous and ending abruptly. They were twisted and delicately marked. These markings break up into dark thread-like fibrils, leaving the stem striate and satin-glossy. Pileus from 2–4 in. across, dark Vandyke-brown when young, lighter in age, streaked, glossy. Gills at first white, tardily changing to light salmon color, broad, ventricose, free.

Taste and smell pleasant of almonds. Good, delicious.

Professor Peck wrote of it: “It has the general appearance of Pluteus cervinus, but these specimens seem to depart from the usual form of growing in clusters from the ground, and in having an almond flavor. Without knowing more about it I would scarcely feel justified in separating it from such a variable species. As Fries sometimes remarks concerning variable species: Perhaps several species are concealed under the one name, but a pretty full and accurate knowledge of them is desirable if one is to split them up.”

This is excellent judgment. While I believe the above to be a distinct species, the disposition to make new species of varieties is regrettable in many botanists.

Var. Bul´lii Berk., MS. Pileus 4–6 in. across, flesh thick, convex then expanded, smooth, even, pallid, the disk darker. Gills free, rounded behind, rather distant from the stem, crowded, ½ in. broad, pale salmon-color. Stem 3–4 in. long, 1 in. and more thick, slightly swollen at the base, fibrillose, pale brown, darkest at the base, solid. Massee.

Pileus 6 in. across, expanded from bell-shape, ashy-white (oyster color), glossy, like floss silk, silky fibrillose, irregularly corrugated. Skin separable. Flesh spongy, pure white, like shreds of cotton, separable 246into plates, very brittle, ½ in. thick at stem, immediately thinning to ⅛ in., very thin toward margin. Gills thin, elastic, rounded behind, close to stem, free, ½ in. wide, close, alternate short and long, white, then tinged and spotted pink with spores which when cast in mass are a pinkish-brown with slight lavender shade. Stem 5 in. long, ½-¾ in. thick, subequal, spreading at top, white, silky-fibrillose, changing to very light yellowish brown from center to base, exterior hard, skin thin, tough, interior filled with continuous, cottony fibers, snow-white, brittle, watery, slightly swollen at base. Taste pleasant.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., July, 1898, on chestnut stump and in woods on ground among leaves. Leaves adhere to base of stem which is powdery-white. McIlvaine.

Cooked, it is as good as P. cervinus.

Var. petasa´tus Fr. Pileus 3–4 in. across, flesh rather thick, campanulate then expanded, umbonate, grayish-white, very smooth, with a viscid cuticle, at length striate to the middle. Gills free, ½ in. and more broad, crowded, becoming dry, white then reddish. Stem 4–5 in. long, ½-⅔ in. thick, rigid, very slightly and equally attenuated from the base, whitish, fibrillosely striate, solid.

On heaps of straw and dung, sawdust, etc.

Color verging on bay when old. Stem and margin of gills at length with a tawny tinge. Fries.

Haddonfield, New Jersey, Bell’s Mill, sawdust, 1890; Mt. Gretna, Pa., August, 1898, among sawdust from ice-house. Caps 6 in. across. Stem easily split, exterior hard, fibrillose, streaked, whitish, shining, stuffed with cottony fibers. Spores dark pink. McIlvaine.

Equal to P. cervinus.

P. umbro´sus Pers.—shady, from its dark color. Pileus fleshy, at first bell-shaped, then convex or expanded, roughly wrinkled and more or less villose on the disk, fimbriate on the margin, blackish-brown. Gills broad, somewhat ventricose, at first whitish, then flesh-colored, blackish-brown and fringed or toothed on the edge. Stem solid, colored like or paler than the pileus, fibrillose or villose-squamose. Spores elliptical, 8×5µ.

Decaying woods and swamps, especially of pine, both in shaded and open places. Not rare. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

247Spores broadly elliptical, smooth, 6–7×5µ; cystidia ventricose, 65–75×18–20µ Massee.

New York, Peck, Rep. 32, 38; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey, frequent on decaying logs, stumps, pine and other woods. McIlvaine.

At times the caps are a deep sepia-brown. It is readily distinguished from P. cervinus by the wrinkled, downy disk of the cap and the gills having dark-brown edges. Smell rather strong. Professor Peck says he has not seen it with the margin fimbriate. Neither have I, though this is prominent in the European species.

P. umbrosus is a fine species, equal in every way to P. cervinus, which is seldom excelled. Caps only are tender.

P. pelli´tus Fr. Pileus 1–2 in. across. Flesh thin, soft, white, convex then plane, somewhat umbonate, regular, silky-fibrous, dry, white. Gills free, rounded behind, crowded, 1½ line broad, ventricose, white then flesh-color, margin slightly toothed. Stem about 2 in. long, 2–3 lines thick, slightly thickened at the base, even, glabrous, shining, white, stuffed. Spores elliptical, smooth, 10×6µ.

Among grass at the roots of trees, etc.

Our only Pluteus with a pure white, even pileus and stem. Superficially resembling Entoloma prunuloides, which differs in the broadly emarginate—not free—gills, and in the strong smell of new meal. Massee.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., October, 1898. McIlvaine.

Pileus up to 3 in. across. Gills ¼ in. broad, free, moist, imbricated. Stem up to 5 in. long, easily detachable from cap, solid, juicy, solitary and cespitose. On very old sawdust, upon which grass was growing.

Tender, excellent.

P. granula´ris Pk.—sprinkled with grains. Pileus convex or nearly plane, subumbonate, rugose-wrinkled, granulose or granulose-villose, varying in color from yellow to brown. Lamellæ rather broad, crowded, ventricose, whitish, then flesh colored. Stem equal, solid, colored like the pileus, often paler at the top, velvety-pubescent, rarely scaly. Spores subglobose or broadly elliptical, 6.5–8×5–6.5µ.

248Plant 1.5–3 in. high. Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–2 lines thick.

Decaying wood and prostrate trunks in woods. Hilly and mountainous districts. June to September.

The species is closely related to P. cervinus and P. umbrosus, but is readily distinguished from them by the peculiar vesture of the pileus and stem. The granules are so minute and so close that they form a sort of plush on the pileus, more dense on the disk and radiating wrinkles than elsewhere. The clothing of the stem is finer, and has a velvety-pubescent appearance, but in some instances it breaks up into small scales or squamules. The color of the pileus and stem is usually some shade of yellow or brown, but occasionally a grayish hue predominates. The darker color of the granules imparts a dingy or smoky tinge to the general color. The disk is often darker than the rest of the pileus. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia mountains. Eagle’s Mere and Springton Hills, Pa.

Frequent. July to October, on decaying wood. McIlvaine.

P. granularis is a much smaller species than P. cervinus and its allies. At Eagle’s Mere, Pa., August, 1898, it was quite plentiful in mixed woods. Its caps are excellent.

P. admira´bilis Pk.—admirable. Pileus thin, convex or expanded, generally broadly umbonate, glabrous, rugose-reticulated, moist or hygrophanous, striatulate on the margin when moist, often obscurely striate when dry, yellow or brown. Lamellæ close, broad, rounded behind, ventricose, whitish or yellowish, then flesh-colored. Stem slender, glabrous, hollow, equal or slightly thickened at the base, yellow or yellowish white, with a white mycelium. Spores subglobose or broadly elliptical, 6.5–8×6.5µ.

Var. fus´cus. Pileus brown or yellowish-brown.

Plant 1–2 in. high. Pileus 6–10 lines broad. Stem .5–1 line thick.

Decaying wood and prostrate trunks in forests. Common in hilly and mountainous districts. July to September.

This beautiful Pluteus is closely related to P. chrysophlebius B. and R., a southern species, which, according to the description, has the veins of the pileus darker colored than the rest of the surface and the 249stem enlarged above and hairy at the base, characters not shown by our plant.

In our plant small young specimens sometimes have the stem solid, but when fully developed it is hollow, though the cavity is small. This character, with its small size, distinguishes it from P. leoninus. Peck, 38th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Springton Hills, Chester county, Pa., Mt. Gretna, Pa. Frequent. June to frost. McIlvaine.

Possesses the same rare edible qualities as P. cervinus, P. umbrosus. The caps, only, are tender.

P. chrysophæ´us Schaeff. Gr—gold. Pileus 1–2½ in. across. Flesh very thin except at the disk, bell-shaped then expanded, glabrous, naked, slightly wrinkled, margin striate, cinnamon-color. Gills free, 2–3 lines broad, whitish then pale salmon-color. Stem 2–3 in. long, 2–3 lines thick, whitish, glabrous, equal, more or less hollow.

On beech trunks, etc.

Resembling P. leoninus in size, but differing in the cinnamon color of the pileus, which is often obtusely umbonate. Massee.

Spores 5µ W.P.

Haddonfield, N.J. June to October, beech roots and trunks. McIlvaine.

Excellent.

250ENTOLO´MA Fr.

Pileus rather fleshy, margin incurved, without a distinct veil. Stem fleshy or fibrous, soft, sometimes waxy, continuous with the flesh of the pileus. Gills sinuate, adnexed, often separating from the stem. Spores rosy, elliptical, smooth or subglobose and coarsely warted.

Corresponding in structure with Tricholoma, Hebeloma and Hypholoma; separated from other rosy-spored genera by the sinuate gills.

About twenty species of Entoloma are given in the states; of them seventeen are described by Professor Peck, as found in New York. I have not found a single species in sufficient quantity to test its edibility.

Two of the European species, E. sinuata Fr. and E. livida Bull., are reputed to be very poisonous, producing headache, dizziness, vomiting, etc. Worthington Smith ate ¼ oz., which nearly proved fatal.

Professor Peck reports a species, E. grande Pk., which he considers suspicious.

Even the reported poisonous species have a pleasant odor corresponding to those of the esculent species. This makes them the more deceptive and dangerous. The pinkish or flesh-colored spores and gills distinguish Entoloma from Hebeloma, which has brown spores, and Tricholoma, which has white. Pluteus, which has pink spores and gills, is readily separated from it.

Great caution should be observed. Entolomas should be thrown away or carefully tested.

Pileus smooth, moist or viscid; not hygrophanous.

Pileus flocculose or squamulose; absolutely dry.

Pileus thin, hygrophanous, somewhat silky when dry.

251I.—Genui´ni.

E. gran´de Pk.—Pileus fleshy, thin toward the margin, glabrous, nearly plane when mature, commonly broadly umbonate and rugosely wrinkled about the umbo, moist in wet weather, dingy yellowish-white verging to brownish or grayish-brown. Flesh white, odor and flavor farinaceous. Lamellæ broad, subdistant, slightly adnexed, becoming free or nearly so, often wavy or uneven on the edge, whitish becoming flesh-colored with maturity. Stem equal or nearly so, solid, somewhat fibrous externally, mealy at the top, white. Spores angular, 3–10µ.

Pileus 4–6 in. broad. Stem 4–6 in. long, 8–12 lines thick.

Thin mixed woods. Menands. August.

The flavor of this mushroom is not at first disagreeable, but an unpleasant burning sensation is left in the mouth for a considerable time after tasting. It is therefore to be regarded with suspicion. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

SUSPICIOUS. I have not seen this species. It is given that it may be guarded against until tested for edibility.

E. sinua´tum Fr.—waved. Pileus 6 in. broad, becoming yellow-white, very fleshy, convex then expanded, at first gibbous, at length depressed, repand and sinuate at the margin. Stem 3–6 in. long, 1 in. thick, solid, firm, stout, equal, compact, at first fibrillose, then smooth, naked, shining white. Gills emarginate, slightly adnexed, ½-¾ in. broad, crowded, distinct, pale yellowish-red. Fries.

Gregarious, compact, handsome.

Odor strong, pleasant, almost like that of burnt sugar, not of new meal. The pileus becomes broken into squamules when dry. There is a variety with a shorter stem.

In mixed woods. Uncommon. July to October.

The gills are often irregular in their attachment. Very poisonous; producing headache, swimming of the brain, stomach pains, vomiting, 252etc. Worthington Smith, who first experimented with it, ate about ¼ oz., which very nearly proved fatal. Stevenson.

Spores 9µ W.G.S.

Rhode Island, Olney (Curtis Am. Jour.); Massachusetts, Sprague; Connecticut, Wright; Minnesota, Johnson; New York, Peck, Rep. 35.

“This and E. fertilis, which are closely allied, are deserving of more than suspicion, for they are veritably dangerous.” Cooke.

“Wholesome and very good to eat.” Cordier.

In the presence of such opposite opinions it is better to choose the safer. Do not eat it.

E. prunulo´ides Fr.—prunus, a plum. Pileus 2 in. and more broad, whitish, becoming yellow or livid, fleshy, bell-shaped then convex, at length flattened, somewhat umbonate, unequal (but not repand), even, viscid, smooth, at length longitudinally cracked, at length slightly striate at margin. Stem 3 in. long, 3–4 lines thick, fibrous-fleshy, solid, equal, even or slightly striate, smooth, naked, white. Gills somewhat free, emarginate, rarely rounded, at first only slightly adnexed, 3–4 lines broad, crowded, ventricose, white then flesh-color. Fries.

Odor strong of new meal, wholly that of A. prunulus. Very scattered in growth. Like A. lividus, but very different, thrice as small. It differs entirely from A. cervinus.

On the ground in woods. Autumn. Spores subglobose, coarsely warted, 10µ Massee; regularly six-angled or one angle more marked, 8µ B.; 9µ W.P.

North Carolina, dry swamps, Curtis; Minnesota, Johnson.

POISONOUS. Roze.

I have not seen this species. Do not eat it before carefully testing.

III.—Nolani´dei.

E. clypea´tum Linn.—resembling a shield. Pileus as much as 3 in. broad, lurid when moist, when dry gray and variegated or streaked with darker spots or lines, fleshy, bell-shaped then flattened, umbonate, smooth, fragile. Flesh thin, white when dry. Stem almost 3 in. long, 3–4 lines and more thick, stuffed, at length hollow, wholly fibrous, equal, round, fragile, longitudinally fibrillose, becoming ash-colored, pulverulent 253at the very apex. Gills rounded-adnexed, separating-free, 3–4 lines broad, ventricose, somewhat distant, dingy, then red-pulverulent with the spores, serrulated at the edge chiefly behind.

It has occurred in May cespitose; better developed and solitary in the end of August.

In woods, gardens and waste places. Frequent. Spring, autumn. Stevenson.

North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Ohio, Morgan; New England, Frost; California, H. and M.; Rhode Island, Bennett; New York, Peck, Rep. 23.

POISONOUS. Leuba.

I have not seen this species. It should not be eaten before careful testing.

E. rhodopo´lium Fr. Gr—rose; Gr—gray. Pileus 2–5 in. broad, hygrophanous, when moist dingy-brown (young) or livid, becoming pale (when full grown), when dry isabelline-livid, silky-shining, slightly-fleshy, bell-shaped when young, then expanded and somewhat umbonate or gibbous, at length rather plane and sometimes depressed, fibrillose when young, smooth when full grown, margin at the first bent inwards and when larger undulated. Flesh white. Stem 2–4 in. long, 3–5 lines thick, hollow, equal when smaller, when larger attenuated upwards and white-pruinate at the apex, otherwise smooth, slightly striate, white. Gills adnate then separating, somewhat sinuate, slightly distant, 2–4 lines broad, white then rose-color. Fries.

Fragile, commonly large and often handsome, almost inodorous.

In mixed woods. Frequent. August to October.

Spores pretty regular, 8–10×6–8µ B.; 7µ W.G.S.

New England, Frost; Minnesota, Johnson; Iowa, Brœndle; Rhode Island, Bennett; Ohio, Morgan; New York, Peck, Rep. 23d, 38th, A. rhodopolius, var. umbilicatus Pk., the same as Clitopilus subvilis Pk., Rep. 40.

Edible. Paulet. Edible. Cooke.

254

CLITOPI´LUS Fr.

Pileus more or less excentric or regular, margin at first involute. Gills more or less decurrent, never sinuate nor seceding from the stem, salmon-color. Stem fleshy or fibrous, not polished and cartilaginous externally, central, expanded upward into the flesh of the pileus. Spores smooth or warted.

Closely resembling Eccilia, differing mostly in the stem not being cartilaginous at the surface. Distinguished from Entoloma by the gills not being sinuate.

Agrees in structure with Clitocybe in the Leucosporæ. Massee.

Growing on the ground, often strong smelling. Caps usually depressed or umbilicate and waved on margin.

Some of the best of edible kinds are within this genus; a few are unpleasant raw, none poisonous.

Most authors follow Fries in the arrangement of the species, dividing them into two groups, the Orcelli, distinguished by deeply decurrent gills and an irregular, scarcely hygrophanous pileus, with the margin at first flocculose; and Sericelli, distinguished by adnate or slightly decurrent gills and a regular silky or hygrophanous-silky pileus with a naked margin. This arrangement is not strictly applicable to some of our species. C. abortivus, C. erythrosporus and C. Noveaboracensis have the gills deeply decurrent in some individuals, adnate or slightly decurrent in others, and therefore the same species might be sought in both groups. For this reason the primary grouping of our species has been made to depend upon the variation in the spore colors. By far the greater number of our species appear to be peculiar to this country, only two of them occurring also in Europe.

Spores and mature gills flesh-colored		1
Spores and mature gills rosy-red		9
Spores very pale flesh-colored		10
1. Pileus hygrophanous		8
1. Pileus not hygrophanous		2
	2. Pileus gray or grayish-brown	5
	2. Pileus some other color	3
3. Pileus white or whitish		4
3. Pileus pale tan-color		C. pascuensis
	4. Pileus firm, dry, pruinate	C. prunulus
	4. Pileus soft, slightly viscid when moist	C. Orcella
5. Pileus large, more than 1.5 in. broad		C. abortivus
5. Pileus small, less than 1.5 in. broad		6
	6. Spores even	C. unitinctus
	6. Spores angular	7
7. Stem longer than the width of the zoneless pileus		C. albogriseus
7. Stem shorter than the width of the commonly zonate pileus		C. micropus
	8. Pileus brown or grayish-brown	C. subvilis
	8. Pileus white or yellowish-white	C. Woodianus
9. Stem colored like the pileus		C. erythrosporus
9. Stem white, paler than the pileus		C. conissans
	10. Pileus even	11
	10. Pileus rivulose	C. Noveboracensis
11. Stems cespitose, solid		C. cæspitosus
11. Stems not cespitose, hollow		C. Seymourianus
Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

C. pru´nulus Scop.—prunus, plum. (Plate LXIII, fig. 4, 5, p. 254.) Pileus fleshy, compact, at first convex and regular, then repand, dry, pruinate, white or ashy-white. Flesh white, unchangeable, with a pleasant farinaceous odor. Gills deeply decurrent, subdistant, flesh-colored. 256Stem solid, naked, striate, white. Spores subelliptical, pointed at each end, 10–11×5–6µ.

Pileus 1.5–3 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 3–4 lines thick.

Woods.

Not abundant, but edible, and said to be delicious and one of the best of the esculent species. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

June to October. Most plentiful in August and September.

Very plentiful in oak woods at Angora, West Philadelphia, moderate crops at Mt. Gretna, Pa.

An abortive form (see Plate LXIII, fig. 2, 3, p. 254) occurs not distinguishable from that of Armillaria mellea. It grows singly and in tufts, very variable in shape, white, tinged with brown on ruptured surfaces. This form equals its original.

C. prunulus has a strong smell of fresh meal. It is a delicious species.

Stew. It is one of the very best in patties, croquettes, etc.

C. Orcel´la Bull.—Pileus fleshy, soft, plane or slightly depressed, often irregular, even when young, slightly silky, somewhat viscid when moist, white or yellowish-white. Flesh white, taste and odor farinaceous. Gills deeply decurrent, close, whitish then flesh-colored. Stem short, solid, flocculose, often eccentric, thickened above, white. Spores elliptical, 9–10×5µ.

Generally a little smaller than the preceding species, softer and more irregular, but so closely allied that by some it is considered a mere variety of it. It is said to be edible and of delicate flavor. It occurs in wet weather in pastures and open places. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Grows in oak woods, Angora, West Philadelphia; Mt. Gretna, Pa.

Qualities same as C. prunulus. Delicious.

C. pascuen´sis Pk.—pasture. Pileus fleshy, compact, centrally depressed, glabrous, reddish or pale yellowish, the cuticle of the disk cracking into minute areas. Gills rather narrow, close, decurrent, 257whitish, becoming flesh-colored. Stem short, equal or tapering downward, solid, glabrous, colored like the pileus. Spores subelliptical, pale incarnate, 7.5–10×5–6µ.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 8–18 lines long, 4–6 lines thick.

Pastures. Saratoga county.

The species is related to C. prunulus from which it is distinct by its shorter, paler spores, its glabrous pileus cracked in areas on the disk and tinged with red or yellowish and by its paler gills. From C. pseudo-orcella it differs in its glabrous pileus with no silky luster and in its closer gills. Its odor is obsolete but it has a farinaceous flavor. It is probably esculent, but has not been found in sufficient quantity to afford a test of qualities. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

C. unitinct´us Pk.—one-colored. Pileus thin, submembranaceous, flexible, convex or nearly plane, centrally depressed or umbilicate, glabrous, subshining, often concentrically rivulose, grayish or grayish-brown. Flesh whitish or grayish-white, odor obsolete, taste mild. Gills narrow, moderately close, adnate or slightly decurrent, colored like the pileus. Stem slender, straight or flexuous, subtenacious, equal, slightly pruinose, grayish-brown, with a close white myceloid tomentum at the base and white root-like fibers of mycelium permeating the soil. Spores elliptical, 7.5×5µ.

Var. al´bidus. Whitish or grayish-white, not rivulose. Gills broader. Spores brownish flesh-color.

Pileus 6–16 lines broad. Stem about 1 in. long, 1 line thick.

Woods of pine or balsam. Albany and Essex counties. Autumn.

The variety is a little paler than the typical form, with gills a little broader, but is probably not specifically distinct. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

I have not seen this species. Edibility not reported.

B. Spores Angular or Irregular.

1. Pileus not hygrophanous.

C. aborti´vus B. and C.—abortive. (Plate LXIII, fig. 1, 2, 3, p. 254.) Pileus fleshy, firm, convex or nearly plane, regular or irregular, dry, clothed with a minute silky tomentum, becoming smooth with age, gray or grayish-brown. Flesh white, taste and odor subfarinaceous. 258Gills thin, close, slightly or deeply decurrent, at first whitish or pale gray, then flesh-colored. Stem nearly equal, solid, minutely flocculose, sometimes fibrous-striated, colored like or paler than the pileus. Spores irregular, 7.5–10×6.5µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Ground and old prostrate trunks of trees in woods and open places. August and September.

Our species has been found to be edible, but its flavor is scarcely as agreeable as that of some other species. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

It requires longer cooking than C. prunulus, and is then quite equal in excellence.

The fungus is so named because of the abortive form of it frequently found associated with it. This is faithfully portrayed on Plate LXIII. This is in every way similar to the aborted forms of C. prunulus and Armillaria mellea.

Both forms plentiful near Philadelphia. The undeveloped masses are also similar to those of C. prunulus.

The abortive form is a superior edible to the original.

C. popina´lis Fr.—popina, a cook-shop. Pileus 1–2 in. across, flesh thin, flaccid, convex then depressed, somewhat wavy, glabrous, opaque, gray, spotted and marbled. Flesh grayish-white, unchangeable. Gills very decurrent, broader than the thickness of the flesh of the pileus, lanceolate, crowded, dark-gray, at length reddish from the spores. Stem stuffed, 1–2 in. long, 2 lines thick, equal, often flexuous, naked, paler than the pileus. Spores subglobose, slightly angular, 4–5µ Massee.

Solitary or gregarious, smell pleasant like new meal, entirely gray. Fries.

Woods. Gansevoort. July. The whole plant is of a grayish color except the mature gills, which have a flesh-colored hue, and the base of the stem, which is clothed with a white tomentum. It has a farinaceous odor. Peck, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Scattered. Mt. Gretna, Pa. September to November. McIlvaine.

Edible, pleasant.

C. carneo-al´bus Wither.—light flesh color. Pileus up to 1 in. 259across, convex then expanded, center becoming depressed and the margin drooping, even, polished, white, the disk becoming usually tinged with red. Flesh thin. Gills slightly decurrent, 1 line broad, crowded, salmon color. Stem 1–1½ in. long, 1 line thick, about equal, solid, white. Spores globose, nodulose, 7–8µ diameter.

Inodorous; gregarious.

In the section given in Cke. Illustr., the stem is represented as being distinctly hollow. Massee.

New York, shaded ground. June. Peck, 45th Rep.

C. al´bogri´seus Pk.—pale-gray. Pileus firm, convex or slightly depressed, glabrous, pale-gray, odor farinaceous. Gills moderately close, adnate or slightly decurrent, grayish then flesh-colored. Stem solid, colored like the pileus. Spores angular or irregular, 10–11×7.5µ.

Pileus 6–12 lines broad. Stem 1.5–2.5 in. long, 1–2 lines thick.

Woods. Adirondack mountains. August. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Scattered. Mt. Gretna, Pa., woods. August to October. McIlvaine.

Edible, pleasant.

C. mi´cropus Pk.—short-stemmed. Pileus thin, fragile, convex or centrally depressed, umbilicate, silky, gray, usually with one or two narrow zones on the margin, odor farinaceous. Gills narrow, close, adnate or slightly decurrent, gray, becoming flesh-colored. Stem short, solid, slightly thickened at the top, pruinose, gray with a white mycelium at the base. Spores angular or irregular, 10×6µ.

Pileus 6–12 lines broad. Stem 8–10 lines long, 1 line thick.

Thin woods. Essex and Rensselaer counties. August.

This species is closely allied to the preceding one, but may be separated from it by its short stem and silky umbilicate subzonate pileus. Both species are rare and have been observed only in wet, rainy weather. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Scattered markedly umbilicate. Mt. Gretna, Pa., woods. August, September. McIlvaine.

Edible, pleasant.

2602. Pileus hygrophanous.

C. subvi´lis Pk.—small value. Pileus thin, centrally depressed or umbilicate, with the margin decurved, hygrophanous, dark-brown and striatulate on the margin when moist, grayish-brown and silky shining when dry, taste farinaceous. Gills subdistant, adnate or slightly decurrent, whitish when young, then flesh-colored. Stem slender, brittle, rather long, stuffed or hollow, glabrous, colored like the pileus or a little paler. Spores angular, 7.5–10µ.

Pileus 8–15 lines broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 1–2 lines thick.

Damp soil in thin woods. Albany county. October.

The species is allied to C. vilis, from which it is separated by its silky-shining pileus, subdistant gills and farinaceous taste. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Scattered. Mt. Gretna, Pa. September to November. McIlvaine.

Edible, pleasant.

C. Wood´ianus Pk. Pileus thin, convex or nearly plane, umbilicate or centrally depressed, hygrophanous, striatulate on the margin when moist, whitish or yellowish-white and shining when dry, the margin often wavy or flexuous. Gills close, adnate or slightly decurrent, whitish, then flesh-colored. Stem equal, flexuous, shining, solid, colored like the pileus. Spores subglobose, angular, 6–7.5µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 2 lines thick.

Ground and decayed prostrate trunks in woods. Lewis county. September.

This species is perhaps too closely allied to the preceding, but it may easily be separated by its paler color, closer gills and solid stem, though this is sometimes hollow from the erosion of insects. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

C. Un´derwoodii Pk.—in honor of L.M. Underwood. Pileus rather thin but fleshy, nearly plane or slightly depressed in the center, even, whitish. Gills narrow, close, slightly decurrent, pale flesh-colored. Stem rather short, equal or slightly tapering upward, solid, whitish. Spores subglobose, 4–5µ long.

Pileus 6–18 lines broad. Stem about 1 in. long and 2 lines thick.

261Syracuse and Jamesville. September and October. L.M. Underwood. Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores Rosy-red.

C. erythro´sporus Pk. Gr—red-spored. Pileus thin, hemispherical or strongly convex, glabrous or merely pruinose, pinkish-gray. Flesh whitish tinged with pink, taste farinaceous. Gills narrow, crowded, arcuate, deeply decurrent, colored like the pileus. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, hollow, slightly pruinose at the top, colored like the pileus. Spores elliptical, 5×3–4µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–1.5 in. long, 2–3 lines thick.

Decayed wood and among fallen leaves in woods. Albany and Ulster counties. September and October.

The species is easily recognized by its peculiar uniform color, its narrow, crowded and generally very decurrent gills and by its bright rosy-red spores. Sometimes individuals occur in which the gills are less decurrent. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., among fallen leaves. Sparsely gregarious. September to November. McIlvaine.

Edible, good.

C. conis´sans Pk.—dusted. Pileus thin, convex, glabrous, pale alutaceous, often dusted by the copious spores. Gills close, adnate, reddish-brown. Stem slender, brittle, hollow, cespitose, white. Spores narrowly elliptical, 7.5×4µ.

Pileus 1–1.5 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 1–2 lines thick.

Base of an apple tree. Catskill mountains. September.

Remarkable for the bright rosy-red spores which are sometimes so thickly dusted over the lower pilei of a tuft as to conceal their real color. The species is very rare. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores Very Pale Flesh-Colored, Merely Tinted.

C. cæspito´sus Pk.—tufted. Pileus at first convex, firm, nearly regular, shining, white, then nearly plane, fragile, often irregular or eccentric, glabrous but with a slight silky luster, even, whitish. Flesh white, taste mild. Gills narrow, thin, crowded, often forked, adnate or slightly 262decurrent, whitish, becoming dingy or brownish-pink. Stems cespitose, solid, silky-fibrillose, slightly mealy at the top, white. Spores 5×4µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

Thin woods and pastures. Ulster county. September.

This is a large, fine species, very distinct by its cespitose habit, white color and very pale sordid-tinted spores. But for the color of these the plant might easily be taken for a species of Clitocybe. The tufts sometimes form long rows. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. October. McIlvaine.

Tender, not much flavor.

C. Noveboracen´sis Pk.—New York Clitopilus. Pileus thin, convex, then expanded or slightly depressed, dingy white, cracked in areas or concentrically rivulose, sometimes obscurely zonate, odor farinaceous, taste bitter. Gills narrow, close, deeply decurrent, some of them forked, white, becoming dingy, tinged with yellow or flesh-color. Stem equal, solid, colored like the pileus, the mycelium white, often forming white branching root-like fibers. Spores globose, 4–5µ broad.

Var. brevis. Margin of the pileus, in the moist plant, pure white. Gills adnate or slightly decurrent. Stem short.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 1–3 lines thick.

Woods and pastures. Adirondack mountains, Albany and Rensselaer counties. August to October.

The plant is gregarious or cespitose. Sometimes, especially in the variety, it grows in lines or arcs of circles. The margin is often undulated, and in the variety it is, when fresh and moist, clothed with a film of interwoven webby white fibrils which give it a peculiar appearance, and if the spore characters are neglected it might be mistaken for Clitocybe phyllophila. The disk is often tinged with reddish-yellow or rusty hues when moist, and its rivulose character is then more distinct. A farinaceous odor is generally present, especially in the broken or bruised plant, but its taste is bitter and unpleasant. Sometimes bruises of the fresh plant manifest a tendency to assume a smoky-brown or blackish color. The base of the stem is sometimes clothed with a white mycelioid tomentum. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

C. Sey´mourianus Pk.—Pileus fleshy, thin, broadly convex or slightly depressed, even, pruinose, whitish with a dark lilac tinge, sometimes 263lobed and eccentric. Gills narrow, crowded, decurrent, some of them forked at the base, whitish with a pale flesh-colored tint. Stem equal, silky-fibrillose, hollow. Spores minute, globose or nearly so, 3.5–4µ long.

Pileus 1–2.5 in. broad. Stem 1.5–2.5 in. long, 3–4 lines thick.

Woods. Lewis county. September. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

LEPTO´NIA Fr.

Rosy-spored. Stem cartilaginous, tubular (the tube stuffed or hollow), polished, somewhat shining. Pileus thin, umbilicate or with a darker disk, cuticle fibrillose or separating into darker scales, margin at first incurved. Gills at first adnexed or adnate but readily separating. Fries.

The Leptoniæ are related to the Clitopili as the Collybiæ are to the Clitocybæ. The species are small, elegant, brightly colored, inodorous (except A. incanus), and abound in rainy weather. Gregarious or growing in troops; on the ground, commonly on dry mossy pastures, but also in marshy places. Stevenson.

Six American species reported. I have not seen any.

264NOLA´NEA Fr.

Rosy-spored. Stem tubed, the tube more rarely stuffed with a pith, cartilaginous. Pileus somewhat membranaceous, bell-shaped, somewhat papillate, striate and sometimes even, sometimes also clothed with flocci, margin straight and at the first pressed to the stem, and not involute. Gills free or adfixed, and not decurrent. Fries.

Nolanea agrees with Leptonia and Eccilia among the pink-spored species. It corresponds with Mycena, Galera and Psathyra. Several Entolomata are nearly allied. The species are thin and slender, commonly inodorous and fragile, though some of them are tough. Growing on the ground in summer and autumn. Stevenson.

Seven American species reported. None seen by writer. Peck, Rep. 24, 26, 35, 39, 50.

265ECCI´LIA Fr.

Stem cartilaginous, tubular (the tube hollow or stuffed), expanded upward into the pileus, which is somewhat membranaceous and at the first turned inward at the margin. Gills attenuated behind, truly decurrent, becoming more so when the pileus is depressed, and not separating as those of Nolanea.

Corresponding in structure with Omphalia of the white-spored and Tubaria of the brown-spored series. Allied to Clitopilus in the decurrent gills, but separated by the cartilaginous, smooth stem.

E. car´neo-gri´sea B. and Br.—caro, flesh; griseus, gray. Pileus about 1 in. broad, gray flesh-color, umbilicate, striate, delicately dotted, margin slightly glittering with dark particles. Stem about 1½ in. long, slender, fibrous-hollow upward, wavy, of the same color as the pileus, shining, smooth, white-downy at the base. Gills adnato-decurrent, somewhat undulated, distant, rosy, the irregular margin darker. Stevenson.

Spores irregularly oblong, rough, 7×5µ Massee.

Nova Scotia, Dr. Somers.

New Jersey, E.B. Sterling, August, 1897; Eagle’s Mere, Pa., common under pines, McIlvaine.

266This neat little species is sweet and pleasant raw, and when cooked makes an agreeable dish. European authorities give the taste as unpleasant, but there is nothing of the sort about the American representative.

CLAU´DOPUS Smith.

Pileus eccentric, lateral or resupinate. Spores pinkish.

The species of this genus were formerly distributed among the Pleuroti and Crepidoti, which they resemble in all respects except the color of the spores. The genus at first was made to include species with lilac-colored as well as pink spores, but Professor Fries limited it to species with pink spores. In this sense we have taken it. The spores in some species are even, in others rough or angulated. The stem is either entirely wanting or is very short and inconspicuous, a character indicated by the generic name. The pileus often rests upon its back and is attached by a point when young, but it becomes turned backward with age. The species are few and infrequent. All inhabit decaying wood.

SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES.
Pileus yellow	C. nidulans
Pileus white or whitish	1
1. Spores even	C. variabilis
1. Spores angulated.	C. depluens
Pileus gray or brown	2
2. Pileus striatulate when moist	C. Greigensis
2. Pileus not striatulate	C. byssisedus
Peck, 39th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

267C. ni´dulans Pers.—nidus, a nest. Pileus 1–3 in. broad, stemless, attached by the pileus or rarely narrowed behind into a short stem-like base, caps often overlapping one another, suborbicular or kidney-shaped, downy, somewhat pointed-hairy or scaly-hairy toward the margin, yellow or buff color, the margin at first turned inward. Lamellæ rather broad, moderately close or subdistant, orange-yellow. Spores even, slightly curved, 6–8µ long, about half as broad, delicate pink.

Decaying wood. Sandlake. Catskill and Adirondack mountains. Autumn.

This fungus was placed by Fries among the Pleuroti, and in this he has been followed by most authors. But the spores have a delicate pink color closely resembling that of the young lamellæ of the common mushroom, Agaricus campestris. We have, therefore, placed it among the Claudopodes, where Fries himself has suggested it should be placed if removed at all from Pleurotus. Our plant has sometimes been referred to Panus dorsalis Bosc., but with the description of that species it does not well agree. The tawny-color, spoon-shaped pileus, pale floccose scales, short lateral stem and decurrent lamellæ ascribed to that species are not well shown by our plant. The substance of the pileus, though rather tenacious and persistent, can scarcely be called leathery. The flesh is white or pale yellow. The hairy down of the pileus is often matted in small tufts and intermingled with coarse hairs, especially toward the margin. This gives a scaly or pointed-hairy appearance. The color of the pileus is often paler toward the base than it is on the margin. Peck, 39th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., November, 1898, decaying stumps. McIlvaine.

An autumnal species growing upon wood. Not common.

The light yellow tomentosity of the cap arranges itself into shapes as fascinating as crystals of snow.

Taste pleasant, mild. Texture more solid than P. ostreatus, consequently tougher. It is edible but not desirable. Must be chopped fine and cooked well. 268

Ochrosporæ, third in color series, ranges in spore color from dull ochraceous, through bright ocher, to rusty orange and ferruginous or iron-rust. The various shades will tax even a color expert.

There are no species in the series corresponding to Amanitæ. In Acetabularia there is a cup-like volva; in Pholiota there is a distinct interwoven ring on the stem; in Cortinarius the secondary veil is like a cobweb, and may form an imperfect zone around the stem, or hang as fibers from the margin of the cap; Pluteolus exactly resembles Pluteus.

There are many edible species of good quality in the series. None are known to be poisonous. The substance, as a rule, is tougher than in most of the preceding genera, and in many instances has a strong woody flavor. Several species are late growers, and are among the best of fungi. Notably in Pholiota.

ACETABULA´RIA Berk.

Universal veil distinct from the pileus; hymenophore distinct; gills free; spores pallid, tawny or brown.

Analogous to Volvaria and Chitonia.

No American species reported.

269PHOLIO´TA Fr.

Pileus more or less fleshy. Gills adnate, with or without a decurrent tooth, tawny or rust colored at maturity from the spores. Flesh of stem continuous with that of the pileus. Ring distinct, interwoven. Spores sepia-brown, bright yellowish-brown or light red.

Generally on wood, sometimes on the ground in damp moss, frequently densely cespitose. Some of the species are large and bright colored. Distinguished from all other genera of the brown-spored series by the possession of a distinct ring. In Cortinarius the veil and ring are web-like.

Stevenson notes in his description of the genus: “None are to be commended as edible.” My investigation shows that there are several delicious species, notably P. squarrosa and subsquarrosa. Their lateness and plentifulness make them valuable food fungi. I have nothing but praise for the entire genus.

On the ground, rarely cespitose.

* Eudermini. Gr—well; dermini, the brown-spored series.

Spores ferruginous.

** Phæoti. Gr—dusky.

Spores dusky rust-colored.

On wood; subcespitose.

* Ægeritini. P. ægerita, the type of the section.

Pileus naked, not scaly, sometimes cracked. Gills pallid, then reddish or dusky. None known to be edible.

** Squamosi—squama, a scale.

Pileus scaly, not hygrophanous. Gills becoming discolored.

* Gills not becoming purely rust-colored.

** Gills yellow, then rust-color or tawny.

*** Hygrophani. Gr—moist; to appear.

Gills cinnamon, not at first yellow.

Hygrophanous. Like Galera with a ring.

A. Humigeni. On ground.

P. capera´ta Pers.—capero, to wrinkle. (Plate LXXI, fig. 2, page 268.) Pileus 3–5 in. broad, more or less intensely yellow, fleshy, but thin in proportion to its size and robust stem, ovate then expanded, obtuse, viscid only when moist and not truly so, even at the disk, wrinkled in pits at the sides, incrusted with white superficial flocci. Stem 4–6 in. long, more than 1 in. thick, solid, stout, cylindrical with exception of the base which is often tuberous, shining white, scaly above the ring, which is membranaceous, reflexo-pendulous, and broken into squamules at the apex. Gills adnate, crowded, thin, somewhat serrated, clay-cinnamon.

When young the pileus is incrusted with the veil or with white mealy-floccose soft, hairy down, which is crowded on the even disk and scaly towards the thin pitted-furrowed margin; and as this separates the pileus is naked. Veil universal, floccoso-mealy, at the first cohering in the form of a volva but not continuous; in rainy weather remaining in the form of a volva at the base. Spores dark ferruginous on a white ground, paler on a black ground. There is a smaller form (A. macropus Pers.) in pine woods, pileus even and paler. Stem 3 in. long, and without a tuberous base. Ring oblique and often incomplete. Stev.

Spores 10µ B. and Br.; 12×4µ W.P.; spheroid-ellipsoid, uniguttate, 11–12×8–9µ K.; 12×4.5µ Massee.

Not previously reported.

This fungus occurs sparingly in rich woods near Boston. It is much esteemed in Germany, and eagerly sought by the common people, who call it familiarly the “Zigeuner” (Gypsy). Boston Myc. Club Bull. 1896.

I have found this species in but one place—on the south hill of the great Chester valley, Pa., where it grows plentifully in woods. The taste raw was slightly acrid, but when cooked this disappeared. Many ate of the species and enjoyed it.

271P. togula´ris Bull.—togula, a little cloak. From the ample ring. Pileus 1½ in. broad, pallid ochraceous, fleshy, soft, bell-shaped then expanded, obtuse, orbicular, without striæ, smooth. Flesh thin, soft, becoming yellow. Stem 3–4 in. long, 2 lines thick, tubed, rigid, equal, cylindrical, rough with stiff fibers, naked and becoming yellow at the apex, becoming dingy brown downward. Ring medial, more than 1 in. distant, entire, spreading-reflexed. Gills adnato-separating, ventricose, crowded, narrowed in front, becoming yellow, at length pale rust-color, never becoming dingy brown.

Protean, slender, very variable in stature, growing in troops. b. More slender, but densely gregarious, with the wholly pallid smooth stem thinner, often flexuous. This form is exactly A. mesodactylus Berk. c. Very small. Pileus 1 in. Stem 1 in. or a little more, scarcely 1 line thick, very flexuous, becoming rust-color. Stevenson.

Spores elliptical, 8×3.5µ Massee.

New Jersey, on decayed chips mixed with dirt. May, 1898. E.B. Sterling.

Not previously reported.

The specimens sent were tested and found to be of good quality.

P. du´ra Bolt.—durus, hard. Pileus 3 in. and more broad, tawny, tan-color, becoming dingy brown, fleshy, somewhat compact, convexo-plane, obtuse, smooth, then cracked into patches, margin even. Stem commonly curt, 2 in. long, about ½ in. thick, stuffed, even solid, hard, becoming silky-even, then longitudinally cracked when dry, thickened at the apex, mealy and more than usually widened into the pileus, varying ventricose and irregularly-shaped. Ring torn. Gills adnate, striato-decurrent with a tooth, ventricose, ½ in. broad, livid then dingy rust-color.

The stem is abundantly furnished with fibrillose rootlets at the base. Although very closely allied to A. præcox, it is readily distinguished by its rust-color or brown-rust spores. Stevenson.

Spores 9×5µ W.G.S.; 8–9×5–6µ Massee.

Haddonfield, N.J. June to October. Florist’s garden, McIlvaine.

After rains P. dura appears, solitary, from spring to autumn. The 272cracked cap, in mature specimens, distinguishes it from other species found on its habitat. It varies in size from 1½ in. up to 4 in. across. The caps are excellent.

P. præ´cox Pers.—præcox, early. Pileus 1–2 in. broad, convex or nearly plane, soft, nearly or quite glabrous, whitish, more or less tinged with yellow or tan-color. Gills close, adnexed, at first whitish, then brownish or rusty-brownish. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 2–2.5 lines thick, rather slender, mealy or glabrous, stuffed or hollow, whitish. Spores elliptical, rusty-brown, 10–13×6–8µ.

The Early Pholiota is a small but variable species. From other similarly colored species that appear in grassy ground early in the season, the collar on the stem will generally distinguish it. Its cap is usually convex when young but nearly flat in the mature plant. It is rather pale in color but not a clear white, being tinted with yellow or pale tan-colored hues. The gills are whitish when the cap first opens, but they soon change to a rusty-brown hue in consequence of the ripening of the spores. They are excavated at the inner extremity and slightly attached to the stem. They are ventricose when the cap is fully expanded. The stem is rather slender, nearly or quite straight and soon smooth and hollow. It is pale or whitish, and usually furnished with a small collar. Sometimes the collar is slight and disappears with age and sometimes the fragments of the veil remain attached to the margin of the cap leaving nothing for a collar.

The plants usually grow in grassy ground, lawns and gardens, and appear from May to July.

Var. minor Batt. is a small form having the cap only about 1 in. broad and the remnants of the veil adherent to the margin of the cap. It is represented by figures 6 to 12.

Var. sylvestris Pk. has the center of the cap brownish or rusty-brown, and grows in thin woods. Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

273Spores inclining to fuscous, spheroid-ellipsoid, 8–13×5–7µ K.; 8×6µ W.G.S.; 8–13×6–7µ Massee.

West Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, May to August. On rich ground, lawns, gardens, etc. McIlvaine.

Coming as it does in early spring, it is a prized species wherever found.

The caps only are good.

B. Truncigeni. On wood.

P. squarro´sa Mull.—squarrosus, scurfy. (Plate LXXI, fig. 3, page 268.) Pileus 3–5 in. broad, saffron-rust-color, scaly with innate, crowded, revolute, darker (becoming dingy brown), persistent scales, fleshy, convex bell-shaped then flattened, commonly obtusely umbonate or gibbous, dry. Flesh light-yellow, compact when young, sometimes thin. Stems curt when young, as much as 8 in. long when full-grown, as much as 1 in. thick at the apex, remarkably attenuated downwards, stuffed, scaly as far as the ring with crowded, revolute, darker scales. Ring only slightly distant from the apex, rarely membranaceous, entire or often slashed, generally floccoso-radiate, of the same color as the scales. Gills adnate with a decurrent tooth, crowded, narrow, pallid-olivaceous then rust-color.

Spores ferruginous. Very cespitose, forming large heaps. Stems commonly cohering at the base, varying very much in stature in the 274same cluster; varying also much thinner, scarcely ever curved-ascending. Odor heavy, stinking; sometimes, however, obsolete. Stevenson.

Spores ellipsoid, 7–8x4–5µ K.; 4x5µ W.G.S.; 8x4µ Massee.

On trunks of trees, on and near stumps, etc. Common. August to December.

West Virginia, 1881–1885, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On rotten wood and stumps. August to long after frost. McIlvaine.

Edible. Curtis.

The American species, as I have repeatedly found it, is not so large as given in the European description, and the habitat is more closely confined to the trunks of standing trees and stumps not much decayed. It is a showy species, to be seen from afar off, especially after the leaves fall. Taste when young, raw, is sweet, mealy; when mature, like stale lard.

Cooked, the caps are of good substance and flavor. One of the very best.

P. squarrosoi´des Pk.—squarrosus, scurfy; eidos, form. Pileus firm, convex, viscid when moist, at first densely covered by erect papillose or subspinose tawny scales, which soon separate from each other, revealing the whitish color and viscid character of the pileus. Lamellæ close, emarginate, at first whitish, then pallid or dull cinnamon color. Stem equal, firm, stuffed, rough with thick squarrose scales, white above the thick floccose ring, pallid or tawny below. Spores minute, elliptical, 5×4µ.

Densely cespitose, 3–6 in. high. Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 3–5 lines thick.

Dead trunks and old stumps of maple. Adirondack and Catskill mountains. Autumn.

This is evidently closely related to A. squarrosus, with which it has, perhaps, been confused, but its different colors and viscid pileus appear to warrant its separation. Peck, 31st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Occurred in large clusters on sugar maples at Eagle’s Mere in October, and on stumps at Mt. Gretna. It very closely resembles P. squarrosa. Its caps are of the very best.

275P. subsquarro´sa Fr.—sub, under; squarrosus, scurfy. (Plate LXXI, fig. 4, p. 268.) Pileus 2 in. and more broad, brown rust-color, with darker, adpressed, floccose scales, fleshy, convex, obtuse or gibbous, viscid. Stem 3 in. long, 4–5 lines thick, stuffed (often hollow when old), equal, yellow-rust-color, clothed with darker scales which are adpressed, or spreading only at the apex, not rough, furnished with an annular zone at the apex, becoming yellow-rust-color within. Gills deeply sinuate, emarginate, almost free, arcuate, crowded, at first pale then dingy yellow.

Spores rust-color. The pileus is viscid, but not glutinous like that of A. adiposus. It holds a doubtful place between A. aurivellus and A. squarrosus, departing from both, however, in the gills being at the first yellow; and from A. squarrosus, to which it is more like, in the gills being emarginato-free, not decurrent. Somewhat cespitose. Almost inodorous. Fries.

Spores ferruginous, size not stated.

West Philadelphia, Mt. Gretna, Pa., Haddonfield, N.J. September until after frosts. McIlvaine.

Not previously reported.

The maple trees in West Philadelphia frequently show large clusters of it up to twenty feet from ground; to be seen from afar after the leaves have fallen. Our American species differs somewhat from the European. American species:

Pileus 1–3 in. across, fleshy, convex, very viscid, rich brownish-yellow, covered with darker adpressed floccose scales. Flesh slightly yellow. Gills white when very young slightly emarginate, adnexed, crowded, ¼ in. broad, brown. Stem 2–3 in. long, ½ in. thick, equal or tapering toward base, stuffed, then hollow, covered with squamose scales as far up as the slight ring, smooth above ring. Ring membranaceous, slight.

Spores rust-color.

The species is variable and differs greatly in youth and maturity.

The caps, fried in hot buttered pan, are unexcelled.

Equally fine in croquettes and patties.

P. adipo´sa Fr.—adeps, fat. Pileus fleshy, firm, at first hemispherical or subconical, then convex, very viscid or glutinous when moist, scaly, yellow. Flesh whitish. Gills close, adnate, yellowish becoming rust-color with age. Stem equal or slightly thickened at the base, scaly below the slight radiating floccose ring, solid or stuffed, yellow, generally rust-color at the base. Spores elliptical, 7.6×5µ.

The Fat pholiota is a showy species. Its tufted mode of growth, rather large size, yellow color and rusty-brown scales make it a noticeable object. The stem is somewhat and the cap very viscid when moist, and this viscidity when dry gives it a shining appearance. The scales of the cap become erect or reflexed and sometimes appear blackish at the tips. They sometimes disappear with age. The flesh is firm and white or whitish. The gills when young are yellow or pale-yellow, but when mature they assume a ferruginous or rusty color like that of the spores. The stem is similar in color to the cap, but paler or nearly white at the top and usually reddish-brown or rusty-brown at the base. The collar is slight and often scarcely noticeable in mature specimens.

The Cap is 2–4 in. broad, the Stem 2–4 in. long and 4–6 lines thick. The plants commonly grow in tufts on stumps or dead trunks of deciduous trees in or near woods. They may be found from September to November. It is well to peel the caps before cooking. This species is not classed as edible by European authors, but I find its flavor agreeable and its substance digestible and harmless. Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 8×5µ W.G.S.; elliptical, ferruginous, 7×3µ Massee.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. October until after frost. About trees and stumps and on logs. McIlvaine.

P. adiposa yields a substantial substance of good flavor.

277P. flam´mans Fr.—flamma, flame. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, yellow-tawny, fleshy, convex then plane, somewhat umbonate, absolutely dry, sprinkled with superficial, pilose, somewhat concentric, paler or sulphur-yellow, rough or curly scales; margin at first inflexed, then spread when larger. Flesh thin, light yellow. Stem 3 in. long, 2–3 lines thick, stuffed then hollow, equal, most frequently flexuous, very light yellow as are also the crowded rough scales. Ring membranaceous, entire, not far removed from the pileus, of the same color. Gills adnate and without a tooth, somewhat thin, crowded, at the first bright sulphur-yellow, at length rust-color, edge quite entire.

Pileus by no means hygrophanous. It is distinguished from all others by the sulphur-yellow scales on the tawny pileus. Forming small clusters. Inodorous. The ring is sometimes only indicated by an annular zone. Fries.

Spores ellipsoid, 4×2µ K.; ellipsoid, 3–4×2–2.5µ C.B.P.; 4×2µ W.P.; 8×4µ Massee.

Quite plentiful in the New Jersey pines, from October until after heavy frosts. Caps seldom over 3 in. across. Solitary, and in clusters of not over half a dozen.

The caps fried are delicious.

P. luteofo´lia Pk.—luteus, yellow; folium, a leaf. Pileus firm, convex, dry, scaly, fibrillose on the margin, pale-red or yellowish. Lamellæ broad, subdistant, emarginate, serrate on the edge, yellow, becoming bright rust-color. Stem firm, fibrillose, solid, colored like the pileus, often curved from the place of growth. Ring obsolete. Spores bright rust-color, 7×4µ.

Plant subcespitose, 2–3 in. high. Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 3–5 lines thick.

Trunks of birch trees. Forestburgh. September.

The general appearance of this plant is like A. variegatus or reddish forms of A. multipunctus. The reddish color appears sometimes to fade with age. Peck, 27th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Eagle’s Mere, Pa. In clusters, on birch trees. August, 1898. McIlvaine.

Grows in quantity in the birch forests. The caps are delicious.

278P. ornel´la Pk. (Agaricus ornellus Pk., 34 Rep., p. 42.) Pileus convex or nearly plane, slightly squamose, reddish-brown tinged with purple, the margin paler, floccose-appendiculate. Gills moderately close, yellowish or pallid, becoming brown. Stem equal or slightly thickened upward, solid, squamulose, pale-yellow, sometimes expanded at the base into a brownish disk margined with yellowish filaments. Spores brown, elliptical, 6–7.5×4–5µ.

Plant 1–2 in. high. Pileus about 1 in. broad. Stem 1 line to 1.5 lines thick.

Decaying wood. South Ballston, Saratoga county. October.

The scales of the pileus are sometimes arranged in concentric circles. The purplish tint is not always uniform, but in some instances forms spots or patches. Peck, 34th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Specimens, clustered, found by me on railroad ties at Haddonfield, N.J., September, 1897, had caps 1–1½ in. broad, of a dull green without tinge of purple; skin minutely cracked, showing the white flesh in the interstices; stem 1–2 in. long, 3–4 lines thick, slightly thickened upward, pale orange, solid, squamulose; ring floccose; taste when raw, slightly bitter. These were sent to Professor Peck who wrote: “Appears to be a form of P. ornella Pk., but it differs some in color, being more of a green hue than of purple or olivaceous. It is pretty and I would like to know more about it before deciding on it fully.”

I have not since found it. Very palatable when cooked.

P. muta´bilis Schaeff.—changeable. Pileus about 2 in. broad, cinnamon when moist, becoming pale when dry, hygrophanous, slightly fleshy, convex then flattened, commonly obtusely umbonate, sometimes depressed, even and smooth, but when young occasionally scaly throughout. Stem about 2–3 in. long, 2 lines and more thick, rigid, stuffed then hollow, equal or attenuated downward, scaly-rough as far as the ring, rust-color, blackish or umber downward, often ascending or twisted. Ring membranaceous, externally scaly. Gills adnato-decurrent, crowded, rather broad, pallid then cinnamon. Stevenson.

Densely cespitose, variable in stature.

Spores ellipsoid-obovate, 6×11µ W.G.S.; 7×4µ W.P; 9–11×5–6µ Massee; 11×7µ Morgan.

Edible. Curtis. Considered excellent in Europe.

279P. margina´ta Batsch.—marginatus, margined. Pileus 1 in. and more broad, honey-colored when moist, tan when dry, hygrophanous, slightly fleshy, convex then expanded, obtuse, even, smooth, margin striate. Stem about 2 in. long, 1–2 lines thick, tubed, equal, fibrillose or slightly striate, not scaly, of the same color as the pileus, but becoming dingy-brown, and commonly white velvety at the base. Ring 1–2 lines distant from the apex, often in the form of a cortina and fugacious. Gills adnate, crowded, thin, narrow, at first pallid, then darker cinnamon.

It varies much, and is deceptive on account of the vanishing veil. In hedges there is a very small cespitose form with the pileus only ½ in. broad, and the stem tough and smooth, with exception of the remains of the fugacious cortina. There also occur on the ground among mosses smaller and paler forms, which must be carefully distinguished from A. unicolor, etc. Stevenson.

Spores 7–8×4µ Massee.

Haddonfield, N.J., November, December, 1896. In pine woods. McIlvaine.

The caps of this small Pholiota, seldom over 1 ½ in. across, can be gathered in goodly numbers where it frequents. They are of excellent quality.

P. dis´color Pk.—changing color. Pileus thin, convex, then expanded or slightly depressed, smooth, viscid, hygrophanous, watery-cinnamon and striatulate on the margin when moist; bright ochraceous-yellow when dry. Lamellæ close, narrow, pallid then pale rust-color. Stem equal, hollow, fibrillose-striate, pallid. Ring distinct, persistent. Spores elliptical, 7×5µ.

Plant subcespitose, 2–3 in. high. Pileus 8–16 lines broad. Stem 1 line thick.

Old logs in woods. Greig. September.

The change of color from the moist to the dry state is very marked. This species resembles Agaricus autumnalis, in which the annulus is fugacious and the spores are longer. The edge of the gills in both is white-flocculose. Peck, 25th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Two forms of this species are found. One has a scattered form of growth, the other found on decaying wood of birch is cespitose. The 280species is allied to P. marginata, from which it is readily distinguished by its viscid pileus. Peck, Rep. 44.

Var. discolor minor Pk. Small. Pileus 6–10 lines broad, chestnut color when young or moist. Stem about 1 line thick, at first clothed with whitish fibrils.

Among mosses about or on the base of stumps. September. Peck, Rep. 46.

West Virginia. Eagle’s Mere, Mt. Gretna, Pa. August to frost. On decaying wood. McIlvaine.

This little Pholiota is abundant where it does grow. In the West Virginia forests I have seen logs with many tufts of it upon each. The caps are fairly good.

281INO´CYBE Fr.

Universal veil somewhat fibrillose, concrete with the cuticle of the pileus, often free at the margin, in the form of a cortina. Gills somewhat sinuate (but they occur also adnate and in two species decurrent), changing color, but not powdered with cinnamon. Spores often rough, but in others even, more or less brownish-rust color.

Inocybe (with Hebeloma) corresponds with Tricholoma. Inocybe and Hebeloma have some common features, but they are really very distinct. Inocybe is readily distinguished by the fibrillose covering of the pileus, which never has a distinct pellicle, by the veil which is continuous and homogeneous with the fibrils of the pileus, and by the rusty-brown spores. All grow on the ground. They are (mostly) strong-smelling (commonly nauseous). None are edible. Stevenson.

None reported as either edible or poisonous. Those I have tested are not pleasant.

282PLUTE´OLUS Fr.

Pileus conical or bell-shaped, then expanded, rather fleshy, viscid, margin at first straight and pressed to the stem. Gills free, rounded behind. Stem somewhat cartilaginous, its substance different from that of the pileus.

Growing on wood.

Spores rust or saffron color. Pluteus, the only genus having the same structure, is separated by its salmon-colored spores.

P. reticula´tus Pers.—rete, a net. From the net-work of veins on the pileus. Pileus slightly fleshy, bell-shaped, then expanded, sticky, reticulate with anastomosing veins, pale violaceous, striate on the margin. Lamellæ free, ventricose, crowded, rusty-saffron. Stem hollow, fragile, fibrillose, mealy at the top, white. Spores elliptical, ferruginous, 10–13×5–6.5µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 1–2 lines thick.

Decaying wood. Cattaraugus county. September.

The specimens which I have referred to this species appear to be a small form with the pileus scarcely more than an inch broad and merely wrinkled on the disk, not distinctly reticulate as in the type. In the dried specimens the pileus has assumed a dark violaceous color. The dimensions of the spores have been taken from the American plant. I do not find them given by any European author. Peck, 46th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

In October, 1897, P. reticulatus grew in large quantities on a fallow lot close by the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. The lot was thickly covered with tall heavy-stemmed weeds, a mat of which, from the year before was present. The reticulations upon the cap are intricate and distinct. I have not seen it since.

The whole plant is tender and of fine flavor.

283HEBELO´MA Fr.

Partial veil fibrillose or absent. Pileus smooth, continuous, somewhat viscid, margin at first incurved. Flesh of stem continuous with that of the pileus; fleshy, fibrous, clothed, top rather mealy. Gills attached, notched at the stem, edge inclined to be pale. Spores clay-colored.

On the ground.

Closely allied to Inocybe, formerly included in Hebeloma, but differing in the character of the cuticle of the pileus which in Inocybe is scaly or fibrillose. Many of the species are strong in smell and taste. None have hitherto been considered edible and some have been regarded as poisonous.

Furnished with a ring from the manifest veil, which often makes the margin of the pileus superficially silky.

Pileus smooth. Veil absent. None known to be edible.

Pileus scarcely an inch broad. None known to be edible.

The writer has not as yet investigated the edible qualities of this genus to his satisfaction. Much work remains to be done. But two species of Hebeloma are given as edible. They are good, but do not rank above second-class. Several others have been tested, but not in sufficient quantity to report upon their quality with perfect safety. So far as tested the species have been harmless.

Indusia´ti. With a ring, etc.

H. mus´sivum Fr.—mussivus, undecided. (Uncertain in generic place.) Pileus 2–4 in. broad, either of one color, yellow or darker at the disk which is like a smooth sugar-cake, fleshy, compact, firm, convex 284then plane, unequal, very obtuse, viscid, at first smooth and even, margin bent inward, even, then commonly turning upward and broken up into scales. Flesh thick, becoming yellow. Stem 4 in. long, commonly 1 in. thick, very fleshy, sometimes stuffed, sometimes hollow at the top, equal or broad in the middle, wholly fibrillose and powdered at the top, light yellow. Veil fibrillose, very evanescent. Gills emarginate, somewhat crowded, 3 lines broad, dry (not distilling drops), at first light yellow, then together with the spores somewhat rust-colored.

Odor weak, not unpleasant. Very distinct. It departs widely from all the following species in its habit and bright colors. The habit is that of a Flammula or Cortinarius, but the gills are emarginate and not powdered; from the turned up pileus and from the stem being powdered at the top, and from other marks it is to be referred to Hebeloma. Fries.

Spores elliptical, 12×6µ Massee.

New Jersey, Haddonfield. Under pine trees. Solitary. Frequent. September, 1896. McIlvaine.

Not previously reported.

Taste, even raw, is pleasant. It is meaty and the meat is good. It requires slow cooking and is best chopped fine and served in patties or croquettes.

H. fasti´bile Fr.—fastidibilis, loathsome. From the smell. Pileus 2 in. and more broad, pale yellowish, tan or becoming pale, compactly fleshy, convexo-plane, obtuse, somewhat wavy, even, smooth, the turned-in margin downy. Stem 2–3 in. long, ½ in. thick, solid, wholly fleshy-fibrous, stout, somewhat bulbous, often twisted, everywhere white-silky and fibrillose, white, but varying pallid, white-scaly upward. Cortina remarkable, white, occasionally in the form of a ring. Gills remarkably emarginate, somewhat distant, rather broad, at first becoming pale-white, then dingy clay-color, edge whitish, distilling drops in rainy weather.

Somewhat cespitose. Odor and taste of radish, bitterish. Like A. 285crustiliniformis; the odor is the same except that it is stronger, but it differs conspicuously in the manifest veil and somewhat distant gills.

Var. al´ba, stem longer, equal, somewhat hollow, fibrous-scaly at the apex, gills distant. A. spiloleucus Krombh., A. sulcatus Lindgr. is an elegant form with the margin of the pileus sulcate or rugoso-plicate.

In mixed woods. Common. July to October. Stevenson.

Spores 11×8µ W.G.S.; elliptical, pointed, 10×8µ Morgan.

Var. elegans. Pileus purple-brown.

This sometimes appears on disused mushroom beds in large quantities, but the method by which the spores gain access is involved in darkness.

“A very suspicious species and has the reputation of being noxious.” Cooke.

“There is considerable external resemblance between this and A. campestris. No fungus is so often mistaken for A. campestris as this dangerous plant.” W.G. Smith.

This species is considered noxious abroad. No test is reported of its qualities here.

I have not seen it.

H. glutino´sum Lind.—gluten, glue. (Plate LXXI, fig. 1, p. 268.) Pileus about 3 in. broad, yellow-white, the disk darker, fleshy, convex then plane, regular, obtuse, with a tenacious viscous gluten, and slimy in wet weather, sprinkled with white superficial scales. Flesh whitish, becoming light-yellow. Stem 3 in. long, stuffed, firm, somewhat bulbous, white-scaly and fibrillose, and white-mealy at the top, often rough with bundles of hairs at the base, at length rust-color within. Partial thread-like veil manifest, in the form of a cortina. Gills sinuato-adnate, somewhat decurrent, crowded, broad, pallid then light-yellowish, at length clay-cinnamon. Odor peculiar, mild.

On branches and among leaves, oak and beech. Frequent. September to December. Stevenson.

Spores 5×4µ W.P.; plum-shaped, 7µ Q.; elliptical, 10–12×5µ Massee; ellipsoid, 6–7×3–4µ K.

New York. Among fallen leaves and half-buried decaying wood, in thin woods. Conklingville. September. In wet weather the gluten is sufficiently copious to drop from the pileus. Peck, Rep. 40.

Haddonfield, N.J., among leaves in mixed woods. Frequent. 1896. 286Mt. Gretna, Pa., among leaves under oaks. Frequent. September to November. McIlvaine.

Caps 1½-3 in. across. Remarkably glutinous, shining as if varnished when wet. Partial veil not always noticeable.

The odor and taste are pleasant. The caps when well cooked are meaty, good, but of second quality.

Denuda´ti. Pileus smooth, etc.

H. crustulinifor´me Bull.—crustulum, a small pie; forma, form. Pileus pale-whitish tan, most frequently pale-yellowish or brick-color at the disk, fleshy, convexo-plane, obtuse or slightly gibbous with an obtuse umbo, somewhat spreading with an uneven margin, even, smooth, at first slightly viscid, not zoned. Flesh transparent when moist. Stem stuffed then hollow, stout, somewhat bulbous, white, naked, white-scaly at the top. Gills rounded-adnexed, crowded, narrowed, 1 line broad and linear, thin, whitish then clay-color, at length date-brown, the unequal edge distilling watery drops in wet weather, spotted when dry.

Veil quite wanting. Odor strong, fetid, of radish. Very variable in stature; the stem, however, is never elongated as in A. elatus, etc.; in smaller specimens equal, pileus regular, gills almost adnate.

In mixed woods. Common. August to November. Stevenson.

Spores ellipsoid, 10–12×5–7µ K.; 9×5µ W.G.S.

Var. mi´nor Cke. Smaller than the type.

Minnesota, common in woods, Johnson; California, H. and M.; Wisconsin, Bundy; New Jersey, Ellis; Vermont, Burt (Lloyd); New York, Peck, 41st Rep.; Mt. Gretna, Pa., November, 1898. In woods. McIlvaine.

But one specimen found and that was sent to Professor Peck. Taste bitter.

Regarded as poisonous by European writers. It is not reported as tested in America.

287FLAM´MULA Fr.

Pileus fleshy, margin at first turned inward. Veil fibrillose or none. Stem fleshy-fibrous, not mealy at the top. Gills decurrent or attached without a tooth. Spores mostly pure rust color; some brownish-rust, others tawny-ochraceous.

A few species grow on the ground, the majority on wood.

Pileus dry, generally scaly. Spores not yellowish.

Pileus covered with a continuous, viscid, smooth, partly separable cuticle. Veil fibrillose. Spores not yellowish. Gregarious, on the ground, rarely on wood. Distinguished from Hebeloma by the gills not being sinuate and the top of the stem not mealy.

Veil slight, generally hanging in fragments. Cuticle of the pileus continuous, not separable, smooth, in places superficially downy, moist or slightly viscid in rainy weather. Spores not yellowish. Cespitose, growing on wood.

Veil silky, very slight, adpressed to the stem or forming a silky ring on it. Cuticle of pileus thin, the flesh splitting at the surface into scales, not viscid. Distinguished by the gills and spores being light yellow or tawny. Somewhat cespitose; always on pine or on the ground among pine branches.

Cuticle of the pileus slightly silky, dry or at the first viscid.

None known to be edible.

288The genus Flammula is not represented in our territory by a large number of species. It is, nevertheless, not very sharply distinct from the allied genera, Pholiota, Hebeloma and Naucoria. From Pholiota it is especially separated by the slight development of the veil which is merely fibrillose or entirely wanting. It never forms a persistent membranous collar on the stem. From Hebeloma it may be distinguished by the absence of a sinus at or near the inner extremity of the gills, by the absence of white particles or mealiness from the upper part of the stem and by the brighter or more distinctly rusty or ochraceous color of the spores. From Naucoria the fleshy or fibrously fleshy stem affords the most available distinguishing character. The genus belongs to the Ochrosporæ or ochraceous-spored series, but the spores of its species vary in color from ochraceous or tawny-ochraceous to rust-color or brownish-rust color. The three things to be especially kept in mind in order to recognize the species are the color of the spores, the adnate or decurrent but not clearly sinuate gills and the fleshy or fibrously fleshy stem without a membranous ring.

Our species are mostly of medium size, none being very small and one only meriting the appellation large. They appear chiefly in late summer or in autumn and grow in woods or in wooded regions either on the ground or more often on decaying wood. Many are gregarious or cespitose in their mode of growth. Some have a bitterish or unpleasant flavor and none of our species has yet been classed as edible. Fries arranged the species in five groups, of which the names and more prominent characters are here given. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

The few species which the writer has found to be edible, and the two new species found by him, were tested after the publication of the above. Several of the species found are not mentioned herein for the reason that a sufficient quantity was not obtained to make certain their quality as a food. The bitterness, as far as observed, with which most of the species are tainted disappears in cooking.

Gymno´ti. Veil absent, pileus dry, etc.

F. alie´na Pk. Pileus thin, flexible, broadly convex, umbilicate, dry, bare, slightly striate on the margin when old, grayish or pale grayish-brown. Flesh white, fibrous. Gills thin, subdistant, bow-shaped, decurrent, ochraceous-brown. Stem firm, fibrous-striate, solid, 289slightly tapering upward, colored like the pileus, covered at the base with a dense white tomentum. Spores rusty-brown, globose, 5µ broad.

Pileus 3–5 cm. broad. Stem 5 cm. long, 4–6 mm. thick.

Gregarious on partly burned anthracite coal, Mt. Gretna, Pa. September. C. McIlvaine.

The species is peculiar in its color and habitat. In the dried specimen the gills have assumed a brown color with no ochraceous tint. Mr. McIlvaine remarks that it is an edible species, dries well, and is excellent when cooked. Its relationship is with F. anomala Pk., but it is a larger plant with darker color and a different habitat. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 26, F. 1899.

It grows on partly burned anthracite coal, not buried, as printed in the Torrey Bulletin. The mycelium completely involves the pieces of coal, holding them tightly in its meshes. Patches of it were strictly limited to the size of the ash-pile containing the partly burned coal. Quite fifty were found.

As stated, it is edible, and it is of remarkably fine substance for a Flammula.

Lu´brici. Pileus viscid, etc.

F. edu´lis Pk.—eatable. Pileus fleshy, convex, obtuse, glabrous, moist, brown, grayish-brown or yellowish-brown, sometimes rimose. Flesh whitish. Lamellæ rather broad, close, decurrent, bright tan color, becoming brownish-rusty. Stems cespitose, equal, stuffed or hollow, brown. Spores subelliptical, 13×5–6µ.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Grassy ground, along pavements, in gutters and by the side of wooden frames of hotbeds. Haddonfield, N.J. October. C. McIlvaine.

The collector of this species informs me that the flavor of the fresh plant is slightly bitter, but that this disappears in cooking and the fungus furnishes a very good and tender article of food. Successive crops continued to appear for a month. In the dried specimens the stem is striate. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.

This new species appears annually in the same place. I have not found it elsewhere. It is meaty and excellent.

290Udi. Pileus smooth, not viscid; veil fragmentary, etc.

F. alni´cola Fr.—alnus, alder; colo, to inhabit. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, yellow, at length becoming rust-color and sometimes green, fleshy, convex then flattened, obtuse, slimy when moist, but not truly viscous, at the first superficially fibrillose toward the margin. Flesh not very compact, of the same color as the pileus. Stem 2–3 in. and more long, ½ in. thick, stuffed then hollow, attenuato-rooted, commonly curved-flexuous, fibrillose, at first yellow, then becoming rust-color. Veil manifest, sometimes fibrillose, sometimes woven into a spider-web veil. Gills somewhat adnate, broad, plane, at first dingy-pallid or yellowish-pallid, at length together with the plentiful spores rust-colored.

The gills vary decurrent and rounded according to situation. Odor and taste bitter. There are two forms: a. Pileus irregular, fibrillose round the margin; gills at first dingy-pallid. b. Salicicola, pileus somewhat convex, smooth, rarely at the first downy-scaly; gills at first yellowish-pallid. Fries.

Spores subelliptical, 8×5µ K.; 8–10×5–6µ Peck.

New York, swampy woods about base of alders, October, Peck, Rep. 35; at base of alders, with adnate gills, and on birch stumps, with the gills rounded behind, Rep. 39. Mt. Gretna, Pa., New Jersey, mixed woods, August to November, 1898, McIlvaine.

Gregarious and in loose tufts, not plentiful. It is a pretty plant, usually of a bright yellow, sometimes darker at the center of cap. Traces of an evanescent fibrillose ring are occasionally found or the fibrils adorn the margin of the cap. The gills next to the stem are either rounded, attached or slightly decurrent.

Raw the taste is slightly bitter. This disappears in long cooking.

291F. fla´vida Schaeff. (Pers.)—flavidus, light yellow. Pileus fleshy, thin, broadly convex or nearly plane, glabrous, moist, pale yellow. Flesh whitish or pale yellow, taste bitter. Lamellæ moderately close, adnate, pale or yellowish becoming rust-color. Stem equal, often more or less curved, hollow, fibrillose, whitish or pale yellow, with a white mycelium at the base. Spores 8×5µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–3 in. long, 1–3 lines thick.

Decaying wood of various trees. Commonly in wooded or mountainous districts. Summer and autumn.

Our specimens were found on wood of both coniferous and deciduous trees. The plants are sometimes cespitose. The pileus becomes more highly colored in drying. The spores are pale rust-colored approaching ochraceous. In Sylloge the spores of this species are described as pale yellowish. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores broadly elliptical, 6–8×5µ Massee.

New York, decaying wood, Peck, Rep. 32, 50; Mrs. E.C. Anthony, August. West Virginia, 1881–1885; Mt. Gretna, Pa. August to October. McIlvaine.

F. flavida is a frequent species, gregarious and tufted on decaying wood, either standing, fallen, or as roots in the ground. The texture and substance are good. The slight bitter when raw disappears in cooking. The caps, only, are tender.

Sapin´ei. Gills and spores yellowish, etc.

F. hy´brida Fr.—hybrida, a hybrid. Pileus about 2 in. broad, at first tawny-cinnamon, then tawny-orange, fleshy, hemispherical with the margin involute, then expanded, obtuse, regular and well formed, even, smooth, moist. Flesh moderately compact, pallid. Stem 2–3 in. long, 4–5 lines thick, at first stuffed with a soft pith, then hollow, attenuated (almost conico-attenuated) upward, whitish with adpressed silky-hairy down (becoming tawny when the down is rubbed off) slightly striate, with white hairs at the base, and somewhat mealy at the apex. Veil manifest in the form of an annular zone at the apex of the stem, white or at length colored with the spores. Gills adnate, somewhat crowded, light yellow then tawny, not spotted. Fries.

Spores elliptical, tawny-ochraceous, 7–8×4–5µ Massee; 6×4µ W.P.

292Mt. Gretna, Pa., August, September, 1898. On ground under pine trees. Gregarious. W.H. Rorer. Not elsewhere reported.

This is a handsome plant, quite prolific in the large pine groves at Mt. Gretna, Pa. The caps are of good flavor.

F. mag´na Pk.—magnus, large. Pileus fleshy, broadly convex, soft, dry, fibrillose and somewhat streaked, pale yellow or buff, the margin commonly becoming revolute with age. Flesh whitish or yellowish. Gills close, adnate or slightly decurrent, often crisped or wavy toward the stem, about three lines wide, ochraceous. Stem equal or thickened toward the base, fleshy-fibrous, solid, elastic, fibrillose, colored like the pileus, brighter yellow within. Spores subelliptical, ochraceous, 10×6µ.

Cespitose. Pileus 4–6 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 8–12 lines thick.

About the base of trees. Westchester county. October.

This is a large and showy species. The stems are sometimes united at the base into a solid mass. The young gills are probably yellow, but I have seen only mature specimens. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

New Jersey, Trenton, ground in clearing, in pairs and singly. November, E.B. Sterling; Mt. Gretna, Pa. Mixed thin woods. October to November. Near trees. Cespitose, McIlvaine.

Individuals of all ages were found and eaten. The young gills are very light yellow, darkening to a deep, rich yellow.

The caps are of good substance and flavor. When very young the stems are edible.

293TUBA´RIA W.G.S.

Stem somewhat cartilaginous, fistulose. Pileus somewhat membranaceous, often clothed with the universal floccose veil. Gills somewhat decurrent. Spores rust-color or (in Phæoti) brownish-rust color.

The species referred to this subgenus were taken from Naucoria and Galera because they correspond with Omphalia and Eccilia. The pileus is, however, distinctly umbilicate or depressed in only a few of them; the others are placed here on account of their somewhat decurrent gills, which are broadest behind and triangular. Fries.

Small and unimportant.

294NAUCO´RIA Fr.

Pileus more or less fleshy, conical or convex, then expanded, margin at first incurved. Gills free or adnate, not decurrent. Veil fugacious or absent, sometimes attached in minute flakes to the edge of the young pileus. Stem cartilaginous, hollow or with a spongy stuffing. Growing on wood or on the ground, sometimes rooted. Spores various shades of brown, dull or bright.

Naucoria corresponds with Collybia, Leptonia and Psilocybe; from the latter it is distinguished by the spore colors and from Galera in the brown-spored series by the margin of the pileus being at first incurved.

“The spores are rust-color, or brownish rust-color. The color of the pileus is some shade of yellow. The stem is not distinctly ringed, but sometimes a slight spore-stained band marks the place of the obsolete ring.” Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

The members of this genus are with two or three exceptions very common, and common over the land. The greater number grow on the ground among grass; a few grow upon decaying wood. The stems are not of the same texture as the cap and frequently will not cook tender. The caps, however, are, of all species tested, tender and of good flavor. Species of the genus are among the first to appear in spring, and well reward the enterprising mycophagist for his early tramps.

Pileus smooth. Veil absent. Spores rust-color, not becoming dusky-rust-color.

Pileus smooth. Gills and spores dusky rust-color. Veil rarely manifest.

Pileus flocculose or squamulose. Veil manifest.

None known to be edible.

I.—Gymno´ti.

N. hama´dryas Fr.—Gr, a nymph attached to her tree. Pileus 1½-2 in. broad, bay-brown-ferruginous when young and moist, pale yellowish when old and becoming pale, slightly fleshy, convex then expanded, gibbous, even, smooth. Stem 2–3 in. long, 3 lines thick, somewhat fragile, hollow, equal, naked, smooth, pallid. Gills attenuato-adnexed, somewhat free, slightly ventricose, almost 2 lines broad, crowded, rust-color, opaque. Veil none. Widely removed from neighboring species. Pileus somewhat separate as in Plutei. Fries.

Spores elliptical, rust-color, 13–14×7µ Massee.

Haddonfield, N.J. Frequent. Solitary. On ground along pavements, under trees, in woods. Spring to autumn. McIlvaine.

Massee gives it as hygrophanous. I have not found it so. It is moist after rain and dew.

The caps and upper part of the stem are tender, easily cooked and of good flavor.

N. cero´des Fr. Gr—wax. Pileus ½-1 in. broad, watery cinnamon when moist, tan-color when dry, somewhat membranaceous, convex bell-shape and flattened, at length depressed, obtuse, when moist smooth, pellucid-striate at the circumference, when dry even, slightly silky-atomate. Stem 2–3 in. long, 1–2 lines thick, slightly firm, tubed, equal, somewhat flexuous, fibrilloso-striate under a lens, becoming dingy bay-brown sometimes for the most part, sometimes only at the base, pallid upward, mealy at the apex. Gills adnate, separating, very broad behind, hence almost triangular, somewhat distant, broad, plane, soft, distinct, pallid then cinnamon very finely fimbriated at the edge under a lens. Fries.

The typical form, growing among damp mosses, is quite early, gregarious, with the colors almost those of Galera hypnorum, but otherwise 296very different. b. Another form occurs on naked, commonly burnt soil, in late autumn, with almost the habit of N. pediades, but with a different color of gills and spores; this form is firmer. Stem 1 in. long, tense and straight, and color more ochraceous. Stevenson.

Spores 9µ B. and Br.; smooth, 6×3µ Massee.

West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, in grass and moss, along damp wood margins. August to October. McIlvaine.

N. cerodes is not plentiful where I have found it. Enough has been collected at a time to prove it esculent. It is tender, but has not much flavor.

N. stri´apes Cke.—stria, a line; pes, a foot. Pileus 1–1½ in. broad, ochraceous, bell-shaped, obtuse, then expanded, smooth, even. Stem 2–3 in. long, 2 lines thick, hollow, equal, erect or flexuous, white, longitudinally striate. Gills slightly adnate behind, rather distant, tawny rust-color.

Cespitose or gregarious. Among grass on lawn. Stevenson.

Spores narrowly elliptical, 10–12×4µ Massee.

New Jersey, Trenton. Growing among leaves near dump. May to November. E.B. Sterling.

The few specimens tested were delicate and of slight flavor.

II.—Phæ´oti.

N. pedi´ades Fr.—Gr, a plain. Pileus 1–2 in. broad, yellow or pale yellowish-ochraceous then becoming pale, slightly fleshy, convex then plane, obtuse, even, dry, smooth, at length crookedly cracked, but always without striæ. Flesh white. Stem 2–3 in. long, 1–2 lines thick, stuffed with a pith, somewhat flexuous, tough, equal, but with a small bulb at the base, slightly silky becoming even, yellowish. Gills adnexed, 2 lines broad, at first crowded, at length somewhat distant, somewhat dingy-brown, then dingy cinnamon.

297Spores brownish-rust-color. The small bulb at the base is formed by the mycelium being rolled together. Stature variable. Fries.

Spores dingy rust-color, elliptical, 10–12×4–5µ Massee.

West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, in grassy places, pastures and along pavements. Common. May to November. McIlvaine.

In 1897 Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, abounded with N. pediades, which were collected and eaten by many. The caps are tender and of a mushroom flavor.

N. semi-orbicula´ris Bull.—semi, half; orbicularis, round. (Plate LXXVIII, p. 294.) Pileus 1–2 in. broad, tawny rust-color then ochraceous, slightly fleshy, convexo-expanded, obtuse, dry, even, smooth, corrugated when dry. Stem 3–4 in. long, scarcely beyond 1 line thick, cartilaginous, tough, slender, tense and straight, equal, even, smooth, becoming pallid rust-color, shining, often darker at the base, internally containing a separate narrow tube which is easily broken up into fibrils. Gills adnate, rarely sinuate behind, almost 3 lines broad, and many times broader than the flesh of the pileus, crowded, pallid then rust-color.

The pileus is slightly viscid when fresh and moist. Easily distinguished from S. semi-globatus, with which it has been confounded, by the stem. Stevenson.

Spores 14×8µ W.G.S.; 10×5–6µ Massee.

Allied to N. pediades, distinguished by its viscid cap when moist, and dark stem.

Common over the states. Washington, D.C., Mrs. Mary Fuller.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey. Solitary, sometimes cespitose, very common on lawns, rich pastures, etc. April until frost. McIlvaine.

This is one of our first appearing toadstools, coming up when the grass shows its full spring hue. It is found after rains until the coming of frost. Its hemispherical caps, precise, neat, dark gills and brown spores readily distinguish it. While usually small, patience and picking will soon gather quarts. The caps cook easily and are of excellent flavor.

N. platysper´ma Pk.—platys, broad; sperma, seed. Pileus convex, becoming nearly plane, glabrous, slightly tinged with ochraceous or reddish-yellow when young, soon whitish, the margin at first adorned with 298vestiges of a white flocculent veil. Flesh white. Lamellæ moderately close, slightly rounded behind, pallid, becoming brownish. Stem equal, stuffed with a white pith, slightly flocculent or furfuraceous above when young, whitish, the mycelium sometimes forming white thread-like strands. Spores broadly elliptical, 15µ long, 12.5µ broad.

Pileus 1–1.5 in. broad. Stem 3–5.5 in. long, 1.5–2 in. thick.

On the ground. Compton, Cal. Prof. A.J. McClatchie.

This species differs from N. pediades and N. semi-orbicularis, to which it is related, by its larger, broader spores and paler color. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 25, No. 6.

This new species reported from California is so closely allied to N. semi-orbicularis and N. pediades, both of which are edible, that it is here given, that it may be recognized by students on the Pacific coast or wherever it occurs.

299GALE´RA Fr.

Pileus more or less membranaceous, conical or oval, then expanded, striate, margin at the first straight, then adpressed to the stem. Gills not decurrent. Stem somewhat cartilaginous, continuous with the pileus, but differing in texture, tubular. Veil none or fibrillose. Spores tawny-ochraceous.

Slender, fragile, generally growing on the ground.

Galera corresponds with Mycena, Nolanea, Psathyra and Psathyrella, which are distinguished by their spore colors. In the brown-spored series Naucoria is separated by the margin of the pileus being at first incurved, and Tubaria by the decurrent gills.

The genus is composed of small species, but many grow in clusters, and are of a consistency which decreases but little in quick cooking. Those tested are delicate in texture and flavor.

G. lateri´tia Fr.—later, a brick. Pileus 1 in. high, pale yellowish when moist, ochraceous when dry, hygrophanous, membranaceous, acorn-shaped then bell-shaped, obtuse, even, smooth, slightly and densely striate at the margin when moist. Stem 3 in. and more long, 1 line thick, tubular, attenuated upward, tense and straight, even, but white-pruinose, whitish. Gills adnexed in the top of the cone, hence appearing as if free, ascending, very narrow, crowded, cinnamon.

Gills almost adpressed to the stem, almost pendulous. Remarkably analogous with A. ovalis, but easily distinguished by the linear gills and the absence of a veil; very fragile. Fries.

Spores 11×5µ W.P.; 11–12×5–6µ Massee.

West Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania. On dung and rich pastures. June to frost. McIlvaine.

The narrow conical cap, distinctly striate, distinguishes this species from G. tenera. In quality there is no difference. It is a well-flavored, delicate species.

300

G. te´nera Schaeff.—tener, tender. Pileus ½ in. and more high, of one color, pallid rust-color when damp, becoming pale when dry, hygrophanous, somewhat membranaceous, conico-bell-shaped, commonly smooth, slightly striate when moist, wholly even when dry, opaque, somewhat atomate. Stem commonly 3–4 in. long, 1 line thick, tubular, fragile, equal or when larger thickened downward, tense and straight, somewhat shining, striate upward, of the same color as the pileus when moist, and like it becoming pale when dry. Gills adnate in the top of the cone, appearing as if free, ascending, somewhat crowded, linear, cinnamon.

Pastures and grassy places in woods. Common. May to November. Stevenson.

Spores ellipsoid, 14–21×8–12µ K.; 14–8µ W.G.S.; 14×7µ W.P.; 12–13×7µ Massee; elliptical, dark rust-color, almost rubiginous, 13–16.5×8–10µ Peck.

Var. pilosella (Agaricus pilosellus Pers.), has both pileus and stem clothed with a minute erect pubescence when moist. A form is sometimes found in which the center of the pileus is brown or blackish-brown. Peck, 46th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Var. obscu´rior Pk. A notable form of this species was found growing in an old stable of an abandoned lumber camp. The plants were large, the pileus in some being more than an inch broad, the stems were 3–6 in. long and the color was rust-colored as in G. ovalis, to which the plants might be referred but for the large spores. Essex county. July. I have labeled the specimens variety obscurior. Peck, 50th Rep.

Haddonfield, N.J.; Chester county; West Philadelphia, Pa.; West Virginia. In rich pastures, on lawns, dung in woods. Common. June to October. McIlvaine.

Very variable in size and in color when wet and dry. The color of gills and spores readily distinguishes it in its habitats. From spring to 301frost it can usually be gathered in quantity. It is small, tender, shrivels in cooking, but makes a savory, excellent dish.

Var. obscurior found cespitose on very old manure at a ruined stable, Mt. Gretna, Pa., August. McIlvaine.

G. fla´va Pk.—flavus, yellow. Pileus membranous, ovate or bell shaped, moist or subhygrophanous, obtuse, plicate striate on the margin, yellow. Lamellæ thin, narrow, crowded, adnate, at first whitish, then yellowish-cinnamon. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, hollow, slightly striate at the top, sprinkled with white mealy particles, white or yellowish. Spores ovate or subelliptical, brownish-rust-color, 13×8µ.

Pileus 6–12 lines broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 1–1.5 lines thick.

Damp vegetable mold in woods. Tompkins county. July.

This species is well marked by the pale-yellow color of the pileus and its plicate striations which are very distinct even in the dried specimens. They extend half way to the disk or more. When dry the pileus is seen to be sprinkled with shining atoms as in some other species of the same genus. Occasionally the yellow cuticle cracks into squamules or small scales. Peck, 46th Rep.

Trenton, N.J., Sterling; Haddonfield, N.J.; Pennsylvania. Among chips in woods and on woods ground. McIlvaine.

This species is frequent, and when plentiful well worth gathering. It has a more woody flavor than other Galera, but is tasty.

G. vittæfor´mis Fr.—vitta, a chaplet; forma, form. Pileus ½-1 in. broad, date-brown when moist, membranaceous, conical then hemispherical, obtuse, even at the disk, striate toward the margin, smooth. Stem 1½-3 in. long, ½-1 line thick, tubular, equal, somewhat straight, but not tense and straight, smooth or sometimes pubescent, slightly striate under a lens, opaque, rust-color. Veil scarcely conspicuous. Gills adnate, broader at the middle, in the form of a segment when larger, somewhat ascending, somewhat distant, at first watery-cinnamon, at length rust-color. Fries.

Spores elliptical, 12×6µ Massee.

Haddonfield, N.J.; Mt. Gretna, Pa. On pastures, lawns, etc. June to September. McIlvaine.

Not previously reported.

302Though small it makes up in quantity when found. The stems are not as tender as the caps. Quality good.

BOLBITIUS Fr.

Pileus membranaceous. Gills adnexed or free, membranaceous, soft, salmon-color or rusty, dissolving (not dripping as in Coprinus), powdered with the rusty spores. Stem central; universal veil absent, partial veil often obsolete.

Very delicate and fragile, remarkable among the Ochrosporæ for the gills dissolving into mucus, and in this respect analogous with Coprinus among the Melanosporæ, and Hiatula amongst the Leucosporæ. Growing on dung or amongst grass where dung abounds.

A small but very natural genus, with the vegetative portion like Coprinus and the fructification resembling Cortinarius, hence occupying an intermediate position between these two genera. Fries.

B. Bol´toni Fr.—after Bolton. Pileus rather fleshy, viscid, at first even, then with the membranaceous margin sulcate, disk darker, subdepressed. Stem attenuated, yellowish, at first floccose from the remains of the fugacious veil. Gills subadnate, yellow then livid-brown. Fries.

Haddonfield, N.J., cespitose among manure on sawdust.

Of small substance but good consistency and flavor.

303

B. fra´gilis Fr. Pileus 2 in. broad, light yellow, then becoming pale, somewhat membranaceous, almost pellucid, conical then expanded, somewhat umbonate, smooth, viscous, striate round the margin (which is often crenulated). Stem 3 in. long, 1 line or little more thick, fistulose, attenuated upward, naked, smooth (and without a manifest veil), yellow. Gills attenuato-adnexed, almost free, ventricose, yellow then pale cinnamon. Spores rust-colored. Fries.

Thinner than B. Boltoni, etc., very fragile, rapidly withering.

On dung. Common. June to October. Stevenson.

Spores subspheroid-ellipsoid, elliptical, 7×3–5µ Massee.

West Virginia; Pennsylvania. June to frost. On rich grass and dung.

Pileus usually not over 1.5 in. across. Often in plenty. Its substance does not cook away as with C. micaceus. It amply repays gathering, being highly flavored.

B. no´bilis Pk.—noble. Pileus thin, fleshy on the disk, ovate then bell-shaped, smooth, plicate-striate, pale-yellow, the disk tinged with red, the margin at length recurved and splitting. Gills subdistant, tapering outwardly, attached, the alternate ones 304more narrow, pale-yellow with a darker edge. Stem long, equal, smooth, striate at the top, hollow, white.

Plant cespitose, 3–5 in. high. Pileus 1 in. broad. Stem 1 line thick. Ground in woods. Greig. September.

A fine large species, but probably rare. Peck, 24th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

I have not seen this species. Figure after Professor Peck.

CREPIDO´TUS Fr.

Veil wanting or not manifest. Pileus eccentric, lateral or resupinate. Spores rust-color.

The Crepidoti correspond in shape and habit to the smaller Pleuroti and the Claudopodes, but they are distinguished from both by the rust-color of their spores. These are globose in several species, in others they are elliptical. In some there is a depression on one side which gives them a naviculoid character and causes the spore to appear slightly curved when viewed in a certain position. In consequence of the similarity of several of our species, the character of the spores is of much importance in their identification, and it is unfortunate that European mycologists have so generally neglected to give the spore characters in their descriptions of these fungi. In most of the species the pileus is at first resupinate, but it generally becomes reflexed as it enlarges. It is generally sessile or attached by a mass of white fibrils or tomentum. For this reason it is usually somewhat tomentose or villose about the point of attachment, even in species that are otherwise glabrous. In several species the pileus is moist or hygrophanous and then the thin margin is commonly striatulate. This character is attributed to but one of the 305dozen or more European species. Their mode of growth is usually gregarious or somewhat loosely imbricated, in consequence of which the pileus, which in most species is white or yellowish, is often stained by the spores, and then it has a rusty, stained or squalid appearance. The species occur especially on old stumps, prostrate trunks and soft much decayed wood in damp, shaded places. Peck, 39th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

C. ful´vo-tomento´sus Pk.—tawny-tomentose. Pileus ¾-2 in. broad, scattered or gregarious, suborbicular, kidney-shaped or dimidiate, sessile or attached by a short, white-villose tubercle or rudimentary stem, hygrophanous, watery-brown and sometimes striatulate on the margin when moist, whitish, yellowish or pale ochraceous when dry, adorned with small, tawny, hairy or tomentose scales. Lamellæ broad, subventricose, moderately close, rounded behind, radiating from a lateral or eccentric white villose spot, whitish becoming brownish-ferruginous. Spores elliptical often uninucleate, 8–10×5–6µ.

Decaying wood of poplar, maple, etc. Common. June to October.

A pretty species, corresponding in some respects to the European C. calolepis, but much larger and with tawny, instead of reddish scales. The cuticle is separable and is tenacious, though it has a hyaline gelatinous appearance. The pileus is subpersistent, and specimens dried in their place of growth are not rare. Peck, 39th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Haddonfield, N.J.; Angora, West Philadelphia. On decaying hickory. McIlvaine.

Substance fair. Taste strong but pleasant.

306

CORTINA´RIUS Fr.

Veil resembling the consistency of a cob-web, superficial, distinct from the cuticle of the pileus. Flesh of pileus and stem continuous. Gills persistent, dry, changing color, powdered with the spores. Trama fibrillose. Spores globose or oblong, somewhat ochraceous on white paper. Fries.

This genus is not easily confounded with any other, the cob-webby veil stretched from stem to pileus in the young plant not being found in other fungi. This must be looked for only in youth, as from its tender character it soon breaks and often appears only as a very indistinct collar on the stem, colored from catching the falling spores. The colors are generally pronounced and often extremely bright, there being very few prettier toadstools than those inclined to the blue or purple shades, which are not uncommon in the immature form. The color of the spores is also a marked feature, being rusty or brownish-ochraceous, turning the gills to the same color at maturity. On account of this change it is generally necessary to have specimens at both stages of growth to accurately determine the species. The gills are thin, attached to the stem in various manners, rarely slightly decurrent.

Cortinarius is distinguished from Flammula by growing on the ground and by the bright ferruginous color of its spores.

Cortinarius is a sturdy, hardy genus preferring northern latitudes and autumnal months, though several of its species grow as far south as Alabama, and one, a new species described by Professor Peck, is found on the Helderberg mountains in May. The genus contains many species, most of which produce in great numbers, yet being woods-growing, and coming as they do when leaves are falling, they are often missed because of their similarity to their surroundings.

Heretofore, less than a dozen species have been reported as eaten. This number is now doubled. While several species are bitter and others equally unpleasant, not one has been accused of harm. It is highly probable that other varieties than those herein given will prove equally acceptable as food. I have tested all I have found in sufficient quantity to warrant passing judgment upon them.

The genus does not contain as many species of superior excellence as other fleshy genera of like numbers. The flesh is frequently dry and of 307a strong woody or musky flavor, which it does not lose in cooking. The stems are seldom cookable. All can be fried in butter, but cut in small pieces and well stewed, or stewed and served in patties, or made into croquettes are certain ways of keeping them in palate memory.

Pileus viscid. Stem firm, dry. Veil partial, cobweb-like.

Partial veil as a ring on the upper part of the stem which is equal or slightly expanded above. Not distinctly bulbous.

* Gills pallid then clay-colored.

** Gills purplish then clay-colored.

Bulbous. Bulb depressed or top-shaped, with a distinct margin caused by the pressure of the pileus before expansion. Veil generally ascending from the margin of the bulb. Gills somewhat sinuate.

* Gills whitish then cinnamon.

** Gills blue then cinnamon.

*** Gills brownish-white then cinnamon.

Universal veil glutinous. Pileus and stem viscid. Stem slightly bulbous. Gills adnate.

Pileus dry, not hygrophanous or viscid, covered at first with innate silky scales or fibrils, becoming smooth. Veil simple. Pileus and stem fleshy, rather bulbous.

* Gills violaceous, then cinnamon.

** Gills pinkish-brown, then cinnamon.

*** Gills yellow, then cinnamon.

Pileus thin, equally fleshy, at first silky with a fine down, becoming smooth when adult. Not hygrophanous, but flesh watery when moist or colored. Stem equal or larger above, externally rigid, elastic or brittle, internally stuffed or hollow. Veil single, thread-like.

Pileus moist, hygrophanous, at first smooth or sprinkled with the whitish superficial evanescent fibrils of the veil. Flesh thin, or when thick it becomes abruptly thin toward the margin, scissile. Stem ringed below or coated from the universal veil, slightly veiled at the apex, hence with almost a double veil.

Pileus hygrophanous, smooth or covered with superficial white fibrils, not viscid, moist when fresh, becoming discolored when dry. Flesh very thin or scissile, rarely more compact at the center. Stem rather rigid, bare. Veil thin, rarely collapsing and forming an irregular ring on the stem.

Phlegma´cium. (Gr—clammy moisture.)

C. seba´ceus Fr.—sebum, tallow. Pileus 2½-5 in. broad, unicolorous, pale, of the color of tallow, equally fleshy, convex then rather plane, commonly very repand, viscid, smooth, but at the first covered over with a whitish pruinose luster. Flesh white. Stem 3–4 in. long, ½-1 in. thick, solid, stout, compact, never bulbous, often twisted and compressed, slightly fibrillose, pale white. Cortina delicate, fugacious, adhering only to the margin of the pileus. Gills emarginate, not crowded, connected by veins, 4 lines broad, clay-color or pallid-cinnamon, paler at the sides. Fries.

The flesh of the pileus is not compact at the disk and abruptly thin at the circumference, but equally attenuated toward the margin. The flesh of the stem is white. The gills never turn bluish-gray. Taste mild. Stevenson.

309Spores pip-shaped, 9×7µ Cooke.

A very common and prolific species in West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina. McIlvaine.

Pushing from the earth in great clusters it raises the mat of leaves above it into hut-like mounds through which it seldom bursts. Yet side openings to its huts show its coziness, and reveal the ground thickly dusted with its spores. Detecting these mounds is part of the woodcraft of a toad-stool hunter.

Where clusters are not dense, or the fungus is solitary, the stem is frequently swollen at the base, even bulbous.

Both caps and stems are edible, but the stems are not equal to the caps. It is a valuable food species, because of its lateness and quantity. It is not of best quality.

C. tur´malis Fr.—turma, a troop. (Plate LXXXII, fig. 4, p. 306.) Pileus yellow-tan, most frequently darker at the disk, not changeable, compact, convex then plane, very obtuse, even, smooth (sometimes obsoletely piloso-virgate), when young veiled with pruinate but very fugacious villous down, soon naked, viscid. Flesh white. Stem sometimes 3 in., sometimes 6 in. long, 1 in. thick, solid, very hard, rigid, cylindrical, here and there attenuated at the base, shining white when dry, when young sheathed with a white woolly veil, naked when full grown. Cortina entirely fibrillose, superior and persistent in the form of a ring, at length ferruginous with the spores. Gills variously adnexed, rounded or emarginate, even decurrent with a tooth, crowded, serrated, white then clay-color. Fries.

I find it edible and of great value, being plentiful in pine woods, Maryland. I have collected a bushel in less than an hour in October. Under pine needles forming mounds. Taylor.

The localities and the habit of C. turmalis are very like that of C. sebaceus. The leaf mat broods the clusters.

C. turmalis is on a par with C. sebaceus. Personally I prefer the latter.

C. va´rius (Schaeff.) Fr.—varius, changeable. Pileus 2 in. and more broad, bright ferruginous-tawny, compact, hemispherico-flattened, very 310obtuse, regular, slightly viscid, even, smooth, the thin margin at first incurved, appendiculate with the cortina. Flesh firm, white. Stem curt, 1½-2½ in. long, 1 in. and more thick, bulbous, absolutely immarginate, compact, shining white, adpressedly flocculose, the superior veil pendulous. Gills emarginate, thin, somewhat crowded, at first narrow, violaceous-purplish, then broader and ochraceous-cinnamon, always quite entire.

Variable in stature, but the habit and colors are always unchangeable. It varies with the stem taller and somewhat equal, the pileus yellow-tawny, and the gills dark blue. Fries.

In woods. Uncommon. September to November. Stevenson.

Minnesota; Ohio.

Edible. Cooke, 1891.

B. Scau´ri.

C. intru´sus Pk. Pileus fleshy, rather thin, convex, then expanded, glabrous, somewhat viscid when moist, even or radiately wrinkled on the margin, yellowish or buff, sometimes with a reddish tint. Flesh white. Lamellæ thin, close, rounded behind, at first whitish or creamy-white, then cinnamon, often uneven on the edge. Stem equal or slightly tapering either upward or downward, stuffed or hollow, sometimes beautifully striate at the top only or nearly to the base, minutely floccose when young, soon glabrous, white. Spores broadly elliptical, brownish-cinnamon, 6–8×4–5µ.

Pileus 1–2.5 in. broad. Stem 1–3 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Mushroom beds, manured soil in conservatories or in plant pots. Boston, Mass. R.K. Macadam. Haddonfield, N.J. C. McIlvaine.

This interesting species is closely allied to Cortinarius multiformis and belongs to the Section Phlegmacium. It has a slight odor of radishes and is pronounced edible by Mr. McIlvaine. Its habitat is peculiar, but it possibly finds its way into conservatories and mushroom beds through the introduction of manure or soil, or leaf mold from the woods. It seems strange, however, that it has not yet been detected growing in the woods or fields. Hebeloma fastibile is said sometimes to invade mushroom beds, and our plant resembles it in so many particulars that it is with some hesitation I separate it. The chief differences are in the stem and spores. The former, in Hebeloma fastibile, is described 311as solid and fibrous-squamose and the latter as 10×6 micromillimeters in size. The brighter color of the smaller spores and the stuffed or hollow smooth stem of our plant will separate it from this species. Peck, Bull. of the Torrey Bot. Club, October, 1896.

Cortinarius intrusus was a happy find. Several pints of it were collected by the author in February—usually a famine month for the mycophagist. They grew on the ground, in beds among plants, and with potted plants in a hot-house in Haddonfield, N.J. The crop continued well into the spring. The species is delicate, savory, and a most accommodating renegade from its kind. I have never found it elsewhere.

C. cærules´cens Fr. Pileus 2–3 in. across, equally fleshy, convex then plane, obtuse, regular, even, almost glabrous, but often fibrilloso-streaked; viscid, when dry shining or opaque, dingy yellow, almost tan-colored, varying to yellowish-brown, etc. Gills slightly rounded behind, adnexed, thin, closely crowded, 2 lines broad, at first clear intense blue then becoming purplish, at length dingy cinnamon. Stem about 2 in. long, ½ in. thick (bulb more than an inch), firm, equally attenuated upward, at first fibrillose, bright violet, then becoming pale and whitish, naked, bulb often disappearing with age; veil fibrillose, fugacious. Spores elliptical, 9–10×5µ.

Amongst moss in woods, etc.

Neither the gills nor the flesh change color when broken, a point which distinguishes the present from C. purpurascens. When young every part is generally blue. Smell scarcely any. Fries.

Spores 10–12×5µ Cooke.

Haddonfield; West Virginia; Mt. Gretna, Pa. In woods September to frost. McIlvaine.

The American species seldom entirely loses the bluish-purple color of its cap. The beautiful color fades somewhat or becomes splotched with yellow. Neither does the bulb ordinarily disappear with age. It is common. Taste of cap is mild, somewhat woody. They require long, slow stewing, and are better made into patties and croquettes.

C. purpuras´cens Fr.—gills becoming purple when bruised. Pileus 4–5 in. across, fleshy, disk compact, obtuse, wavy, variable, 312covered with a dense layer of gluten, but opaque when dry, bay or reddish then tawny-olivaceous, spotted; often depressed round the margin, which is at first incurved then wavy, marked with a raised brown line. Flesh entirely clear blue. Gills broadly emarginate, 3 lines and more broad, crowded, bluish-tan, then cinnamon, violet-purple when bruised. Stem about 3 in. long, ⅔ in. and more thick, solid, bulbous, everywhere fibrillose, intensely pallid clear blue, very compact, juicy, becoming purplish-blue when touched, bulb submarginate. Spores elliptical, 10–12×5–6µ Fries.

Var. subpurpuras´cens. Massachusetts. Frost.

Plentiful in West Virginia mountains in mixed woods, 1882. On South Valley Hill, near Downington, Pa., October, 1887. Haddonfield, N.J., 1892. In woods. September to frost. McIlvaine.

Both stems and caps are juicy when young and of agreeable flavor. It is among the best edible species of Cortinarius.

C. turbina´tus Fr.—turbo, a top. Pileus unicolorous, dingy-yellow or green, becoming pale, hygrophanous, opaque when dry, fleshy, convex then flattened, obtuse, at length depressed, orbicular, even, smooth, viscid. Flesh soft, white. Stem commonly curt, 2 in., but varying elongated, yellowish, springing from a globoso-depressed distinctly marginate bulb, otherwise equal, cylindrical, stuffed then hollow. Gills attenuato-adnate, thin, crowded, broad, quite entire, at first pallid light-yellowish, at length somewhat ferruginous.

The typical form is regular, distinct from its allies in the hygrophanous pileus, in the gills being isabelline-ferruginous and quite entire, and in being without any dark-purple or purple color. Easily distinguished by its turbinate bulb. Fries.

In woods. Uncommon. Stevenson.

Spores rough, 14–16×7µ; rough, Cooke.

Cap 2–4 in. across. Stem commonly about 2 in. long, sometimes longer. Massee.

North Carolina, Schweinitz; Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; Massachusetts, Frost; Minnesota; Nova Scotia.

Edible. Cooke.

313Myxa´cium. (Gr—mucus.)

C. collin´itus Fr.—collino, to besmear. Pileus convex, obtuse, glabrous, glutinous when moist, shining when dry. Gills rather broad, dingy-white or grayish when young. Stem cylindrical, solid, viscid or glutinous when moist, transversely cracking when dry, whitish or paler than the pileus. Spores subelliptical, 13–15µ.

The Smeared cortinarius is much more common than the Violet cortinarius and has a much wider range. Both the cap and stem are covered with a viscid substance or gluten which makes it unpleasant to handle. The cap varies in color from yellow to golden or tawny-yellow and when the gluten on it has dried it is very smooth and shining. The flesh is white or whitish. The young gills have a peculiar bluish-white or dingy-white color which might be called grayish or clay color, but when mature they assume the color of the spores. They are sometimes minutely uneven on the edge.

The stem is straight, solid, cylindrical and usually paler than the cap. When the gluten on it dries it cracks transversely, giving to the stem a peculiar scaly appearance.

The cap is 1½-3 in. broad, and the stem 2–4 in. long, and ¼-½ in. thick.

The plant grows in thin woods, copses and partly cleared lands and may be found from August to September.

It is well to peel the caps before cooking, since the gluten causes dirt and rubbish to adhere tenaciously to them. Peck, 48th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

In 41st Rep. N.Y. State Mus. Nat. Hist., p. 71, Professor Peck describes a closely allied species, C. muscigenus, n. sp., “separated by its more highly-colored pileus, striate margin and even, not diffracted-squamose stem.”

314Prof. L.B. Mendel gives the following analysis: “Young specimens gathered in New Haven early in November, 1897, gave:

Water	91.13%
Total solids	8.87
Total nitrogen of dry substance	3.63”

Edible. Cooke.

In appearance the Smeared cortinarius does not appeal to be eaten. Neither does an eel. But peeled both are inviting. Raw, the caps of this fungus have a strong woody smell and taste. This is somewhat subdued by cooking.

I have found the plant in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, often among the leaves in mixed woods, but it prefers a goodly supply of light and the freedom of open places. It is often gregarious, sometimes tufted.

C. io´des B. and C. Pileus 1½-2 in., convex, at length plane, viscid, firm, violet-purple. Flesh white, thick. Veil fugacious, spider-web. Stem 2–3 in. long, 1½ in. thick, solid, thickened below. Gills violet, at length cinnamon, ventricose, adnate, sub-emarginate, irregular, sometimes forked. B. and C.

This is a small but beautiful species, the pileus, lamellæ and stem being of a bright-violet or purplish-violet hue. The spores are subelliptical, generally uninucleate, 10×6µ. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

The pileus in this species is sometimes spotted with white. The bulbous white stem is adorned with lilac-colored fibrils. Peck, 35th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Sparingly found among roots at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1897–1898.

The caps are fairly good.

Inolo´ma. (Gr—fiber; Gr—a fringe.)

C. viola´ceus Fr. (Plate LXXXII, fig. 2, page 306.) One of our most plentiful and beautiful autumnal fungi. As the American plant differs somewhat from the European, Professor Peck’s description is given.

Pileus convex, becoming nearly plane, dry, adorned with numerous 315persistent hairy tufts or scales, dark violet. Lamellæ rather thick, distant, rounded or deeply notched at the inner extremity, colored like the pileus in the young plant, brownish-cinnamon in the mature plant. Stem solid, fibrillose, bulbous, colored like the pileus. Spores subelliptical, 12.5µ long.

The Violet cortinarius is a very beautiful mushroom and one easy of recognition. At first the whole plant is uniformly colored, but with age the gills assume a dingy ochraceous or brownish-cinnamon hue. The cap is generally well formed and regular and is beautifully adorned with little hairy scales or tufts. These are rarely shown in figures of the European plant, but they are quite noticeable in the American plant and should not be overlooked. The flesh is more or less tinged with violet.

The gills when young are colored like the cap. They are rather broad, notched at the inner extremity and narrowed toward the margin of the cap. When mature they become dusted with the spores whose color they take.

The stem also is colored like the cap. It is swollen into a bulb at the base and sometimes a faint ochraceous band may be seen near the top. This is due to the falling spores which lodge on the webby filaments of the veil remaining attached to the stem.

Cap 2–4 in. broad. Stem 3–5 in. long, about ½ in. thick. Peck, 48th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Minerva, Essex county. A form of this species occurs here, having the pileus merely downy or punctate-hairy under a lens, no squamules being distinguishable by the naked eye. July. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 12–14×10µ Cooke.

The spider web veil is exquisitely displayed in this species. This, with its strongly bulbous base and violet tinge throughout, easily mark it. Though usually solitary great numbers of it are found in its settlements. The mixed woods of central New Jersey abound with it in July, August and September. Throughout Pennsylvania and West Virginia it is common, and is reported from several other states. In Redman’s woods, near Haddonfield, N.J., a densely clustered form of singular beauty occurs. A dozen individuals of various forms and sizes with swollen stems form a compact mass, rich in color, and cutting crisp and juicy as an apple. They are far better than other Cortinarii I have eaten. I have not seen it elsewhere.

316C. violaceus is everywhere eaten, and is in my opinion the best of its genus. The American plant is not inodorous, but has a decided mushroom smell and taste.

C. albo-viola´ceus Pers. Pileus fleshy, rather thin, convex, then expanded, sometimes broadly subumbonate, smooth, silky, whitish, tinged with lilac or pale violet. Lamellæ generally serrulate, whitish-violet, then cinnamon-color. Stem equal or a little tapering upward, solid, silky, white, stained with violet, especially at the top, slightly bulbous, the bulb gradually tapering into the stipe.

Height, 3–4 in.; breadth of pileus, 2–3 in.; stipe, 3–6 lines thick.

Ground in thin woods, more frequently under poplars. Center. October.

The stem is sometimes subannulate, and being violet above and white below the obscure ring, it appears as if sheathed with a silky-white covering. Inodorous. Sometimes the stem gradually tapers from the base to the top, so that it can scarcely be called bulbous. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 12×5–6µ Cooke; 6–9×4–5µ K.; pruniform, 10µ Q.

An allied species C. (Inoloma) lilacinus, Peck, with the stem and bulbous part much broader than the cap, is not as common, but of far better flavor.

Common in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, in mixed woods. September to frost. McIlvaine.

A mushroom flavor develops in cooking. The consistency of the flesh is good. It is of medium grade.

C. lilaci´nus Pk. Pileus firm, hemispherical, then convex, minutely silky, lilac-color. Lamellæ close, lilac, then cinnamon. Stem stout, bulbous, silky-fibrillose, solid, whitish, tinged with lilac. Spores nucleate, 10×6µ.

317Plant 4–5 in. high. Pileus 3 in. broad. Stem 4–6 lines thick. Low mossy ground in woods. Croghan. September. This is a rare but beautiful plant, allied to C. alboviolaceus, from which it may be distinguished by its stouter habit, deeper color and bulbous stem. In the young plant the bulb is much broader than the undeveloped pileus that surmounts it. Peck, 26th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Massachusetts, Frost; Minnesota, Nova Scotia.

I have found a few specimens in several places: West Virginia, Redman’s woods, Haddonfield, N.J., in which place it is more plentiful than in any locality I have noted. Near lake at Eagle’s Mere, Pa., August, and at Springton, Pa. Excellent.

C. as´per Pk.—rough. Pileus fleshy, firm, hemispherical, then convex, rough with minute, erect, brown scales, ochraceous. Gills close, rounded behind and slightly emarginate, dull violaceous, then pale cinnamon. Stem equal, bulbous, solid, fibrillose-scaly, colored like the pileus but smooth and violaceous at the top, the bulb white with an abundant mycelium. Spores broadly elliptical, with a pellucid nucleus, 8µ long.

Plant 3–4 in. high. Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 3–5 lines thick. Ground in cleared places. Greig. September.

A fine species. The flesh of the stem is violaceous. Peck, 24th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

This plant sometimes grows in tufts or clusters and bears a very close resemblance to Armillaria mellea, both in color and in the character of the scales of the pileus. Peck, 27th Rep.

In thin woods and clearings, West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. The whole fungus is edible when young, and ranks high in Cortinarii. When full grown the stem is hard. Cut in thin, transverse slices it 318cooks tender, but does not equal the cap. Like most of the Cortinarii it is found in the autumn until frost kills it.

C. squamulo´sus Pk. (Plate LXXXII, fig. 1, p. 306). Pileus thick, fleshy, convex, densely fibrillose-squamulose, cinnamon-brown, the scales darker. Lamellæ not crowded, deeply emarginate, pale pinkish-brown, then cinnamon-colored. Stipe thick, solid, shreddy, subsquamulose, concolorous, swollen at the base into a very large tapering or subventricose bulb.

Height 4–6 in., breadth of pileus 2–4 in., stipe 6–9 lines thick at the top, 12–18 lines at the bottom.

Borders of swamps in woods. Sandlake. August.

Related to C. pholideus and C. arenatus, but distinct by the deep emargination of the lamellæ. It gives out a strong odor while drying. The color of the flesh is pinkish-white. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y.

This species was discovered in 1869, and had not since been observed by the writer until the past season. It is manifestly a species of rare occurrence. Peck, 28th Rep.

Massachusetts, Frost; Wisconsin, Minnesota. Ranges from New England to Kentucky unchanged. Morgan.

Specimens from E.B. Sterling, Trenton, N.J., September, 1897. Asylum grounds. Several found at Mt. Gretna, August and September, 1897. Solitary in oak woods, gravelly soil. McIlvaine. Sent to Professor Peck and identified. Specimens were much darker than Professor Peck’s plates.

C. squamulosus is not attractive in appearance. The caps, only, are edible. Their consistency is very pleasant and flavor fairly good.

319

C. autumna´lis Pk. Pileus fleshy, convex or expanded, dull rusty-yellow, variegated or streaked with innate rust-colored fibrils. Gills rather broad, with a wide shallow emargination. Stem equal, solid, firm, bulbous, a little paler than the pileus.

Height 3–4 in., breadth of pileus 2–4 in. Stem 6 lines thick.

Pine woods. Bethlehem. November. The plant is sometimes cespitose. The flesh is white. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1899. McIlvaine.

Quality fair. Caps meaty.

C. ochra´ceus Pk. (Plate LXXXII, fig. 3, p. 306.) Pileus fleshy, convex, at length broadly subumbonate or gibbous, smooth, even or obscurely wrinkled, pale ochraceous. Stem solid, fibrillose, ochraceous at the top, white below, gradually enlarged into a thick bulbous base.

Height 2–4 in., breadth of pileus 2–3 in. Stem 4–6 lines thick at the top, 12–18 lines at the base.

Under balsam trees in open places. Catskill mountains. October.

The stem appears as if sheathed. In some specimens the stem is short and rapidly tapers from the base to the top. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Many of the species were found by the writer in mixed woods among leaves at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1898. Specimens were identified by Professor Peck.

The gills are bright yellow when young. Cap smooth, innately fibrillose, not viscid. Spores light brown.

Tasteless; smell faint. Good consistency. A fair flavor develops in cooking.

C. (Inoloma) annula´tus Pk. Pileus broadly convex, dry, villose-squamulose, yellow. Flesh yellowish. Lamellæ rather broad, subdistant, adnexed, yellow. Stem solid, bulbous, somewhat peronate by the 320yellow fibrillose annular-terminated veil. Spores broadly elliptical or subglobose, 8µ long.

Pileus 1–3 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Thin woods. Whitehall. August.

The whole plant is yellow inclining to ochraceous. It has the odor of radishes. The squamules of the pileus are pointed and erect on the disk, and often darker-colored there. The species is allied to C. tophaceus and C. callisteus, from which it is separated by its persistently annulate stem and more yellow color. Peck, 43d Rep.

Specimens received from E.B. Sterling, Trenton, N.J., September 5, 1897. Identified by Professor Peck. Mixed woods Kingsessing, near Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia, September, 1897.

Solitary among grass and leaves. The permanent marking of the veil is conspicuous. Eight specimens were found and eaten. The caps cook tender, and have a decided but not unpleasant flavor.

Dermo´cybe. (Gr—skin; Gr—a head.)

C. cinnabari´nus Fr.—cinnabaris, dragon’s blood. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, scarlet-red, truly fleshy, campanulate, then flattened, obtuse or very obtusely umbonate, silky, then becoming smooth and shining, or obsoletely scaly; the firm flesh paler. Stem 1½-2 in. long, 3–4 lines and more thick, solid, equal, sometimes however bulbous, fibrillose or striate, scarlet-red, reddish brick-color internally. Cortina fibrillose, lax, cinnabar. Gills wholly adnate, somewhat decurrent, 3 lines broad, somewhat distant, connected by veins, unequal and darker at the edge, dark blood-color when bruised.

Odor of radish. Readily distinguished from all others by its splendid scarlet color, and from C. sanguineus by its short solid and firm 321stem, its broad pileus and somewhat distant gills. Stem never becoming yellow. Fries.

Spores 7–8×4µ Cooke.

It is a variable species with us.

Cap 1½ in. across, convex, broadly umbonate, margin involute, yellowish-brown, silky, innately fibrillose, shining, when young the cap is round, margin involute. Veil white, fibrillose, fugacious, leaving no trace on stem. Flesh thick in center, solid, close-grained, white, tinged with brown. Tastes strongly as radishes. Skin partially detachable.

Gills exceedingly beautiful in their deep claret-color, which is permanent, decurrent.

Stem 3 in. long, shining, smooth, white near top, brownish below, equal, fibrous, stuffed, skin removable.

On ground among pines, near station, Mt. Gretna, Pa. August to frost. Solitary, gregarious and cespitose.

Taste and smell like radishes. The caps cook well and are of fair flavor. Makes good patties and croquettes.

C. cinnabarinus, Var. 1. Mt. Gretna, Pa., August to frost. On decaying chestnut stumps.

Cap 1 in. across, shining, convex, orange-brown, white on margin and under minute appressed squamules, but few on margin; apparent remnant of a veil on cap, as a viscid skin.

Gills rounded behind, slightly emarginate, like Tricholoma, grayish-brown when young, becoming a brilliant scarlet, unequal.

Stem 2 in. high, over ¼ in. thick, white, covered with brownish-orange appressed squamules, often with stained marking of veil or fragments of veil as ring. Cespitose, connate.

Taste and smell strong like radishes. Flavor in dish is decided but pleasant. Makes good patties and croquettes.

Specimens were identified by Professor Peck as C. cinnabarinus, as were those of the preceding. The variations are so great that I give this place as a variety.

C. sanguin´eus Fr.—sanguis, blood. Pileus 1–1½ in. broad, blood-color, becoming slightly pale when dry, fleshy, thin, convex then plane, obtuse, occasionally depressed, silky or squamulose. Flesh reddish, paler. Stem 2–3 in. long, 2–3 lines thick, stuffed then hollow, equal (rather attenuated than thickened at the base), here and there 322flexuous, with fibrils of the same color, almost darker than the pileus. Cortina arachnoid, fugacious, red blood-color. Gills adnate, crowded, 2–3 lines broad, quite entire, dark blood-color.

Wholly dark blood-color, the stem when compressed pouring forth bloody juice. Odor of radish. Thinner than species nearest to it. The spores are ochraceous on a white ground, somewhat ferruginous on a black ground. Fries.

Spores 6×4µ W.G.S.

North Carolina, Curtis; Massachusetts, Sprague, Farlow, Frost; Connecticut, Wright; New York, Peck, 23d Rep.

Edible. Leuba.

C. cinnamo´meus Fr. Pileus 1–2½ in. across. Flesh thin, convexo-campanulate, umbonate, somewhat cinnamon color, silky squamulose with yellowish innate fibrils, becoming almost glabrous. Gills adnate, broad, crowded, shining, yellowish, then tawny-yellow. Stem 2–4 in. long, equal, yellow, as is also the flesh and the veil, hollow. Spores 7–8×4–5µ.

A very common species, especially in mossy places in pine woods, occurring under many well defined forms, which can not be separated as species. Essential points common to all. (1) Stem everywhere equal, stuffed, then hollow, yellowish, fibrillose from the similarly colored veil. (2) Pileus thin, flattened and obtusely umbonate, silky with yellowish down, often glabrous when adult, and then bright cinnamon, but the color is variable. (3) Flesh splitting, yellowish. (4) Gills adnate, crowded, thin, broad, always shining. (5) Spores dark ochraceous, size and color very variable; pileus from ½-3–4 in. across; color of pileus changeable, depending on the more or less persistence of the down (fundamental color and veil constant in this species and its allies); gills varying through blood-red, reddish cinnamon, tawny saffron, golden and yellow. Fries.

323Pileus thin, convex, obtuse or umbonate, dry, fibrillose at least when young. Flesh yellowish. Lamellæ thin, close, adnate. Stem slender, equal, stuffed or hollow. Spores elliptical, 8µ long. Peck, 48th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 7–8×4µ Cooke.

The Germans are said to be very fond of this species, which is generally stewed in butter and served with sauce for vegetables.

Catalogued by Dr. M.A. Curtis, North Carolina, as edible. Edible. Cooke.

Var. semi-sanguin´eus received from E.B. Sterling, Trenton, N.J., August, 1897. Juicy and good.

The species is common over the United States and plentiful in its numerous varieties from August to frost. It frequents mixed woods, borders and open and mossy places. The pine woods of New Jersey yield it in quantity, as do the hemlock forests of Eagle’s Mere, Pa., and oak woods of West Virginia.

It has a smell and taste—mildly of radishes. Its flavor when cooked is decided but pleasant.

Telamo´nia. (Gr—lint.)

C. armilla´tus Fr.—armilla, a ring. (Plate LXXXII, fig. 5, p. 306.) Pileus 3–5 in. broad, red-brick color, truly fleshy, but not very compact, at first cylindrical, soon campanulate, at length flattened, dry, at first smooth, soon innately fibrillose or squamulose, flesh dingy pallid. Stem 3–6 in. long, ½ in. thick, solid, firm, remarkably bulbous (bulb 1 in. thick, villous, whitish) and fibrillose at the base, when old striate and reddish-pallid, internally dirty yellow. Exterior veil woven, red, arranged in 2–4 distant cinnabar zones encircling the stem; partial veil continuous with the upper zone, arachnoid, reddish-white. Gills adnate, slightly rounded, distant, at first pallid cinnamon, at length very broad (½ in.), dark ferruginous, almost bay-brown.

324Odor of radish. A very striking species. From the pileus not being hygrophanous, at the first smooth and at length torn into fibrils or squamulose, it might easily be taken for a species of Inoloma. The cortina itself is paler than the zones. It differs from all others in these zones. The rings are usually somewhat oblique. Fries.

Professor Peck in the 23d Rep. N.Y. State Cab. Nat. Hist., describes the American species as follows:

“Pileus fleshy, thick, convex or subcampanulate, then expanded, minutely squamulose, yellowish-red. Lamellæ not close, broad, slightly emarginate, whitish-ochraceous, then cinnamon. Stipe stout, solid, fibrillose, whitish, girt with one to four red bands, bulbous.

“Height 4–6 in., breadth of pileus 2–4 in., stipe 4–8 in. thick.

“Woods. North Elba. August.

“A large and noble species. The margin of the pileus is thin and sometimes uneven; the upper band on the stem is usually the brightest and most regular. The pileus is not distinctly hygrophanous.”

Spores 10×6µ Cooke.

Edible. Cooke.

September 8, 1897, Mr. E.B. Sterling, Trenton, N.J., sent me several specimens new to me and remarkable in having two well-defined veils, the lower and thicker one of which left a dark zone upon the stem, the upper, fibrillose, was more persistent, but left a fainter impression. These veils are not mentioned in Professor Peck’s description of the American species, but are prominently noted in that of Fries, as above. In a very young specimen both veils were present. Cap light brown, minutely squamulose, with a few small red spots; margin thin, involute, flesh thick, yellowish, firm; gills distant, rounded behind, slightly emarginate, alternate ones short, light brown inclined to cinereous on edge.

Spores brown. Small young specimens did not show bulbous stem as distinct as larger and older ones.

I afterward found several specimens at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September and October, 1897.

The flesh is excellent, closely resembling Pholiota subsquarrosa. The species seems to be rare. If found in quantity it will prove one of our very best edibles.

325C. dis´tans Pk. Pileus thin except the disk, convex, squamulose, bay-brown when moist, tawny when dry. Lamellæ broad, distant, thick, dark cinnamon-color. Stipe subequal, often a little tapering upward, solid, slightly fibrillose-scaly, concolorous.

Height 2–3 in., breadth of pileus 1–2 in., stipe 4–6 in. thick.

Grassy ground in pine woods. Greenbush. June.

The flesh is dull-yellowish. The pileus, when drying, has for a time a brown-marginal zone. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

New Jersey pines. Eagle’s Mere, Pa., coniferous woods. August. Mt. Gretna, Pa., pines. August, September. McIlvaine.

Like most of the hygrophanous Cortinarii, the taste is more or less that of rotten wood. The flavor is flat and undesirable.

C. furfurel´lus Pk. Pileus thin, convex, furfuraceous with minute squamules, hygrophanous, watery-tawny when moist, pale ochraceous when dry. Lamellæ broad, thick, distant, adnate or slightly emarginate, tawny-yellow, then cinnamon. Stem equal, peronate, colored like the pileus, with a slight annulus near the top. Spores subelliptical, minutely rough, 8–10×6µ.

Plant 1–2 in. high. Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 2–4 lines thick.

Moist ground in open places. Gansevoort. August. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Haddonfield, N.J., Mt. Gretna, Pa. McIlvaine.

Strong woody flavor—like rotten wood. Not poisonous, but not desirable.

Hygrocybe.

C. casta´neus Bull.—chestnut. Pileus fleshy, thin, campanulate or convex, then expanded, dark chestnut-color when moist, paler when dry. Lamellæ rather broad, violet-tinged, then cinnamon. Stipe fibrillose, stuffed or hollow, lilac tinged at the top, white below.

Height 2–3 in., breadth of pileus 1–2 in., stipe 3–4 lines thick.

Ground under spruce or balsam trees. Catskill mountains. October. Edible. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 8×5µ.

It is certainly a wholesome, esculent species, but a great number would be required to make a good dish. M.C. Cooke.

Catalogued by Rev. M.A. Curtis, North Carolina, as edible.

326Eaten in Italy. Inodorous, edible and agreeable. Cordier. More than fair. I have often eaten it. R.K. Macadam.

PAXIL´LUS Fr.

Hymenophore continuous with the stem, decurrent. Gills membranaceous, somewhat branched, frequently anastomosing behind, distinct from the hymenophore and easily separable from it. Spores dingy-white or ferruginous.

Fleshy putrescent fungi, margin of pileus at first involute, then continually and gradually unfolding and expanding. Fries.

Pileus symmetrical or eccentric. Stem central, eccentric or wanting. Edge of gills entire, sharp.

The marked features of this genus are the strongly involute margin, the soft, tough, decurrent gills, separating readily from the flesh, and the color of the spores.

The members of this genus possess some of the characters of Boletus. The gills separate easily from the hymenophore as do the tubes of the latter, and their anastomosing tendency is in P. porosus so marked that the hymenium consists of large angular tubes. The gills of P. solidus B. and C. form pores at the base, and its spores are elongated, both features indicating an affinity with Boletus.

Pileus entire, central. Spores dingy-white, in P. panæolus somewhat rust-color. On the ground.

Pileus generally eccentric or resupinate. Spores rust-color. On the ground or on stumps.

So far as known the species of this genus are harmless. Many of them are large, fleshy and inviting in appearance, but their flesh is usually dry and coarse, and, though absorbent, is hard to cook tender. P. atrotomentosus, which seems to be rare, is an exception. The flesh of this species being firm in texture and readily made into a first-class dish.

Lepis´ta.

P. lepis´ta Fr.—lepista, a pan. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, flat or depressed, dirty-white, smooth, sometimes minutely cracked near the margin which is thin, involute and often undulate. Stem very variable in length, 1–4 in., ½-¾ in. thick, dingy white or cream, solid, white inside, equal, with a cartilaginous cuticle passing between the gills and the flesh of the pileus, base blunt, villous, white. Gills very decurrent, crowded, 2–3 lines broad, slightly branched but not at the base, dingy-white becoming darker.

Spores reddish, becoming dingy brown. Broadly pyriforme 6×8µ Massee.

Pennsylvania. September, 1894. McIlvaine. Albion, N.Y., Dr. Cushing, 1898.

On ground in woods and margins of woods.

Flesh white. Gills narrow, crowded, brittle, decurrent, dingy-white or pale-buff, easily separating from cap. Stem solid, elastic, at length hollow, often short, an inch long, tapering downward, frequently up to four inches in length and equal, base villose.

Resembling Lactarius piperatus and some forms of Clitocybe. It is separated from the former by the absence of milk and from the latter by its involute margin. The Clitocybe resembling it are all edible.

Smell strong, like old oily nuts. Edible but coarse.

P. li´vidus Cke. Pileus 1–2 in. across, convex, at length slightly depressed at the disk, margin slightly arched and incurved, dingy-white, or livid ochraceous, opaque. Gills decurrent, arcuate, almost 328crowded, 1½ line broad, white. Stem 3–4 in. long, ½ in. thick at the apex, attenuated downward, white, fibrillose, stuffed then hollow, usually rather flexuous. Flesh nearly white. Spores globose, 3–3.5µ diameter, nearly white.

In woods. Usually in small clusters. Closely allied to Paxillus revolutus, but distinguished by the absence of any tinge of violet on the pileus or stem, and by the persistently white gills. Massee.

Received from Katherine A. Hall, Danville, N.Y. October, 1898.

Raw it tastes like a drug-store smell. Edible, pleasant.

Tapi´nia.

P. involu´tus (Batsch) Fr.—involutus, rolled inward. Pileus 2–5 in. broad, fleshy, compact, convexo-plane then depressed, smooth, viscid when moist, shining when dry, yellowish or tawny-ochraceous, strongly involute, margin densely downy, flesh pallid. Stem 2–4 in. high, about ½ in. thick, solid, firm, paler than the pileus, central or eccentric. Gills 2–3 lines broad, crowded, branched, anastomosing, forming pores behind, whitish then yellowish or rusty, spotting when bruised.

Spores rust-color, ellipsoid or oblong-ellipsoid 8–16×6µ K.; 5×6µ W.G.S. Elliptical, 8–10µ Peck.

It grows singly or in groups and likes damp mossy soil. Common in cool hemlock or spruce woods in the Adirondack mountains; not rare in the mixed woods of all our hilly districts. When growing on decayed stumps the stem is sometimes eccentric. August, November. C.H. Peck.

In open woods near Haddonfield, N.J., it grows to a large size and in quantity. In Angora woods near Philadelphia a complete ring of it 20 ft. in diameter was seen.

329Considered edible throughout Europe and said to be highly esteemed in Russia. The flesh of the American plant is dry and coarse, does not cook tender and is rather tasteless.

P. a´tro-tomento´sus (Batsch.) Fr.—ater, black; tomentum, down. Pileus 3–6 in. broad, rust-color or reddish-brown, compactly fleshy, eccentric, convex then plane or depressed, margin thin, frequently minutely rivulose, sometimes tomentose in the center. Flesh white. Stem 3–6 in. high, ½-1 in. thick, stout, solid, elastic, eccentric or lateral, unequal rooting, covered with dense velvety down, very dark brown. Gills adnate, 3 lines broad, close, anastomosing at the base, yellowish, interspaces venose.

Spores subhyaline 4–6×3–4µ K. Elliptical, pale-yellowish, 5×2.5–3µ Massee. Elliptical 5–6×4µ Peck.

Found near Philadelphia, gregarious in old woods. September. In New Jersey in pine woods on stumps and on the ground, probably growing from roots. McIlvaine.

Grows singly or cespitose, sometimes in large tufts, when the pileus is frequently irregular from compression. In wet weather the pileus is moist and sometimes obscurely mottled with dark spots. Occasionally it has an unpleasant dirt-like odor. Peck.

Cordier considers this species suspicious and Paulet inutile on account of its bad taste.

The flesh differs from most Paxilli in being very fine grained and cooked is of the consistency of a marshmallow. The taste is marked but pleasant.

Spores typically black-purple or brownish-purple, more rarely dusky brown. (It is to be observed that the spores vary in color according to the color of the ground on which they are deposited.) There are sterile forms with the gills persistently white (A. obturatus, A. udus). Those species are more deceptive in which the gills continue for a long time white, and even begin to decay before they are discolored by the spores; these may be easily mistaken for Leucospori. Fries.

Pratelli is the name given by the early authors to this series, based upon the spore color; Porphyrosporæ is the name now used. The species within the group are closely allied to those having black spores without a tinge of purple or violet (Melanosporæ), but in none of the species do the gills deliquesce as in Coprinus, neither are there resupinate or lateral stemmed species.

There is a present tendency to do away with this series and include all dark-spored species in the Melanosporæ. Professor Atkinson and Bertha Stoneman, in their “Provisional Key to the Genera of Hymenomycetes,” omit the series and give “Melanosporæ, Gill and Butz (Pratellæ and Coprinariæ in broadest sense). Spores dark brown, purplish-brown or black.”

It is frequently difficult to determine by the spore-color of this series even to which series a specimen belongs. Many of our best edibles belong in this series. I know of none noxious.

CHITON´IA Fr.

Universal veil distinct from the pileus, at maturity forming a distinct volva round the base of the ringless central stem. Gills free from the stem. Spores brownish-purple.

Analogous in structure with Volvaria and Amanitopsis. An exotic genus imported into this country.

No American species reported. 331

AGAR´ICUS.

Pileus fleshy, flesh of the stem different from that of the pileus, furnished with a distinct ring. Gills at first enclosed by the veil, free, rounded behind, at first white or whitish, in some species this stage lasting but a short time, then pink or reddish, at length dark purplish-brown from the spores. Spores brown, brownish or reddish-purple.

On the ground, generally in pastures, meadows or manured ground, a few species occur in woods.

Analogous with Lepiota of the white-spored series. Stropharia also bears a ring and has similar colored spores, but is separated by the flesh of stem and pileus being continuous and the gills being more or less adnate.

Formerly in Agaricus as sub-genus Psalliota (psallion, psalion, in poetry, a ring). When Psalliota was raised to generic rank it was given the name of the great genus Agaricus as a mark of distinction on account of its including the most widely known and useful mushroom of the world—Agaricus campester. The name Psalliota is not in modern use.

Old Agaricus included many subgenera and consequently many more species. Now it contains but few. All of them are highly flavored and of marked excellence. Before the subgenera under Agaricus were promoted to full generic standing it was customary to state the name of a species thus: Agaricus (Psalliota) campester. Agaricus (Stropharia) semi-orbicularis. This was lengthy and clumsy. In the older books this form prevails. Often, however, the subgenus is omitted before the name, which compels the student to look up the subgenus to which the species belongs. The older books are therefore puzzling to modern students, who find there simply the name Agaricus to guide them. The present genus of a known species in old Agaricus can be easily found by looking in the index for its specific name. The name of the genus follows it in parentheses.

All of the genus can be cooked in any desired way.

* Gills at first or very soon pink or rosy.

** Gills at first brownish or gray.

*** Gills at first white or whitish.

A. campes´ter Linn.—campus, a field. (Plate XCI, fig. 4 (3 figs.) fig. 5, section, p. 332). Pileus at first hemispherical or convex, then expanded with decurved margin or nearly plane, smooth, silky floccose or hairy squamulose, the margin extending beyond the lamellæ, the flesh rather thick, firm, white. Lamellæ free, close, ventricose, at first delicate pink or flesh color, then blackish-brown, subdeliquescent. Stem equal or slightly thickened toward the base, stuffed, white or whitish, nearly or quite smooth. Ring at or near the middle, more or less lacerated, sometimes evanescent. Spores elliptical, 6–8×4–5µ.

Plant 2–4 in. high. Pileus 1.5–4 in. or more broad. Stem 4–8 lines thick. Peck, 36th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores spheroid-ellipsoid, 9×6µ K.; 6×8µ W.G.S.

The varieties of A. campester are numerous. All of them are edible and vary but slightly in their excellence.

Var. al´bus Berk.—albus, white. A very common wild form. Cap 2–4 in. across, smooth or slightly fibrillose. Stem 1½-3 in. long, ⅓-⅔ in. thick, white or whitish. Spring to autumn, in rich grassy places. Sometimes very large. It is cultivated.

Var. gri´seus Pk.—griseus, gray. Cap grayish, silky, shining. Ring vanishing. Reported from Virginia.

Var. prati´cola Vitt.—pratum, a meadow; colo, to inhabit. Meadow variety. Cap covered with reddish scales. Flesh pinkish. Parade ground, Mt. Gretna, Pa.

Var. umbri´nus Vitt.—umber, dark brown. Cap brown, smooth. Stem short, minutely scaly.

“Var. rufes´cens Berk.—rufescens, becoming red. Pileus reddish, minutely scaly. Gills at first white. Stem elongated. Flesh turning bright red when cut or bruised. This departs so decidedly from the ordinary characters of the type, especially in the white color of the young gills, that it seems to merit separation as a distinct species.” Peck, 36th Rep.

333Var. villa´ticus Brond.—belonging to a villa. Cap scaly. Stem scaly.

Var. horten´sis Cke.—growing in gardens. Cap brownish or yellowish-brown, covered with fibrils or minute hairs. This is a cultivated species.

“Var. Bu´channi. Cap white, smooth, depressed in center, the margin naked. Stem stout. Ring thin, lacerated. A rare variety, sometimes occurring in mushroom beds.

“Var. elonga´tus—elongated. Long-stemmed variety. Pileus small, smooth, convex, the margin adorned with the adherent remains of the lacerated veil. Stem long, slender, slightly thickened toward the base. Ring slight or evanescent. This is also a variety of mushroom beds.

“Var. vapora´rius. Green-house variety (A. vaporarius Vitt.) Pileus brownish, coated with long hairs or fibrils. Stem hairy-fibrillose, becoming transversely scaly. Conservatories, cellars, etc. Not differing greatly from Var. hortensis.” Peck, 36th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

The A. campester is known the world over as the common mushroom. It is cosmopolitan, appearing in pastures and rich places from spring and until long after severe frosts. It is the sweet morsel of gourmets. Indirectly it has done more damage than the assembled viciousness of all other toadstools. It is by mistaking the young button forms of the deadly Amanita for the button forms of the common mushroom that most cases of fatal toadstool poisoning are brought about. It is, also, usually the persons who think they know the mushroom, and can not be deceived, that get poisoned. If two rules are observed danger can be avoided. (1) Never eat a fungus gathered in the woods believing it to be the mushroom. The typical A. campester does not grow in the woods; species of Agaricus somewhat resembling it do. (2) Look at the gills; those of the mushroom are at first a light-pink which rapidly, as the plant matures, darken to a dark-brown, purplish-brown, or purplish-black. This is due to the ripening of the spores. Those of the Amanita are constantly white.

Pages could be written upon the mushroom and its culture, and recipes for the cooking of it would fill a volume. One important thing is omitted from them all—it is culinary heresy to peel a mushroom. Much of the flavor lies in the skin, as it does in that of apples, apricots, peaches, grapes, cherries and other fruits. The mushroom should be wiped with a coarse flannel or towel until the skin is clean. See chapter on cooking, etc.

334Lafayette B. Mendel, in American Journal of Physiology, March, 1898, gives the following analysis of A. campester:

Two varieties of the common mushroom were collected in New Haven. Fifteen specimens of one variety weighed 1½ ounce, an average weight of 43 grains each. The analysis gave:

	a.	b.
Water	87.88%	92.20%
Total solids	12.12	7.80
Total nitrogen in dry substance	4.42	4.92
Ash in dry substance	11.66	17.18

A. comp´tulus Fr.—comptus, gaily adorned. Pileus 1–1½ in. broad, yellowish-white, slightly fleshy, convex then plane, obtuse, adpressedly fibrilloso-silky, becoming even. Flesh thin, soft, of the same color as the pileus. Stem 2 in. long, 2–3 lines thick, hollow, stuffed with floccules when young, somewhat attenuated, even, smooth, white, becoming somewhat light yellow. Ring medial, torn, fugacious, of the same color. Gills rounded-free behind, crowded, soft, broader in front, flesh-color then rose, not dingy-flesh-color except when old.

Closely allied to A. campestris, but constantly distinct in its more beautifully colored gills. Fries.

Cultivated ground. Menands. August. Peck, Rep. 41.

Closely allied to A. campestris, from which it may be separated by its smaller size, the yellowish hue of the dry plant and by the smaller spores. Peck, 41st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. Parade ground, with A. campester; Haddonfield, N.J. August to frost. McIlvaine.

A. comptulus appears frequently in the latitude of Philadelphia. It is a neat species, but not substantial in flesh. Here it usually grows close to the ground. The ring is very evanescent.

Its edible qualities are those of A. campester.

A. silvat´icus Schaeff.—belonging to woods. Pileus thin, at first convex or bell-shaped, then expanded, gibbous or subumbonate, fibrillose or variegated with a few thin tawny brownish or reddish-brown spot-like adpressed scales, whitish, brownish or smoky-gray, the disk sometimes tinged with red or reddish-brown, the flesh white or faintly reddish. Lamellæ thin, close, free, narrowed toward each end, reddish, 335then blackish-brown. Stem rather long, equal or slightly tapering upward, hollow, whitish. Spores elliptical, 5–6.5×4–5µ.

Plant 3–5 in. high. Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 4–6 lines thick.

Woods. Summer and autumn. Not common. Peck, 36th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Massachusetts, Farlow; Minnesota, Johnson; California—edible, H. and M.

West Virginia, 1881–1885, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. August to frost. In pine and mixed woods. McIlvaine.

Edible, Curtis. Edible, Peck.

In taste and smell A. silvaticus resembles A. silvicola, but is stronger. It is a frequent but not common species in the localities where I have found it. Quantities of it have not occurred, but myself and friends have eaten it for years, knowing no distinction in effect between it and allied species. Its strong taste requires that it be well cooked. It does not lose its high flavor, which may be objectionable to some. I prefer using its juices as a flavoring.

A. diminuti´vus Pk.—diminutive. Pileus thin, fragile, at first convex, then plane or centrally depressed, sometimes slightly umbonate, whitish or yellowish, faintly spotted with small thin silky appressed brownish scales, the disk brownish or reddish-brown. Lamellæ close, thin, free, ventricose, brownish-pink becoming brown, blackish-brown or black. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, stuffed or hollow, smooth, pallid. Annulus thin, persistent, white. Spores elliptical 5×4µ.

Plant 1.5–2 in. high. Pileus 1–1.5 in. broad. Stem 1–2 lines thick.

Woods. Croghan and Sandlake, N.Y. August. Autumn.

This is a small but symmetrical and beautiful Agaric. It is perhaps too closely related to the preceding species (A. silvaticus), of which it may possibly prove to be a mere variety or dwarf form. Its pileus is quite thin and fragile. Usually the darker or reddish hue of the disk gradually loses itself in the paler color of the margin, but sometimes the whole surface is tinged with red. Peck, 36th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Chester county; West Philadelphia, Pa., September; Mt. Gretna, Eagle’s Mere, Pa., August. McIlvaine.

I have found A. diminutivus so intimately associated with A. silvaticus 336that its being a dwarf form of the latter seemed more than probable. Its edible qualities are the same.

A. Rod´mani Pk. Pileus rather thick, firm, at first convex, then nearly or quite plane, with decurved margin, smooth or rarely slightly cracked into scales on the disk, white or whitish, becoming yellowish or subochraceous on the disk, the flesh white, unchangeable. Lamellæ close, narrow, rounded behind, free, reaching nearly or quite to the stem, at first whitish then pink or reddish-pink, finally blackish-brown. Stem short, subequal, solid, whitish, smooth below the ring, often scurfy or slightly mealy-squamulose above; ring variable, thick or thin, entire or lacerated, at or below the middle of the stem. Spores broadly elliptical or subglobose, generally uninucleate, 5–6×4–5µ.

Plant 2–3 in. high. Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 6–10 lines thick. Grassy ground and paved gutters. Astoria, L.I. Rev. W. Rodman. Washington Park, Albany. May to July.

This species is intermediate between A. campestris and A. arvensis, from both of which it may be distinguished by its narrow gills, solid stem and smaller, almost globose, spores. In size, shape of the pileus and general appearance it most resembles A. campestris, but in the whitish primary color of the gills and in the yellowish tints which the pileus often assumes, it approaches nearer to A. arvensis. * * * Peck, 36th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

I can now add my own testimony to that of Mr. Rodman as to its edibility. Its flesh is firm but crisp, not tough, and its flavor, though not equal to that of the common mushroom, is nevertheless agreeable, and its use as food is perfectly safe. Peck, Rep. 49.

This species has grown freely for several years at Hull and Cohasset, Mass. It is usually found about June 1st, and is not seen again until early autumn. It is the handsomest mushroom I have seen, and its edible qualities are on a par with its appearance. Macadam.

A. hæmorrhoida´rius Shulzer. Gr—discharging blood. Pileus 4 in. across, reddish-brown, fleshy, ovate then expanded, covered with broad adpressed scales, margin at first bent inward. Flesh when broken immediately blood-red. Stem 4 in. high, 1 in. thick, soon hollow, fibrillose, the solid base somewhat bulbous. Ring superior, large. Gills free, approximate, crowded, rosy-flesh-color, at length purple-umber.

337Very striking, 3–4 in. high. The pileus and the white stem become spotted blood-red when touched. The stem when young is adpressedly squamulose below, when full grown mealy, becoming smooth. Fries.

Spores purple-brown, 7–8×5µ Massee; brown, elliptical, 5–6×4µ Peck.

A rare or overlooked plant in United States, first recorded by Professor Peck, who found it but once, growing under a hemlock tree. Rep. 45.

Nebraska, Clements; West Virginia; Eagle’s Mere and Mt. Gretna, Pa. In hemlock and mixed woods. Autumn. McIlvaine.

Cap 2–4 in. across. Stem 3–4 in. long, up to ¾ in. thick.

Every part of the plant turns red and has a congested appearance when bruised. The flesh is white but immediately becomes red when broken.

It is a frequent but not common species, growing singly, or in small clusters.

In flavor and substance it is equal to any mushroom.

A. mari´timus Pk. Pileus very fleshy, firm, at first subglobose, then broadly convex or nearly plane, glabrous, sometimes slightly squamose with appressed spot-like scales, white becoming dingy or grayish-brown when old. Flesh whitish, quickly reddening when cut, taste agreeable, odor distinct, suggestive of the odors of the seashore. Lamellæ narrow, close, free, pinkish becoming purplish-brown with age, the edge white. Stem short, stout, firm, solid, equal, sometimes bulbous, white, the annulus delicate, slight and easily obliterated. Spores broadly elliptic, purplish-brown, 7–8µ long, 5–6µ broad.

Pileus 2–8 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, .6 in. thick.

Sandy soil near salt water, Lynn, Mahant and Marblehead, Mass. June to December. R.F. Dearborn.

This is a very interesting and an excellent mushroom. Dr. Dearborn writes that he has used it on the table for fourteen years and that it is the only mushroom that he has ever eaten in which the stem is as good as the cap. He considers it the most hearty and satisfying of all the numerous species that he has ever eaten. Both its taste and odor is suggestive of the sea. The latter is quite strong, and perceptible by one riding along the road by whose side the mushrooms are growing. They sometimes grow in semicircles and attain a larger size in warm weather than in the colder weather of autumn. They are most abundant in August. The flesh, when cut or broken, quickly assumes a pink 338or reddish hue on the freshly-exposed surface. This is a very distinctive character and with the maritime habitat makes the species easy to recognize. Another species, Agaricus hæmorrhoidarius Kalchb. exhibits a similar change of color in its wounded flesh, but is of very rare occurrence with us, does not, so far as ascertained, grow near the sea, has a darker cap and a long hollow stem. The stem in the maritime mushroom is short and solid. Its collar is very slight and easily destroyed. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 26, No. 2, F. 1899.

A. Califor´nicus Pk.—Pileus at first subconical, becoming convex, minutely silky or fibrillose, whitish, tinged with purple or brownish-purple on the disk. Flesh whitish. Gills close, free, pink becoming purplish, then blackish-brown. Stem rather long, solid or stuffed, equal or tapering upward, distinctly and rather abruptly narrowed above the entire externally silky ring, pallid or brownish. Spores broadly elliptical, 5–6×4–5µ.

Pileus 1–3 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

Under oak trees. Pasadena. January. McClatchie.

This fungus is similar in size, shape and habitat to A. hemorrhoidarius, but it is unlike that species in color, in the adornment of the pileus and in its color not changing where bruised or broken. Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, 22–5 My. 95.

A. Elven´sis B. and Br.—Name from river Elwy, Wales, where first found. Tufted. Pileus 4–6 in. or more across, subglobose then hemispherical, fibrillose, broken up into large persistent brown scales, areolate in the center, margin very obtuse, thick, covered with pyramidal warts. Stem at first nearly equal, at length swollen in the center, and attenuated at the base, 4–6 in. high, 2 in. thick in the center, fibrillose and areolate below, nearly smooth within the pileus, solid, stuffed with delicate threads. Ring thick, very large, deflexed, broken here and there, warted in areas beneath. Gills rather crowded, ¼ in. broad, free, of a brownish flesh-color. Spores elliptic oblong, 8×4µ.

Under oak trees, etc. Edible, delicious eating. Flesh of pileus ¾ in. thick, red when cut. Massee.

California, H. and M.

Edible. Cooke, 1891.

339A. fœdera´tus Berk. and Mont.—confederated. Pileus fleshy, thin, at first ovoid then bell-shaped, finally convex, somewhat umbilicate with the center slightly depressed, margin hanging down (when dry involute), fragments of the veil hanging from the margin, tawny, scaly with minute, scattered, white, persistent granules, 2–3 in. broad, ¾-1½ in. high.

Stem stout, hollow, stuffed with fibers, gradually increasing in size to the base; below the ring rough from the ruptured bark, 4 in. high. Ring superior, broad, reflexed, torn, persistent. Gills linear, medium broad, at first pinkish-lilac, when adult brownish, edge white, pulverulent, adnate, gradually attenuated toward the margin. Spores dingy-brown, ovoid oblong, 10µ long. Somewhat cespitose. Elegant.

On the ground in pastures. July. Columbus, Ohio. Sullivant, Mont. Syll., p. 121.

Edibility not reported. I have not seen this species.

A. xylo´genus Mont. Gr—produced on wood. Pileus membranaceous, at first ovoid, then conical, bell-shaped, umbonate, finally convexo-plane, smooth, pale-yellow, center brownish, margin split, striate when dry, 1½-2½ in. broad, 1¼ in. high. Stem cartilaginous, white, 3 in. high, ¼ in. thick, gradually thickened toward the base, hollow. Ring of medium size, inferior, erect or reflexed. Gills free, remote, lance-shaped, rounded behind, attenuated toward the margin, pink as in A. campester. Spores spherical, colorless, hyaline, 5–7.5µ.

On dead wood. August. Columbus, Ohio. Sullivant. Mont. Syll., p. 122.

Edibility not reported. I have not seen this species.

A. argen´teus Brændle—of silver. Pileus thin, convex becoming nearly plane, slightly silky or glabrous, pale grayish white or grayish brown, shining with a silvery luster when dry, the margin sometimes striate, at first incurved, often revolute when old. Flesh whitish, becoming blackish where cut. Lamellæ close, free, at first brownish becoming blackish brown or black with age. Stem short, glabrous, solid, often narrowed toward the base, the annulus slight, evanescent. Spores broadly elliptic, 7–10µ long, 6µ broad.

340Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–1½ in. long, ¼-⅜ in. thick.

Lawns and grassy places in rich soil. Often associated with Stropharia bilamellata Pk. After rains from April to November. Washington, D.C. F.J. Brændle.

This is a small mushroom, peculiar in having the young gills of a dark color and in the absence of any pink hues. The gills sometimes become moist and manifest a tendency to deliquesce. The drying specimens emit a strong but not unpleasant odor. Mr. Brændle says that their edible quality is excellent and that it is not impaired by drying. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 26, F. 1899.

A. praten´sis Schaeff.—a meadow. Pileus 2–3½ in. across, ovoid then expanded, becoming smooth or sometimes broken up into scales more or less concentrically arranged, whitish, then grayish. Flesh thick in the center, thin toward the margin, white. Gills free, rounded behind, about ¼ in. broad, grayish, then brown. Stem about 2 in. long, ½-⅔ in. thick, base thickened, smooth, whitish. Ring median, simple, usually deciduous. Stem becoming more or less hollow. Spores elliptical, apiculate, 6×3.5µ.

On pastures and woods. Distinguished by the grayish gills becoming brown without any intermediate pink or fleshy tinge, and in being rounded behind, the median deciduous ring, and the more or less hollow stem. Massee.

California. Common. Edible. H. and M. Not elsewhere reported.

A. achi´menes B. and C. Gr—an amber-colored plant. Pileus 4–6 in. broad, pallid or yellowish-white, smooth like kid leather, but studded with warty excrescences especially toward the center. Stem 4–6 in. high, 3–4 lines thick, white, stuffed with floccose fibers, furnished toward the apex with a large deflexed ring. Gills broad, crowded at first, whitish then ash-colored and dingy-brown, free. Spores brownish, oval or ovate.

A splendid species allied to A. fabaceus, but differing in its paler spores, warty cap, ample ring, etc.

On the earth. Solitary. June. S.C. Ravenel. Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, 1849.

I have not seen this species.

341A. faba´ceus Berk.—relating to beans. Pileus 4–5 in. across, thin, almost submembranaceous, umbonate, conical when young, becoming nearly plane as it expands, white, viscid when moist; epidermis smooth, tough, feeling like fine kid leather, turning yellow when bruised. Stem 3–4 in. high, ⅓ in. thick, white, smooth, with the exception of a few fibrilla, equal except at the base. Veil large, at first covering the gills and connecting the margin with the stem, white, externally floccose. Gills crowded, very thin, not ventricose, free, brown when young, then darker brown, at length almost black like the dark part of a bean flower. A fine species allied to A. arvensis. When young it has a peculiar but not unpleasant smell. On the ground, amongst dead leaves in open woods. Waynesville, September 10, 1844. Hooker’s London Jour. of Botany, 1847.

Described by Berkeley from specimens collected by Thomas G. Lea, in the vicinity of Cincinnati.

On ground among old leaves in woods. Common. Pileus 3–4 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. high. Spores brown, nucleate on one side, small, 5.5µ long. Morgan.

This is among the most delicious species for the table. Fresh specimens have a distinct taste and odor of peach kernels or bitter almonds which is nearly lost in cooking. Am. Jour. Science and Arts, 1850. Curtis.

Ohio, Lea, Morgan; North Carolina, Curtis; South Carolina, Ravenel; Massachusetts, Sprague.

A. arven´sis Schaeff.—belonging to cultivated ground. Horse Mushroom, Plowed-Land Mushroom. (A. Georgii Sow., A. pratensis Scop., A. edulis Krombh., A. exquisitus Vitt.) Pileus at first convex or conical, bell-shaped then expanded, at first more or less floccose or mealy, then smooth white or yellowish. Flesh white. Gills close, free, generally broader toward stem, at first whitish, then pinkish, finally blackish-brown. Stem equal or slightly thickened toward the base, smooth, hollow or stuffed with a floccose pith; ring rather large, thick, the lower or exterior surface often cracked in a radiate manner.

Plant 2–5 in. high. Pileus 3–5 in. or more broad. Stem 4–10 lines thick.

342Cultivated fields and pastures. Summer and autumn.

This species is so closely related to the common mushroom that it is regarded by some authors as a mere variety of it. Even the renowned Persoon is said to have written concerning it: “It appears to be only a variety of A. campestris.” Fries also says that it is commonly not distinguished from A. campestris, but that it is diverse in some respects; its white flesh being unchangeable, its gills never deliquescing, remaining a long time pale and not becoming dark-red in middle age. Berkeley says of it: “A coarse but wholesome species, often turning yellow when bruised.” Peck, 36th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores spheroid-elliptical, 9×6µ K.; 11×6µ W.G.S.; elliptical, 8–10×5–6.5µ Peck.

Indiana, H.I. Miller; Minnesota, B.L. Taylor; West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

Unless the numerical system of John Phœnix to express degrees of quality is adopted by a mycophagists' congress, and one species of fungus is chosen as the standard of excellence, the comparative excellence of species will never be settled. English epicures shun A. arvensis; the French prefer it. Berkeley says it is inferior to the common mushroom; Vittadini says it is very sapid and very nutritious. So opinion varies. Individual tastes must decide excellence. Comparison never will. Toadstools differ in substance, texture and taste as one meat or vegetable differs from another. Beef could not be chosen as the standard for meats, or cabbage as the standard for vegetables. Agaricus arvensis is good.

A. magni´ficus Pk.—magnificent. (Plate XCIV.) Pileus 5–15 cm. (2–6 in.) broad, fleshy, thick, convex, becoming nearly plane or centrally depressed, bare, often wavy and split on the margin, white or whitish, often brownish in the center. Flesh 1.5–2 cm. (½ in.) thick in the center, thin on the margin, white, unchangeable. Gills numerous, rather broad, close, free, ventricose, white becoming dark purplish brown with age, never pink. Stem 10–15 cm. long (4–6 in.), about 2.5 cm. thick (1 in.), firm, stuffed with cottony pith, bulbous or thickened at the base, fibrillose, striate, minutely furfuraceous (covered with scurf) toward the base, ringed, pallid or whitish, the ring thin, persistent, white. Spores small, elliptic, 5–6µ long, 3–4µ broad.

343Gregarious or cespitose; thin woods, Mt. Gretna, Pa. August. Charles McIlvaine.

A large fine species distinguished from its near allies by the absence of pink hues from the gills. Mr. McIlvaine remarks that it has an anise-like flavor and odor and that when young the whole fungus is tender and high flavored, but when full grown the caps only are edible. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 26, F. 1899.

A. silvic´ola Vitt.—silva, a wood; colo, to inhabit. (Plate XCI, fig. 2, p. 332.) (A. arvensis, var. abruptus Pk.; now A. abruptus Pk.) Pileus convex or sub-bell-shaped, sometimes expanded or nearly plane, smooth, shining, white or yellowish. Gills close, thin, free, rounded behind, generally narrowed toward each end, at first whitish, then pinkish, finally blackish-brown. Stem long, cylindrical, stuffed or hollow, white, bulbous; ring either thick or thin, entire or lacerated. Spores elliptical, 6–8×4–5µ.

Plant 4–6 in. high. Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Stem 4–8 lines thick.

Woods, copses and groves or along their borders. Summer and autumn. Peck, 36th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Very good eating, though scarcely as highly flavored as the common mushroom. Peck.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, June to frost. McIlvaine.

A. silvicola, by many authors considered a variety of A. campester, is, seemingly, becoming common. Professor Peck in 46th Rep. has made the abrupt bulb and its usual double veil distinctive marks which ally it to A. arvensis. He therefore calls it var. abruptus. As this book goes to press Professor Peck writes me that he concludes var. abruptus to be a good and distinct species. It is therefore given as such. While familiar with it since 1881, I never found it in quantity until 1898, at Mt. Gretna, Pa. There, among the straw and rubbish of abandoned camps on wood margins, it grew in great quantity; sometimes singly, at others in crowded clusters. When growing singly it exhibits all the characteristics of its description; when clustered, the stems are not always bulbous. The caps are thin but fleshy, brittle and bear a disproportionate width to the stem—like a plate on a pipe stem. The caps when mature are usually tinged with yellow and are spread flat; the ring is large, often double, yellowish, often torn, fragments of it frequently hang from the cap margin; the bulb when 344perfect is small, abrupt, as if it had once been round but the stem pushed into it. It has a strong spicy mushroom odor and taste, and makes a high-flavored dish. It is delicious with meats. It is the very best mushroom for catsup. Mixed with Russulæ or Lactarii or other species lacking in mushroom flavor, it enriches the entire dish. The stems, excepting of the very young, are tough.

Larvæ do not infest A. silvicola. Its habit of growth shows it to be cultivatable. It has but one draw-back. Growing as it does in woods and in the presence of the poisonous Amanita, it is possible for the careless collector to confound the two. The Amanitæ have larger bulbs, cups at the base, and white gills; the A. silvicola has no volva, has whitish gills when very young only, they become pinkish, then a marked blackish-brown.

A. creta´ceus Fr.—creta, chalk. Pileus 3 in. and more broad, wholly white, fleshy, lens-shaped-globose when young, then convexo-flattened, obtuse, dry, sometimes even, sometimes rivulose chiefly round the margin from the cuticle separating into squamules. Flesh thick, white, unchangeable. Stem 3 in. long, 3–6 lines and more thick, hollow, stuffed with a spider-web pith, firm, attenuated upward, even, smooth, not spotted, white. Gills free, then remote, ventricose but very much narrowed toward the stem, crowded, remaining long white, becoming dingy-brown only when old. Fries.

Spores 3×4µ W.G.S.; 5–6×3.5µ Massee.

Under certain conditions the spores are white. M.J.B.

In lawns and rich ground.

North Carolina, on earth and wood. Edible, Curtis; Minnesota, rare, Johnson; California, H. and M.; Ohio, Lloyd; Kentucky, Lloyd, Rep. 4; New York, Peck, Rep. 22.

A. subrufes´cens Pk.—sub, under; rufescens, becoming red. Pileus at first deeply hemispherical, becoming convex or broadly expanded, silky fibrillose and minutely or obscurely scaly, whitish, grayish or dull reddish-brown, usually smooth and darker on the disk. Flesh white, unchangeable. Lamellæ at first white or whitish, then pinkish, finally blackish-brown. Stem rather long, often somewhat thickened or bulbous at the base, at first stuffed, then hollow, white; the annulus flocculose or floccose-scaly on the lower surface; mycelium whitish, 345forming slender branching root-like strings. Spores elliptical, 6–7µ Peck, 48th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Indiana, H.I. Miller, 1898; Haddonfield, N.J., McIlvaine.

June 2, 1896, I found several specimens of a fungus new to me, and sent them to Professor Peck for identification. He pronounced it a dwarf form of his species A. subrufescens. The cluster grew on a florist’s compost pile at Haddonfield, N.J. Its flesh has a flavor like that of almonds.

This species is now cultivated and has manifest advantages over the marketed species—it is easier to cultivate, very productive, produces in less time after planting the spawn, is free from attacks of insects, carries better and keeps longer.

Amateurs are likely to succeed in growing it, and to have goodly crops of mushrooms instead of disappointments.

A. placo´myces Pk. Gr—a flat cake. (Plate XCI, fig. 3, p. 332.) Pileus thin, at first convex, becoming flat with age, whitish, brown in the center and elsewhere adorned with minute brown scales. Lamellæ close, white, then pinkish, finally blackish-brown. Stem smooth, annulate, stuffed or hollow, bulbous, white or whitish, the bulb often stained with yellow. Spores elliptical, 5–6.5µ long.

Cap 2–4 in. broad. Stem 3–5 in. long, ¼ to nearly ½ in. thick.

It grows in the borders of hemlock woods or under hemlock trees from July to September. It has been eaten by Mr. C.L. Shear, who pronounces it very good. I have not found it in sufficient quantity to give it a trial. This mushroom is very closely related to the wood mushroom or silvan mushroom, Agaricus silvaticus, a species which is also recorded as edible, but which is apparently more rare in our state (New York) than even the flat-cap mushroom. This differs from the silvan mushroom in its paler color, in having the cap more minutely, persistently and regularly scaly, and in its being destitute of a prominent center. In the silvan mushroom the scales, when present, are few, and they disappear with age. Peck, 48th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mrs. E.C. Anthony, Gouverneur, N.Y., June, 1898, writes: “In great abundance on lawn, tumbling over one another in their haste to make their appearance. One of the largest, which did not have half a chance to display its proportions, would probably measure 7 in., perhaps more. When mature they crack across the top, showing the white 346flesh. The gills are pink, stem white, solid and bulbous. There is no perceptible odor when fresh.”

Indiana, H.I. Miller, edible, good.

Specimens sent to me by Mrs. Anthony, though not fresh, were eaten by me. They very much resembled the common mushroom, but probably, owing to their condition, were not so tender.

I have not found the species. The illustration is after a painting by Mrs. E.C. Anthony.

A. varia´bilis Pk.—variable. (Plate XCI, fig. 1, p. 332.) Cap 2–6 in. across, ovate, bell-shaped, irregularly convex and wavy, margin incurved but never striate, smooth, minutely fibrillose, with few remaining floccose scales; mature plant pure white, when young distinctly tinged with lilac and here and there with yellow when mature, slightly, broadly umbonate and depressed around umbo, cracks along gills. Flesh thick in center, very thin, even membranaceous toward margin, spongy, unchangeable. Gills free, close, thin, flaccid, ventricose, narrow next stem, but few short, pure-white when young, then dark-umber without purple tinge. Stem equal, tubed, white, silky, smooth above ring, rippled and minutely furfuraceous (scurfy) below, flocculose-furfuraceous when young, densely hairy at base, and occasionally slightly expanding, but not bulbous, densely cespitose with a coarse, white, root-like mycelium. Veil heavy at first, mottled with yellow scales beneath; as cap expands veil becomes thin, like tissue paper, ruptures at both stem and margin leaving torn ring on stem and appendiculate fragments on edge of cap.

Spores shed in great quantity, rich dark umber-brown without shade of purple.

Taste strong like almond. Smell slightly of musk, like the running mycelium of A. campester.

Found at Mt. Gretna, Pa. Charles McIlvaine.

I have never found worms in this species. It is very prolific and its habitat shows that it can be cultivated. Its freedom from worms and lasting carrying quality will make it commercially valuable.

It grew in an old roofless stable from September until after several frosts, in enormous quantity, 25 or 30 pounds in a patch. It differs from A. subrufescens in not having a shade of red about it, in its very distinct light-lilac cap when full grown, and in its snow-white youth. 347The young gills are pure white as are the caps. The stems sometimes taper upward, but they are usually remarkably equal.

It is delicate when cooked and of excellent flavor.

A. tabula´ris Pk.—relating to boards. Pileus 5–10 cm. broad, very thick, fleshy, firm, convex, deeply cracked in areas, whitish, flesh whitish, tinged with yellow, the areas pyramidal, truncate, the sides horizontally striate, their apices sometimes tomentose. Lamellæ narrow, close, free, blackish-brown when mature. Stem short, thick, solid. Spores broadly elliptical, 7.5–9µ long, 6–7.5µ broad, generally containing a single large nucleus.

In clay soil by roadsides. Craig, Colorado. August. E. Bethel.

This species is remarkable for the peculiar upper surface of the pileus which is broken into pyramidal areas. The sides of these are marked by parallel lines in such a way that they appear as if formed by small tablets placed one upon another, each successive tablet being a little smaller than the one immediately preceding it. Only dried and broken specimens have been seen by me and the notes of the collector do not give the color of the young lamellæ. There is a trace of a thick ring on the broken stem of one specimen. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 25, No. 6, 1898.

Not elsewhere reported. Edible qualities not given.

348PILOSACE Fr.

Hymenium differentiated from the stem. Gills free from the stem; general and partial veil both absent, hence there is no ring on the central stem. Spores purple-brown.

A peculiar genus, with the habit of Agaricus, but without a trace of a ring. Massee.

P. eximius Pk., 24th Rep. N.Y. State Bot., is the only species thus far reported in America. Edible qualities unknown.

STROPHA´RIA.

Flesh of stem and pileus continuous. Veil present, when ruptured forming a distinct ring on the stem. Gills more or less adnate.

On the ground or epiphytal.

Separated from all the genera of the purple-spored series but Agaricus by the presence of a distinct ring, and from that by the continuity of flesh in stem and pileus, and by the gills not being free. Pileus somewhat fleshy, sometimes viscid.

The species belonging to this genus are rather small, and from their habitats are frequently passed or overlooked. Yet many of them are common and plentiful. Those which have been tested are excellent and worth seeking in their season. The entire genus has been under a cloud. Writers upon it assert some of its members to be dangerously poisonous. So far as carefully tested by the writer no doubtful one has 349been encountered, and one—semiglobata—has been eaten by himself and friends since 1881, notwithstanding its dangerous reputation.

The division between this genus and Agaricus is not always sharply defined. S. æruginosa, S. semiglobata and S. stercoraria were formerly placed in Psalliota, now Agaricus.

Pellicle of the pileus even or scaly, generally viscid.

* Mundi—mundus, clean. Not growing on dung.

** Merdarii—merda, dung. Ring often incomplete.

Pileus without a pellicle, but fibrillose, not viscid. None known to be edible.

S. ærugino´sa Curt.—ærugo, verdigris. Pileus fleshy, but not compact, convex-bell-shaped then flattened, somewhat umbonate (obtuse when larger), with very viscid pellicle, the ground color yellowish but verdigris from the azure-blue slime with which it is more or less covered over, becoming pale as the slime separates. Stem hollow, soft, equal, at the first scaly or fibrillose below the ring, viscid, becoming more or less azure-blue green. Ring distant. Gills adnate, plane, 2 lines and more broad, not crowded, soft, whitish then dusky, becoming somewhat purple.

The above are the essential marks of this species. Variable in form, 350sometimes cespitose. The typical and handsomest form is gathered in soaking weather in later autumn in shaded woods; it is large (pileus and stem 3 in. and more), stem squarrose with white spreading scales, intensely verdigris or azure-blue-pelliculose and very glutinous. From this there is a long series of forms with the gluten more separating (on the separation of the gluten the pileus becomes yellow), and the scales alike of the pileus and stem rubbed off. Finally, a smaller form occurs in open meadows, stem scarcely 2 in. long, only 2 lines thick, becoming azure-blue-green and without scales, pileus 1–2 in. broad, pale verdigris soon light yellowish, less viscid. In this form the ring is incomplete, while in the typical form it is entire, spreading, and persistent.

In woods, meadows, etc. Common. July to November. Stevenson.

Spores ellipsoid or spheroid-ellipsoid, 8×4–5µ K.; 5×7µ W.G.S.; elliptical, 10×5µ Massee.

POISONOUS. Stevenson.

“There is a white variety, in which the pileus is perfectly white from the first.” Cooke.

S. æruginosa has been noted here by Schweinitz in Pennsylvania, Curtis in North and South Carolina, Frost in Vermont and Massachusetts, Harkness and Moore, California, Morgan, Ohio. The qualities of the American representatives are not reported. I have not seen the species. As it is asserted to be poisonous by European writers it may be. M.C. Cooke says: “It has the reputation, which is somewhat general on the continent, of being poisonous, but probably this is only assumed from its disagreeable taste and repulsive appearance.” Collectors are cautioned to look out for it, and not to eat of it carelessly.

I can find no case of poisoning by this species reported. It presents another case of “Not proven.”

S. stereora´ria Fr.—stercus, dung. Pileus 1 in. broad, yellow, fleshy, but thin at the margin, hemispherical then expanded, obtuse, orbicular, with a viscid pellicle, naked, smooth, even or at length slightly striate only at the margin. Stem 3 in. and more long, 2–3 lines thick, stuffed with a separate fibrous pith, equal, clothed to the ring (which is scarcely 1 in. distant from the pileus, viscous, narrow, but somewhat spreading) with the flocculose veil which is at the same time viscous (so that it 351appears as if smooth), yellow. Gills adnate, very broad behind, 2 lines broad, somewhat crowded, dusky-umber or dusky-olivaceous, of one color, quite entire.

Stem silky-viscous when moist, when dry becoming even, shining and yellowish-white, and without a manifest veil. The gills are truncate and somewhat decurrent. Fries.

Spores 17×13µ W.G.S.; elliptical, 18–20×8–10µ Massee.

West Virginia, 1881–1885; Pennsylvania; New Jersey. June to November. McIlvaine.

I have enjoyed this species, which is common, since 1881. It is usually conspicuous upon droppings and manure piles. It also occurs on richly-manured ground, in wood and field, usually single; sometimes two or three are united.

Caps and stems are edible, but do not cook in the same time. It is better to cook the caps only. They are delicious.

S. semigloba´ta Batsch.—semi, half; globus, a ball. Pileus commonly ½ in. broad, light-yellow, slightly fleshy, hemispherical, not expanded, very obtuse, even, viscous. Stem about 3 in. long, 1 line thick, tubed, slender, firm and straight, equal, even, smooth, becoming yellow, paler at the apex, powdered with the spores, otherwise smeared with the glutinous veil which is abrupt above terminating in an incomplete (not membranaceous) viscous, distant ring. Gills adnate, very broad, plane, clouded with black.

Spores dusky-purple. Stevenson.

Spores blackish-purple, 13×8µ W.G.S.; elliptical, ends rather acute, 12×6µ Massee.

Grows on dung, rich lawns and pastures. April to November. A common, frequent, solitary species, easily recognized by its hemispherical cap, dark mottled gills. At first sight it resembles Naucoria semiorbicularis.

The caps are equal to any mushroom. I have eaten it since 1881. M.C. Cooke says: “It was Sowerby who drew attention to this species 352as dangerous, and intimated that it had been fatal. Since that period we are not aware of any further evidence against it.”

It is tender, good and harmless.

HYPHOLO´MA.

Pileus more or less fleshy, margin at first incurved. Veil webby, adhering in fragments to the margin of the pileus, not forming a distinct ring on the stem. Stem fleshy, similar in substance to that of the pileus with which it is continuous. Gills attached to the stem, sometimes with a notch at the juncture (emarginate), occasionally separating and then appearing to be free.

Generally cespitose, mostly growing on wood above or under the ground.

Spores brownish-purple, sometimes intense-purple, almost black.

Corresponding to Tricholoma, Entoloma and Hebeloma.

Pileus tough, smooth, bright colored, not hygrophanous.

Pileus naked, viscid. None known to be edible.

Pileus silky or streaked with small fibers.

Pileus covered with superficial floccose scales, at length disappearing. (None reported edible.)

Pileus smooth, hygrophanous.

Members of this purple-spored genus grow upon decayed wood, either standing or as roots in the ground, or from ground heavily laden with woody material. They grow singly, in groups, or in densely-tufted or overlapping masses. The several species vary in shades of yellow, red, orange, brick-color and brown; their caps are from 1–6 in. across; their stems are short or long, as the number in the cluster permits; when growing singly the stems are short and sturdy. There is a floccose veil, or remnants of one, about the stem. The gills are yellowish, greenish, olivaceous or greenish shades of yellow, gray, purple, almost black. They are showy, easily recognized and are found from September until mid-winter. I have gathered them when frozen hard. The flesh is solid, or spongy, flexible or fragile, white or yellowish; the tastes are sweet, nutty, bitter and saponaceous. Patches of them—and they are frequent in almost every woods in the land—often yield several bushels. Tons of them annually go to waste.

Old authors and some copyists say “the species are not edible, the tough ones being bitter, the fragile ones almost void of flesh.” Eighteen years of experience with them warrants my saying that there is not a single wild genus approaching it in economic value, and when its most prominent species are properly cooked, few equal it in consistency and flavor. As a pickle the Hypholomas have no superior.

354Half a dozen or more of the species are exceedingly difficult to separate. Professor Peck has happily made a new species, H. perplexum, which is well named. For all culinary purposes these affiliated species may be gathered under that convenient name; for botanic purposes his description covers several perplexing characteristics common to what have been written as separate species, and covers a composite species.

The occasional bitter taste of some species is not constant, and can not be relied upon as a distinguishing mark. In the same tufts some individuals may be mild, others bitter; some individuals in groups are in a position and of an age to absorb water; others are not. There will be a marked difference in their taste raw. A few in the same group may have been infested by insects; others not. Those infested are often intensely bitter, while their companions are of pleasant flavor. The same remarks apply to neighboring clusters and individuals. I am of the opinion, from long observation, that the bitter is largely due to the injury and excrement of larvæ. Changes of taste occur in toadstools in a most marked and rapid manner. Apples from the same tree, chestnuts from the same tree, acorns from the same oak, radishes from the same seed, blackberries from the same bush, differ widely in taste. Why not toadstools of the same species?

I have often seen species of this genus, described as having stems up to 5 in. long, stretch and twist their stems to over a foot in order to get their caps from the inside of, or from a crack in a decaying stump, out into the light; and I have seen stems of the same species stout, solid and sturdy when individuals grew upright and singly. But wherever and however they grow, Hypholomas are safe. I have eaten them indiscriminately since 1881, and as long ago as 1885 published their edibility.

Fascicula´res. Pileus smooth, etc.

H. perplex´um Pk.—perplexus, perplexed. Perplexing Hypholoma. (Plate XCVII, fig. 2, p. 352.) Pileus convex or nearly plane, glabrous, sometimes broadly and slightly umbonate, reddish or brownish-red fading to yellow on the margin, the flesh white or whitish. Lamellæ thin, close, slightly rounded at the inner extremity, at first pale-yellow, then tinged with green, finally purplish-brown. Stem nearly equal, firm, hollow, slightly fibrillose, whitish or yellowish above, rusty-reddish or reddish-brown below. Spores elliptical, purplish-brown, 8×4µ.

355The Perplexing hypholoma has received the name because it is one of a group of five or six very closely allied species, whose separation from each other is somewhat difficult and perplexing. Of these six species three have a decidedly bitter, unpleasant flavor, and three are mild, or not decidedly bitter, if we may rely on the published descriptions of them. The three bitter ones, also, have no purplish tints to the mature gills; but two of the mild ones have. By using these and other distinguishing characters the six species may be tabulated and their several peculiarities more clearly shown.

	Taste bitter	1
	Taste mild, or not clearly bitter	3
1.	Stem solid or stuffed, flesh whitish, gills whitish, then sooty-olive	sublateritium
1.	Stem hollow, flesh yellow	2
	2. Cap yellow or tinged with tawny, stem yellow, gills yellow, becoming greenish	fasciculare
	2. Cap brick-red, stem ferruginous, gills green, becoming olive	elæodes
3.	Cap red or brick-red, with a yellow margin; gills yellow, then greenish, finally purplish-brown	perplexum
3.	Cap yellow, or slightly tawny on the disk only	4
	4. Gills gray, becoming purplish-brown	capnoides
	4. Gills yellow, becoming gray, neither green nor purplish	epixanthum

Probably in general appearance the Perplexing hypholoma most nearly resembles the brick-red Hypholoma, H. sublateritium; but it has often been mistaken for the tufted Hypholoma, H. fasciculare. From this it may be separated by the more red cap, the whitish flesh, the purplish-brown color of the mature gills, and the mild flavor. From H. sublateritium it is distinguished by its usually smaller size, more slender hollow stem, the yellow greenish and purplish tints of the gills, and the absence of a bitter flavor. Some may prefer to consider it a variety of this fungus, rather than a distinct species.

Its cap is 1–3 in. broad, its stem 2–3 in. long and 2–4 lines thick. It commonly grows in clusters, though sometimes singly, on or about old stumps or prostrate trunks of trees, in woods or open places. The caps of the lower ones in a cluster are often defiled and apparently discolored by the spores that have lodged on them from the upper ones. 356It appears in autumn, and continues until freezing weather stops its growth. It is a very common species, as well as a late one, and may often be gathered in large quantity. Its flavor is not first quality, but with good preparation it makes a very acceptable dish. It has been tested by myself and correspondents several times, and has been proved harmless. Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, 1881–1885; New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, October to January. On stumps, roots, ground containing decayed woody matter. McIlvaine.

H. perplexum is abundant in most if not all the states. I have eaten it and its allied species since 1881; dried them, pickled them, and fed them to many. If the collector gets puzzled, as he will, over one or all of these species, because no description fits, he can whet his patience and appetite by calling it H. perplexum and graciously eating it.

H. capnoi´des Fr. Gr—like smoke, from the color of the gills. Pileus 1 in. sometimes 3 in. broad, ochraceous-yellowish, fleshy, convex, then flattened, obtuse, dry, smooth. Flesh somewhat thin, white. Stem 2–3 in. long, 2–4 lines thick, growing together at the base, hollow, equal, often curved and flexuous, becoming silky-even, pallid, whitish at the apex, here and there striate, becoming rust-colored under the surface-covering when old. Cortina appendiculate, white, then becoming brownish-purple. Gills adnate, easily separating, somewhat crowded, rather broad, arid, at first bluish-gray then becoming brownish-purple.

Cespitose, fasciculate; odor and taste mild. On pine-stumps. Uncommon. Fries.

Spores ellipsoid-spheroid, 7×5µ K.; elliptical, brownish-purple, 8×4µ Massee.

California, H. and M.; Minnesota, not necessarily in fir-woods, Johnson; New York, on or about stumps or decaying wood of spruce. Peck, 50th Rep.

Haddonfield, N.J., 1894. Pine roots and stumps, and on ground. Cespitose. September to frost. McIlvaine.

A pretty species with caps up to 1½ in. across. Stem 2–4 in. long, ¼-⅜ in. thick, growing together (connate). The taste and smell are pleasant. The basket is soon filled from its clusters. There is not a better Hypholoma. The slightly soapy taste which attaches to most of the abundant and better known species is absent in this.

357H. fascicula´ris Huds.—fasciculus, a small bundle. (Plate XCVIII, p. 352.) Pileus about 2 in. broad, light yellow, the disk commonly darker, fleshy, thin, convex, then flattened, somewhat umbonate or obtuse, even, smooth, dry. Flesh light yellow. Stem very variable in length, hollow, thin, incurved or flexuous, fibrillose, of the same color as the pileus and flesh. Gills adnate, very crowded, linear, somewhat deliquescent, sulphur-yellow then becoming green.

It is very easily distinguished from the preceding species by its bitter odor and taste, light-yellow flesh, and somewhat deliquescent, sulphur-yellow then green gills. It forms also more crowded clusters. There are many remarkable varieties; one robustior (more robust), stem thickened at the base, another nana (dwarf), both on the ground.

Cespitose on old stumps and the ground. Extremely common. Stevenson.

Spores elliptical, 7×4µ Massee; 6–7×4µ K.; 6×4µ W.G.S.; ferruginous purple, 6×4µ Morgan.

“It is very usual to regard this as a poisonous species, but possibly it is not so in reality.” Cooke.

West Virginia, 1881, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, McIlvaine.

A very common species appearing in October and lasting until well into the winter, growing in large, overlapping masses or in tufts from old stumps or roots, and about trees where decay has begun. Sometimes solitary. It is then short-stemmed and sturdy. There are several closely allied species. To know the one from the other, a careful study of the group is necessary. (See introduction to genus, H. epixanthum, H. sublateritium, H. capnoides, H. elæodes, and H. perplexum.) Old authors give it as bitter and poisonous. The bitter is not always present. Any there is disappears in cooking. It is not poisonous, but one of our most valuable species. I have eaten it since 1881. A little lemon juice or sherry will cover the slightly saponaceous taste sometimes present. The caps only are good. It makes a choice pickle and a good catsup.

H. epixan´thum Fr. Gr—epixanthos, yellowish-brown. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, light-yellow or becoming pale, the disk commonly darker, fleshy, moderately thin, convexo-plane, obtuse or gibbous, even, slightly silky then becoming smooth. Flesh white, becoming light-yellow. Stem 358about 8 in. long, 3–4 lines thick, hollow, attenuated from the thickened base or equal; floccose-fibrillose, pale rust color or becoming dingy-brown below, with a frosty bloom at the apex; veil hanging from margin of pileus, white. Gills adnate, crowded, at first light yellow-white, at length becoming ash-colored, not deliquescent, and not becoming purple or green.

Strong smelling, odor acid; extremely variable in stature; not hygrophanous. Fries.

Spores elliptical, 7×4µ Massee.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina. On oak, chestnut stumps and growing from tree roots in ground. October to December. McIlvaine.

(See H. perplexum, H. sublateritium and compare descriptions.)

This species, in common with its allies, is extremely hard to determine. When growing singly from roots or from ground heavily charged with decaying wood, it is a sturdy, solid plant; when in clusters the stem is longer, more flexible and the whole character of the plant is modified. Except for botanic purposes there is no occasion to puzzle over it. It is in every way an excellent and useful fungus.

H. disper´sus Fr.—dispergo, to scatter. Pileus 1–1½ in. broad, tawny-honey-color, not hygrophanous, slightly fleshy, bell-shaped then convex, at length expanded, even, superficially silky round the margin with the veil, or squamulose, otherwise even and smooth. Flesh thin, a little paler than the pileus. Stem 2 in. or a little more long, 2 lines thick, tubed, equal, tense and straight, tough, fibrilloso-silky, somewhat rust-colored, becoming dingy-brown at the base, pale at the apex. Gills adnate, thin, ventricose, broad, 3–4 lines, crowded, at first pallid-straw color, at length crowded, obsoletely green. Fries.

Gills broader than H. fascicularis, etc. Solitary, scarcely ever cespitose. On pine stumps and the ground. April to November.

Spores elliptical, 7×3–4µ Massee.

North Carolina, in pine woods, Curtis; California, H. and M.; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey, McIlvaine.

Difficult to distinguish from H. fascicularis when growing solitary. Its edible qualities are precisely the same.

H. elæo´des Fr. Gr—an olive; Gr—eidos, appearance. Pileus 359brick-red or tan, fleshy, rather plane, somewhat umbonate, dry, smooth, opaque. Flesh yellow. Stem stuffed then hollow, equal, commonly slender, incurved or flexuous, fibrillose, of the same color as the pileus, becoming rust-color. Gills adnate, crowded, thin, green then pure olivaceous.

Cespitose. Odor bitter. On trunks and on the ground. Fries.

Cap 1–2 in. across. Stem 2–4 in. long, ¼-⅜ in. thick, stuffed then hollow.

West Virginia, 1881–1885, Haddonfield, N.J.; Pennsylvania. On stumps, roots and ground in woods, etc. McIlvaine. Not reported elsewhere.

Its habit is the same as H. fascicularis, to which it is closely allied, and to me seems but a form of this very variable species. It is equally good.

H. sublateri´tium Schaeff.—sub and later, a brick. (Plate XCVII, fig. 3, p. 352.) Pileus 2–3 in. and more broad, tawny-brick-red, but paler round the margin and covered over with a superficial, somewhat silky, whitish cloudiness (arising from the veil), fleshy, convexo-plane, obtuse, discoid, dry, even, becoming smooth. Flesh compact, white, then becoming yellow. Stem 3–4 in. long, 3–5 lines thick, stuffed, stout and firm, commonly manifestly attenuated downward, rarely equal, scaly-fibrillose, fibrils pallid, rust-colored downward. Cortina superior, at first white, at length becoming black. Gills adnate, more or less crowded according to stature, narrow, at first dingy yellowish and darker at the base, then sooty, and at length inclining to olivaceous.

Spores brownish purple. Somewhat cespitose. Stem incurved from position. There are many varieties: B, somewhat solitary, the pileus and stem, which is thickened at the base, of the same color, reddish. C, smaller, pileus light yellowish, the hollow stem equal. Schaeff.

Var. squamo´sum, Cooke. Pileus convex, bright brick-red, shading to yellow at the margin, spotted with superficial scales. Flesh very thick, yellowish. Gills narrowish, adnate. Stem elongated, stout, pale above, rust-colored below, hollow, veil hanging from the margin when young.

On trunks. A very beautiful variety, larger and more robust than the typical form. Massee.

Spores 6×3µ. W.G.S.; elliptical, sooty-brown, 8×4µ Massee.

360West Virginia, 1881–1885; Pennsylvania, New Jersey, densely cespitose on stumps and roots. October to long after frosts. McIlvaine.

Edible. Dr. Taylor, 1893. Dept. of Agr. Rep. No. 5.

H. sublateritium has many forms. Both Fries and Stevenson indicate this as a variable species and my own observation confirms the truth of this.

This is a very common autumnal species, lasting into the winter. Old authors give it as bitter and very poisonous. I tested it in 1881 and have been eating it, in common with all Hypholomas I have found, ever since. At times it is bitter. I believe this to be due to the passage of larvæ through the flesh. Unattacked specimens are slightly saponaceous to the taste while others in the same bunch are bitter.

Vis´cidi. Pileus viscid, etc. (None known to be edible.)

H. veluti´nus Pers.—vellus, a fleece. Velvety. Pileus fleshy, thin, convex or expanded, brittle, minutely tomentose-scaly, becoming smooth, hygrophanous, yellow with the disk reddish. Lamellæ rather broad, attached, tapering toward the outer extremity, dark brown tinged with red, the edge whitish-beaded. Stem equal, rather slender, hollow, fibrillose, subconcolorous, white-mealy and slightly striate at the top. Spores black.

Height about 2 in., breadth of pileus 1–1.5 in.

Roadsides. Albany Cemetery. September. The pileus sometimes cracks transversely. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores 6×8µ W.G.S.; elliptical, 10×5µ Massee.

Often used in catsup. Innocent and edible. Cooke.

West Virginia. 1881–1885, Pennsylvania, West Philadelphia, Bartram’s Creek, 1887, McIlvaine.

Var. leioceph´alus B. and Br. (Gr—smooth; Gr—head, from its smooth pileus). Pileus hygrophanous, rugged, smooth except at the margin, where it is fibrillose, pallid as is the stem, whose apex is mealy.

Densely cespitose, much smaller than the common form, but apparently a mere variety, though a striking one from its smooth but very rugged disk. On old stumps. Stevenson.

New York, Peck, 23d Rep.; West Virginia, West Philadelphia, Bartram’s Creek, Haddonfield, N.J., September to November. McIlvaine.

361Quantities of var. leiocephalus grow in the West Virginia forests on stumps and on the ground from decaying roots. 1½ in. is the limit of its width. Its frequent and dense clusters, its tenderness and delicacy of flavor make it a favorite.

H. aggrega´tum Pk.—aggrego, to grow together. Densely cespitose. Pileus thin, convex or subcampanulate, grayish-white, obscurely spotted with appressed brownish fibrils. Lamellæ subdistant, rounded behind, nearly free, at first whitish, then brown or blackish-brown with a whitish edge. Stem rather long, hollow, somewhat woolly or fibrillose, white. Spores brown, elliptical, 8×4–5µ.

Pileus about 1 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 1.5–2 lines thick.

At the base of trees and stumps in woods. Alcove. September.

The cespitose habit and obscurely spotted grayish-white pileus are marked features of this species. From H. silvestre the species may be distinguished by its smaller size, adnexed or nearly free lamellæ which have no rosy tint, and by its very cespitose mode of growth. Peck, 46th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., about trees and stumps. September to November, 1898–1899. McIlvaine. Not reported elsewhere.

The caps are oyster-color. Amateurs accustomed to the gayer colors of the autumnal Hypholomas will not suspect this of belonging to the genus, until the color of the spores is obtained.

The caps are fine.

H. lachrymabun´dum Fr.—lachryma, a tear. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, whitish when young, then dingy-brown, becoming pale around the margin, truly fleshy but not compact, convex, obtuse, scaly with hairs, the innate scales darker. Flesh white. Stem 2 in. long, 3–4 lines thick, hollow, somewhat thickened at the base, scaly with fibrils, becoming brownish-whitish. Veil separate, clothed with fibers, hanging from the pileus, white. Gills adnate, crowded, 3 lines broad, whitish then brownish-purple, edge whitish and distilling drops in wet weather.

Spores brownish-purple. From mutual pressure the caps are often irregular. Very cespitose, firm. Fries.

Spores brownish-purple, 9×4µ Massee.

On ground and on trunks. Truly cespitose. Smaller than H. velutinus, 362but firmer, truly fleshy, not hygrophanous. Bushy pastures. Bethlehem. October.

Our specimens do not agree in all respects with the published description of the species. The pileus is sometimes wholly destitute of scales and sometimes densely clothed with hairy, erect ones. The species is manifestly variable. Peck, 30th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

“Like H. fascicularis in quality. Intensely irritant. It is bound with the weight of its own guilt.” Hay.

This is a good specimen of Hay’s comments. H. fascicularis is never irritant, is good eating, is innocent.

There is irony in the comment of Dr. Cooke: “This doubtful species is used by the smaller ketchup makers.”

I have not seen this species. When I do I shall eat it and expect to live.

Appendicula´ti. Pileus hygrophanous, smooth.

H. incer´tum Pk. (Plate XCVIIa.) Pileus fragile, convex or subcampanulate, then expanded, hygrophanous, often radiately wrinkled, whitish with the disk yellowish, the thin margin sometimes purplish-tinted, often wavy, adorned by fragments of the white flocculent fugacious veil. Lamellæ close, narrow, whitish then rosy-brown, the edge often uneven. Stem equal, straight, hollow, easily splitting, whitish with a frosty bloom or slightly scurfy at the top. Spores elliptical, purplish-brown, 8×5µ.

Plant gregarious or subcespitose, 2–3 in. high. Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–2 lines thick.

Ground among bushes. Green Island and Sandlake. June and July.

The veil is sometimes so strongly developed as to form an imperfect ring. The color is nearly white from the first. Peck, 29th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

As the name indicates, I was uncertain whether this was a form of H. Candolleanum, to which it is very closely related, but as Fries says of that “Gills at first violaceous,” and as our plant has them at first white or whitish, I concluded to risk the uncertainty on a new species.

I have seen Central Park, New York, well covered with it in May. It is also common in the vicinity of Boston. Of very agreeable flavor and delicate substance. The profusion of its growth compensates for its small size. Macadam.

363Indiana, H.I. Miller; Mt. Gretna, Pa., in great clusters between railroad ties and beside track, McIlvaine.

Tender. One of the best.

H. appendicula´tum Bull.—a small appendage. From the veil adhering to margin of pileus. (Plate XCVII, p. 352.) Pileus 2–3 in. broad, date-brown then tawny, becoming pale yellowish when dry, fleshy-membranaceous, thin, ovate then expanded, at length flattened, obtuse, smooth, when dry slightly wrinkled, somewhat sprinkled with atoms. Stem 3 in. long, 2–3 lines thick, fistulose, equal, smooth, white, pruinate at the apex; veil fringing the margin of the pileus, fugacious, white. Gills somewhat adnate, crowded, dry, white then flesh-colored, at length dingy-brown.

Densely cespitose, very fragile and hygrophanous. Much thinner and more fragile than H. Candolleanus. It may be safely distinguished from species which are nearest to it by the gills being whitish then brownish-flesh color.

Var. lana´tum. A curious form, densely woolly when young, traces of the woolly coat remaining at the apex when the pileus is fully expanded. Sibbertoft. B. and Br., 1876. Stevenson.

Spores ellipsoid, pellucid, 6–8×3–4µ K.; 4×6µ W.G.S.; elliptical, 5×2.5µ Massee.

Angora, West Philadelphia, October, November, December, 1897; Haddonfield, N.J., Mt. Gretna, Pa., cespitose and gregarious in woods about stumps. McIlvaine.

“It is very common and edible.” Farlow.

At Mt. Gretna, Pa., October, 1898, in great abundance. When found it was gregarious in large patches and cespitose on stumps. My identification was confirmed by Professor Peck.

It dries well, and retains flavor and esculent qualities. Cooked it is among the best.

H. Candol´leanum Fr.—After De Candolle. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, date-brown then becoming white, the top somewhat yellowish, somewhat fleshy, acorn-shaped then bell-shaped, soon convex and at length flattened, obtuse and unequal, smooth, even. Flesh thin, white. Stem 3 in. long, 2–4 lines thick, fistulose, solid at the base, somewhat thickened, fibrillose, white, striate at the apex; veil in the form of a cortina, 364web-like, appendiculate (depending from the margin of the pileus), white, at length becoming dingy-brown. Gills rounded-adnexed, then separating, crowded, violaceous then brownish-cinnamon, the edge at first whitish.

Readily distinguished from neighboring species by the gills being at first beautifully dark violaceous, never flesh-colored. Densely cespitose, fragile, very hygrophanous. Stevenson.

Spores elliptical, 8×4µ Massee.

Edible, often used in catsup. Cooke.

A species variable in color with the weather. Its gills are cream-colored at first, then purplish, then very dark. After rain the fragile cap often turns up at the margin and splits.

It differs somewhat in texture from other Hypholomas, being more delicate in texture and substance. It is excellent.

H. suba´quilum Banning.—aquilus, brownish, tawny. Pileus brown, convex, smooth, hygrophanous, often shaded into ocher at margin, veil delicate, silk-like, encircling and covering the marginal extremities of the lamellæ but forming no ring on the stem. Flesh white, turning umber when cut. Lamellæ adnexed or nearly free, close, forked, umber. Stem cespitose, regular, hollow, silky, white, 2–3 in. long.

Spores brown, 4×5µ. Banning MS.

Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, Miss Banning; decaying wood, Adirondack mountains. August and September. New York. Peck, 45th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

H. subaquilum is closely allied to H. appendiculatum, but is distinguished by its darker colored cap and gills.

Its edible qualities are the same. It is among the best.

365PSILO´CYBE Fr.

Gr—naked; head.

Pileus more or less fleshy, smooth, margin at first incurved. Gills becoming brownish or purple. Stem somewhat cartilaginous, rigid or tough, tubular, hollow or stuffed, often rooting. Veil absent or rudimentary, never forming a membrane. Spores purple, purple-brown or slate-color.

Generally growing on the ground, gregarious, sometimes cespitose.

Psilocybe is analogous in form to Collybia, Leptonia and Naucoria, which are distinguished by their spore colors. Separated from Psathyra by the incurved margin of the pileus.

But one species of Psilocybe is herein given as edible. Of it, alone, the writer has had opportunity to eat meals. Several others of the species have been found by him and tested in small quantity. They are all of good texture, substance and flavor, though most are small. He is of the opinion that increased testing will prove the entire genus edible. Nothing can or should be prognosticated about a toadstool, but the indications are all in favor of Psilocybe.

P. spadi´cea Schaeff.—spadiceus, date-brown. Pileus thin, submembranaceous, hemispherical, then convex or expanded, smooth, hygrophanous, pale grayish-brown and striatulate when moist, white or yellowish when dry. Gills narrow, close, attached, easily separating from the stem, at first whitish, then brown, tinged with flesh-color. Stem straight, equal, hollow, smooth, white.

Height 1–2 in., breadth of pileus 1–1.5 in. Stem 1–2 lines thick.

Grassy ground in yards and fields. Albany. June. Gregarious or cespitose. The pileus is fragile, the spores are brown. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores brown, 9×4µ Massee; purplish brown, 7.6×5.1µ Morgan.

Haddonfield, N.J., October, November, December, 1896. In large patches and where stumps had been taken from the ground. McIlvaine.

366Var. hygro´philus Fr. Gr—moist; loving.

Pileus tawny, then clay-color. Stem 4–6 in. long, rather fusiform, rooting. Gills emarginate with a deeply decurrent line; at length umber-brown.

Var. polyceph´alus Fr.—polus, many; cephale, head.

Densely crowded. Stem thinner, flexuous. Gills nearly free, at length tawny-umber.

The plant is tender, cooks easily and is of fine flavor.

P. semilancea´ta Fr.—semi, half; lancea, a spear. Pileus ½ in. high, not broad, various in color, becoming yellow, green, dingy-brown, somewhat membranaceous, acutely conical, almost cuspidate, never expanded, but the margin when young at first bent inward, covered with a pellicle which is viscous and separable in wet weather, slightly striate chiefly round the margin. Stem as much as 3 in. long, scarcely 1 line thick, tubular and containing a pith, equal, more frequently flexuous, smooth, capable of being twisted round the finger, smooth, becoming pale; furnished with a veil when young. Gills ascending into the summit of the cone, adnexed, almost linear, crowded, becoming purple-black. Fries.

Gregarious, very tough. Pastures and roadsides, etc. Common. August to November. Stevenson.

Spores ellipsoid, 9–16×4–9µ K.; 14×9µ W.G.S.

New York, Peck, Rep. 23; Novia Scotia, Somers.

Var. cærules´cens Cooke—becoming blue. Base of stem turning indigo-blue.

Not common in America, but frequently found. According to M. C. Cooke—a careful authority—P. semilanceata has a dangerous reputation. It is said to have proved fatal to children when eaten raw. It is not deleterious when cooked.

367PSA´THYRA Fr.

Veil none or only universal, and floccoso-fibrillose. Stem somewhat cartilaginous, fistulose with a tube, polished, fragile. Pileus conical or bell-shaped, membranaceous, the margin at the first straight and adpressed to the stem. Gills becoming purple or brownish. Slender, fragile, hygrophanous.

Some of the last species of Hypholoma and Psilocybe are very closely allied to them. The Coprinarii are readily distinguished by the gills being white or ash-color, then black, not dusky-brown nor becoming purple.

Psathyra corresponds with Mycena, Nolanea, Galera and Psathyrella. All the species grow on the ground or on trunks. Stevenson.

But four American species reported. Small and unimportant.

DECONICA.

Stem tough; margin of Pileus at first incurved. Gills subtriangularly decurrent. Corresponds with Omphalia, Eccilia, Tubaria.

Few American species. Small and unimportant.

Various as are the spore colors in this series (in its broadest sense), there is an entire absence of brown and purple shades in the black spores of four of the genera belonging to this group or series. In Gomphidius the spores are dingy-olivaceous. It is an outsider affiliating with thoroughbreds because of more technical congeniality than other genera afford. Like comets in the universe, it has no home. The singular genus Montagnites (of which but one species has been found in America, and that in Texas) has the relationship of spore-color. Panæolus, Anellaria, Psathyrella, when young, have gills free from each other; Coprinus, in early life, presents them pressed tightly together; as the plants age and the spores ripen, the entire gill structure becomes black and dissolves into an inky fluid, the color of which is due to the spores.

The species are all of delicate body, and many of them add generously to table luxuries.

COPRI´NUS Pers.

Pileus separate from the stem. Gills membranaceous, at first closely pressed together, cohering, at length melting into a black fluid. Trama obsolete. Spores oval, even, black.

The extreme closeness of the gills and their entire deliquescence into a fluid, black from the spores, sharply define this genus and separate it from all others. At first the form is oval or cylindrical; most are furnished with a downy or scurfy veil often adhering to the pileus, sometimes forming an adhering volva at the base of the stem. Nearly all are ephemeral, many completely disappearing in a day.

Cystidia (sterile cells) of large size are frequent on the gills of many species.

369The majority grow on richly manured ground or dung, some on rotten wood and other materials. Bolbitius, the only ally, has the same ephemeral existence, and grows in similar situations, but the gills only soften (not melting) and the spores are somewhat rust-colored.

The blackening of the gills is not a process of decay, but is due to the growth of the spores, and the plant is still (before deliquescence) perfectly edible although not so inviting in appearance as before.

Species of Coprinus are very common and are easily recognized by the deliquescent gills which, when mature, stain the fingers black.

In “Once upon a Time,” when country people made their own writing inks, the convenient Coprinus gave its juices for this purpose. A little corrosive sublimate added to the boiled and strained fluid prevented it from molding.

With few exceptions the species are small. They are tender, of real mushroom flavor and highly enjoyable. They make a thin, well flavored catsup, but are better used to give flavor to their less favored brethren.

They stew in from two to fifteen minutes, depending upon the solidity of the species.

Gills covered above with a fleshy or membranaceous skin, hence the pileus does not split along the lines of the gills, but becomes lacerated with the edges turned upward.

* Comati—coma, hair. Furnished with a ring formed from the free margin of the volva. The skin of the pileus torn into innate scales.

** Atramentarii—atramentum, ink. Ring imperfect. Volva absent. Pileus dotted with minute innate scales.

*** Picacei—pica, a magpie. Universal veil downy, at first continuous then broken up into superficial scales forming patches on the pileus.

**** Tomentosi—tomentum, down. Pileus at first covered with a loose hairy down, becoming torn into distinct scales, at length disappearing. Ring absent.

***** Micacei—mico, to glitter. Pileus at first covered with minute glistening scales, soon disappearing. Ring none.

****** Glabrati. Pileus smooth. Veil absent.

Pileus very thin without a skin, at length opening into furrows along the backs of the gills and becoming folded in furrows. Stem thin, hollow. Gills wasting away into thin lines.

* Cyclodei. Gr—a circle; appearance. Stem with a ring or volva.

** Lanatuli—lanatus, woolly. Pileus covered with superficial woolly floccules, at length disappearing. Ringless.

*** Furfurelli—furfureus, branny. Pileus mealy or scurfy. Gills generally attached to a collar at the apex of the stem. Ringless.

**** Hemerobii. Gr.—living a day. Pileus always smooth.

None known to be edible.

A. Pelliculo´si. Cap becoming torn, edge turning upward, etc.

C. coma´tus Fr.—coma, hair. (Plate CIII.) Pileus 2–7 in. high, white, fleshy, at first oblong, becoming bell-shaped, seldom expanded, when in mature deliquescing state, splitting at the margin along the line of the gills, the cuticle, except upon the apex, separating into shaggy, often concentric scales, at times yellowish, at others tinged with purplish-black. Gills free from the stem, crowded and at first cohering, broad, white then tinged with pink or salmon color, then purple to black and dissolving into ink. Stem up to 10 in. long, up to ⅝ in. thick, attenuated upward, most part concealed within the cap, hollow, but with spider-web threads within, smooth or fibrillose, white or lilac-white, easily pulling out of cap, brittle. Ring thin, torn, sometimes entire and movable.

On rich soil, lawns, gardens, roads, dumps, especially where ashes have been placed. Solitary or in large dense clusters. August until after frost, but it is occasionally found during the spring months.

Spores elliptical, black, 13–18µ long Peck. Almost black, elliptical, 13–18×7–8µ Massee; 11–13×6–8µ K.; 15×8µ W.G.S. Var. brev´iceps Pk. Pileus before expansion subovate, shorter and broader than in the typical form, 1.5–2.5 in. high. Dumping ground. Albany. November. H. Neiman. Peck, 49th Rep.

Coprinus comatus is common to the United States. In its perfection it is a stately and beautiful plant. I have seen it with the oblong cap 371eight inches long, but its usual height is from 2–4 in. It occurs after hard rain and often in the most unexpected places. It is a rather domestic species, usually in troops, but often in clusters of from five to fifty individuals. I have seen it lift firmly sodded ground about railroad stations, and again, bulging the surface of gardens like mole-hills.

There are toadstools of higher flavor, but not one of greater delicacy. In this C. comatus is not excelled from its earliest stage until fully ripened. It is everywhere commended.

Lafayette B. Mendel, in American Journal of Physiology, gives the following analysis:

The specimens were freshly gathered and had not yet turned “inky.” They varied very widely in size, thirty-six mushrooms weighing 1485 grams, of which 980 grams belonged to the caps (pileus) and 505 grams to the stems. The average weight of a fresh specimen was thus:

Pileus	27	grams
Stem	14
	—
Total weight	41

A specimen which had attained the average growth weighed:

Pileus	43	grams
Stem	25
	—
Total weight	68

An analysis yielded the following results:

Water	92.19	per cent.
Total solids	7.81

The dry substance contained:

Total nitrogen	5.79	per cent.
Extractive nitrogen	3.87
Protein nitrogen	1.92
Ether extract	3.3
Crude fiber	7.3
Ash	12.5
Material soluble in 85 per cent. alcohol	56.3

C. soboli´ferus Fr. Pileus 1½-2½ in. across, subcylindrical, then oval bell-shaped, lower half of pileus usually undulate but not furrowed or striate, disk obtuse, usually depressed, distinctly scaly, dingy white, toward the apex tinged with pale brown, scales darker. Flesh very thin. Gills free, tapering toward each end, ¼ in. or more broad, crowded, pale then blackish. Stem 5–8 in. long, ¾ in. thick at the 372base, slightly attenuated upward, silky-white, stuffed; toward the base there is a depressed zone caused by the edge of the pileus when young. Ring fugacious. Spores elliptical, 15×7µ.

Amongst grass near to trunks, buried wood, etc. A very large and beautiful species, distinguished from Coprinus atramentarius, its nearest ally, by the larger size of every part, the costate (ribbed) or waved lower portion of the pileus, the truncate, depressed disk, with distinct squamules, the whitish color of the pileus, and the imperfectly hollow or stuffed stem.

Spores elliptical, 15×7µ Massee.

Almshouse grounds, Philadelphia. On maple roots in grass-grown places, May, 1897–1898. McIlvaine. Not previously noted in United States.

C. soboliferus is a substantial food-giving species, very heavy for its size. It grows singly and in clusters and will immediately attract attention, wherever found. It is of fine flavor and substance. Cook at once.

C. ova´tus (Schaeff.) Fr.—ovum, an egg. Pileus white, somewhat membranaceous, at the first egg-shaped and densely imbricated with thick spreading concentric scales, covered with an even hood at the apex, then expanded, striate. Stem 3–4 in. long, solid at the base, rooting, otherwise hollow, with spider-web threads within, attenuated upward, downy, shining white. Ring not very conspicuous and soon vanishing. Gills free, remote, slightly ventricose, at the first somewhat naked and remaining long shining white, at length umber-blackish, never becoming purple.

Smaller, thinner, less handsome than C. comatus. For the most part solitary. Fries.

Spores 11–12×7–8µ Massee.

On rich ground, dumps, etc. Same habitat as C. comatus.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey. McIlvaine.

So closely allied to C. comatus that it is with difficulty distinguished from it. However, its edible qualities are the same, and into these the name does not enter.

C. sterquili´nus Fr.—sterquilinium, a dunghill. Pileus about 2 in. across when expanded, conical, then expanded, sulcate more than half 373way from margin to disk, at first villous or silky, disk rather fleshy with rough scales, silvery-gray, tinged with brown at the apex. Flesh thin. Gills free, ventricose, about 2 lines broad, pale then umber-purple. Stem 4–6 in. high, slightly attenuated upward, white, fibrillose, hollow, thickened base solid, and booted for about an inch from the base, margin of sheath ending in a free border or ring.

On dung. A fine large species known by the scaly apex of the pileus, the basal portion of the stem surrounded by a volva-like, adnate structure with a free upper margin. The stem soon becomes black when bruised. Base of stem not rooting but abrupt, and furnished with a few white fibers. Massee.

Edible, Cooke, 1891; also Leuba.

Nova Scotia, Dr. Somers.

This species is not reported as found in the United States.

C. atramenta´rius (Bull.) Fr.—atramentum, ink. (Plate CII, fig. 1, p. 372.) Pileus 1½-4 in. across, ovate, expanding, grayish, lead-color or grayish-brown, with occasionally a few obscure scales on disk, often covered with bloom; margin ribbed, sometimes notched, soft, tender. Gills free, ventricose, up to ½ in. broad, crowded and at first cohering and white with white floccose edges, then becoming black and dissolving into ink. Stem up to 5 in. long, up to ½ in. thick, smooth, whitish, hollow, at first spindle-shaped, then attenuated upward, with more or less distinct ring near base.

Spores subcylindrical, large cystidia numerous, 12×6µ Massee; 9–10×6µ K.; 9×5µ W.G.S.; 8–10µ long Peck.

Indiana, H.I. Miller; Harrisburg, Pa., Dr. J.H. Fager; West Virginia, McIlvaine.

The stem is obscurely banded within, by which it may be recognized with certainty.

It grows singly or in clusters of many individuals on rich ground, whether lawns, gardens, gutter sides, or in woods, but not on dung. I know of a fine cluster growing year after year on a much-decayed pear-stump. Occasionally it appears in the spring months, but is common during the summer and autumn after rains, and from its first appearance 374it occurs in successive crops until stopped by severe frost. It is common in Europe and over the United States.

The flavor is higher than that of C. comatus. It should be cooked as soon as gathered, and kept in a cool place until needed.

Analysis shows the following:

Two separate, freshly-gathered lots of this species were examined. The one (a) contained six young small specimens weighing 5.5 grams, or .9 gram each; the other (b) contained eight mushrooms weighing 12 grams, or 1.5 grams each. An analysis gave:

	a.		b.
Water	92.31	per cent.	94.42	per cent.
Total solids	7.69		5.58
The dry substance contained:
Total nitrogen	4.68		4.77
Ether extract	3.1		5.7
Crude fiber	9.3		.....
Ash	16.8		20.1
Lafayette B. Mendel in American Journal of Physiology.

C. fusces´cens (Schaeff.) Fr.—fuscus, dark or swarthy. Pileus 1–1¼ in. across, submembranaceous, ovate, expanded, dull, disk rather fleshy, even or cracked into squamules, grayish-brown, disk reddish. Gills adfixed, blackish-umber. Stem 4–5 in. long, about ¼ in. thick, equal, fragile, hollow, subfibrillose. Ring indistinct or absent, whitish. Massee.

Smaller and more slender than Coprinus atramentarius. Pileus brownish-gray, disk becoming reddish, not sprinkled with micaceous particles, but at first covered with a mealy bloom. Gills adnexed, attenuated from the stem to the margin, deliquescent. Fries.

Spores elliptical, pointed at the ends, 10x6µ Massee; 10x5µ W.G.S.

Solitary and in tufts. On stumps, trunks, etc. May to October.

West Philadelphia, Pa., McIlvaine.

C. fuscescens is tender, delicate and of excellent flavor. In this it ranks with C. atramentarius.

C. macro´sporus Pk. Pileus ovate, then expanded, rimose-striate (cracked in lines), obscurely floccose-squamulose, white, the small even brownish disk scaly. Lamellæ crowded, free, white then black. Stem 375glabrous, white, with traces of an annulus (ring) near the thickened or subbulbous base.

Spores very large, elliptical, 20–20.5 long, 12–16µ broad.

Plant cespitose, 2–3 in. high. Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1 line thick.

Ground in open fields. Ticonderoga. August.

The prominent characters of this species are the cracked pileus, squamose disk, free lamellæ and large spores. In its early state it resembles some species of Lepiota. It seems to be intermediate between the sections Atramentarii and Micacei. Peck, 31st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Found in quantity at Mt. Gretna, Pa. August to September, 1898, growing among old stable bedding on parade ground.

C. macrosporus is an excellent species, higher in flavor than any other Coprinus.

C. pica´ceus (Bull.) Fr. Pileus 2–2½ in. across, membranaceous, ovato-bell-shaped, striate up to the disk, smoky-black, variegated with large, irregular, superficial white patches. Gills free, ½ in. or more broad, ventricose, grayish-black. Stem 5–6 in. long, base bulbous, abrupt, otherwise equal, ¼-⅔ in. thick, white, hollow, fragile, smooth. Spores elliptical, apiculate, 14×8µ; cystidia large, numerous. Massee.

Decaying trunks or branches of trees in woods. Lyndonville. June. Fairman.

The form here referred to this species differs somewhat from the description of the type in being smaller, in having no bulb to the stem and in having smaller spores. It is probably the “smaller variety growing on rotten wood” noticed by Stevenson in his British Fungi. I 376have seen the true form of the species from Kansas. The New York plant seems to me to be worthy of distinctive designation, at least as a variety, and I call it

Var. ebulbo´sus. Plant smaller. Stem destitute of a bulb. Spores 8–10×5µ. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Minnesota, Johnson, 1897; Kansas, Cragin, 1884; Wisconsin, Bundy, Nebraska, Clements.

Edible. Leuba.

Large quantities grew on rotting chestnut and oak rails at Mt. Gretna, Pa., from June to August, 1899. It is strong and unpleasant.

C. fimeta´rius Fr.—fimetum, a dunghill. Pileus 1–2 in. across, membranaceous, thin, at first cylindrical, soon conical, the edge at length revolute and torn at the margin, when young everywhere covered with floccose-squarrose white scales (from the universal veil), which separate from the vertex toward the circumference, at length naked, longitudinally cracked, but not opening into furrows, the vertex which remains entire, livid. Stem about 3 in. long, 2–3 lines and more thick, hollow, fragile, thickened and solid at the base, attenuated upward, shining white and downy with squamules of the same color. Gills free, reaching the stem, at first ventricose, then linear, flexuous, black. Stem when young curt and firmer. Fries.

Spores spheroid-ellipsoid, 15–18×9–12µ K.; 15×9µ W.G.S.; 12–14×7–8µ Massee.

Sometimes there is a root as long as the stem. M.J.B. Common on dung heaps in successive crops. Spring to autumn.

Var. pulla´tus. Pileus with adpressed scales and tomentose, soon naked, brownish, then blackish. Stem equal, becoming smooth.

On dung. Clustered. Stature of the type.

377Var. cine´reus. Pileus membranaceous, floccosely mealy, then naked, ashy-gray. Stem subequal, rootless, hollow to the base, often twisted. Spores 12–8µ.

On dung and rich soil.

Var. macrorhi´za. Pileus at first with feathery squamules. Stem short, hairy, rooting, sometimes more or less marginately subbulbous. Spores 13–14×8–9µ.

On dung. Pileus pale and smaller than in the typical form, stem shorter, with a more or less elongated rooting base. Berkeley.

Of this very variable species there is a small form growing on decayed wood in woods. It has the spores rather smaller than in the type, they being 10–11µ long, 8µ broad. It might be designated Var. silvi´cola. Peck, 43d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, 1881–1885, May to October. McIlvaine.

Common to the United States. Of excellent flavor and tender. It must be cooked at once.

C. tomento´sus (Bull.) Fr.—tomentum, pubescence. Pileus very thin, at first oblong-oval and floccose-scaly, soon bell-shaped, naked, closely striate, grayish-brown or blackish-brown, often with a leaden hue, finally expanded, the disk smooth, reddish or ochraceous-brown, the margin turned upwards and much split or lacerated. Lamellæ closely crowded, narrow, free, white then pinkish, finally black. Stem white, tall, fragile, tapering upward, finely floccose-squamulose, hollow, sometimes with a large tap root. Plant gregarious or cespitose.

Height 3–6 in., breadth of pileus 6–18 lines.

Very variable in size and color. The covering of the pileus is easily rubbed off. It soon disappears and the plant quickly decays, seldom continuing through the day. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., about old picketing places in camp grounds. Prof. M.W. Easton, July, 1898.

West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, May to September, on dung, rich ground, gardens and in woods. McIlvaine.

Very delicate; of strong mushroom flavor. It is common, and can usually be collected in numbers. It is of little food value in itself, but yields an excellent flavor to anything it is cooked with. It must be cooked as soon as gathered.

378C. ni´veus Fr.—nix, snow. Pileus white, 1–2 in. across, thin, ovate then bell-shaped, margin at length turned upward, split or covered with a dense white, mealy or downy covering, slightly pink. Gills adnexed, narrow, crowded, at first cohering, white then pinkish, then black. Stem at first short, then up to 4 in., slender, attenuated upward, covered with white down, fragile, hollow.

Spores 16×11–13µ Massee; 10×12µ W.G.S.

Common on dung and dung heaps, clustered. May to frost.

West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. McIlvaine.

Very variable in size, but clearly distinguished by its snow-white color and adnexed gills. Like all of the thin, delicate species of this genus there is little substance left after cooking, but the savory flavor is imparted to the cooking medium.

C. mica´ceus (Bull.) Fr.—mica, grain, granular. (Plate CII, fig. 2, p. 372.) Pileus thin, ovate, then bell-shaped, with the margin more or less revolute, wavy, splitting, closely striate, with a few minute scales and sparkling atoms, or naked, varying in color from whitish-ochraceous to livid-brown, generally darker when moist or old. Gills rather narrow, crowded, white then pinkish, finally black. Stem slender, fragile, easily splitting, slightly silky, white, hollow, often twisted. Plant mostly cespitose.

Height 2–4 in., breadth of pileus, 1–2 in.

Streets, yards and fields, on or about old stumps. May to September. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores elliptical, blackish, 7–8×4–5µ Massee; 7×8µ W.G.S.; 10×5µ W.P.; elliptical, brown, 6–8µ Peck.

Var. granula´ris. Pileus sprinkled with granules or furfuraceous scales. New York. August. Peck, 47th Rep.

Indiana, H.I. Miller; West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. May to October. McIlvaine.

Common from spring until frost. This is the oval-capped toadstool found in clusters about trees, posts, along grassy sides of pavements, popping up, Brownie-like, from sodded places. Although small and thin, its 379clusters soon fill baskets, and its continuous growth in some places, from month to month, year to year, makes it one to be depended upon. Stewed for ten minutes it makes a rich, luscious dish. C. congregatus closely resembles it and is equally good.

C. deliques´cens (Bull.) Fr. Pileus 3–4 in. broad, livid-fuliginous, membranaceous, bell-shaped then expanded, smooth, but dotted with minute points on the disk, never downy or split, the edge turning upward and striate, the striæ broad but not deep. Stem 4 in. long, 2–4 lines thick, hollow, with a bark-like covering, equally attenuated upward, smooth, shining white. Gills free, at length remote from the stem, very crowded, flexuous, very narrow, only ½ line broad, lurid-blackish. Fries.

Frequent on stumps and among fallen leaves, sometimes in tufts. July to October.

Spores elliptical, obliquely apiculate, 8×5µ Massee.

Sometimes confounded with C. atramentarius.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, McIlvaine.

C. deliquescens is of good size and quality. The stems do not cook well with the caps. The flavor is the same as C. atramentarius.

C. congrega´tus (Bull.) Fr. Pileus ½-¾ in. high, cylindrical, then bell-shaped, finally expanded and split at the margin, smooth, viscid, margin slightly striate, ochraceous. Gills about 1 line broad, slightly adnexed, white, finally becoming black. Stem 1½ in. high, equal, smooth, hollow, whitish.

On the ground, also in hot-houses. Massee.

Readily distinguished by the densely cespitose mode of growth, the small size, the viscid, ochraceous, glabrous pileus which remains elongato-cylindrical for some time, then becomes campanulate and finally expands and splits at the margin.

Densely cespitose, fragile, readily distinguished from C. digitalis by its much smaller size. Fries.

Spores 7×8µ W.G.S.; 10×5µ W.P.

Fries and Cooke considered this a good species.

So closely allied to neighboring species that it is difficult to determine it. Edible qualities are included in the alliance.

380B. Veliformes. Pileus very thin, etc.

None edible.

C. lagopus Fr.—Gr, a hare; a foot. Pileus 1 in. broad, whitish, disk livid, very tender, cylindrical then bell-shaped, when young beautifully downy then naked, flattened and split, radiately furrowed. Stem 5 in. and more long, 1 line thick, very weak, very fragile, slightly attenuated at both ends, everywhere white-woolly. Gills at length remote, narrow, black. Fries.

Fries distinguishes two forms. A, nemorum. Stem slender, 4–6 in. long. B, viarum. Stem 2–3 in. long. Pileus broader, livid. Both forms are inodorous. The pileus of the long-stemmed form is sometimes entirely clear brown, at others grayish with a brownish disk. Stem very weak, 5 in. and more in length, 1 line thick, attenuated at both ends. Pileus thin, expanded bell-shaped, about 1 in. across, when young elegantly flocculose, then furrowed, disk livid. Gills rather distant.

New York, Peck, 38th Rep.; Mt. Gretna, Pa., July, 1898, on rubbish about abandoned camp. Prof. M.W. Easton.

A strikingly beautiful species. Both forms were found in abundance, tested and eaten with enjoyment. They are extremely delicate, and of attractive but not high flavor.

C. Virgineus Banning. Pileus ovate, bell-shaped, or cylindrical, pale ocher, the margin thin, torn, downy. Lamellæ narrow, close, forked, at first white, turning dark but never black, adnexed. Stem 3½ in. long, stout, somewhat stuffed, attenuated where it meets the pileus, flattened, downy. Spores black.

Cespitose or gregarious at the roots of trees or about old stumps. Also found in Virginia.

The plant is not rapidly deliquescent, remaining perfect for some hours. Banning MS.

Maryland. Virginia. Miss M.E. Banning MS. Peck, 44th Rep.

Chester county, Pa. New Jersey, about pear trees and stumps. McIlvaine.

381This little Coprinus is a valuable species when found. A patch of it about a tree or stump is treasure trove. Patches of it appear in July and bear until October. The not-particular observer would mistake it for C. micaceus.

C. domes´ticus (Pers.) Fr.—domus, a house. Pileus 2 in. broad, fuliginous, disk date-brown, thin, ovate then bell-shaped, covered with small branny scales, then opening into furrows and flattened, undulately sulcate, disk obtuse, even. Stem 2–3 in. long, 2–3 lines thick, fistulose, slightly firm, attenuated upward, adpressedly silky, becoming even, white. Gills adnexed, at first crowded, distant when the pileus is split, linear, white then reddish, at length brownish-blackish.

A larger and more remarkable species than all the neighboring ones. Fries.

Spores 14–16×7–8µ Massee.

On much decayed wood, damp carpets, in cellars, etc. Often in clusters.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., Prof. M.W. Easton, July, 1898; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

C. domesticus is the largest of its section and is sometimes of remarkable growth. I have seen it start from under a board in a cellar and prolong its stems for over a foot to get its caps to air and light. Under such conditions the stems are twisted in a confused mass.

It is very tender with a decided mushroom flavor. Cook at once.

C. silvat´icus Pk. Pileus membranaceous, with a thin fleshy disk, convex, striate in folds on the margin, dark-brown, the depressed striæ paler. Lamellæ subdistant, narrow, attached to the stem, brownish. Stem fragile, slender, smooth, hollow, white. Spores gibbous-ovate, 12.7µ long.

382Plant 2 in. high. Pileus 6–10 lines broad. Stem .5 lines thick. Ground in woods. Greig. September.

The striæ extend about half way up the pileus. Allied to C. plicatilis and C. ephemerus Peck, 24th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Frequent, but not common. On ground in woods, August to October. McIlvaine.

This pretty little fungus is frequently found. I have never been able to get it in quantity, but have often eaten it. Its flavor is musky, rather strong. It is edible, but is not obtainable in sufficient numbers to make it of much food value.

C. ephem´erus Fr. Gr—lasting for a day. Pileus ½-¾ in. across, very thin, ovate, then bell-shaped, finally expanded and splitting, furrowed radiately, at first slightly scurfy, disk elevated, even, reddish. Gills slightly attached, linear, white, then brownish, at length blackish. Stem 1½-2½ in. high, 1 line or more thick, equal, glabrous, pellucid, hollow, whitish. Spores 16–17×9–10µ.

On dunghills, manured ground, etc. To the naked eye appearing almost glabrous, but under a lens seen to be distinctly scurfy. Known from Coprinus plicatilis by the disk of the pileus being prominent and not depressed. Massee.

Common dung and dung heaps. May to October. New York, Peck. 23d Rep.

Of such size and delicate substance as to be of little food value. But it has a strong mushroom flavor which is choice as a flavoring. It appears during the summer months on dung and dung heaps. It must be cooked as soon as gathered.

C. semilana´tus Pk. Pileus submembranaceous, broadly conical, then expanded and strongly revolute, and the margin sometimes split, covered with mealy atoms, finely and obscurely rimose-striate, pale grayish-brown. Lamellæ narrow, close, free. Stem elongated, fragile, hollow, slightly tapering upward, white, the lower half clothed with 383loose cottony flocci which rub off easily, the upper half smooth or slightly farinaceous. Spores broadly elliptical, 12.7µ long.

Plant very fragile, 4–6 in. high. Pileus 8–12 lines broad. Stem 1 line thick at the base. Rich ground and dung. Sandlake. August. (Plate IV, fig. 15–18.) Allied to C. coopertus. Peck, 24th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia. 1881–1885, Mt. Gretna, Pa. July to October. McIlvaine.

I have seldom found it, though at times it was quite common about stables in West Virginia. It has good mushroom flavor and is edible. It is stately, attracting attention by its peculiar cap.

C. plica´tilis Fr.—plico, to fold. Pileus 1 in. broad, dusky-brown then bluish-gray-cinereous, disk darker, dusky-brown or reddish, oval-cylindrical then campanulate, soon expanded, opening into furrows, sulcate-plicate, for the most part smooth, disk broad, even, at length depressed. Stem 1–3 in. long, fistulose, thin, equal, even, smooth, pallid, somewhat pellucid. Gills remote from the stem and adnate to a collar which is formed from the dilated apex of the stem, distant, gray-blackish. Fries.

Very tender and fragile, but when scorched by the sun not melting into fluid. Very variable in stature and size. Stevenson.

Spores 12–14×8–10µ Massee; broadly elliptic, 5µ long, M.J.B.; 11–13µ long, 8–10µ broad Peck, Rep. 50.

Common in rich pastures, lawns, roadsides, etc. May to October.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, McIlvaine.

A neat little fungus often found in great plenty. Though small it is nevertheless edible and must be written with its edible companions.

384PANÆOLUS Fr.

Pileus slightly fleshy, not striate, margin exceeding the gills. Gills ascending in a conical manner, slate-gray, mottled with the black spores. Stem polished. Veil woven, often absent. Spores black.

On the ground in rich earth, and on dung.

In the black-spored series Psathyrella is separated by the striate pileus, not exceeding the gills, Anellaria by the ring and Coprinus by the deliquescent gills.

Panæolus, in its entirety, has a precise looking membership. If the gills were cut from cardboard and fixed by machinery, they could not be more correct. Some of the species are among the earliest arrivals at toadstool lawn parties, and some are the last to leave. Several are culinary favorites, notably Panæolus solidipes. P. papilionaceus possesses intoxicating properties. P. campanulatus is reported to be a sedative.

The edible species are easily cooked and are exceptionally delicate and well flavored.

P. retiru´gis Fr.—rete, a net; ruga, a wrinkle. Pileus about 1 in. across, at first almost globose, then hemispherical, subumbonate, minutely mealy, opaque, moist, furnished with uniting raised ribs, pinkish tan-color; margin with irregular fragments of the veil attached. Flesh rather thick. Gills adnexed, ascending, 2 lines or more broad, grayish-black. Stem 2–4 in. long, about 2 lines thick, equal, pruinose, purplish flesh-color, hollow. Fries.

Spores elliptic-fusiform, 11–13×7µ Massee.

On dung. Distinguished among the species of Panæolus by the 385raised ribs on the pileus and its appendiculate margin. The pileus is sometimes grayish. Closely resembling, superficially, Psathyra corrugis, which is, however, distinguished by the violet-black gills.

Spores elliptical, shortly fusiform, 20µ Q.; 16×11µ W.G.S.

New York, Peck, 23d Rep. West Virginia, 1881–1885. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, frequent on dung. June to frost. McIlvaine.

P. retirugis is not a common species, and is a sparse grower, but is frequently found. It is seldom that a mess can be had at one time. It is an excellent species by itself and imparts a good flavor to others.

P. fimi´cola Fr.—fimus, dung; cola, to inhabit. Pileus ½-¾ in. across and high, slightly fleshy, convex bell-shaped, obtuse, glabrous, opaque, dingy-gray when moist, paler and yellowish when dry, with a narrow brown encircling zone near the margin. Gills adnate, 2 lines or more broad, gray, variegated with smoky-black. Stem 2–4 in. high, 1 line or more thick, equal, fragile, whitish, powdered with white meal upward, hollow. Fries.

Stem soft, fragile, obsoletely silky-striatulate, 2–4 in. long. Pileus when moist commonly smoky-gray, when dry grayish clay-color, sometimes discoid. Gills semi-ovate with a minute decurrent tooth. Fries.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Frequent. On dung and richly manured places. June to September. McIlvaine.

P. fimicola is neither as large nor heavy as P. solidipes, but in other respects equals it.

P. soli´dipes Pk.—solidus, solid; pes, a foot. (Plate CII, fig. 3, 4, p. 372.) Pileus 2–3 in. across, firm, at first hemispherical, then sub-campanulate or convex, smooth, whitish, the cuticle at length breaking up into dingy-yellowish, rather large, angular scales. Gills broad, slightly attached, whitish, becoming black. Stem 2–4 lines thick, firm, smooth, white, solid, slightly striate at the top. Spores very black with a bluish tint. Height of plant 5–8 in. Dung heaps. West Albany. June.

A large species, remarkable for its solid stem. The scales on the pileus are larger on the disk, becoming smaller toward the margin. The upper part of the stipe is sometimes beaded with drops of moisture. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

386West Virginia, 1881–1885. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, frequent on dung and dung heaps. May to frost. McIlvaine.

On mature plants, or after rains, the scales are not always present.

P. solidipes is a handsome, readily recognized species of good weight and substance. It is one of the best of toadstools.

P. campanula´tus Linn.—campanula, a little bell. Pileus oval, bell-shaped or obtusely conical, sometimes umbonate, smooth, somewhat shining, brownish, with a peculiar gray or lead-colored tint, sometimes becoming reddish-tinted, the margin, often scalloped or fringed with the appendiculate veil. Lamellæ not broad, attached, becoming grayish-black. Stem long, slender, hollow, reddish, pruinose and slightly striate at the top, at length dusted with the spores.

Height 4–6 in., breadth of pileus 6–12 lines.

On horse dung and rich soil. June and July. Common.

In very wet weather the cuticle of the pileus sometimes cracks into scales or areas. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores subellipsoid, 16–18×10–13µ K.; 8–9×6µ Massee.

Mr. R.K. Macadam, Boston, Mass., informs me that he has information of a case of poisoning by this fungus. “The victim experienced dizziness, dimness of vision, trembling and loss of power and memory. He recovered after simple treatment and was well inside of 24 hours.”

A full account of this case is in “The London Medical and Surgical Journal,” Vol. 36, November, 1816. The poison acts as a sedative.

I have several times eaten of this fungus in small quantities, because larger could not be obtained, and with no other than pleasant effect. There does not appear to be any case of poisoning reported by it since 1816, which, considering the inquisitiveness of man, is singular. Caution is advised.

P. papiliona´ceus Fr.—papilio, a butterfly. Pileus subhemispherical, sometimes subumbonate, smooth, or with the cuticle breaking up into scales, whitish-gray, often tinged with yellow. Lamellæ very broad, attached, becoming black. Stem slender, firm, hollow, pruinose above, whitish, sometimes tinged with red or yellow, slightly striate at the top and generally stained by the spores.

Height 3–5 in., breadth of pileus 6–18 lines.

387On dung and rich soil. Common. May and June.

A small form occurs with the pileus nearly white, scarcely half an inch in diameter, and the cuticle not cracking. Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

The effects of P. papilionaceus are very uncertain. I have seen it produce hilarity in a few instances, and other mild symptoms of intoxication, which were soon over, and with little reaction. But I have seen, at table, the same effects from eating preserved peaches and preserved plums which had fermented. Many personal testings have been without effect. Testings upon others vary with the individuals. The fungus seems to contain a mild stimulant. It is not dangerous, but should be eaten with caution. Being of small size, and not a prolific species, quantities of it are difficult to obtain. Moderate quantities of it have no effect whatever.

388ANELLA´RIA Karst.

Pileus slightly fleshy, smooth and even. Gills adnexed, dark slate-color, variegated with the black spores. Stem central, smooth, shining, rather firm. Ring present at first, either persistent or forming a zone around the stem.

The species of this genus were formerly included in Panæolus, from which this is separated by the presence of a ring, more or less definite.

In other characters they are similar. As in Amanitopsis and Amanita.

A. separa´ta Karst.—separatus, distinct, separate. Pileus 1–1½ in. across, height about the same, ovate, then bell-shaped, not expanding, viscid, even, ochraceous, then whitish, shining, wrinkled when old. Flesh rather thick. Gills adfixed, ascending, thin, crowded, broad, 2–3 lines, grayish-black, margin paler. Stem long, 3–5 in., straight, base thickened, attenuated upward, whitish, shining, top somewhat striate. Ring persistent, distant. Massee.

On dung. Rather variable in size.

Pileus bell-shaped, but very obtuse at the summit, ½-1¼ in. from the base to the apex, not expanding at the base without cracking.

Spores broadly elliptic-fusiform, black, opaque, 10×7µ Massee; ellipsoid, 16–22×10–12µ K.; 16×11µ W.G.S.

West Virginia, 1881–1885. New Jersey, Mt. Gretna, Pa., July, 1898, on dung. McIlvaine.

A common, frequent species from May to October. It is substantial in flesh, excellent in substance and flavor. Cook soon and not over fifteen minutes.

389PSATHYREL´LA.

Pileus membranaceous, striate, margin straight, at first pressed to the stem, not extending beyond the gills. Veil inconspicuous. Gills sooty-black, not variegated. Spores black.

Closely resembling Psathyra in appearance, but separated by the spore color.

In the black-spored series Panæolus and Anellaria are distinguished by their pilei not being striate and Coprinus by its deliquescent gills.

The species are small and can seldom be gathered in quantity. But those tested have the full mushroom flavor and are valued for the flavor they give to less gifted species when cooked with them.

P. gra´cilis Fr.—slender. Pileus ½-1 in. broad, sooty, livid, etc., when dry, tan, rosy or whitish, hygrophanous, membranaceous, bell-shaped, obtuse, smooth, even, slightly and pellucidly-striate only round the margin. Stem 3 in. and more long, scarcely 1 line thick, tubular, remarkably tense and straight, equal, naked, smooth, whitish, not rooted, white-villous at the base. Gills wholly adnate, commonly broader behind (rarely linear), almost distant, distinct, at first whitish, then cinereous-blackish with the black spores, edge rose-colored. Fries.

When dry the pileus is soft to the touch. Gregarious, fragile. Very similar to A. corrugis, and there is a variety corrugated. Stevenson.

Spores ellipsoid, 13–14×7–8µ K.; 5×12µ W.G.S.; 7×3–3.5µ Massee; 14×8µ Morgan.

New York, Peck, Rep. 23; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, common, rich ground, June to October. McIlvaine.

A common and beautiful fungus, growing in patches on rich ground. It is decidedly prim. Its conical cap is regular as an extinguisher. It pays to gather it for flavoring other species. I have not seen the corrugated form mentioned by Fries. P. graciloides Pk. lacks the rosy-edged gills; gills are whitish.

390

P. graciloi´des Pk.—slender. Pileus thin, conical or bell-shaped, glabrous, hygrophanous, brown and striatulate when moist, whitish and subrugulose when dry. Lamellæ ascending, rather broad, subdistant, brown, becoming blackish-brown, the edge whitish. Stem long, straight, fragile, hollow, smooth, white. Spores blackish, elliptical, 15–16.5×8–8.5µ.

Plant gregarious, 4–6 in. high. Pileus 1 in. broad. Stem 1 line thick.

Ground in an old dooryard. Maryland. September.

This is allied to A. gracilis Fr., but the edge of the gills is not rosy. When drying the moisture leaves the disk of the pileus first, the margin last. When dry the plant bears some resemblance to large forms of A. tener. Under a lens the texture of the surface of the pileus is seen to be composed of matted fibrils. Peck, 30th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Pennsylvania and New Jersey, on ground about houses and stables, often in barn yards, after they have been cleaned out and are empty for the summer. McIlvaine.

The whitish-edged gills with entire absence of rosiness on gill edges distinguish this species from P. gracilis Fr. It is frequent but not plentiful. Often a pint can be gathered. It has a fine mushroom flavor, resembling the delicate forms of Coprinus.

P. atoma´ta Fr.—atomatus, atomate. Pileus ½-1 in. broad, livid, when dry becoming pale tan or pale flesh-color, sometimes reddish, hygrophanous, membranaceous, bell-shaped, obtuse, slightly striate, when dry without striæ, slightly wrinkled, sprinkled with shining atoms. Stem 2 in. long, almost 1 line thick, tubular, equal, not rooted, lax, slightly bent (not tense and straight), white and white pulverulent at 391the apex. Gills adnate, broad, ventricose, slightly distinct, whitish, but cinereous-blackish with the black spores. Fries.

Solitary or gregarious. Pileus changing like A. gracilis from livid to whitish and rose-color, but more fragile. Stevenson.

Spores elliptical, 10×4µ Massee; 14×9µ W.G.S.; 11×8µ Morgan.

Chester county, Pa., June to September. McIlvaine.

Several specimens were eaten. In flavor they could not be distinguished from C. micaceus. The scarcity and small size of the species make it of little value, save as a flavoring.

P. dissemina´ta Pers.—dissemino, to scatter. Found everywhere. Densely tufted. Pileus about ½ in. across, membranaceous, ovate, bell-shaped, at first scurfy, then naked, coarsely striate, margin entire, yellowish then gray. Gills adnate, narrow, whitish, then gray, finally blackish. Stem 1–1½ in. long, rather curved, mealy then smooth, fragile, hollow. Massee.

Crowded. Pileus ovate, conical, at length bell-shaped, ⅓-½ in. from the base to the apex, striate and plicate, membranaceous, pale buff or reddish-brown, at length gray, becoming flaccid and dissolving. Gills distant, narrow, pale brown. Stipes 1–3 in. long, slender, weak, brittle, crooked, hollow, pale yellowish, whitish or grayish. Particularly partial to old willow trees, and when growing on a stump of a felled tree often covering nearly a square yard. Grev.

Spores 8×6µ W.G.S.; 7.6×5µ Morgan.

West Virginia, New Jersey, Mt. Gretna, Pa., about abandoned camp. Densely tufted. May to frost. McIlvaine.

Patches of it are very common on old trunks, about decaying trees, on ground. The caps rarely reach 1 in. in diameter. The plants cook 392away to almost nothing, but they are of fine flavor, which they impart to the cooking medium.

GOMPHI´DIUS Fr.

Hymenophore decurrent. Gills distant, composed of a mucilaginous membrane, which can be readily separated into two plates, continuous at the edge which is acute and powdered with the blackish fusiform spores. Veil viscoso-floccose. Fleshy, putrescent, pileus at length the shape of an inverted cone.

A small genus with great difference among the species. Intermediate in habit between Cortinarius and Hygrophorus.

Universal Veil glutinous, at first terminating on the stem in a floccose ring soon disappearing. The Gills frequently admit of being detached and stretched out into a continuous membrane. Fries.

A genus possessing several well-marked characters. The very decurrent gills differ from all others in their soft mucilaginous consistency. The spores are larger than usual in the Agaricaceæ and have the elongated spindle-shape found in Boleti. The stem and pileus are of the same substance, and the pileus and veil are both glutinous when moist. The spores have been described as greenish-gray becoming black, and as dingy-olive.

I have had opportunity to see but two species of this small genus—G. rhodoxanthus and G. viscidus. Of these the spores are decidedly olivaceous. If the six other species recorded as found in the United States are as creditable, they are well worth hunting for. G. Oregonensis Pk. is reported as edible and as a valuable food species in Oregon. 393The glutinous coatings to pileus and stem do not appear on the American form of G. rhodoxanthus in the localities I have found it in during fifteen years.

G. glutino´sus (Schaeff.) Fr.—glutin, glue. Pileus 2–5 in. broad, purple-brown, often mottled with black spots, fleshy, convex, obtuse, at length plane, even depressed, even, smooth, very glutinous. Flesh thick, about ½ in., soft, white. Stem 2–3 in. and more long, about ½ in. thick, solid, whitish, thickened and externally and internally yellow at the base, viscid with the veil, fibrillose or varying with black scales. Cortina often woven in the form of a ring, but soon fugacious. Gills deeply decurrent, distant, distinct, branched, quite entire, mucilaginous, 3–4 lines broad, at first whitish, then cinereous, clouded with the spores.

Trama none, wherefore the gills easily separate from the pileus. Taste watery, moldy. Odor not marked. Stevenson.

Spores 20µ Cooke; 18–23×6–8µ K.; 16–17×6µ W.G.S.; 18–20×6µ Massee.

Distinguished by the bright yellow base of stem.

Pine woods. July to November. Nova Scotia. Somers.

Edible. Leuba. Chiefly used for catsup. Cooke.

Var. ro´seus. Pileus rose-color. Stem white, attenuated and rosy flesh-color internally at the base. Very distinguished, always smaller.

Spores 20–22×6µ K.

Nova Scotia. Massachusetts. Frost.

I have not seen this species or its variety. Eminent authorities vouch for its edibility.

G. Oregonen´sis Pk. Pileus at first convex, becoming nearly plane or somewhat centrally depressed, viscid, brown or dark-brown, becoming black in drying, taste sweet and pleasant. Lamellæ numerous, rather close, adnate or slightly decurrent, blackish in the dried plant. Stem short, solid, equal or slightly tapering upward, colored like the pileus. Spores oblong, 10–12.5µ long, 4–5µ broad.

Pileus 5–10 cm. broad. Stem 2.5–5 cm. long, 4–10 mm. thick.

Fir woods. Oregon. September to December. Lane.

Dr. Lane writes that this species is edible and grows so abundantly in fir woods that it might be gathered by wagon loads and might be 394made a source of an abundant food supply. Peck. Torrey Bulletin, Vol. 25, No. 6, June, 1898.

G. vis´cidus Fr.—viscid. Pileus 2–3 in. and more broad, brownish-red, compact, at first bell-shaped, then expanded, umbonate, slightly viscous, shining when dry. Flesh yellowish. Stem 3–4 in. and more long, ½ in. thick, solid, equal or attenuated at the base which is rhubarb-colored internally, scaly-fibrillose, not very viscous, yellowish. Cortina very evidently floccose, not glutinous, woven in the form of a ring, but readily falling off. Gills deeply decurrent, distant, the shorter ones adnexed to the longer, not truly branched, at first paler, somewhat olive, at length brownish-purple, clouded with the spores. Fries.

Hymenophore descending between the gill plates. Odor not unpleasant. Stevenson.

Chiefly used in catsup. Cooke. Edible. Leuba. Cooke.

North Carolina, Massachusetts, Frost. Minnesota, California, Pennsylvania.

Many grew under pines at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September to November. The gills seemed branched, but were grown together. Taste and smell pleasant. The caps are good, but not equal to G. rhodoxanthus.

G. rhodoxan´thus Schw. (Plate XCVII, fig. 4, 5, p. 352.) Solitary. Pileus 1–2 in. broad, cushion-shaped, reddish-yellow, sometimes with dusky hues. Gills arched, decurrent, orange-yellow. Stem attenuated, short, firm.

Spores oblong, 10–12.5µ in length. Peck. Olivaceous. McIlvaine.

Solitary, gregarious or cespitose.

Among leaves and grass in shady places. August to October.

When the student has mastered the name and memorized the description, 395Gomphidius rhodoxanthus can not be mistaken for any other species.

It is not common in localities I have frequented, but its presence is pretty general in the United States, specimens having been sent to me from Georgia, Iowa, New York, New Jersey, etc., and I have found it in West Virginia, North Carolina, Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia, and other places in Pennsylvania, from July to September, 1898, inclusive. Having enjoyed it in West Virginia in 1882, I was delighted to find it in generous quantity at Mt. Gretna, Pa., and to eat many meals of it. Its caps are not excelled by any edible fungus. They have solid, delicious substance and rich full flavor.

The plant is often cespitose. I have never found its cap viscid or glutinous. The cooked flesh has the latter consistency.

MONTAGNITES Fr.

The universal veil forming a volva, persistent. Stem dilated at the apex into a plane round disk, even on both sides, to the margin of which are adfixed the gills which are free, not joined by any membrane, radiating, razor-shaped, persistent, obtuse at the edge. Trama cellulose. Spores oblong, even, black fuscous. Fries.

A single species is reported from Texas.

Hymenophore inferior, facing the ground. Hymenium consisting of tubes with poriform mouths which are round or angular, sometimes sinuous or torn, lined with 4-spored sporophores and cystidia.

Fleshy, coriaceous or woody fungi, most abundant and luxuriant in warm countries. Intermediate between the Agaricaceæ and the Hydnaceæ, connected with the former by Dædalea and Lenzites, and with the latter by Fistulina and Irpex. Fries.

Within this large family are famed edible species, notably in Boletinus, Boletus and Fistulina. In the woody species the razor-strop man finds material for his strops (Polyporus celulinus); the surgeon styptics; the peasant punk to catch sparks from his flint, and the 4th of July urchin a fire-holder to light his pyrotechnics. The Chinese have placed some species in their fathomless materia medica, while the Polyporus of the locust tree is used in America as a medicine for horses. No fungoid growth is more universal. They are the ever active pruners of our trees and converters of forest debris. They begin the task in Nature’s laboratory of changing decaying wood into assimilable shape as food to feed the very trees that dropped it. Some are of annual growth, others add to their substance year after year, often attaining enormous size. In summer and in winter they are ever present objects for interesting study.

Hymenium composed of broader radiating gills connected by very numerous more narrow anastomosing branches or partitions and forming large angular pores. Tubes somewhat tenacious, not easily separable from the hymenophore and from each other, adnate or subdecurrent, yellowish. Peck.

Stratum of tubes easily separable from the hymenophore. Stem central.

Tubes like Boletus, but pileus with large scales. Stem central.

Fleshy, lateral, tubes crowded but distinct.

Stratum of tubes distinct from hymenophore, but not separable, not stratose; fleshy and tough, stipitate or sessile.

Tubes as in Polyporus, often stratose; woody, sessile; dimidiate. (No edible species reported.)

Tubes as in Polyporus, not stratose, generally developing from the center to the margin, at first shallow and punctiform, coriaceous or membranaceous. (No edible species reported.)

Tubes as in Polyporus, not stratose; entirely resupinate. (No edible species reported.)

Tubes studded with reddish-brown spines, intermingled with the basidia, otherwise as in Polystictus (and also as in Polyporus and Fomes). Atkinson. (No edible species reported.)

Tubes immersed in flesh of pileus, of various depths, hence not forming a heterogeneous stratum, subcylindrical, not stratose; corky; sessile.

Tubes as in Trametes, but sinuous and labyrinthiform; corky; not stratose; sessile. (No edible species reported.)

Tubes from the first dilated in hexagonal channels, not stratose; plants corky, sessile. Atkinson. (No edible species reported.)

Tubes large at first, radiating from a central stem, or from a lateral attachment in sessile or dimidiate forms; plants tough and fleshy. Atkinson. (No edible species reported.)

Gills or tubes in concentric circles. Stem central, subcentral or none. Atkinson. (No edible species reported.)

Subgelatinous. Tubes very shallow, formed by anastomosing wrinkles; resupinate.

Hymenophore not even (as in Boletus), but extended in blunt points descending like a trama among the tubes. Tubes not easily separable from the hymenophore and from each other. Stem ringed, hollow. Spores pale yellowish. Sylloge, Vol. VI, p. 51.

Professor Peck has for excellent reasons, given in his Boleti of the United States, emended the generic diagnosis of Fries thus: Hymenium composed of broader radiating lamellæ connected by very numerous more narrow anastomosing branches or partitions and forming large angular pores. Tubes somewhat tenacious, not easily separable from the hymenophore and from each other, adnate or subdecurrent, yellowish.

Professor Peck classifies Boletinus as follows:

	Stem hollow		B. cavipes
	Stem solid		1
1.	Stem lateral or eccentric		B. porosus
1.	Stem central		2
	2.	Pileus pale yellow, silky	B. decipiens
	2.	Pileus red or adorned with red scales	3
3993.	Pileus red		B. paluster
3.	Pileus soon red-squamose		B. pictus
Boleti of the United States, p. 76.

There are six species given as found in the United States—B. cavipes Kalchb., B. pictus Pk., B. paluster Pk., B. decipiens Pk., B. porosus Pk., B. appendiculatus Pk.—of these I have found and eaten four. B. decipiens has, at this writing, not been seen by Professor Peck, but Professor Farlow, of Harvard, has informed him of authentic specimens. There is every probability of its being as edible as the others; a description of it is, therefore, given.

In consistency Boletinus is of the best, being rather like that of marshmallows, and the same as Boletus subaureus. The flavor is mild and pleasant.

Professor Peck mentions that the smell of B. porosus is sometimes unpleasant. I have been fortunate in not having had this experience.

B. ca´vipes Kalchb. Pileus broadly convex, rather tough, flexible, soft, subumbonate, fibrillose-scaly, tawny-brown, sometimes tinged with reddish or purplish. Flesh yellowish. Tubes slightly decurrent, at first pale-yellow, then darker and tinged with green, becoming dingy-ochraceous with age. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, somewhat fibrillose or floccose, slightly ringed, hollow, tawny-brown or yellowish-brown, yellowish at the top and marked by the decurrent dissepiments of the tubes, white within. Veil whitish, partly adhering to the margin of the pileus, soon disappearing. Spores 8–10×4µ.

Pileus 1.5–4 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 3–6 lines thick. Swamps and damp mossy ground under or near tamarack trees. New York, Peck; New England, Frost.

The pileus is clothed with a fibrillose tomentum which becomes more or less united into floccose tufts or scales. The umbo is not always present and is generally small. The young stem may sometimes be stuffed, but, if so, it soon becomes hollow, though the cavity is irregular. The freshly shed spores have a greenish-yellow or olivaceous hue, but in time they assume a pale or yellowish-ochraceous hue. This species is apparently northern in its range. It loves cold sphagnous swamps in mountainous regions. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

400West Virginia mountains under spruce trees. Haddonfield, N.J., among scrub pines. Mt. Gretna, Pa., among pines.

It is of excellent consistency and of mild pleasant flavor. It is at its best in patties, croquettes and escallops.

B. appendicula´tus Pk. Pileus fleshy, convex, glabrous, ochraceous-yellow, the margin appendiculate with an incurved membranous veil. Flesh pale-yellow, unchangeable. Tubes rather small, yellow, their mouths angular, unequal, becoming darker or brownish where wounded. Stem solid, slightly thickened at the base, yellow. Spores pale-yellow, oblong, 10–12×4µ. Pileus 4–8 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Under or near fir trees. Washington. September to December. Yeomans. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 23, No. 10.

B. pic´tus Pk. Pileus convex or nearly plane, at first covered with a red fibrillose tomentum which soon divides into small scales revealing the yellow color of the pileus beneath. Flesh yellow, often slowly changing to dull pinkish or reddish tints where wounded. Tubes tenacious, at first pale yellow, becoming darker or dingy ochraceous with age, sometimes changing to pinkish-brown where bruised, concealed in the young plant by the copious whitish webby veil. Stem equal or nearly so, solid, slightly and somewhat evanescently annulate, clothed and colored like or a little paler than the pileus, yellowish at the top. Spores ochraceous, 9–11×4–5µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Woods and mossy swamps. New York, Peck; New England, Frost; North Carolina, Curtis. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia mountains, 1882. Haddonfield, N.J., Angora, West Philadelphia, Mt. Gretna, Pa. August and September. In mixed woods, principally oak. Leominster, Mass. C.F. Nixon, Ph. G.

It is sometimes found upon much decayed chestnut stumps.

The caps of some species are so cracked as to appear distinctly areolate. The white webby veil is often persistent. The fungus is one of the handsomest. Its rich variegated colors impress it upon eye-memory. It is one of the very best edible species.

401

B. palus´ter Pk.—Pileus thin, broadly convex, plane or slightly depressed, sometimes with a small umbo, floccose-tomentose, bright red. Tubes very large, slightly decurrent, yellow, becoming ochraceous or dingy ochraceous. Stem slender, solid, subglabrous, red, yellowish at the top. Spores pinkish-brown, 8–9×4µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 2–3 lines thick.

Wet places and sphagnous mossy swamps. New York, Peck. Maine, Harvey. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Angora, West Philadelphia and Mt. Gretna, Pa. September. McIlvaine.

A few specimens found at Mt. Gretna had stems slightly reticulated. Its taste is sweet, smell mild, and cooked it is of excellent body and flavor.

B. deci´piens (B. and C.) Pk. Pileus dry, minutely silky, whitish-yellow or pale-buff, flesh buff, one-third in. thick; hymenium plane or somewhat concave, yellow, consisting of large, unequal, flexuous radiating tubes resembling multiseptate lamellæ. Stem equal, solid but spongy. Veil floccose, evanescent, adhering for a time to the margin of the pileus. Spores rather minute, oblong, ochraceo-ferruginous (rusty yellow), 8–10×3.5–4µ.

Pileus 2 in. broad. Stem 2–2.5 in. long, 3–4 lines thick.

Thin woods. North and South Carolina. M.A. Curtis.

Specimens of this species have not been seen by me. The authors remark that its affinities are clearly with Boletinus flavidus and its allies, from which it is distinguished by its large radiating pores. They also say that when dry it is scarcely distinguishable from Paxillus porosus Berk., except by its spores. This would imply that its stem is eccentric or lateral, and I have been informed by Mr. Ravenel that it is sometimes so. But specimens of this kind, labeled Boletinus decipiens B. and C., have been received, which show by their spores that they are Paxillus porosus. Besides, Professor Farlow informs me that authentic 402specimens of B. decipiens in the Curtisian Herbarium have only central stems, from which things I suspect that the two species have been confused. The spore dimensions here given are derived from a specimen in the Curtis Herbarium, through the kindness of Professor Farlow. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

I have not recognized this Boletinus. Its affinities are with excellent edible species.

B. poro´sus (Berk.) Pk. (Plate CXIII.) Pileus fleshy, viscid when moist, shining, reddish-brown. Flesh 3–9 lines thick, the margin thin and even; hymenium porous, yellow, formed by radiating lamellæ a line to half a line distant, branching and connected by numerous irregular veins of less prominence and forming large angular pores. Stem lateral, tough, diffused into the pileus, reticulated at the top by the decurrent walls of the tubes, colored like the pileus. Spores semi-ovate.

Pileus 2–5 in. broad. Stem 6–16 lines long, 4–6 lines thick.

Var. opa´cus (Paxillus porosus Berk., Bull. N.Y. State Mus. 2, p. 32). Pileus dry, glabrous or subtomentose, not shining, brown or tawny-brown. Spores brownish-ochraceous, 9–11×6–8µ.

Damp ground in woods and open places. Ohio, Lea, Morgan; North Carolina, Curtis; New England, Frost, Farlow; Wisconsin, Bundy; New York, Peck.

This species is remarkable for its lateral or eccentric stem. There is often an emargination in the pileus on the side of the stem which gives it a kidney shape. In the typical form it is described as viscid when moist, and the Wisconsin plant is also described as viscid, but in all the New York specimens that I have seen it is dry and sometimes minutely tomentose. I have, therefore, separated these as a variety. The color of the pileus varies from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown or umber. A disagreeable odor is sometimes present. The tubes are rather short and tough and do not easily separate from the hymenophore and from each other. In the young plant they are not separable. They sometimes become slightly blue where wounded. As in other species they are pale yellow when young, but become darker or dingy-ochraceous with age. The spores have been described as bright yellow, but I do not find them so in the New York plant. The plant is incongruous among the Paxilli by reason of its wholly porous hymenium, 403but in this place it seems to be among its true allies. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Fine specimens were sent to me by Mr. H.I. Miller, Terre Haute, and Dr. J.R. Weist, Richmond, Ind. They were in condition to be eaten and enjoyed. No disagreeable odor was perceptible.

B. borea´lis Pk. Pileus fleshy, convex, obtuse or subumbonate, brownish-yellow, obscurely and somewhat reticulately streaked with reddish-brown lines. Pores large, angular, unequal, slightly decurrent, brownish-yellow. Stem short, equal or slightly tapering upward, brownish-yellow with a whitish myceloid tomentum at the base. Spores oblong, 10–12.5×4–5µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem about 1 in. long.

Sandy soil. Capstan Island, Labrador. October. Waghorne.

The markings of the pileus appear as if due to the drying of a glutinous substance. The radiating lamellæ and the transverse partitions of the interspaces are very plainly shown. Described from two dried specimens. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 22, No. 5.

The name of a fungus considered a great delicacy among the Romans, derived from bolos, a clod, probably to denote the round figure of the plant.

Hymenium wholly composed of small tubes, connected together in a stratum, the surface of which is dotted with their poriform mouths, and which is distinct from the hymenophore on account of the latter not descending into a trama. Tubes packed close together, easily separating from the hymenophore and from one another. Pores or mouths of the tubes round or angular (in the subgenus Gyrodon sinuous or gyroso-plicate). Spores normally fusiform, rarely oval or somewhat round. Growing on the ground, fleshy, putrescent, with central stems. Mostly edible, and of importance as articles of food; a few poisonous. Fries.

No American species in Gyrodon. It is therefore omitted in synopsis of tribes. C.M.

This genus abounds in species and is related to Boletinus on one hand and to Polyporus on the other. From the latter it is distinguished by the absence of a trama and from both by the tubes being easily separable from the hymenophore and from each other. Some of the species are very variable, others are so closely allied that they appear to almost run together.

The species are generally terrestrial, but B. hemichrysus is habitually wood-growing, and others are occasionally so.

The spores vary so much in color in such closely related species that this character is scarcely available for general classification, but it is valuable as a specific character and should always be noted.

Pileus and stem yellow-pulverulent, stem not reticulated with veins		(p. 421.)	Pulverulenti
Pileus and stem not yellow-pulverulent, or if so then the stem reticulated with veins			1
1.	Tubes yellowish with reddish, or reddish-brown mouths	(p. 453.)	Luridi
4051.	Tubes of one color, or mouths not reddish.		2
	2. Stem lacunose-reticulated and lacerated.	(p. 436.)	Laceripedes
	2. Stem reticulated with veins, not lacerated.		3
	2. Stem not reticulated.		5
3.	Tubes white, becoming flesh-colored.	(p. 466.)	Hyporhodii
3.	Tubes not becoming flesh-colored.		4
	4. Tubes free, or if adnate then stuffed when young.	(p. 444.)	Edules
	4. Tubes adnate, not stuffed when young.	(p. 438.)	Calopodes
5.	Pileus viscid or glutinous when moist.		6
5.	Pileus dry.		7
	6. Tubes adnate.	(p. 406.)	Viscipelles
	6. Tubes free or nearly so, yellowish.	(p. 444.)	Edules
	6. Tubes free or nearly so, whitish.	(p. 459.)	Versipelles
7.	Stem solid.		8
7.	Stem spongy within, soon cavernous or hollow.	(p. 471.)	Cariosi
	8. Tubes becoming flesh-colored.	(p. 466.)	Hyporhodii
	8. Tubes not becoming flesh-colored.		9
9.	Tubes adnate.		10
9.	Tubes free or nearly so.		11
	10. Pileus subtomentose.	(p. 430.)	Subtomentosi
	10. Pileus glabrous or pruinose.	(p. 423.)	Subpruinosi
11.	Tubes yellowish or stuffed when young.	(p. 444.)	Edules
11.	Tubes whitish, not stuffed.	(p. 459.)	Versipelles
	Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

C.H. Peck, N.Y. State Botanist, has contributed to Mycological literature his careful arrangement and analysis of species of this genus, in his “Boleti of the United States.” Species of the genus are found in every state of the Union. Several species are common to all the states. Comprehending, as do the states, all sorts of climates within their vast range of latitude, differences in appearance and structure in the same species must be expected, dependent largely, as they are in most fungi, upon habitat and environment. These variations will frequently suggest new species. Descriptions which are typical and which can be recognized as standard are most desirable. Professor Peck’s are accepted by the writer as such, that there may be uniformity, and are quoted as fully as space will permit. Such variations as are attributable to locality will be noted.

406Since 1882 the writer has given great attention to the edible qualities of the Boleti. He is convinced by many personal tests and those made by his family and friends, that much, if not all, of the suspicion thrown about Boleti is unjust and erroneous. He is able to state positively that change of color when bruised or broken; bitter and pepperiness have nothing whatever to do with the edible qualities of species exhibiting them, excepting in B. felleus, which exhibits an intense bitter, not lost in cooking. It is not poisonous.

The writer has the courage of his convictions, and has taken interest in eating species with a bad reputation whenever opportunity afforded, that their just dues might be given them. He has never experienced the slightest inconvenience. But others may not be so fortunate.

Before cooking Boleti the stem, unless crisp and tender, should be removed, as should the tubes unless young and fresh. They broil, fry, stew, make good soups and dry well. See recipes.

It is believed that all species of Boleti up to this time found in America are described in this volume. When no remarks of the writer follow the descriptions, he has not had an opportunity to test the edible quality of the species.

Viscipelles—viscum, bird lime; pellís, a skin.

Pileus covered with a viscose pellicle. Stem solid, neither bulbous, lacerated nor reticulated with veins. Tubes adnate, rarely sinuate, of one color.

The first four and several of the final species here described recede somewhat from the character of the central or typical species of the group.

	Stem with an annulus	1
	Stem without an annulus	9
1.	Stem dotted both above and below the annulus	2
1.	Stem dotted above the annulus	3
1.	Stem not dotted	4
	2. Tubes salmon color	B. salmonicolor
	2. Tubes yellowish	B. subluteus
3.	Annulus entirely viscose	B. flavidus
3.	Annulus membranous, fugacious	B. elegans
3.	Annulus membranous, persistent	B. luteus
407	4. Pileus squamose	B. spectabilis
	4. Pileus not squamose	5
5.	Tubes whitish or grayish	6
5.	Tubes yellow or yellowish	7
	6. Flesh white, unchangeable	B. Elbensis
	6. Flesh white, changing to bluish	B. serotinus
7.	Spores globose or broadly elliptical	B. sphærosporus
7.	Spores much longer than broad	8
	8. Annulus fugacious	B. flavus
	8. Annulus persistent	B. Clintonianus
9.	Stem dotted with glandules	10
9.	Stem not dotted	16
	10. Pileus some shade of yellow	11
	10. Pileus some other color	15
11.	Stem rhubarb color	B. punctipes
11.	Stem some other color	12
	12. Stem four lines or more thick	13
	12. Stem less than four lines thick	B. Americanus
13.	Pileus adorned with tufts of hairs or fibrils	B. hirtellus
13.	Pileus glabrous	14
	14. Stem yellow within	B. subaureus
	14. Stem whitish or yellowish-white within	B. granulatus
15.	Pileus white	B. albus
15.	Pileus not white	B. granulatus
	16. Stem squamulose	17
	16. Stem not squamulose	18
17.	Pileus dull red	B. dichrous
17.	Pileus some other color	B. collinitus
	W.G.S.us yellow	19
	W.G.S.us bay-red or chestnut	20
	W.G.S.us some other color	21
19.	Flesh pale-yellow	B. unicolor
19.	Flesh white	B. bovinus
	20. Stem short, one inch or less	B. brevipes
	20. Stem longer, two inches or more	B. badius
21.	Tubes olivaceous or golden-yellow	B. mitis
21.	Tubes ferruginous	22
	22. Taste mild	B. rubinellus
408	22. Taste acrid or peppery	B. piperatus
Peck, Boleti of the U.S., p. 83.

B. specta´bilis Pk.—spectabilis, distinguished. Pileus broadly convex, at first covered with a red tomentum, then scaly, viscid when moist, red, the tomentose scales becoming grayish-red, brownish or yellowish. Flesh whitish or pale-yellow. Tubes at first yellow and concealed by a reddish glutinous membrane, then ochraceous, convex, large, angular, adnate. Stem nearly equal, annulate, yellow above the annulus, red or red with yellow stains below. Spores purplish-brown, 13–15×6–7µ.

Pileus 2–5 in. broad. Stem 3–5 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Thin woods in swamps. New York, Peck; Wisconsin, Bundy.

This is a rare and showy species which inhabits the cold northern swamps of the country. It probably extends into Canada. When cut, the flesh emits a strong, unpleasant odor. Wounds of the flesh made by insects or other small animals have a bright-yellow color. When young, the tomentose veil covers the whole plant, but it soon parts into scales on the pileus and partly or wholly disappears from the stem. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

London, Can., J. Dearness; Peck, Rep. 44, N.Y. State Bot.

B. Elben´sis Pk. Pileus convex, glabrous, viscid when moist, dingy gray or pinkish-gray inclining to brownish, obscurely spotted or streaked as if with patches of innate fibrils. Flesh white. Tubes at first whitish, becoming dingy or brownish-ochraceous, nearly plane, adnate or slightly decurrent, rather large, angular. Stem nearly equal, annulate, whitish above the ring, colored like the pileus below, sometimes slightly reticulated at the top. Spores ferruginous-brown, 10–12×4–5µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 3–5 in. long, 4–6 lines thick. Thin woods of tamarack, spruce and balsam. New York. Peck.

409Its locality is thus far limited to the Adirondack region of this state. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. sero´tinus Frost.—late. Bulletin Buffalo Soc. Nat. Sci., 1874. Pileus flat or convex, viscid, sordid brown, streaked with the remnants of the veil, especially near the margin, which is white, very thin, and when partly grown singularly pendent. Flesh white, changing to bluish. Tubes large, angular, unequal, slightly decurrent, at first sordid white or gray, sometimes tinged with green near the stem, afterward cinnamon-yellow. Stem reticulated above the ring which adheres partly to it and partly to the margin of the pileus, white but stained by the brownish spores and tinged with yellow at maturity. Spores 10×6µ.

Shaded grassy ground. New England, Frost.

Probably this is only a variety of the preceding species. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. salmoni´color Frost. Bull. Buff. Soc. Nat. Sci., 1874. Pileus convex, soft, very glutinous, brownish or tawny-white with a faint tinge of red, wine-color when dry, the margin thin. Flesh tinged with red. Tubes simple, even, angular, adnate, pale salmon color. Stem small, dotted above with bright ferruginous red, sordid below, annulus dingy salmon-color. Spores 8×2.5µ.

Borders of pine woods. New England. Frost.

Apparently a distinct species. No specimens seen. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. el´egans Schum. Pileus convex or plane, viscose, golden-yellow or somewhat rust-color. Flesh pale-yellow. Tubes decurrent, golden or sulphur-yellow, the mouths minute, simple. Stem unequal, firm, golden or reddish, dotted above the fugacious white or pale-yellowish annulus.

Pileus 3–4.5 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long.

Woods, especially under or near larch trees. North Carolina, Curtis; Wisconsin, Bundy; Minnesota, Johnson. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Cordier and Gillet give the species as edible though not delicate.

West Philadelphia on lawns under larches, 1887–1891. McIlvaine.

The caps are of good flavor and consistency. They are best fried or broiled.

410B. Clin´tonianus Pk. Pileus convex, very viscid or glutinous, glabrous, soft, shining, golden-yellow, reddish yellow or chestnut color, the margin thin. Flesh pale yellow, becoming less bright or dingy on exposure to the air. Tubes nearly plane, adnate or subdecurrent, small, angular or subrotund, pale-yellow, becoming dingy-ochraceous with age, changing to brown or purplish-brown where bruised. Stem equal or slightly thickened toward the base, straight or flexuous, yellow at the top, reddish or reddish-brown below the annulus, sometimes varied with yellow stains, the annulus white or yellow, persistent, forming a thick band about the stem. Spores brownish-ochraceous, 10–11×4–5µ.

Pileus 2–5 in. broad. Stem 2–5 in. long, 4–9 lines thick.

Mossy or grassy ground in woods or open places, especially under or near tamarack trees. New York, Peck; New England, Frost.

This is apparently closely related to B. elegans, from which it differs in its thick persistent ring, in its stem which is not at all dotted and in its longer and darker-colored spores. Its smaller tubes and persistent ring separate it also from B. flavus. In the typical form the pileus is bay-red or chestnut color, but plants growing in open places generally have it yellowish or reddish-yellow. It is mild to the taste and I have eaten it sparingly. It sometimes grows in tufts. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. inflex´us Pk.—curving. Pileus convex, glabrous, viscid, yellow, often red or reddish on the disk, the margin thin, inflexed, concealing the marginal tubes. Flesh whitish, not changing color where wounded. Tubes rather long, adnate, yellowish, becoming dingy-yellow with age, the mouths small, dotted with reddish glandules. Stem rather slender, not ringed, solid, viscid, dotted with livid-yellow glandules. Spores yellowish, 10–12×4–5µ.

Pileus about 1 in. broad. Stem about 2 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

Open woods. Trexlertown. September. Herbst.

This Boletus belongs to the tribe Viscipelles. It is remarkable for and easily recognized by the inflexed margin of the pileus, which imitates to some extent the appendiculate veil of Boletus versipellis. It sometimes grows in tufts. The paper in which fresh specimens were wrapped was stained yellow. Boletus Braunii Bres. has an inflexed margin, but that is a much larger plant with a yellowish-brown pileus, a fibrillose stem and much smaller spores. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 22, No. 5.

411B. fla´vus With. Pileus convex, compact, covered with a brownish separating gluten, pale-yellow. Flesh pale-yellow. Tubes large, angular, adnate, yellow. Stem yellow, becoming brownish, reticulated above the membranous fugacious dirty yellowish annulus. Spores 8–10×3–4µ.

Pileus 2–5 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 6–10 lines thick.

Woods. Minnesota, Johnson; Wisconsin, Bundy.

This is apparently a rare species in this country. I have not seen it. It is said to resemble B. luteus, from which it is separated by the large angular mouths of the tubes. In British Fungi the spores are described as “spindle-shaped, yellowish-brown;” in Sylloge, as “ovoid-oblong, acute at the base, granulose, pale ochraceous.” Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. fistulo´sus Pk. Pileus convex, viscid, glabrous, yellow, the margin at first incurved or involute. Flesh yellow. Tubes plane or subventricose, medium size, round with thin walls, adnate or sometimes depressed around the stem, yellow. Stem rather slender, subequal, viscid, glabrous, hollow, yellow, with a white mycelioid tomentum at the base. Spores elliptical, 13×6µ.

Pileus about 1 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, about 3 lines thick.

Grassy woods. Auburn, Ala. July. Underwood.

A small but pretty species of a yellow color throughout. It is remarkable for its hollow stem, which is suggestive of the specific name. It is referable to the tribe Viscipelles. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.

B. sphæros´porus Pk.—globose-spored. (Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club, Vol. XII.) Pileus at first hemispherical, then convex, glabrous, viscid, creamy-yellow, becoming reddish-brown or chestnut color with age. Flesh pale yellowish-brown. Tubes adnate or slightly decurrent, large, angular, pale-yellow, becoming brown, sometimes tinged with green. Stem stout, equal, even or slightly reticulated at the top, the membranous annulus persistent, sometimes partly adhering to the margin of the pileus. Spores globose or broadly elliptical, 8–9µ long.

Pileus 3–8 in. broad. Stem 1–3 in. long, 6–12 lines thick.

Low ravines and sandy places. Wisconsin, Trelease; Iowa, McBride.

The spores easily serve to distinguish this species from its allies. The 412European B. sphærocephalus has ovoid spores, but its tube mouths are minute and rotund and its stem is densely squamose. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. lu´teus L.—yellow. Pileus gibbous or convex, covered with a brownish separating gluten, becoming yellowish-brown and virgate-spotted. Flesh white. Tubes adnate, minute, simple, yellow, becoming darker with age. Stem stout, yellowish and dotted above the large membranous brownish-white annulus, brownish-white or yellowish below. Spores fusiform, yellowish-brown, 6–7×3–4µ.

Pileus 2–5 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 6–10 lines thick.

Pine woods and groves. New York, Peck.

B. luteus has an international reputation for edibility. I have found it at Waretown and Haddonfield, N.J.; in Bartram’s Garden, West Philadelphia, always under pines. At Waretown it was gregarious. Pine needles, sand, anything through which it grows, adheres to the glutinous cap. It must be carefully cleaned before cooking. It is then of choice consistency and good flavor.

B. sublu´teus Pk.—luteus, yellow. Pileus convex or nearly plane, viscid or glutinous when moist, often obscurely virgate-spotted, dingy-yellowish, inclining to rusty-brown. Flesh whitish, varying to dull-yellowish. Tubes plane or convex, adnate, small, subrotund, yellow becoming ochraceous. Stem equal, slender, pallid or yellowish, dotted both above and below the ring with reddish or brownish glandules; ring submembranous, glutinous, at first concealing the tubes, then generally collapsing and forming a narrow whitish or brownish band around the stem. Spores subfusiform, ochraceo-ferruginous, 8–10×4–5µ. Pileus 1.5–3 in. broad. Stem 1.5–2.5 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

413Sandy soil in pine woods. New York, Peck, Clinton; New England, Frost.

The species is closely related to B. luteus, from which it differs in its smaller size, more slender stem and glutinous collapsing veil. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Found at Waretown, N.J., 1887, under pines and in same locality as B. luteus, for which it can be readily mistaken. It is usually covered with adherent sand or pine needles. Its flesh is tender with a pleasant glutinosity. Flavor good.

B. fla´vidus Fr.—light yellowish. Pileus thin, gibbous, then plane, viscose, livid, yellowish. Flesh pallid. Tubes decurrent, with large angular compound mouths, dirty yellowish. Stem slender, subequal, pallid, sprinkled with fugacious glandules above the entirely viscose ring. Spores oblong-ellipsoid, straight, subhyaline, 8–10×3–4µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 2–3 lines thick.

Pine woods and swamps. Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; North Carolina, Curtis; New England, Frost; California, H. and M.; Rhode Island, Bennett.

Fries says that this species is more slender than its allies, and differs from them all in its merely glutinous veil. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Dr. Curtis, of North Carolina, places it among edible species.

Many specimens were found by the writer near Waretown and Haddonfield, N.J., and a few at Mt. Gretna, Pa. The stems are thin and slightly spreading at the top. They are hard. The caps are excellent.

B. America´nus Pk. Pileus thin, convex or nearly plane, sometimes umbonate, soft, very viscid or glutinous when moist, slightly tomentose on the margin when young, soon glabrous or the margin sometimes remaining scaly, rarely scale-spotted from the drying of the gluten, yellow, becoming dingy or less bright with age, sometimes vaguely dotted or streaked with bright red. Flesh pale-yellow, less clear or pinkish-gray on exposure to the air. Tubes plane or convex, adnate, rather large, angular, pale-yellow, becoming sordid-ochraceous. Stem slender, equal or slightly tapering upward, firm, not at all annulate, yellow, often pallid or brownish toward the base, marked with numerous brown or reddish-brown persistent glandular dots, yellow within. Spores oblong or subfusiform, ochraceo-ferruginous, 9–11×4–5µ.

414Pileus 1–3 in. broad. Stem 1.5–2.5 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

Woods, swamps and open places, especially under or near pine trees. New York, Peck, Clinton; Minnesota, Arthur.

A slight subacid odor is sometimes perceptible in our plant. It sometimes grows on much decayed wood. Its mycelium is white. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

The caps, only, are good.

B. subau´reus Pk.—sub and aureus, golden. (Plate CXIV, fig. 2, p. 414.) Pileus convex or nearly plane, viscose, pale-yellow, sometimes adorned with darker spots, the young margin slightly grayish-tomentose. Flesh pale-yellow. Tubes small or medium; somewhat angular, adnate or subdecurrent, pale-yellow becoming dingy-ochraceous. Stem equal, stout, glandular-dotted, yellow without and within. Spores oblong or subfusiform, ochraceo-ferruginous, 8–10×4µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 1.5–2.5 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Thin woods and open places. New York, Peck; North Carolina, C.J. Curtis; Massachusetts, Mississippi, G. Survey (Rep. 51).

This plant might almost be considered a stout variety of the preceding, but in addition to its thicker pileus and stouter stem, it has smaller tubes of a clearer yellow color, and the exuding drops are yellow, not whitish, as in that species. In habit it appears more like B. granulatus, from which it is distinct in color. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

From early October, through heavy frosts and until long after November snows I found this species at Mt. Gretna, Pa., in 1897–1898. Specimens were sent to Professor Peck and identified as this species. It grew in grass on borders of woods, or gravelly ground, sometimes among pine needles. Large troops of it were frequent, and tufts containing many individuals were common.

I regard B. subaureus as among the most valuable of our food species. Its plentifulness, lateness, excellent quality will commend it to all Mycophagists. It can be cooked in any way. The tubes need not be removed.

B. hirtel´lus Pk.—slightly hairy. Pileus broadly convex, soft, viscose, golden-yellow, adorned with small tufts of hairs or fibrils. Flesh pale-yellow. Tubes adnate, medium size, angular, becoming 415dingy-ochraceous. Stem subcespitose, equal, stout, glandular dotted, yellow. Spores pale, ochraceous-brown, 9–10×4µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Sandy soil under pine trees. New York, Peck.

This species is very rare and was formerly confused with the preceding from which it is separated by the hairy adornment of the pileus and the darker, more brown color of the spores. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. punc´tipes Pk.—punctum, a dot; pes, a foot. Pileus convex or nearly plane, glutinous when moist, yellow, the thin margin at first minutely grayish-pulverulent, becoming recurved with age. Tubes short, nearly plane, adnate, small, subrotund, at first brownish, then sordid-ochraceous. Stem rather long, tapering upward, grandular-dotted, rhubarb-yellow. Spores 9–10×4–5µ.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 3–5 lines thick. Mixed woods. New York, Peck.

The rhubarb-colored stem and the brownish color of the young hymenium are the distinguishing features of this species. The glandules occur also on the tubes. The species is rare. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Not seen by Professor Peck since its discovery in 1878.

Spores when first dropped are olive-green on white paper, but the green hue soon changes to brownish-ochraceous. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.

Ontario, Prof. Dearness (Lloyd, R. 4).

B. al´bus Pk.—white. Pileus convex, viscid when moist, white. Flesh white or yellowish. Tubes plane, small or medium, subrotund, adnate, whitish, becoming yellow or ochraceous. Stem equal or slightly tapering downward, both it and the tubes glandular-dotted, white, sometimes tinged with pink toward the base. Spores ochraceous, subfusiform, 8–9×4µ.

Pileus 1.5–3 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 3–5 lines thick.

Woods, especially of pine or hemlock. New York, Peck; New England, Frost.

This species is easily known by its white pileus, but its color is lost in drying. Sometimes the fresh plant emits a peculiar fetid odor. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

416B. granula´tus—granula, a granule. Pileus convex or nearly plane, very viscid or glutinous and rusty-brown when moist, yellowish when dry. Flesh pale-yellowish. Tubes short, adnate, yellowish, their mouths simple, granulated. Stem dotted with glandules above, pale-yellowish. Spores spindle-shaped, yellowish-orange, 7.5–10×2–3µ.

Pileus 1.5–4 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Woods, especially of pine and in open places under or near pine trees. Very common.

The plant is generally gregarious and sometimes grows in circles, whence the name B. circinans Pers. Occasionally it is cespitose. The pileus is very variable in color—pinkish-gray, reddish-brown, yellowish-gray, tawny-ferruginous or brownish—and is sometimes obscurely spotted by the drying gluten. The flesh is rather thick and often almost white, except near the tubes, where it is tinged with yellow. The tubes are small, at first almost white or very pale-yellow, but they become dingy-ochraceous with age. The stem is generally short, stout and firm, whitish-pallid or yellowish, and often dotted to the base, though the glandules are more numerous and distinct on the upper part. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. granulatus is of frequent and general occurrence. I have found it in the pine woods of New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and in West Virginia and Pennsylvania in mixed woods.

It is a late-growing species, appearing in September and continuing until frost.

All authors, with one exception (Gillet), give the species as edible. From frequent and copious testings, the writer vouches for its edibility and excellence. It bears favorable comparison with any of the late Boleti.

B. bre´vipes Pk.—brevis, short; pes, foot. Pileus thick, convex, covered with a thick, tough gluten when young or moist, dark chestnut color, sometimes fading to dingy-tawny, the margin inflexed. Flesh white or tinged with yellow. Tubes short, nearly plane, adnate or slightly depressed around the stem, small, subrotund, at first whitish becoming dingy-ochraceous. Stem whitish, not dotted or rarely with a few very minute inconspicuous dots at the apex, very short. Spores subfusiform, 7.5×3µ.

Pileus 1.5–2.5 in. broad. Stem .5–1 in. long, 3–5 lines thick.

417Sandy soil in pine groves and woods. New England, Frost; New York, Peck.

The species is closely related to B. granulatus, from which it differs especially in its darker colored pileus, more copious gluten, shorter stem and the almost entire absence of granules from the tube mouths and stem. In the rare instances in which these are present they are extremely minute and inconspicuous. The plant occurs very late in the season and the pileus appears as if enveloped in slime and resting stemless on the ground. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Specimens found in pine woods of New Jersey, identified by Professor Peck. Lambertville, N.J., C.S. Ridgway; Haddonfield, N.J., T.J. Collins; Pleasantville, Isaac F. Shaner.

B. brevipes is a disreputable, dirty, tramp-looking fungus, from which the collector would expect no good. Nevertheless, when it has had a good scrubbing it becomes respectable and is sweet, tender, good eating. When other species abound, it does not pay for the cleansing.

B. collini´tus Fr.—collino, to besmear. Pileus convex, even, becoming pale when the brown gluten separates. Flesh white. Tubes adnate, elongated, naked, the mouths two-parted, pallid, becoming yellow. Stem firm, often tapering downward, somewhat reticulate with appressed squamules, white, becoming brown.

Woods of pine or fir. North Carolina, Curtis; New England, Frost.

I have seen no specimens of this apparently rare species. It is said to be solitary in its mode of growth and to resemble B. luteus in size and color, but to be distinct from it by its ringless, dotless stem. Dr. Curtis records it as edible. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

I found three specimens at Haddonfield, N.J., October, 1897, under scrub pines. Cap 2½ in. across, convex, gibbous; stem equal, 2½ in. long, ½ in. in diameter, slightly tapering at base. The two-parted mouths to the tubes were very distinct. The stems were tough, but the caps, washed and fried, were good.

B. di´chrous Ellis. Pileus convex, viscose, dull red. Flesh soft, dull, yellowish-white, changing to greenish-blue where wounded, finally yellow. Tubes subdepressed around the stem, large, unequal, straw-colored, changing color like the flesh where wounded. Stem thickened 418below, solid, covered with a red scaly coat, except at the yellow apex, yellow within. Spores elliptical, slightly bent at one end, 2µ long.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 3 in. long, 6 lines thick.

Dry soil in oak and pine woods. New Jersey. Ellis.

I have seen no specimens of this species. From the description, its affinities appear to be with B. bicolor, but it is placed here because of its viscose pileus. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. ba´dius Fr.—bay-brown. Pileus convex, even, soft, viscose or glutinous, shining when dry, tawny-chestnut. Flesh whitish, tinged with yellow, bluish next the tubes. Tubes large, angular, long, adnate or sinuate-depressed, whitish-yellow, becoming tinged with green. Stem subequal, even, solid, paler, brown-pruinate. Spores fusoid-oblong.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 3–5 lines thick.

Woods, especially of pine. New York, Peck; Minnesota, Johnson; Wisconsin, Bundy; Nova Scotia, Somers.

In the American plant the spores are 10–12×4–5µ.

Cordier classes it among the edible species. Peck, Boleti of the United States.

B. mi´tis Krombh.—mild. Pileus convex, then plane or depressed, firm, viscid, yellowish-flesh color, reddish-rust color when dry. Flesh pale, grayish-yellow. Tubes short, olivaceous or golden-yellow, their mouths compound, angular, unequal. Stem firm, short, even, narrowed toward the base, colored like the pileus. Spores 12–14×4µ.

Pileus 2–2.5 in. broad. Stem 2–2.5 in. long.

Mixed woods. New England, Frost.

This species is unknown to me and is recorded by Mr. Frost only. Peck, Boleti of the United States.

B. uni´color Frost MS. Pileus broadly convex or nearly plane, viscid when moist, even, sometimes streaked as if with minute innate brown fibrils, pale-yellow. Flesh pale-yellow. Tubes adnate or slightly decurrent, rather short, compound, lemon-yellow, becoming darker with age. Stem even, equal or narrowed toward the base, colored like the pileus. Spores reddish-yellow, 9–11×4µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

419Pine woods and open sedgy places. New England, Frost.

Specimens not seen. The species seems too near B. bovinus, of which it may possibly be a variety, but its yellow flesh and the colors ascribed to the tubes and spores require its separation. Rev. C.J. Curtis sends notes of a species found by him in North Carolina, which agree with this in its characters so far as noted. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. ignora´tus Pk. Pileus convex, viscid, bright lemon-color, marked with wrinkled lines of orange color, which are distributed over the pileus, giving it a streaked appearance. Flesh white, solid, does not change color when cut or broken; taste slightly acid. Pores lemon-color, moderately large, free, connected with the stem by web-like filaments. Stem larger at the apex, somewhat tapering toward the base, yellow, smooth, solid. Spores 4.5×11µ.

This closely approaches Boletus unicolor Fr., from which it scarcely differs except in its white flesh and free tubes. Fungi of Maryland, Mary E. Banning. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

B. bovi´nus—bos, an ox. Pileus nearly plane, glabrous, viscid, pale yellow. Flesh white. Tubes very short, subdecurrent, their mouths compound, pale yellow or grayish, becoming rust-colored. Stem equal, even, colored like the pileus. Spores fusiform, dingy greenish-ocher, 7.5–10×3–4µ.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 1.5–2 in. long, sometimes cespitose.

Pine woods. North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; New England, Frost, Palmer, Bennett, Sprague, Farlow; California, H. and M.

The shallow tubes, 2–3 lines long, are said to resemble the pores of Merulius lacrymans. The species is recorded edible by Curtis, Gillet and Palmer. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia mountains under hemlocks, 1882–1885, and near Haddonfield, N.J., under pines. McIlvaine, 1892. Gregarious and in clusters. The pore surface was in some specimens broadly wrinkled.

Smell and taste pleasant. Cooked, the quality is of the best in Boleti.

B. rubinel´lus Pk.—dim. of ruber, red. Pileus broadly conical or convex, viscid when moist, subtomentose or slightly pubescent when dry, red fading to yellow on the margin. Flesh whitish or yellowish, 420taste mild. Tubes adnate or slightly depressed around the stem, dingy-reddish, becoming subferruginous. Stem equal, slender, even, colored like the tubes, yellow within, sometimes yellow at the base. Spores oblong-fusiform, ferruginous-brown, 12.5–15×4µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 1–3 lines thick.

Mixed woods or under or near coniferous trees in open places. New York, Peck. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. pipera´tus Bull.—piper, pepper. Pileus convex or nearly plane, glabrous, slightly viscid when moist, yellowish, cinnamon or subferruginous. Flesh white or yellowish, taste acrid, peppery. Tubes rather long and large, angular, often unequal, plane or convex, adnate or subdecurrent, reddish-rust color. Stem slender, subequal, tawny-yellow, bright yellow at the base. Spores subfusiform, ferruginous-brown, 9–11×4µ.

Pileus 1–3 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

Woods and open places. Common and variable.

This species may easily be recognized by its peppery flavor. The pileus sometimes appears as if slightly tomentose, and both this and the preceding species recede from the character of the tribe by the slight viscidity of the pileus. This is sometimes cracked into areas and sometimes the margin is very obtuse by the elongation of the tubes. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Haddonfield, N.J., 1892. McIlvaine.

This fungus is reckoned poisonous by Stevenson. Massee gives its taste as very hot. The taste of the American plant is peppery but not offensively so. This pepperiness it loses in cooking. It has been eaten by the writer and his friends with enjoyment and without any discomfort.

B. subsanguin´eus Pk.—sub and sanguineus, bloody. (Plate CXVI, fig. 4, p. 420.) Pileus convex or slightly depressed in the center, glabrous, viscid, bright-red or scarlet. Flesh thick, firm but flexible, white, slowly changing to a pale brownish-lilac on exposure to the air, taste slightly bitter. Tubes very short, 2–4 mm. long, adnate, but often separating from the stem with the expansion of the pileus, reddish, the mouths minute, stuffed at first, pinkish, then brownish-yellow, changing to a light-brown where wounded. Stem short, thick, uneven, often 421tapering downward, streaked with red, pale-yellow at the top, white at the base, marked at the top by the decurrent walls of the tubes.

Pileus 2.5–10 cm. broad. Stem 2.5–5 cm. long, 2–4 cm. thick.

Solitary, gregarious or cespitose. Under beech trees. West Philadelphia, Pa. August. C. McIlvaine.

This is a very showy species, easily recognized by its bright-red viscid pileus and its short, thick and uneven or somewhat lacunose stem. It is closely related to the European B. sanguineus With., from which it is separated by its minute tubes, its uneven stem and the brownish hues assumed where wounded.

The spore characters of this and the four succeeding species are unknown, but the other characters are quite distinctive and apparently sufficient for the recognition of the species. The descriptions have been derived from colored figures and other data furnished by Mr. McIlvaine, who says all are edible. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, No. 27.

When slowly stewed for thirty minutes, there is no better Boletus.

Pulverulenti.

Pileus clothed with a yellow dust or a yellow powdery down. Stem more or less yellow powdered, neither bulbous nor distinctly reticulated.

The species which constitute this tribe are easily distinguished from all others by the sulphur-colored pulverulence which coats the pileus and stem like a universal veil. They appear thus far to be peculiar to this country. Though strongly resembling each other in the tribal character they are very diverse in other respects. One species, by its viscidity, connects with the preceding tribe; another by its differently colored tube mouths is related to the Luridi; and the third is peculiar in its ligneous habitat.

	Plant growing on the ground	1
	Plant growing on wood	B. hemichrysus
1.	Tubes adnate, of one color	B. Ravenelii
1.	Tubes free, with red mouths	B. auriflammeus
	Peck, Boleti of the U.S., p. 103.

B. hemichry´sus B. and C.—half-golden. Pileus convex, at length plane or irregularly depressed, floccose-squamulose, covered with a yellow powder, sometimes cracked, bright golden-yellow. Flesh thick, 422yellow. Tubes adnate or decurrent, yellow, becoming reddish-brown, the mouths large, angular. Stem short, irregular, narrowed below, sprinkled with a yellow dust, yellowish tinged with red; mycelium yellow. Spores oblong, minute, dingy-ochraceous.

Var. muta´bilis. Flesh slightly changing to blue where wounded. Stem reddish, yellow within, sometimes eccentric. Spores oblong-elliptical, 7.5–9×3–4µ.

Pileus 1.5–2.5 in. broad. Stem about 1 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Roots of pine, Pinus palustris. The variety on stumps of Pinus strobus.

South Carolina, Ravenel; North Carolina, Curtis; New York, Peck.

The species is remarkable for its habitat, which is lignicolous. The New York variety grew on a stump of white pine. By its eccentric stem it connects this genus with Boletinus, through Boletinus porosus. According to the authors of this species it resembles Boletus variegatus. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. Ravenel´ii B. and C.—after Ravenel. Pileus convex or nearly plane, slightly viscid when young or moist, covered with a sulphur-yellow powdery down, becoming naked and dull-red on the disk. Flesh whitish. Tubes at first plane, adnate, pale-yellow, becoming yellowish-brown or umber, dingy-greenish where bruised, the mouths large or medium size, subrotund. Stem nearly equal, clothed and colored like the young pileus, yellow within, with a slight evanescent webby or tomentose ring. Spores ochraceous-brown, 10–12×5–6µ.

Pileus 1–3 in. broad. Stem 1.5–4 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Woods and copses. South Carolina, Ravenel; North Carolina, Curtis; New York, Peck; New England, Frost.

This is a very distinct and very beautiful species. Mr. Ravenel remarks in his notes that “this plant is not infested by larvæ and preserves more constant characters than any other Boletus with which I am acquainted.” The webby powdered filaments constitute a universal veil which at first covers the whole plant and conceals the young tubes. As the pileus expands this generally disappears from the disk, and, separating between the margin and the stem, a part adheres to each. The flesh is sometimes stained with yellow. The tubes in some instances become convex and slightly depressed around the stem. They are almost white when young, and often exhibit brownish hues where wounded. 423The plant is sometimes cespitose. I have observed a greenish tint to the freshly shed spores, but it soon disappears. Boletus subchromeus Frost Ms. is this species. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. auriflam´meus B. and C.—flaming yellow. Pileus convex, dry, powdered, bright golden-yellow. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes plane or convex, free, yellow, their broad angular mouths scarlet. Stem slightly tapering upward, powdered, colored like the pileus. Spores 10–12.5×5µ.

Pileus 8–12 lines broad. Stem 1–1.5 in. long.

Woods. North Carolina, Curtis; New York, Peck.

This is evidently a rare species and as beautiful as it is rare. The whole plant is bright-yellow except the tube mouths, and is sprinkled with yellow dust or minute yellow branny particles. In the New York specimen the scarlet color is wanting in the marginal tube mouths and the stem is marked with fine subreticulating elevated lines. In other respects it agrees well with the diagnosis of the species. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Subpruinosi—sub, pruina, hoar frost.

Pileus glabrous, but more often pruinose. Tubes adnate, yellowish. Stem equal, even, neither bulbous nor reticulated.

The species of this tribe have the pileus neither viscid nor distinctly and permanently tomentose. Typically it is glabrous or merely pruinose, but Fries has admitted into the group one species with a pulverulent, and one with a silky pileus. The species are not sharply distinguished from those of the following tribes, and possibly some have been admitted here which might as well have been placed there. Some of the species are variable in color and their characters are not sufficiently well known.

	Tubes bright-yellow, golden or subochraceous	1
1.	Tubes pale or whitish-yellow	6
1.	Tubes changing to blue where wounded	2
1.	Tubes not changing to blue	3
	2. Stem pallid, with a circumscribing red line at the top	B. glabellus
	2. Stem yellow, sometimes with red stains	B. miniato-olivaceus
	2. Stem red, yellow at the top	B. bicolor
3.	Stem viscid or glutinous when moist	B. auriporus
4243.	Stem not viscid	4
	4. Plant growing on Scleroderma	B. parasiticus
	4. Plant terrestrial	5
5.	Tubes greenish-yellow	B. alutaceus
5.	Tubes golden-yellow	B. tenuiculus
	6. Pileus reticulated with subcutaneous brown lines	B. dictyocephalus
	6. Pileus not reticulated	7
7.	Tubes changing to blue where wounded	B. pallidus
7.	Tubes not changing to blue	8
	8. Stem uniformly colored	B. subglabripes
	8. Stem yellowish, streaked with brown	B. innixus
	Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. minia´to-oliva´ceus Frost—olive-red. Pileus at first convex and firm, then nearly plane, soft and spongy, glabrous, vermilion, becoming olivaceous. Flesh pale-yellow, changing to blue where wounded. Tubes bright lemon-yellow, adnate or subdecurrent. Stem glabrous, enlarged at the top, pale-yellow, brighter within, sometimes lurid at the base. Spores 12.5×6µ.

Var. sensi´bilis (Boletus sensibilis Rep. 32, p. 33).

Pileus at first pruinose-tomentose, red, becoming glabrous and ochraceous-red with age. Tubes bright-yellow tinged with green, becoming sordid-yellow. Stem lemon-yellow with red or rhubarb stains at the base, contracted at the top when young, subcespitose. Spores 10–12.5×4–5µ.

Pileus 2–6 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Woods and their borders. New England, Frost; New York, Peck.

Though the sensitive Boletus differs considerably in some respects from the olive-red Boletus, it is probably only a variety, and as such I have subjoined it here. In it every part of the plant quickly changes to blue where wounded, and even the pressure of the fingers in handling the fresh specimens is sufficient to induce this change of color. I have not found the typical plant in New York, but specimens received from Mr. Frost are not, in the dry state, distinguishable from the variety. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Indiana, H.I. Miller; West Virginia. Haddonfield, N.J. Cheltenham, Pa., McIlvaine.

Years ago I marked it edible and excellent when young. My friends 425have eaten it, and continue to do so. Yet Professor Peck (48th Rep., p. 202) reports a case brought to his notice of an entire family being sickened by eating B. sensibilis. All recovered. It may, therefore, be one of those species which, while disagreeing with some persons, can be eaten by the majority. Clitocybe illudens, Lepiota Morgani and others of the Agaricaceæ are such species.

B. bi´color Pk.—two-color. (Plate CXVII, figs. 1, 2, p. 424.) Pileus convex, glabrous or merely pruinose-tomentose, dark-red, firm, becoming soft, paler and sometimes spotted or stained with yellow when old. Flesh yellow, not at all or but slightly and slowly changing to blue where wounded. Tubes nearly plane, adnate, bright-yellow, becoming ochraceous, slowly changing to blue where wounded, their mouths small, angular or subrotund. Stem subequal, firm, solid, red, generally yellow at the top. Spores pale, ochraceous-brown, 10–12.5×4–5µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 1–3 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Woods and open places. New York, Peck; Wisconsin, Bundy.

The color of this plant is somewhat variable. In the typical form the pileus and stem are dark red, approaching Indian red, but when old the color of the pileus fades and is often intermingled with yellow. The surface sometimes cracks and becomes cracked in areas. From the European B. Barlæ this species is separated by its solid stem; from B. versicolor by its small tube mouths and its red stem. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Plentiful at Mt. Gretna, Pa., July, August, September, 1898, in mixed woods. Very variable in shape and color. Identified by Professor Peck from painting and description.

Fine eating, one of the very best.

B. glabel´lus Pk.—smooth. Pileus fleshy, thick, broadly convex or nearly plane, soft, dry, subglabrous, smoky-buff. Flesh white, both it and the tubes changing to blue where wounded. Tubes nearly plane, adnate, ochraceous, tinged with green, their mouths small, subrotund. Stem subequal, glabrous, even, reddish toward the base, pallid above, with a narrow reddish circumscribing zone or line at the top. Spores oblong, brownish-ochraceous, tinged with green when fresh, 10–12.5×4µ.

Pileus 3–5 in. broad. Stem 1–3 in. long, 5–10 lines thick.

426Grassy ground under oaks. New York, Peck.

The species is well marked by the reddish band or line on the stem just below the tubes, but this disappears in drying. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. aluta´ceus Morgan—yellowish. Pileus cushion-shaped, glabrous, alutaceous with a tinge of red. Flesh white, inclining to reddish. Tubes semifree, medium in size, unequal, angular, greenish-yellow. Stem nearly equal, striate, reticulate at the apex, colored like the pileus. Spores fusiform, brownish-olive, 12.5×5µ.

Pileus 3 in. broad.

Rocky woods of oak and chestnut. Kentucky, Morgan.

The general aspect of the figure of this species recalls some of the forms of Boletus subtomentosus. The tubes are nearly equal in length to the thickness of the flesh of the pileus. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Quite frequent at Mt. Gretna, Pa., in mixed woods, principally oak and chestnut.

Stem should be removed, and tubes when old. It cooks well and is especially good.

B. tenui´culus Frost—thin. Pileus nearly plane, thin, lurid-red on a yellow ground. Flesh unchangeable. Tubes short, adnate, small, golden-yellow. Stem slender, equal, colored like the pileus. Spores 10×6µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 4–6 in. long.

Woods. New England. Frost.

The thin pileus and long slender stem readily distinguish this species. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. auri´porus Pk.—golden-pore. Pileus convex or nearly plane, glabrous or merely pruinose-tomentose, grayish-brown, yellowish-brown, or reddish-brown. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes plane or slightly depressed around the stem, adnate or subdecurrent, bright golden-yellow, retaining their color when dried. Stem equal or slightly thickened at the base, viscid or glutinous when moist, especially toward the base, colored like or a little paler than the pileus. Spores 7.5–10×4–5µ.

Pileus 1–3 in. broad. Stem 1–3 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

427Thin woods and shaded banks. New York, Peck; New England, Frost.

This species is remarkable for the rich yellow color of the tubes, which is retained unchanged in the dried specimens, and for the viscid stem. This character, however, is not noticeable in dry weather and was overlooked in the original specimens.

Boletus glutinipes Frost Ms. is not distinct. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Hopkins' Woods, Haddonfield, N.J. Grassy oak woods. 1891–1894. McIlvaine.

The caps are delicious.

B. innix´us Frost. Pileus convex or nearly plane, glabrous, yellowish-brown, slightly cracked in areas when old, yellow in the interstices. Flesh white. Tubes adnate, lemon-yellow, unchangeable. Stem slender, short, much thickened at the base in large specimens, yellowish, streaked with brown, brownish within. Spores 10×5µ.

Grassy woods. New England. Frost.

The whole plant often reclines as if for support, Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. parasi´ticus Bull.—a parasite. Pileus convex or nearly plane, dry, silky, becoming glabrous, soon tessellately cracked, grayish or dingy-yellow. Tubes decurrent, medium size, golden yellow. Stem equal, rigid, incurved, yellow without and within. Spores oblong-fusiform, pale-brown, 12.5–15×4µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

Parasitic on species of Scleroderma. New York, Gerard; New England, Sprague, Bennett.

This species is very rare in this country. It is remarkable for its peculiar habitat. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

New York, Lydia M. Patchen; Westfield, on Scleroderma vulgare.

I found many specimens of this rare species during August, 1897, growing on Scleroderma vulgare.

Professor Peck, to whom I sent specimens, identified them as B. parasiticus. The tubes were large, unequal, dissepiments thin, decurrent. The Sclerodermas frequently appear to be parasitic upon the Boletus. I have seen the host plant thrown entirely free from the ground by the Boletus.

428B. parasiticus is edible, but it is not of agreeable flavor.

B. dictyoceph´alus Pk.—reticulate. Pileus convex, glabrous, reticulate with brown lines beneath the thin separable cuticle, brownish-orange, darker in the center and there tinged with pink. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes nearly plane, slightly depressed around the stem, grayish-yellow, becoming brown where bruised. Stem equal or slightly tapering at the top, solid, rimose, dotted with scales, lemon-yellow, darker toward the base. Spores 15–20×6µ.

Pileus 2.5 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 5–6 lines thick.

Mixed woods. North Carolina. C.J. Curtis.

The description here given has been derived from a single dried specimen and from the notes kindly sent by Mr. Curtis. The species is apparently well marked and very distinct by the peculiar reticulations of the pileus. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. subgla´bripes Pk.—rather smooth. Pileus convex or nearly plane, glabrous, reddish inclining to chestnut color. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes adnate, nearly plane in the mass, pale yellow, becoming convex and darker or greenish-yellow with age, the mouths small, subrotund. Stem equal, solid, scurfy, pale yellow. Spores oblong-fusiform, 12.5–15×4–5µ.

The smoothish-stemmed Boletus is well marked by its cylindric minutely scurfy stem which is colored like the tubes. Its cap is smooth and nearly always some shade of red or bay. Specimens occur occasionally in which it approaches grayish-brown or wood-brown. The flesh is white and unchangeable when cut or broken.

The tubes at first have a nearly plane surface, but this becomes somewhat convex with age, and slightly depressed around the stem. The tube mouths are small and nearly round. The color of the tubes is at first a beautiful pale yellow, but it becomes darker or slightly greenish-yellow with age.

The stem is colored very nearly like the tubes, but sometimes it has a slight reddish tint toward the base. Its peculiar feature consists of the minute, branny particles upon it. They are so small and pale that they are easily overlooked.

There is a variety in which the cap is corrugated or irregularly pitted and wrinkled. Its name is Boletus subglabripes corrugis Pk.

429The cap is 1½-4 in. broad, the stem is 2–3 in. long and 4–8 lines thick. The plants are found in woods in July and August. Peck, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

B. pal´lidus Frost—pale. (Plate CXVII, fig. 4, p. 424.) Pileus convex, becoming plane or centrally depressed, soft, glabrous, pallid or brownish-white, sometimes tinged with red. Flesh white. Tubes plane or slightly depressed around the stem, nearly adnate, very pale or whitish-yellow, becoming darker with age, changing to blue where wounded, the mouths small. Stem equal or slightly thickened toward the base, rather long, glabrous, often flexuous, whitish, sometimes streaked with brown, often tinged with red within. Spores pale ochraceous-brown, 10–12×5–6µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 3–5 lines long, 4–8 lines thick.

Woods. New England, Frost; New York, Peck.

The species is readily recognized by its dull pale color, rather long stem, and tubes changing to blue where wounded. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Common in West Virginia mountains, Angora, West Philadelphia, Mt. Gretna, Pa. Solitary, on ground in mixed woods.

The caps are tender and delicately flavored.

B. rubropunc´tus Pk.—red-dotted. (Plate CXVII, fig. 3, p. 424.) Pileus convex, glabrous, reddish-brown. Flesh yellowish, unchangeable. Tubes nearly plane, depressed about the stem, their mouths small, round, bright golden-yellow, not changing color where bruised. Stem firm, solid, tapering upward, yellow, punctate with reddish dots or squamules. Spores olive-green, 12.5×4–5µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Woods. Port Jefferson. July. Cold Spring Harbor, H.C. Beardslee.

This is a pretty Boletus, well marked by the red dots of the stem. It is apparently a very rare species. B. radicans is said to have the stem sprinkled with red particles, but that is a larger plant with the margin of the pileus persistently involute or incurved and with a radicating stem, characters which are not shown by our fungus. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

I found my specimens at Mt. Gretna, Pa., August-September, 1898.

430Identified for the writer by Professor Peck from painting and description.

Taste and smell slight. Cooks well and is pleasant to the taste. The tubes should be removed.

Subtomento´si—sub, tomentosus, downy.

Pileus when young villose or subtomentose, rarely becoming glabrous with age, destitute of a viscid pellicle. Tubes of one color, adnate. Stem at first extended, neither bulbous nor reticulated with veins, wrinkled or striated in some species. Flesh in some changing color where wounded.

The tubes are generally yellow or greenish-yellow. In some species they are occasionally somewhat depressed around the stem, but they do not form a rounded free stratum, nor, with the exception of B. rubeus, are they stuffed when young as in most of the Edules. The species are scarcely separable from those of the preceding tribe except by the more evidently tomentose young pileus.

	Tubes brown, becoming cinnamon	B. variegatus
	Tubes not having these colors	1
1.	Flesh or tubes changing to blue where wounded	2
1.	Flesh or tubes not changing to blue	5
	2. Stem glabrous	3
	2. Stem not glabrous	4
3.	Flesh yellow under the cuticle	B. rubeus
3.	Flesh red under the cuticle	B. chrysenteron
	4. Stem velvety at the base	B. striæpes
	4. Stem with a reddish bloom or scurf	B. radicans
	4. Stem with brown dot-like scales	B. mutabilis
5.	Tubes whitish, becoming yellow	B Roxanæ
5.	Tubes yellow	6
	6. Tube mouths large and angular	B. subtomentosus
	6. Tube mouths minute	B. spadiceus
	Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. variega´tus Swartz. Pileus at first convex, then plane, obtuse, moist, sprinkled with superficial bundled hairy squamules, dark-yellow, the acute margin at first flocculose. Flesh yellow, here and there becoming 431blue. Tubes adnate, unequal, minute, brown then cinnamon. Stem firm, equal, even, dark-yellow, sometimes reddish. Spores oblong-ellipsoid, hyaline or very pale-yellowish, 7.5–10×3–4µ.

Pileus 2–5 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 6 lines thick.

Woods, especially of pine. North Carolina, Curtis, Schweinitz; California, Harkness, Moore; Rhode Island, Bennett. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia mountains, 1882–1885. Haddonfield, N.J., McIlvaine; Doylestown, Pa., Paschall. Quite common on flat benches where hemlocks and spruces have grown.

When the caps are cooked they are sweet, nutty, excellent.

B. Roxa´næ Frost. Pileus broadly convex, at first subtomentose, then covered with red hairs in bundles, yellowish-brown. Flesh yellowish-white. Tubes at first whitish, then light-yellow, arcuate-adnate or slightly depressed around the stem, the mouths small. Stem enlarged toward the base, striate at the apex, yellowish or pale-cinnamon. Spores 10×4µ.

Var. auri´color. Pileus and subequal stem bright-yellow, the tomentum of the pileus yellow.

Pileus 1.5–3 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 3–5 lines thick.

Borders of woods. New England, Frost; New York, Peck.

Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. striæ´pes Secr.—striate stem. Pileus convex or plane, soft, silky, olivaceous, the cuticle rust-color within. Flesh white, yellow next the tubes, sparingly changing to blue. Tubes adnate, greenish, their mouths minute, angular, yellow. Stem firm, curved, marked with brownish-black striations, yellow, velvety and brownish-rufescent at the base. Spores 10–13×4µ.

Pine and oak woods. Minnesota, Johnson.

I have seen no specimens of this species, which is recorded from but one locality in our country. The character—flesh sparingly changing to blue—is given on the authority of Rev. M.J. Berkeley. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. chrysen´teron Fr.—golden within. Pileus convex or plane, soft, floccose-squamulose, often cracked in areas, brown or brick-red. Flesh yellow, red beneath the cuticle, often slightly changing to blue where 432wounded. Tubes subadnate; greenish-yellow, changing to blue where wounded; their mouths rather large, angular, unequal. Stem subequal, rigid, fibrous-striate, red or pale-yellow. Spores fusiform, pale-brown, 11–12.5×4–5µ.

Pileus 1–3 in. broad. Stem 1–3 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Woods and mossy banks.

The species is common and very variable. The color of the pileus may be yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, brick-red, tawny or olivaceous. The subcutaneous reddish tint and the reddish chinks of the cracked pileus are distinguishing features. Wounds of the tubes sometimes become blue then greenish. Authors disagree concerning the edible qualities of this Boletus. Stevenson gives it as edible, but Cordier and Gillet say that it is regarded with suspicion. In one strongly marked form the tubes are decidedly depressed around the stem, in another the flesh is whitish tinged with red. It may be doubted whether these are varieties or distinct species. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

I have found, and eaten plentifully of this species in West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, from July until October. I have no hesitancy in recommending it in all of its varieties. Excepting from very young specimens the tubes and stems should be removed. The flesh is sweet, delicate and toothsome.

B. fumo´sipes Pk. Pileus convex or nearly plane, minutely tomentose, sometimes minutely rivulose, dark olive-brown. Flesh whitish. Tubes at first nearly plane, becoming convex with age, their mouths whitish when young, becoming yellowish-brown, changing to bluish-black where bruised. Stem equal, solid, smoky-brown, minutely scurfy under a lens. Spores purplish-brown, 12.5–15×5–6µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 3–4 lines thick.

Woods. Port Jefferson. July.

This species resembles small dark-colored forms of B. chrysenteron, and this resemblance is still more noticeable in those specimens in which the pileus cracks in areas, for in these the chinks become red as in that species. The different color of the stem and tubes will at once separate these species. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

B. ru´beus Frost—red. Pileus broadly convex, very finely appressed subtomentose, bright brick-red when young, becoming mottled with red 433and yellow, yellow under the cuticle, the thin margin at first inflexed, then horizontal, curved upward when old. Flesh pale-yellow, changing to blue where wounded. Tubes adnate or slightly depressed around the stem, lemon-yellow and stuffed when young, becoming yellow and sometimes red at the mouths. Stem small, often flexuous, colored like the pileus, reddish within, white-tomentose at the base. Spores 9–12.5×4–5µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 1–3 in. long, 3–5 lines thick.

Deep woods. Rare. New England, Frost.

This is apparently too closely related to B. chrysenteron, and it also resembles B. bicolor. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. frater´nus Pk. Pileus convex, becoming plane or depressed, slightly tomentose, deep red when young, becoming dull red with age. Flesh yellow, slowly changing to greenish-blue where wounded. Tubes rather long, becoming ventricose, slightly depressed about the stem, their walls sometimes slightly decurrent, the mouths large, angular or irregular, sometimes compound, bright yellow, quickly changing to blue where wounded. Stem short, cespitose, often irregular, solid, subtomentose, slightly velvety at the base, pale reddish-yellow, paler above and below, yellow within, quickly changing to dark green where wounded. Spores 12.5×6µ.

Pileus 1–1.5 in. broad. Stem 1–1.5 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Shaded streets. Auburn, Alabama. July. Underwood.

The species is apparently allied to B. rubeus, but is very distinct by its small size, cespitose habit, color of the flesh of the stem and by the peculiar hues assumed where wounded. When the pileus cracks the chinks become yellow as in B. subtomentosus. The species belongs to the tribe Subtomentosi. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.

B. subtomento´sus L.—sub; tomentosus, downy. Pileus convex or nearly plane, soft, dry, villoso-tomentose, subolivaceous, concolorous beneath the cuticle, often cracked in areas. Flesh white or pallid. Tubes adnate or somewhat depressed around the stem, yellow, their mouths large, angular. Stem stout, somewhat ribbed-sulcate, scabrous or scurfy with minute dots. Spores 10–12.5×4–5µ.

Pileus 1–4 in. broad. Stem 1–2.5 in. long, 2–5 lines thick.

Common and variable. The pileus is usually olivaceous or yellowish-brown, 434but it may be reddish-brown or tawny-red. When it cracks the chinks become yellow. The species, as I understand it, may be distinguished from its near relative, B. chrysenteron, by its paler flesh, the clearer yellow tubes not changing to blue where wounded, and by the chinks of the pileus becoming yellow. The species is recorded edible by Cordier, Curtis and Palmer. Gillet says it is only medium in quality. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Found and eaten in West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Specimens received from Indiana, Minnesota, Alabama. I have not seen any change of color in flesh or tubes. It is common in Woodland Cemetery and Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. If the tubes are not removed the dish is slimy. The B. chrysenteron also makes such a dish when stewed, but fried, and well done, both species are decidedly good.

B. cæspito´sus Pk.—cespitose. Pileus broadly convex or nearly plane, sometimes slightly concave by the elevation of the margin, even, brown or blackish-brown, the margin often a little paler or reddish-brown. Flesh slightly tinged with red. Tubes adnate or slightly decurrent, yellow, their mouths rather large, angular, concolorous. Stem short, even, solid, glabrous, tapering upward, brown or reddish-brown. Spores oblong-elliptic, 10µ long, 5µ broad.

Pileus 1–2.5 cm. broad. Stem 2–2.5 cm. long, 4–6 mm. thick.

Cespitose. Virginia. August. R.S. Phifer.

A small species growing in tufts and referable to the tribe Subtomentosi. The tubes retain their bright yellow color in the dried specimens. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, January 27, 1900.

Edible qualities not stated.

B. spadi´ceus Schaeff.—nut brown. Pileus convex or plane, moderately compact, dry, tomentose, opaque, date-brown, irregularly cracked. Flesh white, unchangeable, brownish-red above. Tubes adnate, yellow, their mouths minute, subrotund. Stem firm, clavate, even, woolly-scaled, yellow or brownish, yellowish-white within. Spores 12×4µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad.

Woods. New England, Frost.

This species is admitted on the authority of Mr. Frost who alone has recorded it in this country. But specimens received from him under 435this name do not in my opinion belong to it, and its occurrence here is somewhat doubtful. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

In oak woods near Bartram’s Garden, West Philadelphia, in 1887–1888, I found several Boleti answering the description, exactly, of B. spadiceus. They proved to be good eating.

B. radi´cans Pers.—radix, a root. Pileus convex, dry, subtomentose, olivaceous-cinereus, becoming pale-yellowish, the margin thin, involute. Flesh pale-yellow, instantly changing to dark blue, taste bitterish. Tubes adnate, their mouths large, unequal, lemon-yellow. Stem even, tapering downward and radicating, flocculose with a reddish bloom, pale-yellow, becoming naked and dark with a touch.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long, 6 lines thick.

Woods. Ohio, Morgan.

Of the American plant Mr. Morgan says that the pileus is quite firm and dry, becomes reddish or brownish-yellow and nearly glabrous, that the flesh is pale-yellow, but that he has not observed any bluish tinge, and that the spores are olive, fusiform, 10–12.5×5µ. Those of the European plant have been described as very pale ocher, almost white, 6µ long, 3µ broad. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Near Bryn Mawr, Pa. W.C. Alderson, 1894.

Several specimens brought to me were eaten. The change in color of flesh was instantaneous upon exposure to the air. Taste strong and raw rather than bitterish. The caps alone were cooked, and dish marked “fine.”

B. muta´bilis Morg.—changeable. Jour. Cin. Soc. Nat. Sci., Vol. VII. Pileus convex, then plane or depressed, compact, dry, subtomentose, brown. Flesh bright-yellow, promptly changing to blue where wounded. Tubes adnate or subdecurrent, their mouths large, angular, unequal, some of them compound, yellow changing to greenish yellow and quickly becoming blue where wounded. Stem stout, solid, flexuous, subsulcate, yellowish beneath the brown dot-like scales, bright yellow within. Spores olive, fusiform, 12–13×5µ.

Pileus 2.5–4 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 6 lines thick.

Thick woods. Ohio, Morgan.

A shade of yellow sometimes appears beneath the brown of the pileus, and as the plants grow old the pileus becomes blackish, glabrous and 436shining. The stem increases in thickness above and downward. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. badi´ceps Pk.—badius, bay and head. (Plate CXVI, p. 420.) Pileus firm, convex or somewhat centrally depressed when mature, dry, velvety, obliquely truncate on the margin, bay-red or dark-maroon color. Flesh white unchangeable, taste and odor mild, sweet, suggestive of molasses. Tubes plane, adnate, white or whitish, becoming dingy with age, the mouths minute. Stem equal or slightly swollen in the middle, radicating, glabrous, solid, brownish.

Pileus 4–8 cm. broad. Stem 4–5 cm. long, 1.5–3 cm. thick.

Oak woods. West Philadelphia, Pa. August and September. Charles McIlvaine.

The truncate or beveled margin of the pileus is a striking feature in this species. It is about 4 mm. broad and as even as if cut with a knife. Sometimes the surface of the stem ruptures transversely just below the top, the liberated shreds above curling upward against the tubes and those below curving outward and downward. In mature plants brownish spots appear in the flesh of the pileus. “When cooked it is of high flavor and tender as kidney,” C. McIlvaine. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, January 27, 1900.

Laceri´pedes—lacerated stem.

Stem elongated, coarsely pitted or deeply and lacunosely reticulated in small hollows, the ridges somewhat intumescent in wet weather and more or less lacerated, giving a rough or shaggy appearance to the stem.

The species of this tribe are few, very closely allied and so far as known are peculiar to this country.

	Pileus viscid	1
	Pileus dry	B. Russelli
1.	Stem red in the depressions, tubes tinged with green	B. Morgani
1.	Stem pale-yellow, tubes not greenish	B. Betula
	Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. Rus´selli Frost—Russell’s Boletus. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 2, p. 436.) Pileus thick, hemispherical or convex, dry, covered with downy scales or bundles of red hairs, yellowish beneath the tomentum, often cracked in 437areas. Flesh yellowish, unchangeable. Tubes subadnate, often depressed around the stem, rather large, dingy-yellow or yellowish-green. Stem very long, equal or tapering upward, roughened by the lacerated margins of the reticular depressions, red or brownish-red. Spores olive-brown, 18–22×8–10µ.

Pileus 1.5–4 in. broad. Stem 3–7 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

This is distinguished from the other species by the dry squamulose pileus and the color of the stem. The latter is sometimes curved at the base. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. Russelli occurs in the West Virginia mountains, where I found and ate it in August, 1883. Though solitary in its method of growth, it is frequent in many parts of Pennsylvania, among leaves in mixed woods. August to October.

Taste when raw, sweet, mild. Cooked it is rather soft, tasty. Tubes and stem should be removed.

B. Mor´gani Pk. Pileus convex, soft, glabrous viscid, red or yellow, or red fading to yellow on the margin. Flesh whitish tinged with red and yellow, unchangeable. Tubes convex, depressed around the stem, rather long and large, bright-yellow becoming greenish-yellow. Stem elongated, tapering upward, pitted with long, narrow depressions, yellow, red in the depressions, colored within like the flesh of the pileus. Spores olive-brown, 18–22µ long, about half as broad.

Pileus 1.5–2.5 in. broad. Stem 3–5 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Rocky hillsides in woods of deciduous trees. Kentucky, Morgan.

In wet weather the anastomosing ridges of the stem swell and become broadly winged, thereby giving the stem a peculiar lacerated appearance. The glabrous viscid pileus and the coloration of the stem distinguish the species. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. Morgani is found in like localities with B. Russelli. Excepting in its smooth, viscid cap and whitish flesh, it closely resembles the latter. The ridges in the stems of both species swell when moist.

Its edible qualities are the same as B. Russelli.

B. Be´tula Schw.—birch. Pileus convex, viscose and shining in wet weather, tessellately cracked and reticulated, orange-fawn color, rather small. Flesh yellowish-white. Tubes separating, rather large, yellow, almost like those of B. subtomentosus but not greenish. Stem long, 438attenuated downward, everywhere covered with a deciduous reticulated bark two lines high and separating like the bark of birches, pale-yellow without and within.

Pileus 1.5 in. broad. Stem 5–6 in. long.

Ligneous earth. North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Schweinitz. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

During several seasons I found B. Betula in Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia.

Edible qualities good.

Calo´podes. Gr—beautiful; Gr—feet.

Stem stout, at first bulbous, typically venose-reticulated with veins. Tubes adnate, their mouths not reddish.

The reticulate stem and adnate tubes of one color distinguish the species of this tribe. In the Luridi the mouths of the tubes are differently colored, and in the closely related Edules the tubes are more or less depressed around the stem or sub-free, and their pores are commonly stuffed when young. Fries did not admit species with whitish tubes into this tribe, but we have done so in those cases in which this was the only character to exclude them.

	Tubes yellow or yellowish	1
	Tubes white or whitish, at least when young	7
1.	Tubes or flesh changing to blue where wounded	2
1.	Tubes or flesh not changing to blue where wounded	5
	2. Pileus red, at least when young	3
	2. Pileus some other color	4
3.	Stem red	B. Peckii
3.	Stem yellow or reddish only at the base	B. speciosus
	4. Tubes angular, pileus olivaceous	B. calopus
	4. Tubes rotund, pileus not olivaceous	B. pachypus
5.	Pileus viscid	B. Curtisii
5.	Pileus pulverulent, stems cespitose	B. retipes
5.	Pileus neither viscid nor pulverulent	6
	6. Stem yellow	B. ornatipes
	6. Stem brown	B. modestus
	6. Stem yellowish-white	B. rimosellus
7.	Pileus some shade of red	8
4397.	Pileus some shade of brown or gray	9
	8. Stem pallid or yellowish	B. rubignosus
	8. Stem dark-brown	B. ferrugineus
9.	Pileus pale-brown, stem flexuous	B. flexuosipes
9.	Pileus gray or grayish-black, stem straight	B. griseus
	Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. specio´sus Frost—handsome. Pileus at first very thick, subglobose, compact, then softer, convex, glabrous or nearly so, red. Flesh pale-yellow or bright lemon-yellow, changing to blue where wounded. Tubes adnate, small, subrotund, plane or but slightly depressed around the stem, bright lemon-yellow, becoming dingy-yellow with age, changing to blue where wounded. Stem stout, subequal or somewhat bulbous, reticulated, bright lemon-yellow without and within, sometimes reddish at the base. Spores oblong-fusiform, pale ochraceous-brown, 10–12.5×4–5µ.

Pileus 3–7 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 10–24 lines thick.

Thin woods. New England, Frost; New York, Peck.

This is a very beautiful Boletus. When young the whole plant except the surface of the pileus is of a vivid lemon-yellow color. Wounds quickly change to green, then to blue. The color of the pileus approaches closely to solferino. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Caps of specimens found in mixed woods at Mt. Gretna, Pa., were minutely areolate when old. Stems yellow at top and with purplish red over the bright yellow toward the bulbous base, solid, bright yellow within.

Stems and caps are edible and rank high in flavor and texture.

B. illu´dens Pk.—deceiving. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 3, p. 436.) Pileus convex, dry, subglabrous, yellowish-brown or grayish-brown, sometimes tinged with red, especially in the center. Flesh pallid or yellowish. Tubes bright yellow, plane or somewhat convex when old, adnate, their mouths angular or subrotund, often larger near the stem. Stem nearly equal, sometimes abruptly pointed at the base, glabrous, pallid or yellowish, coarsely reticulated either wholly or at the top only. Spores oblong or subfusiform, yellowish-brown tinged with green, 11–12.5×4–5µ.

Pileus 1.5–3 in. broad. Stem 1.5–2.5 in. long, 3–5 lines thick.

440Woods and copses. Port Jefferson. July. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Found in plenty at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1898. On ground and old stumps in mixed woods. Identified by Professor Peck.

Taste and smell pleasant. Cooked as egg-plant it is one of the best. Remove tubes.

B. Peck´ii Frost—after C.H. Peck. Pileus convex, firm, dry, subglabrous, red, fading to yellowish-red or buff-brown with age, the margin usually retaining its red color longer than the disk. Tubes adnate or slightly decurrent, nearly plane, yellow, changing to blue where wounded. Stem equal or subventricose, reticulated, red, yellow at the top. Spores oblong, pale ochraceous-brown, 9–12×4–5µ.

Var. læ´vipes. Stem reticulated above, even below.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Woods of frondose trees. New York, Peck. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. cal´opus Fr. Gr—beautiful; Gr—foot. Pileus globose, then convex, unpolished, subtomentose, olivaceous. Flesh pallid, slightly changing to blue when wounded. Tubes adnate, their mouths minute, angular, yellow. Stem firm, conical, then elongated and subequal, reticulated, wholly scarlet or at the apex only, sometimes colored like the pileus toward the base. Spores fusiform, yellowish-brown, 7–8×3–4µ.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem longer than the diameter of the pileus.

Woods. North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; New England, Sprague, Bennett. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. orna´tipes Pk.—ornate-stem. (Boletus retipes, Rep. 23.) Pileus convex, firm, dry, glabrous or very minutely tomentose, grayish-brown or yellowish-brown. Flesh yellow or pale-yellow. Tubes adnate, plane, or concave, rarely convex, the mouths small or medium size, clear-yellow. Stem firm, subequal, distinctly and beautifully reticulated, yellow without and within. Spores oblong, ochraceous-brown, 12–16×4–5µ.

Pileus 2–5 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Thin woods and open places. New York, Peck.

The color of the tubes becomes darker with age, but it does not change to blue where wounded. The species is related to the next following 441one with which it has sometimes been confused, but from which it is clearly distinct. The color of the spores is quite dark and approaches snuff-brown. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Edible. Good.

B. re´tipes B. and C.—reticulate stem. Pileus convex, dry, powdered with yellow, sometimes rivulose or cracked in areas. Tubes adnate, yellow. Stem subequal, cespitose, reticulate to the base, pulverulent below. Spores greenish-ochraceous, 12–15×4–5µ.

Pileus 1.5–2 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

The tufted mode of growth, pulverulent pileus and paler-colored spores separate this species from the preceding one. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia, 1882–1885. Mt. Gretna, Pa.; New Jersey, McIlvaine.

The caps, alone, of this species, are desirable, the stems not cooking well. Its way of bunching itself gratifies the collector, as do its flavor and quality.

B. pa´chypus Fr. Gr—thick-footed. Pileus convex, subtomentose, brownish or pale tan-color. Flesh thick, whitish, changing slightly to blue. Tubes rather long, somewhat depressed around the stem, their mouths round, pale-yellow, at length tinged with green. Stem thick, firm, reticulated, at first ovate-bulbous, then elongated, equal, variegated with red and pale-yellow. Spores large, ovate, pale yellowish-ochraceous, 12.5–14×5–6µ.

Pileus 4–8 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long.

Woods, either of pine or beech.

This species is noted for its thick, stout stem, which sometimes attains a diameter of more than two inches. It approaches the Edules in habit, but according to Gillet it is poisonous, or at least to be suspected, has a penetrating unpleasant odor and a somewhat nauseous flavor. He also describes the pores as at first whitish. The stem is sometimes intensely blood-red. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

A common species in West Virginia mountains, 1881–1885, in beech groves. August to frost. It is rare in the pines of New Jersey, though I have found it there. Like B. felleus, its size and attractiveness induce the finder to over and over again try cooking it, hoping the discovery of a successful way to rid it of its unpleasantness. I have never succeeded. It is not poisonous.

442B. rimosel´lus Pk.—cracked. Pileus broadly convex, flat or irregular, glabrous, tessellately cracked, dark-brown. Flesh whitish. Tubes adnate or sinuately decurrent, somewhat depressed around the stem, pale-yellow, becoming darker or brownish with age. Stem tapering upward, broadly reticulated with brown veins, yellowish-white. Spores fusiform, 15–17.5×5–6µ.

Pileus 3–5 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 6–9 lines thick.

Mixed woods. North Carolina, C.J. Curtis.

I have described this species from the notes and a single dried specimen sent me by Mr. Curtis. More extended observation may require some modification of the description. The color of the spores is described as brown. They are remarkable for their size. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. modes´tus Pk.—modest. Pileus convex or nearly plane, often irregular, firm, dry, very minutely tomentose, yellowish-brown. Flesh gray or pinkish-gray. Tubes nearly plane, adnate or subdecurrent, the mouths angular, pale-ochraceous. Stem equal, reticulated, brown. Spores elliptical, 10×5µ.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

Grassy ground in thin woods. New York, Peck.

Miss Banning finds in Maryland what appears to be a form of this species in which the part of the hymenium near the stem consists of lamellæ, the rest of tubes. The species needs further investigation. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. Cur´tisii Berk.—after Dr. Curtis. Pileus hemispherical or convex, viscose, golden-yellow. Tubes depressed around the stem, nearly free, their mouths umber, at length tawny. Stem slender, attenuated upward, polished, reticulated, straw-colored. Spores ferruginous, subelliptical, slightly attenuated at each end.

Pileus 1 in. or more broad. Stem 2 in. long, 2–3 lines thick.

Pine woods. North and South Carolina, Curtis.

In the original description the stem of this species is said to be hollow. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. gri´seus Frost—gray. Pileus broadly convex, firm, dry, subglabrous, gray or grayish-black. Flesh whitish or gray. Tubes adnate 443or slightly depressed around the stem, nearly plane, their mouths small, subrotund, white or whitish. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, distinctly reticulated, whitish or yellowish, sometimes reddish toward the base. Spores ochraceous-brown, 10–14×4–5µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Thin woods and open places. New York, Peck.

Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. flexuos´ipes Pk.—flexuous stem. Pileus convex or plane, even, subtomentose, pale-brown. Flesh white, unchangeable, the cuticle separable. Tubes long, convex, decurrent, white or whitish, becoming brownish with age. Stem flexuous, solid, reticulated, whitish or pallid, changing to brown where bruised. Spores 7.5–10×4µ.

Pileus 3–4 in. broad. Stem 4–6 in. long, 8–15 lines thick.

Mixed woods. North Carolina, C.J. Curtis. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. ferrugi´neus Frost—rust color. Pileus convex, soft, subtomentose, dark reddish-brown. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes generally adnate, dingy-white, their mouths stained brown by the spores. Stem short, reticulated, dark-brown. Spores 10–13×6µ.

Pileus 3–6 in. broad.

Borders of woods. New England, Frost. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Alabama, 1897.

B. rubigino´sus Fr.—rusty. Pileus convex, soft, pubescent, soon bare, brownish-rust color. Flesh subspongy, white, unchangeable. Tubes adnate, their mouths unequal, white. Stem firm, stout, reticulated, at first whitish or pallid, then yellowish, subcinereous or yellowish-olivaceous where touched.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 1 in. thick.

Woods. North Carolina, Curtis.

Although apparently distinct, this and the two preceding species are not sufficiently well known. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. tabaci´nus Und. Pileus fleshy, convex or nearly plane, subglabrous, often cracked in areas, tawny-brown. Flesh at maturity soft and similarly colored. Tubes concave or nearly plane, depressed around 444the stem, their mouths small, angular, colored like the pileus. Stem subequal, solid, reticulated, concolorous. Spores oblong or subfusiform, 12.5–14×5µ. Pileus 2.5–5 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 6–10 lines thick.

Along road-sides. Alabama. May. Underwood.

The species is referable to the section Calopodes, but the tubes are more or less depressed about the stem. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 23, No. 10.

Edu´les—edulis, edible.

Tubes subfree, rounded-depressed around the stem, their mouths not at first reddish, but commonly white-stuffed. Stem stout, bulbous as in the Luridi but not, with a few exceptions, reticulate nor dotted with pointed scales nor red. Flesh scarcely changeable. Taste pleasant.

This tribe is not sharply limited but partakes to some extent of the characters of Calopodes and Luridi. From the former its nearly free and at first white-stuffed tubes and its generally even stem separate it, from the latter its tubes with concolorous mouths or at least with mouths not red or reddish when young will distinguish it. The species are generally of large or medium size and noted for their esculent qualities.

	Stem brownish-lilac or chocolate color	1
	Stem some other color	2
1.	Stem reticulated	B. separans
1.	Stem not reticulated, furfuraceous	B. eximius
	2. Pileus viscid	B. limatulus
	2. Pileus not viscid	3
3.	Tubes yellow with no tinge of green	4
3.	Tubes tinged with green or becoming green where bruised	6
	4. Pileus whitish	B. æstivalis
	4. Pileus not whitish	5
5.	Stem glabrous	B. affinis
5.	Stem pubescent	B. impolitus
	6. Pileus becoming white-spotted where bruised	B. leprosus
	6. Pileus not becoming spotted	7
7.	Pileus glabrous	B. edulis
7.	Pileus not glabrous	8
	8. Stem reticulated, whitish or pallid	B. variipes
	8. Stem even, brownish-red	B. decorus

Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

445B. sep´arans Pk. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 1, p. 436.) Pileus convex, thick, glabrous, subshining, often pitted, pitted or corrugated, brownish-red or dull-lilac, sometimes fading to yellowish on the margin. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes at first nearly plane, adnate, white and stuffed, then convex, depressed around the stem, ochraceous-yellow or brownish-yellow and sometimes separating from the stem by the expansion of the pileus. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, reticulated either wholly or in the upper part only, colored like the pileus or a little paler, sometimes slightly furfuraceous. Spores subfusiform, brownish-ochraceous, 12–15×5–6µ.

Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 6–12 lines thick.

Thin grassy woods. New York, Peck. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia. September, 1881. New Jersey and Pennsylvania. October, 1887, McIlvaine. Indiana, October, 1898. Dr. J.R. Weist, H.I. Miller.

One of the handsomest of Boleti. It varies greatly in size and color, but traces of purple or lilac are always detectable. The reticulations upon the stem are often obscure, especially in young specimens.

It is pleasant when raw, and quite equal to any Boletus when cooked.

B. edu´lis Bull.—edulis, edible. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 5, p. 436.) Pileus convex or nearly plane, glabrous, moist, at first compact, then soft, variable in color, grayish-red, brownish-red or tawny-brown, often paler on the margin. Flesh white or yellowish, reddish beneath the cuticle. Tubes convex, nearly free, long, minute, round, white, then yellow and greenish. Stem short or long, straight or flexuous, subequal or bulbous, stout, more or less reticulate, especially above, whitish, pallid or brownish. Spores oblong-fusiform, 12–15×4–5µ.

Var. cla´vipes. Plate CXIX. Stem tapering upward from an enlarged base, everywhere reticulated.

Pileus 4–6 in. broad. Stem 2–6 in. long, 6–18 lines thick.

Woods and open places. Not rare. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

446Indiana, H.I. Miller, Dr. J.R. Weist; New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, McIlvaine.

Some species of fungi appear to have that prize of Fairyland—the Wishing Cap—and by its power be able to take on any form they please. Boletus edulis is one of them. Its variableness is puzzling. It is eaten everywhere where found and is a favorite. Carefully sliced, dried and kept where safe from mold it may be prepared for the table at any season.

B. edulis Bull.—Var. clavipes Pk. (Plate CXIX, fig. 1, p. 445.) Pileus fleshy, convex, glabrous, grayish-red, bay-red or chestnut-color. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes at first concave or nearly plane, white and stuffed, then convex, slightly depressed around the stem, ochraceous yellow. Stem mostly obclavate (inversely club-shaped) and reticulate to the base. Spores oblong-fusiform, 12–15×4–5µ.

The club-stemmed Boletus is so closely related to the edible Boletus and so closely connected by the intermediate forms that it seems to be only a variety of it, but one worthy of illustration. It differs in the more uniform color of the cap, in having the tubes less depressed around the stem and less tinted with green when mature, and in having the stem more club-shape and commonly reticulated to the base. The lower reticulations are usually coarser but less permanent than the upper. The cap is more highly colored when young and is apt to become paler with age, but the margin does not become paler than the central part, as it so often does in the edible Boletus. Individuals sometimes occur in which the stem is nearly cylindric and reticulated only on the upper part. These connect so closely with the edible Boletus that we have considered this to be a mere variety of it. In size and in edible qualities it is very similar to that species. Peck, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Same in quality as B. edulis.

B. vari´ipes Pk.—variable stem. Pileus convex or nearly plane, thick, soft, dry, scaly, pointed scaly or minutely tomentose, grayish or pale grayish-brown, sometimes tinged with yellow or ochraceous. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes convex or nearly plane, slightly depressed around the stem, at first white, then greenish-yellow, their mouths small, subrotund, ochraceous, stuffed when young. Stem firm, reticulated, 447whitish or pallid. Spores oblong-fusiform, ochraceous-brown tinged with green, 12–15×5µ. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, 1898. Stem slightly reticulated at top, indistinctly striate below. Smell and taste strong, like B. felleus, but sweetish, not bitter. When tubes are removed and cap fried it is excellent.

Var. al´bipes. Stem whitish, wholly reticulated, the reticulations coarser near the base. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, 1898. Taste slightly acrid, smell slight. Excellent.

Var. pallid´ipes. Stem pallid, slightly furfuraceous, even or obscurely reticulated toward the base, distinctly reticulated above. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Satiny, shining. Taste slightly acrid, smell slight. Excellent.

Var. tenu´ipes. Stem slender, elongated. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, 1898, on decaying chestnut stump and on ground. Excellent. McIlvaine.

This species, with its varieties, grows in mixed woods, the density of which has much to do with its general appearance. Individuals growing where the sun plays upon them, show the reticulations plainer than those maturing in the shade. The tubes should be removed before cooking. The caps are best fried.

B. exi´mius Pk.—select. Pileus at first very compact, subglobose or hemispherical, subpruinose, purplish-brown or chocolate color, sometimes with a faint tinge of lilac, becoming convex, soft, smoky-red or pale-chestnut. Flesh grayish or reddish-white. Tubes at first concave or nearly plane, stuffed, colored nearly like the pileus, becoming paler with age and depressed around the stem, their mouths minute, rotund. Stem stout, generally short, equal or tapering upward, abruptly narrowed at the base, minutely branny, colored like or a little paler than the pileus, purplish-gray within. Spores subferruginous, 12.5–15×5–6µ.

Pileus 3–10 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 6–12 lines thick.

Woods and their borders. New England, Frost; New York, Peck. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

In mixed woods and in new clearings near Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia, Pa. McIlvaine.

448A patch of it is treasure trove.

B. lepro´sus Pk.—leprous. Pileus very convex, glabrous, soft like kid, cinereous-yellowish-drab or pale-brown, slowly changing to whitish where bruised, the cuticle separable. Flesh white, changing to yellowish. Tubes yellow or brownish-yellow, changing to greenish where wounded, plane, depressed around the stem, short, small, stuffed when young. Stem solid, enlarged at the top, lemon-yellow. Spores oblong-fusiform, 12.5–15×5µ.

Pileus 4–6 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long, 1 in. thick.

Mixed woods. North Carolina, C.J. Curtis.

This plant is remarkable for the whitish or leprous spots which the pileus assumes, even from being handled, and for the change in the color of the flesh and tubes. The stem is very thick at the top but tapers downward. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. affi´nis Pk.—related. Pileus convex above or nearly plane, subglabrous, reddish-brown or chestnut color fading to tawny or dingy-ochraceous with age. Flesh white. Tubes plane or convex, adnate or slightly depressed around the stem, at first white and stuffed, then glaucous-yellow or subochraceous, changing to rusty-ochraceous where wounded. Stem subequal, even, glabrous, colored like or paler than the pileus. Spores rusty-ochraceous, 9–12×4–5µ.

The Related boletus belongs to the tribe of Boleti known as Edules because of their especially esculent character, but it differs from the general character of the tribe in having its tubes not at all or but slightly shortened around the stem and in its stem not being thickened or bulbous at the base. The species is quite variable in the color of the cap, which is generally darker in young plants, paler in old ones. It may be brown, reddish-brown or blackish-brown when young, but is more or less tinged with tawny or ochraceous when old. It is smooth and even or minutely tomentose and sometimes slightly rugose. In wet weather 449the margin of the cap sometimes curves upward, giving a very convex surface to the tubes. Sometimes the wounded flesh slowly assumes a yellowish hue. The peculiar rusty-ochraceous hue of the spores is also seen sometimes in the tubes of old specimens. As in many species, the flesh of old plants is more soft than that of young ones. The stem is quite variable and is often narrowed downward. It is sometimes very obscurely reticulated at the top.

The cap is generally 2–4 in. broad, the stem 1.5–3 in. long, 4–8 lines thick. The plants are found in thin woods or in bushy places in July and August.

Var. maculo´sus Pk. differs from the type simply in having a few yellowish spots scattered over the cap.

While not as high flavored as some Boleti this is, nevertheless, a fairly good and perfectly safe one. Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Very open timber in Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia. August, 1898. McIlvaine.

A solitary species which does not appear to be plentiful. The whole fungus is edible, but the stems and tubes are of different texture from the caps and do not cook well with them.

B. æstiva´lis Fr.—pertaining to summer. Pileus convex or nearly plane, even, glabrous, whitish, granulose in dry weather. Flesh yellow below, white above. Tubes nearly free, the mouths minute, equal, yellow. Stem very thick, bulbous, even, glabrous, pale yellow, reddish within at the base. Spores elongated-oval, greenish-brown, rather dark, 11×4–5µ.

Pileus 4–6 in. broad. Stem 4–5 in. long.

Woods and woodland pastures. Minnesota, Johnson; California, H. and M.

A large species, recorded as edible and said to be pleasant and delicate in flavor. I have seen no specimens of this. Peck, Boleti of the United States.

West Virginia mountains, 1882, Haddonfield, N.J., 1894, McIlvaine, on grassy margin of woods.

The flesh is sweet, nutty. Remove stems and tubes when old.

B. impoli´tus Fr.—unpolished. Pileus convex, dilated, flocculose, at length grained in lines, unpolished, tawny-brown. Flesh white or 450whitish, unchangeable, yellowish under the cuticle. Tubes free, their mouths minute, yellow. Stem stout, subbulbous, even, pubescent, pale-yellow, sometimes with a reddish zone near the top. Spores oval or fusiform, pale greenish-brown, 7.5–10×5µ.

Pileus 4–6 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long.

Oak woods. California, Harkness and Moore.

This species is recorded as edible and said to be among the most delicious. It is evidently rare in this country. According to Quelet the spores are ellipsoid, papillate, 15–18µ long. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Near Bartram’s Garden, West Philadelphia, Pa., 1885. Thin mixed woods. McIlvaine.

That this species is edible and delicious is vouched for by many. I can add my own pleasurable experience.

B. deco´rus Frost.—decorous. Pileus convex, rather firm, tomentose, brownish tinged with red, the margin often darker colored. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes becoming free, yellow, changing to green where wounded. Stem bulbous, minutely branny, brownish-red, the bulb sometimes white and attenuated at the base. Spores 13×5µ.

Rich woods. New England, Frost. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Leominster, Mass., C.F. Nixon, August, 1897; Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pa., August, 1897, McIlvaine.

Cap 2–3 in. broad. Stem 2–2½ in. high, but variable in size. Its edible qualities are excellent.

B. lima´tulus Frost—polished. Pileus nearly flat, thin, glabrous, viscid when moist, somewhat polished and shining when dry, rich yellowish-brown. Flesh reddish in the pileus, darker in the stem. Tubes depressed around the stem, greenish-yellow, their mouths yellowish-brown. Stem small, subbulbous, colored like the pileus. Spores 12–15×4–5µ.

Pileus 1–2.5 in. broad.

Woods. New England, Frost.

By the differently-colored tube mouths, this species approaches those of the next following tribe, but it is placed here because these are not red or reddish. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. au´ripes Pk.—yellow-stem. Pileus convex, subglabrous, yellowish-brown, sometimes cracking in areas when old. Flesh yellow, fading 451to whitish with age. Tubes nearly plane, their mouths small, subrotund, at first stuffed, yellow. Stem nearly equal, solid, even or slightly reticulated at the top, bright yellow, a little paler within. Spores ochraceous-brown tinged with green, 12×5µ.

Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Stem 3–5 in. long, 8–12 lines thick.

Under mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia. Port Jefferson. July.

The whole plant, except the upper surface of the pileus, is of a beautiful yellow color. The stem is sometimes more highly colored than the tubes. The species is referable to the tribe Edules. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, September, 1898. McIlvaine.

In mixed woods in which Kalmia latifolia is plentiful. The specimens found were in its vicinity. The caps are excellent.

B. leptoceph´alus Pk. Gr—thin; Gr—head. Pileus thin, broadly convex or nearly plane, dry, minutely cracked, especially near the margin, light tawny-brown, sometimes tinged with reddish-brown. Flesh yellowish-white, taste at first mild, then slightly acrid. Tubes subventricose, depressed about the stem, nearly free, dingy olive-yellow, the mouths small, subrotund. Stem nearly equal, enlarged at the top, solid, glabrous or slightly pruinose-mealy, reticulated above, colored like the pileus, white within, with a white mycelium at the base. Spores greenish-olivaceous, fusiform, 12.5–17.5µ long, 5–6µ broad.

Pileus 10–12.5 cm. broad. Stem 10–12.5 cm. long, 1.2–1.6 cm. thick.

Dry, open woods. July. Earle.

The reticulation of the upper part of the stem appears to be formed by the decurrent walls of the tubes. The species belongs to the tribe Edules. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 25.

Edible.

B. fra´grans Vitt.—fragrant. Fasciculate or solitary. Pileus 1–4 in. across, convex, dark-brown or umber-brown, often wavy, slightly tomentose, margin incurved. Flesh very thick, yellowish, sometimes unchangeable, at others changing to green or blue, and finally becoming reddish when broken. Tubes shortened around the stem and almost free, ½ in. or more long, openings small, roundish, yellow then greenish. Stem at first stout, ovate, usually tapering at the base, then lengthening 452and becoming thinner upward, even, variegated with yellow and red, solid. Spores pale-olive, elongato-fusiform, 10–12×4µ.

In woods, under oaks, etc. Pileus bronze-brown, sometimes with purple shades. Often grows in dense clusters, and in this particular differing from any other British species. Very good for eating. Massee.

Haddonfield, N.J. Oak woods. August to September, 1894. Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1898. McIlvaine.

Solitary. A handsome valuable species which appears to be rare in the United States. Shade a beautiful bronze. Cap 3–4 in. across. A dozen or more individuals were found and eaten. Excellent.

B. frustulo´sus Pk.—frustulum, a small bit. Pileus thick, convex or nearly plane, subglabrous, cracked in areas, white or whitish. Flesh whitish. Tubes equal to or a little longer than the thickness of the flesh of the pileus, depressed about the stem, whitish, becoming pale brown. Stem equal, solid, whitish, reticulated above. Spores 15–17×5–6µ.

Pileus 3–5 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 6–10 lines thick.

Open grounds and clay banks. Ocean Springs, Mississippi and Akron, Alabama. May and June. Underwood.

The deeply cracked surface of the pileus is the most notable feature of this species. This sometimes is seen even in quite young plants. The cracked areas are quite unequal in size. The deep chinks with sloping sides cause them to appear like frusta of polygonal pyramids. In some specimens the reticulations of the stem extend nearly or quite to its base, and make the place of the species ambiguous between the Calopodes and Edules. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1898, on soil over red conglomerate and on road-sides. McIlvaine.

The deep cracks in the cap readily distinguish this species. After rains the caps are frequently slightly dished and widely cracked at margin. The exposed flesh dries with a fine silky gloss. The caps are excellent. The tubes and stem should be removed.

B. cras´sipes Pk.—thick-footed. (Plate CXVI, fig. 5, p. 420.) Pileus convex or centrally depressed, firm, dry, velvety, brown tinged with yellow, the wavy or lobed involute margin extending beyond the tubes. Flesh lemon-yellow, unchangeable, taste sweet, odor like that 453of yeast. Tubes rather short, depressed around the stem, almost free, yellowish mottled with brown, the mouths minute, stuffed when young. Stem stout, thick, sometimes swollen in the middle and sometimes bulbous, beautifully reticulated but the reticulations sometimes disappearing with age, orange-yellow tinged with brown. Flesh of a brighter yellow than that of the pileus.

Pileus 5–10 cm. broad. Stem 6–8 cm. long, 2.5–3.5 cm. thick.

Oak woods. Mt. Gretna, Pa. August and September. McIlvaine.

The thick, beautifully reticulated stem, the deep velvety brown color of the pileus and the yellow color of the flesh serve to distinguish this species. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 27, January, 1900.

It is one of the best edible mushrooms. I have also found it in New Jersey.

Lu´ridi.

Stratum of tubes rounded toward the stem and free, their mouths at first closed and red. Pileus compact, then soft, cushion-shaped, the flesh juicy, changeable. Stem stout, at first short, bulbiform, then elongated and subequal, subreticulated or dotted.

Growing especially in frondose woods. Very poisonous.

In this tribe the tubes and their mouths are differently colored, the latter being red or some shade of red. By this character the species are easily distinguished from those of other tribes.

	Flesh distinctly changing color where wounded	1
	Flesh not at all or scarcely changing color where wounded	7
1.	Flesh white or whitish	2
1.	Flesh yellow or yellowish	5
	2. Flesh changing to red or violet	B. Satanus
	2. Flesh changing to blue	3
3.	Stem roughened	B. alveolatus
3.	Stem even	4
	4. Stem hairy at the base	B. subvelutipes
	4. Stem not hairy at the base	B. vermiculosus
5.	Stem red	B. luridus
5.	Stem yellow or reddish only at the base	6
	6. Pileus purplish-red	B. purpureus
	6. Pileus gray	B. firmus
	6. Pileus yellow or yellowish	B. magnisporus
4547.	Pileus blood-red	B. Frostii
7.	Pileus reddish-tawny or brown	B. Sullivantii
	Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

All authors, up to this date, agree in stating that the species within this series are poisonous. Experiments made by Smiedeberg and Koppe with Boletus Satanus developed symptoms closely resembling poisoning by Amanitæ. Kobert, who made analysis of B. luridus, shows that it contains muscarine, which is one of the most deadly poisons. Such a mass of evidence commands respect. It is urged upon finders of these species to either leave them alone or test them in minute quantities until they have established their ability to eat them without injury.

I have taken special pains to establish the edibility of B. Satanus and B. luridus. For fifteen years I have eaten them in quantity when opportunity afforded, in West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. My family, and my friends in widely separated localities, have partaken freely of them many times and without discomfort. They are remarkably fine eating. The same can be said of B. alveolatus, B. purpureus, B. subvelutipes. I have not seen the other species of this tribe.

I have determined so many of the reputed poisonous species to be edible, that unless positively authenticated, I do not accept repute as truth, but carefully test suspicious species upon myself. When sure there is no danger, I as carefully have them tested by my numerous under-tasters—male and female.

B. Sa´tanus Lenz.—Satanic. Pileus convex, glabrous, somewhat gluey, brownish-yellow or whitish. Flesh whitish, becoming reddish or violaceous where wounded. Tubes free, yellow, their mouths bright red becoming orange-colored with age. Stem thick, ovate-ventricose, marked above with red reticulations. Spores 12×5µ.

Pileus 3–8 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long.

Woods. Rare. North Carolina, Curtis; New York, Peck; California, H. and M., N.J. Ellis.

Though mild to the taste, this Boletus is said to be very poisonous, a character suggestive of the specific name. Fries describes the color of the spores as earthy-yellow; Smith as rich brown. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

455West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

Boletus Satanus is sometimes plentiful in spots. Where it luxuriates it is a rich decoration to the ground, and earth upon upturned-roots upon which it often grows. It does not live long after reaching maturity, but decomposes into a putrescent mass.

Its reputation rivals that of the original possessor of its name. But old proverb sayeth that even “The Devil is not as black as he is painted.” See remarks heading Luridi.

B. alveola´tus B. and C. Pileus convex, glabrous, shining, bright crimson or maroon-color, sometimes paler and varied with patches of yellow. Flesh firm, white, changing to blue where wounded. Tubes adnate, subdecurrent, yellow with maroon-colored mouths, the hymenial surface uneven with irregular alveolar depressions. Stem very rough with the margins of rather coarse subreticular depressions, the reticulations bright-red above with yellow stains. Spores yellowish-brown, 12.5–15×4–5µ.

Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 9 lines thick.

Damp woods. New England, Frost. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia mountains, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, in mixed woods and on banks of streams. McIlvaine.

B. alveolatus appears to be more generally distributed than B. Satanus. It is not as clannish, though occasionally three or four are found growing together. When growing from the banks of creeks, or between the roots of beech and other trees in low places, it is often deformed in cap and stem. The texture is firm, close and the taste is very pleasant. It botanically takes its place in this suspected series. I consider it one of the best Boleti. See remarks heading Luridi.

B. lu´ridus Schaeff.—lurid in color. Pileus convex, tomentose, brown-olivaceous, then somewhat viscose, sooty. Flesh yellow, changing to blue where wounded. Tubes free, yellow, becoming greenish, their mouths round, vermilion, becoming orange. Stem stout, vermilion, somewhat orange at the top, reticulate or punctate. Spores greenish-gray, 15×9.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long.

The lurid Boletus, though pleasant to the taste, is reputed very poisonous. Boletus rubeolarius Pers., having a short bulbous scarcely reticulated 456stem, is regarded as a variety of this species. The red-stemmed Boletus, B. erythropus Pers., is also indicated as a variety of it by Fries. It is smaller than B. luridus, has a brown or reddish-brown pileus and a slender cylindrical stem, not reticulated, but dotted with squamules. It has been reported from California by Harkness and Moore. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Var. erythropus received from Dr. J.W. Harshberger, Philadelphia, May, 1896.

Often shining as if varnished and very handsome. I frequently found it in West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in mixed woods among leaves. Its reputation is bad. It is undoubtedly edible by many, and is delicious. The caution heading Luridi should be carefully observed.

B. purpu´reus Fr.—purple. Pileus convex, opaque, dry, somewhat velvety, purplish-red. Flesh in the young plant only becoming blue, then dark-yellow. Tubes nearly free, yellow or greenish-yellow, their mouths minute, purple-orange, changing to blue where wounded. Stem stout, firm, adorned with purple veins or dots, sometimes reticulated at the apex only, yellow, reddish within, especially at the base. Spores greenish-brown, 10–12×5–6µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 6–8 lines thick.

Woods. North Carolina, Curtis; New York, Peck; Minnesota, Johnson. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia, Mt. Gretna, Pa., McIlvaine.

At Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1897–1898, B. purpureus was common in oak and chestnut woods. It is a showy species, easily distinguished by its velvety cap. In young specimens the stem is robust, then tapering upward. When old the cap loses its rich color toward the margin, becoming yellowish. The flesh is thick, firm and of excellent flavor. It undoubtedly proved itself delicious and harmless to many eating it.

B. vermiculo´sus Pk.—wormy. Pileus broadly convex, thick, firm, dry, glabrous, or very minutely tomentose, brown, yellowish-brown or grayish-brown, sometimes tinged with red. Flesh white or whitish, quickly changing to blue where wounded. Tubes plane or slightly convex, nearly free, yellow, their mouths small, round, brownish-orange, becoming darker or blackish with age, changing promptly to blue 457where wounded. Stem subequal, firm, even, paler than the pileus. Spores ochraceous-brown, 10–12×4–5µ.

Var. Spra´guei. (Boletus Spraguei Frost, Bull. Buff. Soc., p. 102.) Stem yellow above, minutely velvety below.

Pileus 3–5 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 4–10 lines thick.

Woods. New York, Peck; Ohio, Morgan; New England, Frost.

The species is separated from B. luridus by its dry pileus, white flesh, even stem, which is neither reticulated nor dotted, and by its smaller spores. I can not distinguish specimens of B. Spraguei received from Mr. Frost, from this species. The name is scarcely appropriate, for specimens are not always infested by larvæ. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

I have not seen this species, therefore, have not tested it. CAUTION.

B. subvelu´tipes Pk.—velvety-stem. Pileus convex, firm, subglabrous, yellowish-brown or reddish-brown. Flesh whitish, both it and the tubes changing to blue where wounded. Tubes plane or slightly convex, nearly free, yellowish, their mouths small, brownish-red. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, firm, even, somewhat pruinose above, velvety with a hairy tomentum toward the base, yellow at the top, reddish-brown below, varied with red and yellow within. Spores 15–18×5–6µ.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Woods. New York, Peck.

This species resembles the preceding one in general appearance, but it is very distinct by its much longer spores and by the velvety hairiness toward the base of the stem. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Boletus subvelutipes is common in some localities in Pennsylvania, especially on the Springton Hills, in chestnut and oak woods. I have frequently eaten it and found it excellent. Others should carefully test it.

B. fir´mus Frost—firm. Pileus convex, very firm, slightly tomentose, gray, often pitted. Flesh yellowish or deep-yellow, changing to blue where wounded. Tubes adnate, deeply arcuate, unequal, yellow, their mouths tinged with red. Stem solid, hard, very finely reticulated, yellowish, reddish at the base. Spores 13×3µ.

Pileus 2.5–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long.

Rich moist wood. New England, Frost.

458Apparently a well-marked and very distinct species. According to the author, it is readily distinguished by its tenacity and generally distorted growth. I have not seen it nor the next. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Professor Peck’s measurement of spores, 50th Report, New York State Botanist, is 13µ long, 6µ wide.

B. magnis´porus Frost. Pileus convex, firm, tomentose, golden-yellow; tubes scarcely adnate, even, greenish-yellow, their mouths light cinnabar-red. Stem long, slender, yellow above, red below. Spores 15–18×6µ.

Pileus 2.5 to 3.5 in. broad.

Woods and thickets. New England, Frost; Ohio, Morgan. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

I have not recognized it. CAUTION.

B. Fros´tii Russell. Pileus convex, polished, shining, blood-red, the margin thin. Flesh scarcely changing to blue. Tubes nearly free, greenish-yellow, becoming yellowish-brown with age, their mouths blood-red or cinnabar. Stem equal or tapering upward, distinctly reticulated, firm, blood-red. Spores 12.5–15×5µ.

Pileus 3–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Grassy places under trees or in thin woods. New England, Frost; New York, Peck; New Jersey, Ellis.

This is a highly colored, beautiful Boletus, but it is not common. The stem sometimes fades with age, and both it and the tubes are apt to lose their color in drying. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

I have not recognized it. CAUTION.

B. Sullivan´tii B. and M. Pileus hemispherical, glabrous, reddish-tawny or brown, brownish when dry, cracked in squares. Tubes free, convex, medium size, angular, longer toward the margin, their mouths reddish. Stem solid, violaceous at the thickened base, red-reticulated at the apex, expanded into the pileus. Spores pallid ochraceous, oblong-fusiform, 10–20µ long.

Pileus 3–4 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long.

Compact soil. Ohio. Sullivant.

The species is said to be intermediate between Boletus scaber and B. edulis. 459From the former it differs in its reticulated stem, from the latter, in its larger tubes and from both in its stratum of tubes being remote from the stem. I have not seen it. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. Un´derwoodii Pk. Pileus rather thin, convex, becoming nearly plane, slightly velvety, bright brownish-red, becoming paler with age. Flesh yellow, changing to greenish-blue where wounded. Tubes adnate or slightly decurrent, greenish-yellow, becoming bluish where wounded, their mouths very small, round, cinnabar red, becoming brownish-orange. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, somewhat irregular, solid, yellow without and within. Spores 10–12 x 5µ.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Grassy woods. Auburn, Alabama. July. Underwood.

This species is remarkable for its adnate or subdecurrent tubes, in which it departs from the character of the tribe to which it belongs according to the colors of the tubes. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.

B. par´vus Pk.—parvus, small. Pileus convex, becoming plane, often slightly umbonate, subtomentose, reddish. Flesh yellowish-white, slowly changing to pinkish where wounded. Tubes nearly plane, adnate, their mouths rather large, angular, at first bright red, becoming reddish-brown. Stem equal or slightly thickened below, red. Spores oblong, 12.5×4µ. Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 2–3 lines thick.

Grassy woods. Auburn, Ala. July. Underwood. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.

Tubes at first white or whitish, minute, round, equal, forming a convex stratum free from the stem.

	Stem black		B. alboater
	Stem some other color		1
1.	Stem yellow at the base		B. chromapes
1.	Stem not yellow at the base		2
	2.	Margin of the pileus appendiculate	B. versipellis
	2.	Margin not appendiculate	3
4603.	Stem scabrous or punctate-squamulose		B. scaber
3.	Stem even		4
	4.	Pileus white or whitish	B. albellus
	4.	Pileus dark-brown	B. sordidus
	Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. alboa´ter Schw.—black and white. Pileus convex, subtomentose-velvety, black. Tubes free, their mouths rather small, white. Stem black.

Pileus 3 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long.

Moist woods. Frequent. North Carolina and Pennsylvania, Schweinitz.

In Epicrisis, p. 424, Fries adds to the description here quoted, that the stem is flocculose-veiled. He subjoins to this as a subspecies, Boletus floccosus Schw.; but in Syn. N.A. Fung., Schweinitz makes this a synonym of Boletus floccopus. The species does not appear to have been recognized by recent collectors, which seems strange unless there is some error concerning it. Can it be a black variety of Boletus scaber? Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. Gravelly woods. McIlvaine.

Cap 1½-4 in. across, convex, slightly depressed, margin involute when young, black, densely velvety in youth and age—beautifully so. Flesh firm, thick, solid, white changing to grayish. Tubes white, stuffed, sometimes blackish when young, excepting a grayish-white circle around stem, becoming yellowish-white when matured, rotund, minute, up to ½ in. long, plane when young; when caps expand tubes draw away from stem leaving a deep white depression. This drawing away apparently elongates many dissepiments, creating a gill-like effect, decurrent upon stem. Stem 2–3 in. long, swollen toward base when young, equal, expanding into cap and tapering to a point at base; ¾-1 in. thick, slightly compressible, hard, sooty-black, velvety near base, satiny and glossy upward, has the appearance of having been blackened with burnt cork, usually with narrow white band next to the tubes, no trace of veil, composed of rather hard waved fibers, white when split, but changing to sooty black toward base, lighter upward.

Smell like common mushroom; taste nutty.

Gregarious in sandy-conglomerate soil in mixed woods, among moss and leaves. Mt. Gretna, Pa.

461Differs from B. alboater Schw., in having densely tomentose cap, tubes widely separated from stem in age.

A young specimen of apparently same species in same patch had very short, decurrent tubes (not over 1 line) which were sooty-black.

Delicious.

B. sor´didus Frost—sordid. Pileus convex, subtomentose, dirty dark-brown. Flesh white, slightly tinged with green. Tubes long, nearly free, at first white, changing to bluish-green. Stem smaller at the top, brownish, marked with darker streaks, generally greenish above. Spores 10–13×5µ.

Pileus about 2 in. broad.

Recent excavations in woods. New England, Frost; Ohio, Morgan.

The Ohio plant occurs in damp woods, has the flesh sometimes tinged with red and green, the tubes white, then sordid, but changing to bluish-green when bruised, their mouths large and angular, the stem somewhat flexuous and striate and the spores fusiform and dirty-brown, Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. versipel´lis Fr. Pileus convex, dry, at first compact and minutely tomentose, then squamose or smooth, reddish or orange-red, the margin appendiculate with the inflexed remains of the membranous veil. Flesh white or grayish. Tubes at first concave or nearly plane, almost or quite free, minute, sordid-white, their mouths gray. Stem equal or tapering upward, solid, wrinkled-scaly, whitish or pallid. Spores oblong-fusiform, 14–18×4–6µ.

Pileus 2–6 in. broad. Stem 3–5 in. long, 4–10 lines thick.

Woods and open places, especially in sandy soil. North Carolina, Curtis; New England, Frost; New York, Peck; California, H. and M. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. McIlvaine.

The caps are good cooked in any way.

B. sca´ber Fr.—scaber, rough. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 4, p. 436.) Pileus convex, glabrous, viscid when moist, at length wrinkled or lined. Tubes free, convex, white, then sordid, their mouths minute, rotund. Stem solid, attenuated above, roughened with fibrous scales. Spores oblong-fusiform, snuff-brown, 14–18×4–6µ.

462Pileus 1–5 in. broad. Stem 3–5 in. long, 3–8 lines thick.

Woods, swamps and open places. Very common and appearing through summer and autumn.

This may fairly be called our most common and variable species. It is recorded in nearly every local list of fungi. The pileus is convex, hemispherical or even subconical. It may be glabrous, minutely tomentose, subvelvety or squamulose. The flesh is white or whitish and sometimes slightly changeable where wounded. The tubes are generally rather long and with a rounded or convex surface. The stem is distinctly scabrous or roughened with small blackish-brown or reddish dots or scales, the ground color generally being whitish, grayish or pallid. The spores have been described as pale-brown and light-yellowish. When caught in a mass on white paper they appear to me to approach snuff-brown. The viscidity of the pileus is not always clearly discernible. Indeed the pileus is often quite as dry as in B. versipellis. When moistened by heavy rains it sometimes is smooth and clammy to the touch but scarcely viscid. Several varieties have been indicated which are expressive of the variations in the color of the pileus.

Var. testa´ceus. Pileus brick-red.

Var. auranti´acus. Pileus orange or orange-red.

These appear to connect this species and B. versipellis.

Var. aluta´ceus. Pileus yellowish-tan color.

Var. fuligin´eus. Pileus fuliginous or cinereous-fuliginous.

Var. fus´cus. Pileus brown or dark-brown.

Var. oliva´ceus. Pileus olivaceous.

Var. ni´veus. Pileus white, when old sometimes stained with blue or livid-blue.

To these might be added:

463Var. areola´tus. Pileus rimose-areolate. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 4, p. 436.)

Var. mutab´ilis. Flesh changing slightly to brown or pinkish where wounded.

Var. graci´lipes. Stem very slender, 2–3 in. long, 2–3 lines thick. Pileus thin, translucent when held toward the light.

This Boletus is classed among the edible species, but it is said to be less agreeable than B. edulis. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

The numerous varieties with their peculiarities here given by Professor Peck will enable the finder of a Boletus with a distinctly scabrous stem—roughened with scales, not reticulate—to select its name. For the mycophagist it is enough to know that he has Boletus scaber. In all of its varieties it is edible. The stems, often the tubes, unless young, should be discarded, as they do not cook in the same time as the caps. The comparative excellence of the species rests with the devourer. It deserves a high place.

B. scaber, var. areolatus, Plate CXVIII, fig. 4, has slight flavor, but is of pleasing consistency.

B. durius´culus Schulz—somewhat hard. Pileus 2–5 in. across, hemispherical, minutely velvety, viscid when moist, varying in color from pale-brown, through dingy-chestnut, to umber-brown, often becoming cracked in areas when dry, interstices paler. Flesh thick, white or tinged yellow, when cut becoming reddish copper-color. Tubes ½-¾ in. long, shortened round the stem and free, openings about ⅔ mm. across, often compound, irregularly angular, bright-yellow. Stem 4–7 in. long, fusiform, thickest part 1½-2 in. across, situated below the middle, yellowish, rough with blackish points, which are sometimes arranged in a subreticulate manner, apex sometimes more or less grooved, solid, flesh of upper part becoming coppery like the pileus. Spores elongato-cylindrical, pale-umber, 14–16×5–6µ.

In woods. Esculent and very delicious. Allied to Boletus scaber, but distinguished by the bright-yellow tubes and the very firm flesh, which turns coppery-red when exposed to the air; this color eventually changes to a dingy grayish-violet. Also allied to Boletus porphyrosporus. Massee.

464Snow Hill, N.J. Gravelly soil, mixed woods, 1892. McIlvaine.

The stem and tubes should be removed. The caps are very fine.

B. albel´lus Pk.—whitish. Pileus convex or gibbous, soft, glabrous, whitish. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes convex, free, or nearly so, small, subrotund, whitish, unchangeable. Stem glabrous or minutely branny, substriate, bulbous or thickened at the base, whitish. Spores brownish-ochraceous, 14–16×5–6µ.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.

Woods. New York, Peck.

This is closely related to B. scaber, of which it may possibly prove to be a dwarf form; but it is easily distinguished by its smooth or only slightly scurfy and subbulbous stem. It presents no appearance of the colored dot-like squamules which are a constant and characteristic feature of that species. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia. Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia. McIlvaine.

Specimens found at Mt. Gretna, Pa., had a satiny, glossy stem, beautifully furfuraceous, and stem not thickened at base. Professor Peck, to whom specimens were sent, writes: “Stem is a little more furfuraceous, and not thickened at the base, otherwise the agreement is very good.” It is good fried.

B. chro´mapes Frost. Pileus convex or nearly plane, slightly and sometimes fasciculately tomentose, pale-red. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes subadnate, more or less depressed around the stem, white or whitish, becoming brown. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, rough-spotted, whitish or pallid, chrome-yellow at the base both without and within, sometimes reddish above. Spores oblong, 12–14×4–5µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Woods. New England, Frost; New York, Peck.

The yellow base of the stem appears to be a peculiar and constant character by which the species may easily be recognized. It imitates Boletus piperatus in this respect, but in everything else it is very distinct from that plant. Sometimes the stem is so badly infested by larvæ that it is difficult to procure a sound specimen. The spores have a subferruginous color with a slight incarnate tint, but the rough-dotted stem indicates a relationship with B. scaber. Through this species, Boletus conicus and B. gracilis, the Versipelles and the Hyporhodii appear 465to run together. In the Catalogue of Plants of Amherst the specific name is “chromapus.” It would be more in accordance with present custom to write it “chromopus.” Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

A dozen or more specimens referable to this species were found by me at Mt. Gretna, Pa., August, 1897, in mixed woods. The caps were eaten and were excellent.

B. nebulo´sus Pk. Pileus convex, dry, snuff-brown or smoky-brown. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes convex, depressed around the stem, pallid or brownish, becoming purplish-brown where wounded, the mouths small, rotund. Stem enlarged toward the base, solid, scurfy, colored like the pileus. Spores 12.5–15×6µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Shaded banks by road-side. Raybrook. August.

No young or immature specimens were seen, and the description is to that extent incomplete. Peck, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

By a painting made by the writer September, 1885, Professor Peck identified the species of which it is a picture as B. nebulosus Pk. The following notes accompany it, which have been verified many times since their writing:

Oak woods. West Philadelphia, Pa., September. Mt. Gretna, Pa., September.

Pileus chestnut-brown and darker, covered with small, low, black spots; convex, often depressed in center, sharp on margin. Flesh white, thick, solid, unchangeable. Tubes very small, and light pinkish-brown. When touched they change to a deeper hue. Stem same color as pileus, but a shade lighter, solid, scurfy, having a striate appearance, enlarging toward base.

Taste sweet and pleasant. Cooked it is juicy, meaty and very fine.

B. ful´vus Pk.—brownish-yellow. (Plate CXVI, fig. 3, p. 420.) Pileus thick, convex or subcampanulate, dry, glabrous, rimose-areolate, tawny-yellow, the extreme margin dark-brown. Flesh spongy, tough, white, slowly assuming a reddish tint upon exposure to the air. Tubes rather long, ventricose, depressed around the stem and free or nearly so, greenish-yellow, the mouths small, tawny-yellow. Stem rather long, often narrowed and striate at the top, dotted with brownish-orange granules 466or points, radicating, tough, stuffed with greenish-yellow fibers, colored like the pileus. Spores unknown.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 4–5 in. long, 4–8 lines thick.

Cespitose on decaying stumps. West Philadelphia, Pa. August. McIlvaine.

Mr. McIlvaine says that there were between twenty and thirty specimens on and about an old stump and that they were as attractive to the eye as a cluster of Clitocybe illudens. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 27, January, 1900.

Excellent in flavor, rather spongy, but fine.

Hyporho´dii. Gr—somewhat rose-colored.

Tubes adnate to the stem, whitish, then white-incarnate from the rosy spores.

In this tribe the tubes are at first whitish, but with the development of the spores they usually assume a pinkish or flesh-colored hue. Wounds of the tubes in some species cause a change in color but not to blue, nor are the tube mouths differently colored as in the Luridi. The stem in some is more or less reticulated but this is scarcely a constant or reliable character in these species. Typically the spores are rosy or flesh-colored, but I have admitted species in which they incline to rust-colored, giving more weight to the color of the tubes than to that of the spores.

	Pileus black or blackish	B. nigrellus
	Pileus some other color	1
1.	Stem more than four lines thick	2
1.	Stem slender, generally less than four lines thick	B. gracilis
	2. Stem not reticulated	3
	2. Stem more or less reticulated	4
3.	Tubes angular, flesh-colored	B. conicus
3.	Tubes round, white	B. alutarius
	4. Taste mild	B. indecisus
	4. Taste bitter	B. felleus
	Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. con´icus Rav.—conical. Pileus convex or subconical, clothed with bundled appressed yellowish flocci. Flesh white, unchangeable, 467tasteless. Tubes ventricose, flesh-colored, becoming darker from the spores, the mouths small, angular, slightly fringed. Stem glabrous, tapering upward, pale-yellow. Spores fusiform, subferruginous.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long, 6 lines thick.

Damp pine woods. South Carolina, Ravenel.

The species is compared to Boletus scaber, from which it differs in its smaller tubes and smooth stem, and from both this and B. albellus it differs in the color of the tubes and in the yellowish flocci of the pileus. I have seen no specimens, but on account of the color of the tubes I have placed the species with the Hyporhodii. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. gra´cilis Pk.—slender. (Plate CXIV, fig. 1, p. 414.) Pileus convex, glabrous or minutely tomentose, rarely squamulose, ochraceous-brown, tawny-brown or reddish-brown. Flesh white. Tubes plane or convex, depressed around the stem, nearly free, whitish, becoming pale flesh-colored, their mouths subrotund. Stem long, slender, equal or slightly tapering upward, pruinose or minutely branny, even or marked by slender elevated anastomosing lines which form long narrow reticulations. Spores subferruginous, 12.5–17.5×5–6µ.

Var. lϫvipes. Stem even.

Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 3–5 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.

Woods. New York, Peck; New England, Frost; Ohio, Morgan.

The slender habit separates this species from all the others here included in this tribe. Its spores are not a clear incarnate in color, but incline to dull-ferruginous, and by this character this and the preceding species connect this tribe with Versipelles. In color B. gracilis resembles some forms of B. felleus, but in size, habit and color of spores it is easily distinct. The tomentum of the pileus sometimes breaks into tufts or squamules. This is Boletus vinaceus, Frost MS. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. gracilis, var. lævipes, was found by the writer in Woodland Cemetery, West Philadelphia, August, 1897, and at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1898. The stem of some specimens spreads at the top. The pileus is often cracked on the margin, and the upturning of the margin often exposes the tubes. Painting, as of this species, identified by Professor Peck.

The taste is at first sweet, then bitter. The bitterness is lost in cooking. Edible, good.

468B. indeci´sus Pk.—undecided. (Plate CXXII, fig. 1, p. 468.) Pileus convex or nearly plane, dry, slightly tomentose, ochraceous-brown, often wavy or irregular on the margin. Flesh white, unchangeable; taste mild. Tubes nearly plane or convex, adnate, grayish becoming tinged with flesh color when mature, changing to brownish where wounded, their mouths small, subrotund. Stem minutely furfuraceous, straight, or flexuous, reticulated above, pallid without and within. Spores oblong, brownish flesh color, 12.5–15×4µ.

Pileus 3–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Thin oak woods. New York, Peck.

The mild taste and darker colored spores will separate this Boletus from any form of B. felleus. Its stem reticulated above distinguishes it from B. alutarius. It resembles B. modestus in some respects, but its tubes are not at all yellow. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Kentucky, Lloyd, Rep. 4.

Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia, July, 1897, McIlvaine; Trenton, N.J., August, 1897, Sterling. In open mixed woods.

Boletus indecisus so closely resembles B. felleus in some of its forms that until the color of the spores is ascertained, the sweet taste, without trace of bitter, is the only thing that will enable the finder to discriminate between them. Young B. felleus are at first pleasant to the taste and do not, at once, develop their intense bitter in the mouth. They may readily be taken for B. indecisus. If, by mistake, a single B. felleus is cooked with mild species, the dish will be spoiled. Specimens believed to be B. indecisus should be tested. A minute will perfectly satisfy anyone.

The B. indecisus is delicious.

B. aluta´rius Fr.—aluta, tanned leather. Pileus convex, then nearly plane, soft, velvety, becoming glabrous, brownish tan color. Flesh almost unchangeable, taste mild, watery. Tubes depressed around the stem, plane, short, round, white, becoming brownish where wounded. Stem solid, bulbous, nearly even, small, irregular prominences at the top. Spores 14×4µ.

Pileus 3–4 in. broad. Stem 4–5 in. long.

Grassy woods. Minnesota, Johnson. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia mountains, 1882–1885. Margins of woods. Cheltenham, 469Pa. Margins of woods, 1888–1889, grassy woods and margins. McIlvaine.

Common in West Virginia mountains where it grows with B. felleus, from which it is impossible to distinguish it without tasting. It is delicious when cooked. But I long ago ceased collecting for the table any Boletus questionable for B. felleus. I have been deceived so many times—taken the bitter for the sweet—that, preferring the sweet, I take no chances for the bitter.

B. fel´leus Bull.—fel, gall. Bitter. (Plate CXXII, fig. 2, 3, 4, p. 468.) Pileus convex or nearly plane, firm, becoming soft, glabrous, even, variable in color, pale-yellowish, grayish-brown, yellowish-brown, reddish-brown or chestnut. Flesh white, often changing to flesh color where wounded, taste bitter. Tubes adnate, long, convex, depressed around the stem, their mouths angular, white, becoming tinged with flesh-color. Stem variable, equal or tapering upward, short or long, sometimes bulbous or enlarged at the base, subglabrous, generally reticulated above, colored like or a little paler than the pileus. Spores oblong-fusiform, flesh-colored, 12.5–17.5×4–5µ.

Var. obe´sus. Pileus large. Stem thick, coarsely and distinctly reticulated nearly or quite to the base.

Pileus 3–8 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 6–12 lines thick.

The variety is large and solitary in its mode of growth. It is remarkable for the coarse reticulations of the stem which extend nearly or quite to the base. After heavy rains the pileus is viscid. It may prove to be a distinct species.

The flesh in the American plant does not always assume incarnate hues where wounded. The color of the fresh tubes often changes to a deeper tint where wounded. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, McIlvaine; Indiana, H.I. Miller.

A very common species in woods and on thin margins, on open grassy places, and about decayed stumps. I saw hundreds of plants, var. obesus, some a foot in diameter, in a wheat stubble near oak woods.

One of the most attractive of Boleti. Its cap resembles a handsomely browned cake. Its solidity is inviting; its flesh, generous in quantity, excites appetite. Until one experiences its intense lasting bitter, one 470clings to it with hope. Even after tasting, it is thrown away with regret. It is not poisonous, but a small piece of one will embitter a whole dish. McIlvaine, Bull. Phila. Myc. Center. July, 1898.

B. nigrel´lus Pk.—blackish. Pileus broadly convex or nearly plane, dry, subglabrous, blackish. Flesh soft, white, unchangeable. Tubes plane or convex, adnate, sometimes slightly depressed around the stem, their mouths small, subrotund, whitish becoming flesh-colored, slowly changing to brown or blackish where wounded. Stem equal, short, even, colored like or a little paler than the pileus. Spores dull flesh-colored, 10–12×5–6µ.

Pileus 3–6 in. broad. Stem 1.5–2.5 in. long, 6–12 lines thick.

Woods and copses. New York, Peck.

The blackish color of the pileus and stem distinguishes this species. From Boletus alboater Schw., the adnate, flesh-colored tubes will separate it. The surface of the pileus sometimes becomes cracked in areas. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., August, 1898. McIlvaine.

Another distinguishing mark from B. alboater is the velvety pileus of the latter. B. nigrellus is mild in taste and smell and an excellent species for the table.

B. eccen´tricus Pk.—eccentric. (Plate CXVI, fig. 1, p. 420.) Pileus thick, firm, convex, irregular, glabrous, more or less lobed or wavy on the involute margin, gray or yellowish-gray. Flesh white, close-grained, elastic, unchangeable, taste and odor farinaceous. Tubes convex, depressed around the stem, not reaching the margin of the pileus, somewhat uneven and pitted on the surface, yellowish-brown, the mouths subangular, at first concolorous, becoming reddish or reddish-purple. Stem eccentric, tapering downward, solid, uneven with short irregular shallow grooves or obscure reticulations, tinged with red at the top, grayish below, tinged with red or purple within at the base.

Pileus 5–10 cm. broad. Stem 4–5 cm. long, 3–4 cm. thick at the top.

Sandy soil in grassy places in woods. Mt. Gretna, Pa. August and September.

The species is well marked by its eccentric stem, thick irregular pileus and the reddish or reddish-purple mouths of the mature tubes. Mr. 471McIlvaine remarks that when it is cooked it is delicate and savory. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, No. 27.

In commenting upon this new species to the writer, Professor Peck says: “I suspect that the spores of this (B. eccentricus) are pinkish or rosy. If so, it belongs here (in Hyporhodii). If not, it may have to go in the Luridi, or possibly may be made the type of a new tribe.”

Cario´si—caries, rottenness.

Stem never reticulated, stuffed with a spongy pith, at length commonly excavated. Tubes at first white, then often yellowish, their mouths minute, round.

Fries adds to these characters, “spores white.” But in our species the spores are pale-yellow when shed in a mass on white paper. They are more elliptical in outline than the spores of most Boleti. The character of the stem is peculiar and easily distinguishes the tribe. The exterior is firm, the interior soft and spongy, becoming irregularly hollow or cavernous in the typical species.

	Flesh unchangeable	1
	Flesh quickly changing to blue where wounded	B. cyanescens
1.	Pileus minutely velvety-tomentose	B. castaneus
1.	Pileus granulated	B. Murray
	Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. cyanes´cens Bull.—cyaneus, deep-blue. Pileus convex or nearly plane, opaque, floccose-scaly or covered with an appressed tomentum, pale-buff, grayish-yellow, yellowish or somewhat brown. Flesh rigid, white, quickly changing to blue where wounded. Tubes free, white, becoming yellowish, the mouths minute, round, changing color like the flesh. Stem ventricose, hoary with fine hairs, stuffed, becoming cavernous, contracted and even at the top, colored like the pileus. Spores subelliptical, 10–12.5×6–7.5µ.

Pileus 2–5 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 8–18 lines thick.

Woods and open places. New York, Peck; New England, Frost, Bennett; Minnesota, Johnson; Wisconsin, Bundy. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

High ground in woods. Solitary. West Virginia mountains, Springton Hills, Pa., Kingsessing, Philadelphia, Mt. Gretna, Pa., McIlvaine.

472Boletus cyanescens is a sparse grower. The quality of the juice varies. That of young specimens stains the fingers blue, that of old, brown. The caps are firm and make an excellent dish cooked in any way.

B. casta´neus Bull.—chestnut. (Plate CXIV, fig. 3, p. 414.) Pileus convex, nearly plane or depressed, firm, even, dry, minutely velvety-tomentose, cinnamon or reddish-brown. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes free, short, small, white becoming yellow. Stem equal or tapering upward, even, stuffed or hollow, clothed and colored like the pileus. Spores 10–12.5×6–7.5µ.

Pileus 1.5–3 in. broad. Stem 1–2.5 in. long, 3–5 lines thick.

Woods and open places. Rather common and wide spread. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

Boletus castaneus is one of the neatest looking of fungi. The prevailing color is cinnamon, that of the tubes white or very light yellow, spotted with brown wherever insects have touched them. The pore surface of mature specimens is usually irregular. Whoever has seen the stalagmites of Luray Cave will recognize their color on the stems of B. castaneus. These are brittle, snapping like pipe stems, with a small tube in center.

The fungus is common from June until September. It is gregarious, occasionally three or four individuals form a group. Either raw or cooked the caps are edible and will become favorites.

B. Mur´rayi B. and C. Pileus hemispherical, granulated, vivid red. Flesh yellow. Tubes decurrent, about 1 line deep, yellow. Stem clavate, even, pale-yellow. Spores pale-yellow.

Pileus 2–3 in. broad, nearly 1.5 thick.

New England, Murray.

On account of the color of the spores this species has been placed with the Cariosi. The description does not mention the character of the interior of the stem, and the decurrent tubes depart from the character of the typical species so that its true position is uncertain. The species seems well marked by the character of the pileus. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. isabelli´nus Pk. Pileus convex, firm, minutely tomentose, whitish, becoming darker and smoother with age. Flesh isabelline. 473Tubes adnate, minute, sometimes larger near the stem, nearly round, whitish. Stem nearly equal, subglabrous, hollow, whitish. Spores subelliptical, 7.5–9×5–6µ. Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.

Woods. Ocean Springs, Miss. June. Underwood.

The species belongs to the Cariosi. Peck, in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol 24, No. 3.

APPENDIX (Boletus).

The descriptions of the following species are scarcely sufficient to permit of the satisfactory reference of the species to their places in the tribes. It is to be hoped that these plants may again be found and their proper relations be ascertained.

B. Ana´nas Curt. Pileus pulvinate, thickly and rigidly floccose-verrucose, yellow, flocci white above, flesh-colored beneath, the margin thin, membranous, lacerated; hymenium plane, depressed around the stem, yellow or tawny-yellow, becoming greenish where wounded, their mouths medium size, obtusely angular. Stem even, solid, somewhat enlarged at the base, white. Spores ferruginous.

Pileus 3–4 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 6–9 lines thick.

Under prostrate trunks of pine trees.

South Carolina, Ravenel; North Carolina, Curtis.

This is said to approach S. strobilaceus in habitat, but to be otherwise very different. It is placed among the Subtomentosi in Sylloge, but from these it recedes by its floccose wart-like scales. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. radico´sus Bundy. Pileus thin, wide, recurved, yellow tinged with brown, the cuticle easily removed. Flesh pale-yellowish tinged with pink, not changing color when bruised. Tubes decurrent, large, uneven-mouthed, compound, angular, tinged with brown. Stem flexuous, yellow above, whitish below, rough with dark appressed scales, fibrous-rooted.

Pileus 4 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 5 lines thick.

Wisconsin, Bundy.

The pileus is not described as viscid, but in other respects the species 474appears to belong to the Viscipelles and to be related to Boletus collinitus. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

B. Po´cono Schw. Pileus pulvinate, cervine (dun color), minutely covered with bundles of tomentum on the closely-inflexed margin. Tubes rather large, somewhat prominently angular, concolorous. Stem subattenuated, thickened toward the base, pallid-striate at the apex, elsewhere spadiceous, subfurfuraceous.

Pileus 1 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long.

Beech woods. Pennsylvania, Schweinitz.

Hymenophore even. Tubes not easily separable from it, large, equal. Pileus and stem distinctly rough-scaled, the flesh tough. Syl. Fung., Vol. VI, p. 49.

I have given Professor Saccardo’s emended diagnosis of this genus, because it expresses what appears to me to be the most important generic character, that is, tubes not easily separable from the hymenophore. By this character and by the tough substance the transition between Boletus and Polyporus is made.

Tubes nearly equal in length	S. strobilaceus
Tubes shortened around the stem	S. floccopus
Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

S. strobila´ceus Berk. Gr—cone-like. (Plate CXXIV.) Pileus hemispherical or convex, dry, covered with thick floccose projecting blackish or blackish-brown scales, the margin somewhat appendiculate with scales and fragments of the veil. Flesh whitish, changing to reddish and then to blackish where wounded. Tubes adnate, whitish, becoming brown or blackish with age; their mouths large, angular, changing color like the flesh. Stem equal or tapering upward, sulcate at the top, floccose-tomentose, colored like the pileus. Spores subglobose, rough, blackish-brown, 10–12.5µ.

Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 3–5 in. long, 4–10 lines thick. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia mountains, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine; Indiana, H.I. Miller.

Common in woods and their margins, under the overhanging sods of washes and road-cuts. Often in troops, occasionally cespitose. The 476rough fuzzy cap reminds of short fur that has been wet and dried. Its appearance is unique among Boleti. Before cooking the stem and tubes should be removed, unless the latter are very firm and fresh. The squamules must be cut away or the dish will be rough.

With many this Boletus is a prime favorite. It has a strong woody taste, sometimes musky, sometimes faintly of anisette. It cooks well by any method.

S. floc´copus Vahl.—floccose-stemmed. Pileus convex, soft, covered with areas of bunched rough, scaly tomentum, cinereous, at length blackish, appendiculate with the silky, thick annular veil. Tubes shortened behind, their mouths large, whitish-gray. Stem stout, pitted above, umber-tomentose below. Spores perfectly globose, brown, 9µ broad.

Pileus 4–5 in. broad. Stem 4–5 in. long, 1 in. thick.

Woods. North Carolina and Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; Ohio, Morgan; New York, Peck.

According to Fries this is a larger and firmer species than S. strobilaceus but manifestly related to it. The New York specimens which I have referred to it differ from S. strobilaceus in no respect, except in the tubes being depressed around the stem. Unless there are other differences in the European plant, it scarcely seems to me to be worthy of specific distinction. Boletus floccopus, Rost. tab. 40, is referred to Boletus scaber, as is B. holopus, Rost. tab. 48. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.

I agree with Professor Peck that this species is not worthy of specific distinction. During 1898 I found a bunch containing eight individuals which varied through all botanic characteristics given to both species. The largest individual was 4½ in. across cap, the smallest 1½ in. On some the tubes were adnate, on others shortened behind. There was no difference in flavor excepting that due to age.

477

Hymenium formed on the under surface of a fleshy hymenophore, at first warted, the warts developing into cylindrical tubes that remain distinct and free from each other, producing in their interior cellular processes each bearing four spores. Conidia are produced in cavities of the old hymenophore.

With the outward appearance of a Polyporus, but separated by the tubes being free from each other.

A small genus of which F. hepatica is the principal species. This is known and valued in Europe and wherever found in this country. Unfortunately it is rare or unknown in many localities. A new species has recently been found in the United States—Fistulina firma, by Mrs. A. M. Hadley, Manchester, N.H.—a white-flesh species whose edibility is not reported. Torrey Bull., 1899. F. pallida B. and Rav.; F. radicata, Schw.; F. spathulata B. and C., are reported from Alabama. Edible qualities not stated. The writer has not seen them or he surely would have tested them. The spread and cultivation of F. hepatica is possible. Experiments in this line are desirable.

F. hepat´ica (Huds.) Fr. Gr—resembling the liver. (Plate CXXV, fig. 1, p. 476.) Juicy-fleshy, not rooting. Pileus entire, blood-red. Flesh thick, soft, viscid above, transversed with tenacious fibers, hence variegated-red. Tubes at first pallid.

Changeable in form, sessile or extended into a lateral stem. Fries.

Spores salmon-color, nearly round with an oblique apiculus, 3µ W.G.S.; broadly elliptical, 5–6×3–4µ; conidia, 6–10×5µ Massee; yellowish, elliptical, 5–6.5µ long Peck.

West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. August to frost. McIlvaine.

Small specimens may be confounded with F. pallida, which follows.

Fistulina hepatica is celebrated in most countries, and known usually as the Beefsteak fungus. It grows from decaying crevices in oak, chestnut and other trees and stumps, but those named are its favorites. July, August, September are its months, and after rains. In some localities and years it is rare. At Mt. Gretna, in 1898, a hundred pounds of it could be gathered almost any day.

478August, 1899, at Mt. Gretna, Pa., I found several specimens in vicinity which, though evidently F. hepatica, were remarkable for their structure—2–4 in. across, irregularly cylindrical, with spore surface covering the entire fungus. Stem curt, eccentric, almost central. Specimens were sent Professor Peck, who writes:

“The sample of Fistulina which you send is a singular thing. Saccardo has noted a somewhat similar form but without pore surface. Yours has pore surface, but I do not find spores developed in it. I am inclined to think it a monstrosity, as you do, but as you say you have found several of them I think it would be well to put it on record and I will enter it in my record as Fistulina hepatica monstrosa n. var. and indicate its characters.” Letter from Professor Peck, August 28, 1899.

I have partially succeeded in transplanting the mycelium of F. hepatica. Experiments in this direction, I feel confident, will introduce this valuable fungus to localities where it is not now found, or is rare. Experiments with the spores have not been as yet successful.

F. hepatica monstrosa n. var. Pk. Subglobose, supported on a short stem or stem-like base, the external surface entirely covered with tubules 2–4 mm. long.

Pennsylvania. C. McIlvaine. In color and texture resembling the common form, but Mr. McIlvaine informs me that there is nothing in the position or place of growth of the specimens to account for their peculiar character. They are 2–4 in. in diameter. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, 27, January, 1900.

Excellent.

F. pal´lida B. and Rav.—pallidus, pale. Pileus kidney-shaped, pallid-red, pulverulent, 1–2 in. broad, about 1 in. long, margin inflexed. Tubes more or less decurrent. Stem lateral, striate, when dry, 1½ in. long, ⅓ in. thick.

Mountains of South Carolina on the ground. Ravenel. Alabama, base of stumps of white oak. Peters. Grev., Vol. 1, No. 5. New Jersey, Ellis.

Pileus fleshy, moist, tough, becoming harder in age, internally composed of radiating fibers; the spore-bearing surface is within passages or pores which are made by the descending substance of the pileus forming the dissepiments or separating walls, hence they are not easily separable from the pileus or from one another. The pores not appearing at first, then becoming rounded, angular or torn. They form a distinct strata. Stem central, eccentric, lateral or absent.

With few exceptions growing from wood. Section Merisma contains species which are conspicuous among fungi for their size and beauty.

The majority of this genus are unedible, because of their being woody, tough or bitter. Few of the edible species are of the first class.

Excellent dishes are made by stewing the species well, serving them in patties or in croquettes. The cooking of P. intybaceus is a guide to all.

Stem single, distinct, central or eccentric; not black at the base.

Stem single, lateral or eccentric; base black.

Divided into numerous pileoli, borne on a simple or much-branched stem, or a short, thick tubercle.

Stem wanting; pileus attached by the side or spread on the matrix.

The pores being placed directly upon the wood or on the mycelium, the pileus proper is absent.

I.—Me´sopus.

P. ovi´nus Schaeff.—relating to sheep. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, fleshy, thick, fragile, irregular in shape, becoming scaly, whitish. Stem short, 480thick, 1 in. or more in length, white. Pores minute, equal, round, white then citron-color.

On the ground. Autumn.

North Carolina, Curtis; Massachusetts, Frost; Ohio, Morgan; New York, ground in pine woods. Bethlehem. September, Peck, 22d Rep.

Cordier says it possesses an agreeable odor of almonds and that Fries and his companions ate it raw in their mycological excursions.

Edible. Peck, Curtis.

P. leuco´melas (Pers.) Fr.—leucos, white; melas, black. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, fleshy, somewhat fragile, irregularly-shaped, silky, sooty-black. Flesh soft, reddish when broken. Stem 1–3 in. in length, stout, unequal, somewhat tomentose, sooty-black, becoming black internally. Pileus and stem becoming black in places. Pores rather large, unequal, ashy or whitish, becoming black in drying.

Spores pale brown, 10–12×4–5µ. Massee.

North Carolina, edible, Curtis; Ohio, a curious esculent. Morgan.

P. circina´tus Fr.—round. Pileus 3–4 in. broad, compact, thick round, plane, zoneless, velvety, reddish-brown. Flesh the same color. It forms duplicate strata of pilei, the inferior contiguous with the stem and corky; the superior compact, soft, floccose. Stem 1 in. thick and high, bearing a reddish-brown tomentum. Pores decurrent, entire, dusky-gray.

In fir woods.

A noble species, memorable for the stratified duplicate pilei.

Var. prolif´erus. Like the typical form but having one or more pilei developed from the upper surface of the first one. Fulton Chain. August. Peck, 46th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

New York. On ground in borders of woods. September. Peck, 32d, 46th Rep.

On ground in oak woods, West Philadelphia. McIlvaine.

When young the soft pilei are good.

II.—Pleuropus.

P. squamo´sus Fr.—squama, a scale. (Plate CXXX, p. 480.) Pileus 3 in.-1½ ft. broad, somewhat ochraceous, variegated with a broad, 481adpressed, spot-like, centrifugal, darker scales, fleshy-pliant, fan-shaped, flattened. Stem excentric and lateral, obese, reticulated at the apex, blackish at the base. Pores thin, variable (at first minute), then large, angular and torn, pallid. Fries.

Handsome, commonly very large, somewhat central and umbilicate when young, at length lateral, very variable in shape.

On trunks and stumps, chiefly ash. Common. May to November. Stevenson.

Spores oval, white, 14×6µ W.G.S.; elliptical, colorless, 12×5µ Massee.

Massachusetts, Sprague; Iowa, Macbride; New York. Trunk of elm. May. Peck, 27th Rep.; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On fallen trunks and on stumps. May to November. McIlvaine.

This species does not seem to be common in America, but is found throughout Europe. It varies in size from 3 in. to over 3 feet. It has been known to attain the circumference of 7 ft. 5 in., and the weight of 40 lbs. Dr. Badham says that it can not be masticated and that its expressed juice is very disagreeable. The fact, however, remains that it is eaten, and is recorded as edible by most authors. It is undoubtedly tough, but cut fine and stewed slowly for half an hour it is quite as tender as the muscle of an oyster and has a pleasant flavor.

P. pi´cipes Fr.—pix, pitch; pes, a foot. Pallid then chestnut, commonly pale yellowish-livid, with the disk chestnut. Pileus fleshy-coriaceous, then rigid, tough, even, smooth, depressed at the disk or behind. Flesh white. Stem excentric and lateral, equal, firm, at first velvety, then naked, dotted, black up to the pores. Pores decurrent, round, very small, rather slender, white, then slightly pale yellowish. Fries.

Imbricated, odor somewhat sweet. The pileus is depressed behind, commonly emarginate, funnel-shaped with lobes all round.

On trunks, especially willow. Frequent. July to December. Stevenson.

Many young plants, in tufts upon a decaying oak log, were found by me at Mt. Gretna, August, 1899. They were oyster-color, the very thin caps translucent, 2–6 in. across, ¹⁄₁₆ in. thick; pores not visible to the naked eye. The black dots upon the stems developed some time after gathering.

482They were pleasantly crisp when stewed and of fine flavor. Older specimens were bitter and tough.

III.—Merisma.

P. umbella´tus Fr.—umbella, a sun-shade. Very much branched, fibrous-fleshy, toughish. Pileoli very numerous, ½-1½ in. broad, sooty, dull-red or pallid light-yellow, entire, umbilicate. Stems elongated, separate, united at the base, white. Pores minute, white.

The pileoli have occurred white. Fries.

Edible. Fries.

New York, Peck, Rep. 51; Richmond, Ind., Dr. J.R. Weist; Gouverneur, N.Y., Mrs. E.C. Anthony; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On decaying roots in ground and on stumps. May to November. McIlvaine.

Tufts dense, branches spreading from a center. The pilei up to 2 in. across, connected at base. The dense spreading tufts, up to a foot across and half as high, are very noticeable. The flesh is soft and of good flavor. Cook like P. intybaceus.

P. a´nax Berk. Fleshy, fibrous, rather tough, dusky-gray, branching out from a thick, single stem at the base and forming a large head of branches and pileoli 10–20 lines in diameter; the branches terminate in numerous large pileoli of various forms and size, imbricating, confluent and recurved. Flesh and pores white. Stems thick, growing together, white. Pores large, unequal, angular, white. Spores white, subelliptic, 7–8µ long.

Ohio, at the base of oak trees and stumps. Autumn. Morgan.

This species has apparently been confused by some American mycologists with P. intybaceus. I have received specimens of it bearing that name. The spores of that species are described as elliptic or ovoid. The spores of Polyporus anax, as shown by our specimens, are globose. Peck, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Ohio, Morgan; New York, Peck, 51st Rep.; New Jersey, Sterling; Angora, West Philadelphia, growing on rotting stump. September, 1897, McIlvaine.

Edible when young and fresh.

483

P. frondo´sus Fr.—frons, a leafy branch. (Plate CXXVIII, p. 482.) Tuft ½-1 ft. broad, very much branched, fibrous-fleshy, toughish. Pileoli very numerous, ½-2 in., sooty-gray, dimidiate, wrinkled, lobed, intricately recurved. Flesh white. Stems growing into each other, white. Pores rather tender, very small, acute, white.

Pores commonly round, but in an oblique position, gaping open and torn. Fries.

North Carolina, Curtis; Iowa, Macbride; New York, Peck, 24th Rep.; West Virginia, 1881–1885, Chester county, Angora, Philadelphia, Pa. On stumps, roots, etc. Rare. September to frost, McIlvaine.

Edible. Curtis. Sold in the Roman market.

Tufts up to 12 in. across; the branches very numerous, up to 2 in. wide. The plant is tender when young and grows tough as it matures. When young it is of good flavor and edible—older it makes a well-flavored gravy, or is edible if chopped fine and very well cooked.

P. intyba´ceus Fr.—succory-like. Very much branched, fleshy, somewhat fragile. Pileoli very numerous, pale-yellowish inclining to fuscous, dimidiate, stretched out, sinuate, at length spathulate. Stems connate in a very short trunk. Pores firm, obtuse, white, inclining to dingy-brown. Fries.

About same size as P. frondosus and larger. Stevenson.

Spores colorless, elliptical, 7×3.5µ Massee; 6×3µ W.G.S.

Indiana, H.I. Miller. Base of living trees. Woodland Cemetery, West Philadelphia, Pa., Mt. Gretna, Pa., West Virginia, New Jersey. Large tufts growing from oak roots in ground and at base of oak trees. McIlvaine.

Edible. Stevenson. Paulet says: In place of its being heavy upon the stomach, he will feel all the lighter who sups upon it.

The people of the Vosges call it the Hen-of-the-Woods.

The words of the old song—

484apply with exceptional force to the cooking of P. intybaceus. If it is cut in thin slices across the grain and slowly stewed for half an hour it will be tender and of good flavor. It can then be served in that way, or made into patties or croquettes.

P. crista´tus Fr.—crista, a crest. Branched, firmly fleshy, fragile. Pileoli about 3 in. broad, reddish-green, entire and dimidiate, imbricated, depressed, somewhat pulverulent-villous, then cracked into scales. Stems connate, irregularly shaped, white. Pores minute, angular and torn, whitish. Fries.

Very changeable in form, sometimes simple with an undulato-lobed, central pileus.

Edible. Curtis.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia, West Virginia. On ground over roots, open woods and grassy places. September, October. McIlvaine.

Variable in form, but usually in rose-shaped clusters, which are slightly greenish at times; oftener shades of yellow. The substance is the same in texture as P. intybaceus. Cook in same manner.

P. con´fluens Fr.—stems confluent; adherent. Pilei branched, fleshy, fragile, thick, dimidiate, imbricated, confluent, smooth, fleshy-yellow becoming obscure, slightly scaly. Stem short. Pores short, minute, pallid-white.

Eaten about Nice; savor a little sharp. Cordier; North Carolina, superior eating. Curtis. Pine woods. New Scotland. September.

Our specimens are not at all squamulose, and this character is not attributed to the species by all authors. It is probable that it is not uniform in this respect. Peck, 39th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

P. Berk´eleyi Fr. Very much branched. Pileoli very large, subzonate, finally tomentose, yellowish, fleshy, tough becoming corky and hard. Stem short or none, arising from a long and thick common base growing out of the ground usually near trees or stumps. Pores rather large, irregular, angular, pale yellowish.

A magnificent specimen found near Boston a dozen years ago and exhibited in the window of Doyle, the florist, was fully four feet high and from two to three feet broad, containing very many pileoli.

485North Carolina, edible, Curtis; Iowa, Bessey; Ohio, Morgan; Mt. Gretna, Pa., very large specimens, 20 in. across. McIlvaine.

Edible when young.

P. gigante´us Fr.—gigas, a giant. Tuft 1–2 ft. and more broad, in many imbricated layers, fleshy-pliant then somewhat coriaceous. Pilei date-brown, dimidiate, very broad, flaccid, somewhat zoned, rivulose, depressed behind. Stems connato-branched from a common tuber. Pores minute, somewhat round, pallid, at length torn.

The rigid cuticle separates into granules or fibrillose squamules. Pores becoming dark when touched. Fries.

Edible, Curtis. Esculent when young. On the continent its esculent qualities are known and appreciated. Cooke.

West Virginia, Chester county, Pa., Eagle’s Mere, Pa. On decaying stumps and roots. McIlvaine.

It is well marked by its spore-surface becoming black to the touch. When young and fresh it stews to a pleasant, edible consistency, but is tough if not well cooked or too old. The flavor of a gravy from it is at all times good.

P. sulphu´reus Fr.—sulphur, brimstone. (Plate CXXV, fig. 2, p. 476.) In many cespitose layers, 1–2 ft. and more, juicy-cheesy. Pilei 8 in. or more broad, reddish-yellow, imbricated, undulated, rather smooth. Flesh light yellowish, then white, splitting open and not hardened when old. Pores minute, plane, sulphur-yellow. Fries.

Soon becoming pale. Commonly sessile, but varying with a stem, lateral on standing trees, but expanded on all sides on fallen ones; also club-shaped, porous throughout. Sow. In its fullest vigor it is filled with sulphur-yellow milk.

On living trees and stumps. Frequent. August to October. Stevenson.

Spores oval, white, minutely papillose, 8×5µ W.G.S.; elliptical, hyaline, slightly papillose, 7–8×4–5µ Massee.

Edible. Stevenson, Curtis.

Maryland, Miss Banning; Indiana, H.I. Miller; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On willow, apple, cherry, maple, hickory, etc. Frequent. August to November. McIlvaine.

Frequently in large masses. Commonly broadly attached, but sometimes 486with a short stem. Very occasionally a single pileus will protrude from a tree like a giant yellow tongue shaded with reddish-orange. Usually the pilei are in clusters united in a solid base, white-fleshed and rich in color. I have seen clusters two feet across. On an old willow at Mt. Gretna, a cluster 18 in. across afforded a dozen meals. Whenever a meal was wanted a pound or two was broken off. It lasted until January. If P. sulphureus is cooked properly it is a delicious fungus. Cut fine, stew slowly and well, season, add butter, milk with a little thickening.

P. macula´tus Pk.—having maculæ-spots. Pileus of a cheesy consistence, broad, flattened, sometimes confluent, sessile or narrowed into a short stem, slightly uneven, white or yellowish-white, marked with darker zones and watery spots. Pores minute, subangular, short, whitish, sometimes tinged with brown. Flesh white.

Pileus 4–6 in. broad, 6–8 lines thick.

Prostrate trunks of trees in woods. Worcester. July.

In texture and shape this species is related to P. sulphureus, but the pores are smaller than in that species. The plants are sometimes cespitose, sometimes single. The spots in the dried specimens have a smooth depressed appearance. Peck, 26th Rep.

Angora, West Philadelphia. September, 1896. Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1897–1898. On white oak trunks. McIlvaine.

Several specimens of different ages proved good eating. Like P. sulphureus it must be well cooked.

P. hetero´clitus Fr. Gr—one of two; Gr, to lean. In many cespitose layers, coriaceous. Pilei 2½ in. broad, orange, sessile, expanded on all sides from a radical tubercle, lobed, villous, zoneless. Pores irregularly shaped and elongated, golden-yellow. Fries.

On the ground under oak. Rare.

The flat pilei extend horizontally from the tubercle. Irregular, eccentric. Stevenson.

Minnesota, Johnson.

Haddonfield, N.J., Hopkin’s woods. June to July, 1890–1896. McIlvaine.

Of all fungoid growth this is the most showy. Its clusters, often a foot and a half in diameter and spread like mammoth dahlias, are gorgeous 487in color and conspicuous in design. Resting upon the ground or reared against the base of tree or stump, they deceive by their likeness to gaudy bouquets, left by foreign picnickers. In quality it is the same as P. sulphureus. It does not, however, retain its edibility. As it ages it becomes offensive.

P. por´ipes Fr.—porous-stemmed. Pileus 1.5–3 in. broad, rather fleshy, sinuately repand, smooth, grayish-brown. Stem central or excentric, firm, smooth, 1.5–3 in. long, 4–6 lines thick, punctuated by the whitish decurrent pores.

On earth in hilly regions.

Cap 2 in. across, light drab, smooth, slightly furfuraceous toward center, broken into minute appressed squamules, zoned. Flesh fibrous, white-pliable. Tubes very shallow, round mouths with obtuse divisions, china-white, running down to base of stem. Stem eccentric, almost lateral, entirely surrounded by pores, connate at base, ½ in. thick.

Smell pleasant.

New York. Ground. August, Peck, Rep. 24; Mt. Gretna, Pa., August to November, McIlvaine. A large tufted species growing on the ground in woods, August to November, McIlvaine.

When raw tastes like the best chestnuts or filberts, but rather too dry cooked. Curtis.

It must be chopped fine and slowly cooked.

P. immi´tis Pk.—wide, rude. Pilei cespitose-imbricated, broad, slightly convex or flattened, more or less rough or uneven, radiately-wrinkled, tuberculose or fibrous-bristled, zoneless, white, becoming tinged with yellow or alutaceous in drying. Flesh white, slightly fibrous, soft and moist when fresh, cheesy when dry, with a subacid odor. Pores minute, angular or even subflexuous, about equal in length to the thickness of the pileus, the dissepiments thin, white, often at length dentate or lacerate on the edge. Spores minute, white, elliptical, 3–4×18–20µ.

Pilei 2–4 in. broad, the flesh commonly 3–4 lines thick.

Decaying ash trunks. East Berne. August.

The species is apparently related to P. cæsareus, but the character of the pores is quite different in the two species. Peck, 35th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. On dead black oak. August to November, 1898.

488Several clusters grew on dead black oaks. The pilei overlap and the wrinkled corrugated margins curve downward, giving them the semblance of shells. From a distance a group looks like Pleurotus ostreatus. The substance is juicy; while cooking it is at first bitter, but this disappears. It becomes tender and well flavored.

P. alliga´tus Fr.—alligo, to bind to. In many cespitose layers, fibrous-fleshy, rigid-fragile. Pilei tan-isabelline, imbricated, unequal, zoneless, villous. Pores minute, soft, white, readily becoming stopped up with flocci.

Often clavate when young. Commonly wrapping round stipules and grasses. Fries.

Spores elliptical, pale, 6×7µ Massee.

Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia. Among oak trees on grassy ground. July, August, September. McIlvaine.

Tufts frequently weigh two pounds. When young the plant cooks well, is tender and of sweet, pleasant flavor. When old it has a sour unpleasant odor.

IV.—Apus.

P. chio´neus Fr. Gr—snow. White pileus 1 in. and more broad, fleshy, soft, becoming even, smooth, zoneless, often extended behind, margin inflexed. Pores curt, very small, round, equal, quite entire. Fries.

Always soft, fragile, hyaline-white when moist, shining white when dry. Odor acid. Without a cuticle. Stevenson.

Spores white, oval, 21×3µ W.G.S.

New York. Decaying wood of frondose trees. Peck, 33d Rep.

Angora, Philadelphia, Mt. Gretna, Pa. On standing and fallen timber. June to September. McIlvaine.

This snow-white Polyporus is too conspicuous to be passed unseen. One does not expect to find snow-balls stuck against trees in August. At a distance it resembles one. When young and fresh it is good.

P. betuli´nus Fr.—betula, birch. Pileus fleshy, then corky, hoof-shaped, obtuse, zoneless, smooth, the oblique vertex in the form of an umbo, pellicle thin, separating. Pores late of being developed, curt, minute, unequal, at length separating. Fries.

489On living and dead birch. Common. May to December.

Pileus 3–6 in. broad. The pileus is at first pale, then acquiring a brownish tinge. The edge is always very obtuse. Stevenson.

The lower surface or hymenium is frequently rough with numerous acicular projections, making the plant look like a Hydnum when viewed horizontally. Peck, 24th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Massachusetts, Kansas, New York. Peck, Rep. 24.

Wherever the birch grows this neat, white-fleshed Polyporus abounds.

When young it is eaten by deer. Dried it burns with a white flame, or holds fire as well as the best punk. It is a valuable fuel, already prepared for the stove. In the birch forests near Eagle’s Mere, Pa., tons of it can be seen protruding from tree and log.

When very young it is fair. Unpleasant when old.

V.—Resupinati.

P. sinuo´sus Fr.—full of folds. Broadly effused, adnate, dry, the evanescent mycelium somewhat rooting, white then yellowish. Pores large, surface flexuous, acute, lacerated. Odor of licorice.

New York. Decaying wood of maple. Peck, 40th Rep.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. McIlvaine.

Of but little food value. Collected carefully and boiled, it yields a pleasantly flavored liquor.

Hymenophore resting on a loose mold-like mycelium, covered with the soft, waxy, continuous hymenium, having its surface variously plicate or wrinkled, the folds forming irregular pores, sometimes obsoletely toothed.

Generally on wood.

I have tasted, raw, every species I have found. They are all more or less woody in flavor, and I believe them to be edible. At the best Merulius would be an emergency genus. M. tremellosus is substantial, as is M. rubellus Pk.

M. tremello´sus Schrad.—tremellosus, trembling. Resupinate; margin becoming free and more or less reflexed, usually radiately-toothed, gelatinoso-cartilaginous; hymenium variously wrinkled and porous; whitish and subtranslucent looking, becoming tinged brown in the center. Spores cylindrical, curved, about 4×1µ.

On wood. From 1–3 in. across, remaining pale when growing in dark places. Margin sometimes tinged rose, radiating when well developed. Massee.

Spores cylindrical, curved, hyaline, 4×1µ K.

New York. Old logs, stumps, Catskill mountains. Peck, 22d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. Common, both rose-colored and translucent brown species, numerous on decaying wood. October to November, 1898–1899. McIlvaine.

M. tremellosus is a common species and rather attractive looking. In substance it approaches Tremella and Peziza. The spore-bearing surface is superior (turned upward) and then sometimes turned in at the margin which frequently is bright rose color, sometimes yellowish-rose. It is rather tasteless—slightly woody in flavor, rather tough. An emergency species.

M. rubel´lus Pk.—rubellus, dim. of ruber, reddish. Generally cespitose, imbricated, sessile, dimidiate, soft, tenacious, tomentose, evenly red, pale when dry; margin mostly undulately inflexed; hymenium 491white or flesh-color; folds branching, forming anastomosing pores. Spores elliptical, hyaline, minute, 4–5×2.5–3µ.

Pileus 2–3 in. long, 1.5 in. broad.

Somewhat related to M. tremellosus.

On trunks of beech in woods.

Ohio, Morgan; Indiana, Dr. J.R. Weist; Mt. Gretna, Pa., November. McIlvaine. Specimens identified by Professor Peck.

Tough, but edible.

Hymenium inferior or amphigenous (not confined to one surface), from the first definitely protuberant, spread over persistent spines, bristles, teeth, tubercles or papilla. Fries.

While the highest members of this family possess the general form of the mushroom, others, lacking a stem, recline on the back (resupinate); the lowest, without even the appearance of a distinct pileus, seem to be simply spread over the supporting body (effused). In the highest class the spines or other spore-bearing surface are inferior, i. e., below the pileus; in the others they are of course superior, i. e., above the pileus.

Of the eleven genera but two contain species of food value. Hydnum, characterized by its acute spines, embraces species which are eaten as delicacies, and Irpex, distinguished by its somewhat acute teeth growing from a ridgy hymenium, contains those which may furnish sustenance in time of need. In Caldesia, bearing spines, the texture is floccose not fleshy. Sistotrema has a pileus and a central stem, but instead of spines bears irregular flattened teeth. The remaining genera are separated by the tubercles, granules, folds, etc., which take the place of spines or teeth.

Several species of Hydnum are common to earth and wood, others are distinct in their habitats.

Sporophore fleshy, with a central stem or entirely resupinate, texture compact, spines acute, distinct at the base.

Resupinate; texture floccose, spines acute; spores muriculate. (No edible species reported.)

Pileate; fleshy, central-stemmed, teeth flattened, irregular, inferior. (No edible species reported.)

Resupinate; teeth rather acute, springing from folds or ridges that often anastomose irregularly.

Resupinate; tubercles coarse, deformed, subcylindrical, obtuse. (No edible species reported.)

Resupinate; hymenium covered with folds or wrinkles, having the edge entire or corrugated. (No edible species reported.)

Resupinate; hymenium with crowded, globose, persistent, hemispherical, minute granules, having their apices more or less excavated. (No edible species reported.)

Resupinate; hymenium with scattered wart-like granules, which become more or less elongated and excavated at the apices. (No edible species reported.)

Resupinate; hymenium densely covered with small granules that are divided at the apices in a penicillate manner. (No edible species reported.)

Resupinate; hymenium covered with very minute, barren, acute spinules. (No edible species reported.)

Spines slender, elongated, acute, not springing from a sporophore or subiculum. (No edible species reported.)

Hymenium inferior, bearing awl-shaped Spines, distinct at the base. Fries.

In this genus the spines proceed from an even surface, not folded or wrinkled, and are covered with the spore-bearing surface.

The forms are extremely variable, the type of the first section, H. repandum, being easily mistaken for one of the Agaricaceæ until examined, the stem being nearly central and upright, while in other forms it is lateral or absent. Some are dimidiate (as if part of the pileus had been removed and the plant attached by the remaining portion); the lower forms are resupinate.

Very much branched or of an irregular form without a distinct margin.

Stemless, dimidiate, margin distinct.

495Mes´opus. Gr—middle; a foot.

H. imbrica´tum L.—imbrex, a tile. Pileus about 2–5 in. broad, umber, zoneless, fleshy, rather plane, somewhat umbilicate, floccose, tessulato-scaly. Flesh dingy whitish. Stem curt, 1–3 in. long, 1–2 in. thick, even. Spines 4–6 lines long, decurrent, ashy-white.

There are two forms; one with the pileus plane and with thick persistent scales, another with the pileus somewhat infundibuliform, and with thinner, at length separating scales. Stevenson.

Spores pale yellow brown, rough, 6–7×5µ Massee; 6×5µ W.G.S.

Fleshy. The numerous scales over lapping toward the center. The surface of the cap often cracks in a tesselated manner. Flesh dingy, buffish or reddish. Spines short, blunt, grayish-white and mostly of equal length.

In pine and mixed woods. Autumn.

Of delicate taste. Cordier. Edible. Curtis.

Fine specimens grew at Mt. Gretna, Pa., from September to November. Until closely examined the cap may be mistaken for that of H. zonatum. The zones of the latter and the pervading rust-color will distinguish it. Both are edible, though H. zonatum is much tougher. H. imbricatum is slightly bitter, raw. It must be sliced thin and well cooked.

H. læviga´tum Swartz—lævis, smooth. Pileus 4–6 in. broad, umber, fleshy, compact, firm, regular, plane, even, very smooth, margin circinate (not repand). Flesh whitish, compact, but by no means fibrous, soft when fresh, pliant when dry. Stem short, thick, even, pallid-brown. Spines thin, pallid-brown.

Its size is that of H. imbricatum, but it occurs twice as large, with the pileus minutely rimuloso-rivulose, by no means scaly. The stem varies curt and unequal or longer and equal. Quite distinct from H. fragile. Stevenson.

Spores 10–15µ long, Massee; globose, warted, pale lemon-yellow, 7µ Q.

In pine woods. August to October.

Edible, Curtis; edible, Leuba. “Eaten in Alpine districts.” Barla.

496

H. scabro´sum Fr.—scabrosus, rough. Pileus about 1½-4 in. broad, brownish-yellow, compactly fleshy, at first top-shaped, then plane above, very convex beneath, at first tomentose, then rough with flocci which are fasciculate in the form of minute crowded squamules, slightly repand at the margin. Flesh very thick, white, descending into the stem. Stem very curt, 1 in. long, and equally thick, round or compressed, dotted with the rudiments of spines decurrent upon it, ash-color, attenuated downward, roundish and blackish at the base. Spines 4 lines long, equal, awl-shaped, dingy-rust color, whitish at the apex, at first sight grayish-brown. Fries.

Spores 4–5µ diameter. Massee.

Hydnum scabrosum is frequently found in Pennsylvania, among pines and in mixed woods where pines grow. It occurs at Mt. Gretna, Pa., and on Springton Hills under hemlocks.

The caps are soft, fleshy, and equal to H. repandum in quality.

H. squamo´sum Schaeff.—squama, a scale. Pileus 1½-3 in. across, reddish-brown, fleshy, irregular, depressed, smooth, breaking up into irregular scales. Flesh whitish. Stem curt, attenuated downward, white. Spines grayish-brown, whitish at the apex. Stevenson.

Spores subglobose, 5–6µ diameter. Massee.

Pileus smooth and even when young. Flesh whitish. Spores grayish-brown. Spines whitish, giving the lower surface a much lighter appearance than the upper.

Under hemlock and spruce in West Virginia, 1884. McIlvaine.

Caps are good when sliced thin and well cooked.

H. subsquamo´sum Batsch. Pileus fleshy, somewhat convex, subumbilicate, brownish-rust color, superficial scales soon dropping off; spotted with brown. Stem stout, unequal, smooth. Spines whitish, becoming brown, apex remaining whitish. 497North Carolina, Curtis; Alabama, Peters; Massachusetts, Sprague. Edible. Curtis. Edible. Cordier.

H. repan´dum L.—repandus, bent backward (of the cap, upward). Pileus 2–6 in. broad, pallid, etc., fleshy, fragile, somewhat repand, rather smooth. Stem 2–5 in. long, ½-1½ in. thick, irregularly shaped, pallid. Spines 4 lines long, unequal, of the same color. Stevenson.

Spores pointed, 5–8µ Massee.

Pileus sometimes depressed, often turned upward at margin, often waved, sometimes tomentose. Color variable—light-buff, brown, pinkish, reddish. Flesh whitish, compact, fragile. Spines conical, up to ¼ in. in length, whitish but rich creamy shades, mostly pointed, but sometimes appearing to be hollow. Stem central or eccentric, sometimes covered with white down, thick, uneven, usually crooked, solid, fleshy, light in color.

July to November.

Edible. Curtis.

Common to most countries, and, although given as a ground-growing species, it is rather indiscriminate in its habitats. Woods, fields, leaf-covered or bare places, much decayed wood and stumps are its living places. Dr. Cooke thinks it irreproachable. Popularly it goes by the name of the Hedgehog mushroom.

H. repandum varies greatly in shape, color and texture. In the open it is usually symmetrical and tough; when clustered it is irregular, often fanciful and quite brittle—tender.

When sliced thin an hour’s slow cooking is sufficient. All writers commend it, and properly.

H. rufes´cens Pers.—rufus, red. Pileus 2–3 in. across, thin, fragile, usually regular, pubescent, reddish. Spines 1–3 lines long, regular. Stem 1–3 in. long, commonly thin, nearly equal, reddish.

498The whole plant is reddish. In all other respects it resembles H. repandum. Usually more regular.

Commonly found in woods. New York, Peck; North Carolina, Curtis, Schweinitz.

Edible, Curtis. Edible, Leuba.

Fries considered H. rufescens a variety of H. repandum, and the writer agrees with him. It is given distinct place here because Massee and Stevenson—books in the hands of many students of fungi—give it importance.

It is quite as good as H. repandum.

H. ferrugi´neum Fr. Pileus 1–4 in. across, corky, soft, convex, then plane or depressed, irregularly pitted, ferruginous, at first with whitish tomentum. Flesh ferruginous. Spines thin, acute, about 2 lines long, rusty-brown. Stem firm, 2–3 in. long, unequal, rusty-brown. Spores subglobose, 4µ diameter.

In fir woods. Often gregarious; soft when young, corky and dry at maturity. Massee.

Mt. Gretna, Pa. November to December, 1898. Among pine leaves.

Taste mild, mealy. Tough, but when young it cooks tender.

H. zona´tum Batsch. Ferruginous. Pileus 1–2 in. broad, equally coriaceous, thin, expanded, somewhat infundibuliform, zoned, becoming smooth, radiately-wrinkled, the paler margin sterile beneath. Stem ½-¾ in. long, 2–3 lines thick, slender, somewhat equal, floccose, base tuberous. Spines 1–1½ lines long, slender, pallid, then rust-color. Stevenson.

Spores rough, globose, pale watery brown, 4µ diameter Massee.

New York, Peck, 24th Rep. Mt. Gretna, Pa. Abundant among hemlocks; West Virginia. McIlvaine.

Coriaceous. Edible. It will not cook tender, but yields a pleasant flavor to a gravy made of its juices.

H. albo´nigrum Pk. Pileus convex or nearly plane, broadly obconical, tough but soft and densely tomentose on the upper surface, buff-brown or smoky brown, often wholly covered with a whitish downy tomentum, sometimes on the margin only, substance within soft tomentose 499and buff-brown in the upper stratum, the lower half hard and black. Spines short, at first white, then whitish or grayish. Stem short, often irregular, compressed or growing together, blackish when moist, buff-brown when dry, covered with a thick dense tomentum, which is frequently more abundant toward the base, hard and black within. Spores white, globose, 4–5µ.

Pileus 1–3 in. broad, sometimes 2 or 3 confluent. Stem 1–2 in. long.

Ground in mixed woods. Gansevoort. August. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Specimens from pine woods New Jersey, T.J. Collins, September, 1897. 1½ in. across. Frequent at Mt. Gretna, Pa.

Edible. Good flavor, but tough.

H. velle´reum Pk. This species appears to be very much like the preceding one (H. albonigrum Pk.) from which it is separated by its smaller size and the paler brownish or rusty-brown substance of its pileus and stem. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

At Mt. Gretna, Pa., the species grows with H. albonigrum. In quality it is the same.

H. al´bidum Pk. Pileus fleshy, thin, broadly convex or nearly plane, subpruinose, white. Flesh white. Spines short, white. Stem short, solid, central or eccentric, white. Spores subglobose, 4–5µ broad.

The whitish Hydnum is uniformly colored in all parts. It grows in groups or in clusters. In the latter case the caps are sometimes irregular because of the crowded mode of growth and the stems are occasionally eccentric. It is a small species not liable to be mistaken for any other except possibly for very small pale forms of the spreading Hydnum. But wholly white examples of this species have never been seen by me.

The caps are 1–2 in. broad and the stems are generally about 1 in. long and 3–5 lines thick.

500The plants grow in thin woods or in open bushy places and appear in June and July. It is not a common species, and though well flavored it is not of very great importance as an edible mushroom, because of its scarcity and small size. Peck, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Port Jefferson. July. This fungus has been tested and found to be edible. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1897. Specimens identified by Professor Peck. McIlvaine.

The caps are edible and superior to H. repandum.

H. fen´nicum Karst. Cap fleshy, fragile, unequal, at first scaly, at length breaking up, reddish-brick color becoming darker, margin undulately lobed, 2–4 in. broad. Flesh white. Stem sufficiently stout, unequal below, attenuated, flexuous or curved, smooth, of the same color as the cap, base acute, light white tomentum outside, inside light pale-blue or dark-gray (wood-ash), 1–3 in. long, .4–1 in. thick. Teeth decurrent, equal, pointed, from white dusky, about 4 mm. long. Spores ellipso-spheroidical or sub-spheroidical, rough, dusky, 4–6µ long, 3–5µ broad.

Found in gravelly or sandy soil in woods.

Found at Angora near Philadelphia. Top cracked. Identified by Professor Peck.

Occurs frequently at Mt. Gretna, Pa., ground in mixed woods. August to September. The taste and smell are at first inviting, but the extreme bitter which develops destroys all desire to eat it.

H. spongio´sipes Pk. Pileus convex, soft, spongy-tomentose, but tough in texture, rusty-brown, the lower stratum more firm and fibrous. but concolorous. Spines slender, 1–2 lines long, rusty-brown, becoming darker with age. Stem hard and corky within, externally spongy-tomentose, colored like the pileus, the central substance often transversely zoned especially near the top. Spores subglobose, nodulose, purplish-brown, 4–6µ broad.

Pileus 1.5–4 in. broad. Stem 1.5–3 in. long, 4–8 lines thick.

Woods. Rensselaer and Saratoga counties. August.

This plant was formerly referred to Hydnum ferrugineum Fr. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Found in pine woods, near Haddonfield, N.J., by T.J. Collins, 501September, 1897. Cap and stem dark brown. Spines darker. Stem swelling toward base, which then tapers in a long rooting way. Cap umbilicate. Specimens identified by Professor Peck.

Edible but tough and uninviting. Yields a good fungoid flavor to the water in which it is boiled.

H. gelatino´sum Scop. Transferred to Tremelledon as T. gelatinosum, under which heading it is described and its edible qualities noted.

Meris´ma. Gr—a division.

H. coralloi´des Scop. (Plate CXXXIV.) 6–18 in. across. Tufts on wood. Pure shining white growing yellow with age, composed wholly of attenuated interlacing branches ½ in. at base, tapering to a point. Spines growing from one side of the branches, 3–4 lines in length, awl-shaped.

Spores globose, 4–6µ diameter Massee.

Peck, Rep. 22; Indiana, H.I. Miller; Massachusetts, Sprague; California; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

Edible. Curtis.

Grows upon standing and fallen timber which is attacked by decay. Fir, oak, beech, ash, birch, hickory and other trees are inhabited by it. August to frost.

This beautiful species can not be mistaken for any other. Its name is the best guide to its identification. Dame Nature has made many exquisite decorations for herself and this is one of them.

It is generally eaten, but is rare. Professor Peck speaks affectionately of it as a gratuitous adjunct to his bill of fare when on botanical tramps in the Adirondacks.

H. caput-ur´si Fr.—bear-head. 6–8 in. high, 6–8 in. across. Tufts usually pendulous, compact, white, becoming yellow and brownish. Spines up to 1 in. long, round, pointed. Branches in every direction, short.

Closely resembling H. coralloides and in small forms with shorter spines easily mistaken for it. Position of growth has much to do with 502its shape and appearance. On fallen timber the branchlets and spines may be erect.

New York, Peck, 44th Rep.; North Carolina, Curtis; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

Edible. Curtis. Edible. Peck.

Hydnum caput-ursi is common in West Virginia forests. It is conspicuous on standing oaks, and at a distance a puzzling object to one not familiar with such excrescences. It grows on standing oaks near Haddonfield, N.J., and sparsely at Mt. Gretna, Pa.

It is more compact, and is tougher than H. coralloides and H. Medusæ, but cooks tender and is very good.

H. caput-Medu´sæ Bull.—head of Medusæ. (Plate CXXXV.) 3–18 in. across, 2–8 in. high. Tufts pendulous. White then grayish. Body compact, tapering to a solid base, more or less stem-like. Spines covering entire surface. Those upon top are long, thin, straight or distorted, growing shorter around and to the under side where they are short and straight. The wavy appearance of the slender spines remind of the snaky locks of Medusa, hence the name.

Edible. Curtis. Edible. Leuba.

On elms at Haddonfield, N.J.; on oaks at Mt. Gretna, Pa., and in Woodland Cemetery, and on elms in Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pa. McIlvaine.

Commonly eaten in Italy and parts of Austria; rare elsewhere in Europe. Occurring over the United States. Specimens eighteen inches across were seen by the writer in the West Virginia mountains.

Mr. H.I. Miller, Terre Haute, Ind., sent me a fine specimen weighing 10½ pounds.

The American species, as far as seen by the writer, changes to a light yellow when ageing. The entire fungus is edible and excellent, but the tender spines and more delicate parts make a dish equaled by few fungi.

H. erina´ceum Bull.—erinaceus, a hedgehog. 2–8 in. and more across. Tufts pendulous. White and yellowish-white becoming yellow-brownish, fleshy, elastic, tough, sometimes emarginate (broadly attached as if tuft was cut in two, sliced off where attached), a mass of latticed branches and fibrils. Spines 1½-4 in. long, crowded, straight, equal, pendulous. Stem sometimes rudimentary.

503On trunks of oak, beech, etc. July to October.

Spores subglobose, 5–6µ diameter Massee; white, plain, 5×6µ W.G.S.

Alabama, Miss K. Skehan; Pennsylvania, McIlvaine; Massachusetts, Sprague; New York, Peck, Rep. 22.

Eaten in Germany and France. Cooke.

A dead beech trunk at Eagle’s Mere, Pa., in August, 1898, bore at least fifty pounds of it. It draped one side of the tree from root to top with yellowish, pendulous tufts, with spines up to 3 in. long, which waved in the wind. The spines and tender parts were stewed, and enjoyed by many. It shrinks very much in drying, becoming sour.

A´pus. Gr—without; a foot.

H. septentriona´le Fr.—Northern. Fleshy-fibrous, becoming pale, imbricated. Pilei not numerous, growing one above the other, plane, behind thick, consolidated, margin straight, whole. Spines very crowded, slender, equal.

The largest known Hydnum.

Received from E.B. Sterling, Trenton, N.J., September, 1897. The specimens formed part of a dense fasciculate mass weighing over 20 pounds, growing on a beech stump. Edges of the young plant are edible, but have little taste.

Hymenium inferior, toothed from the first. Teeth firm, somewhat coriaceous, acute, concrete with the pileus, arranged in rows or like network, connected at the base by folds, which are gill-like (in sessile species) or resemble honeycomb (in resupinate ones). Sporophores 4-spored. Growing on wood, somewhat growing from the side or upon the back, approaching Lenzites and Dædaleæ.

Irpex differs from Hydnum in having the spines connected at the base, and in their being less awl-shaped and pointed.

It is reported as found well up in the northern States, but its species prefer warm climates. Irpex contains no choice species, but all I have tested can be eaten.

I. obli´quus Fr.—oblique. White, inclining to pale, effused (spread), forming an adnate crust, circumference flaxy. Teeth extended from a base resembling honeycomb, compressed, unequal, incised, oblique, 2–3 lines long.

At first abundantly porous, but toothed from the first, at length quite as in Hydna.

On stumps and dead branches. November to February. Stevenson.

This spreads in irregular patches on the surface of decaying wood. The pores for a small space round the margin are round and distinct, but toward the center are greatly lengthened out, lying one upon another in an imbricated manner. The color is white at first, when old it changes to a yellow-brown, and at last to a dirty fuscous black. Bolton.

At first it looks more like a small white orbicular resupinate Polyporus than an Irpex. Peck.

The species is common and can be collected at most times of the year. When fresh and moist it can be shaved from its host plant. Goodly quantities can thus be obtained. It stews to a firm gelatinous mass of pleasant flavor. The lost hunter need not die of starvation in any woods if he will but study the tree-growing fungi, and especially the small species, hitherto insignificant in food circles.

I. car´neus Fr.—resembling the color of flesh. Reddish, effused, 1–3 505in. long, cartilaginous-gelatinous, membranaceous, adnate. Teeth obtuse and awl-shaped, entire, united at the base.

It inclines to Radula and Phlebia. Stevenson.

On tulip poplar, Haddonfield, N.J., September, 1892; on hickory, Angora, Philadelphia, September, 1897. McIlvaine.

The entire fungus is good, cooking like a Hydnum.

I. defor´mis Fr.—deformed. White, effused, crustaceous, thin, circumference pubescent, somewhat flaxy. Teeth extended in awl-shape from a minutely porous base, thin, somewhat digitato-incised (cut in finger-shape), 1–2 lines long. Fries.

It approaches the Polypori. Grows on wood. Stevenson.

North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Massachusetts, Frost.

Common on stumps and trees. The awl-shaped teeth, which have the appearance of shreds, can be scraped from the fresh plant, or if dried plants are moistened, the teeth are detachable, and are food-giving.

I. fusco-vioia´ceus Fr.—fuscus, brown; violaceous, violet. Pileus 2 in. long, more than 1 in. broad, white inclining to hoary, effuso-reflexed, coriaceous, silky, zoned. Teeth in rows in the form of plates, brownish-violet, incised at the apex. Fries.

On pine trunks. Stevenson.

Decaying trunks of spruce, abies nigra. Adirondack mountains. July.

Our specimens are not “silky,” as required by the description, but villose or tomentose-villose as in Polyporus hirsutus and P. abietinus, the latter of which this species closely resembles. The hymenium, however, is coarser, more highly colored and lamellated to such an extent that young specimens might easily be taken for a Lenzites. Peck, 30th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Found in West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. McIlvaine.

Very common on logs of coniferous trees. It is difficult to collect it entirely free from resin, which as a seasoning is not recommended.

Sporophore erect and stipitate, with a central stem, effused, with the upper portion free and bent backward, or entirely resupinate. Hymenium perfectly even or radiately wrinkled, glabrous or minutely bristled with projecting cystidia; basidia normally 4-spored. Spores without a division, colorless or colored. Massee.

In Thelephoraceæ are shapes closely resembling those found in Hydnaceæ, Polyporaceæ and Agaricaceæ. The genus Craterellus is closely allied to Cantharellus, and, though the spore surface is much less wrinkled or veined, resembles it in several of its species. Other types show likeness to Merulius in Polyporaceæ; others to Tremellineæ and Clavariaceæ. Many puzzles are presented by its species, but the solving is interesting.

Though populous it contains but few edibles. The best of them is Craterellus cornucopoides.

Spores smooth.

Resupinate, dry and pulverulent. (No edible species reported.)

Resupinate, soft and subgelatinous. (No edible species reported.)

Dry and fibrous, hymenium rugulose. (No edible species reported.)

Subgelatinous, effused or variously incrusting, hymenium even. (No edible species reported.)

Saprophytes growing on dead wood, branches, etc. Hymenium minutely setulose with projecting cystidia.

Cystidia colorless, rough at the tip with particles of lime. (No edible species reported.)

Cystidia brown, smooth. (No edible species reported.)

Entirely resupinate, hymenium usually cracked when dry. (No edible species reported.)

Effuso-reflexed, pileus silky or strigose, hymenium even. (No edible species reported.)

Horizontal and attached by a narrow point behind, hymenium radiato-rugulose. (No edible species reported.)

Large, erect, funnel-shaped.

Minute, cup-shaped, mouth open. (No edible species reported.)

Minute, cylindrical, gregarious or crowded, tubular, mouth contracted. (No edible species reported.)

Hymenium waxy-membranaceous, distinct but adnate to the hymenophore, inferior, continuous, smooth, even or wrinkled. Spores white. Fries.

This, the only genus of Thelephoraceæ containing edible fungi, has the form and general appearance of Cantharellus to which it is allied, but it is distinguished by its nearly even hymenium, which in Cantharellus has the form of gills, fold-like and thick but still distinctly gills. The species vary from fleshy to membranaceous, all having a funnel-shaped pileus and stem merging into it. On the ground. Autumn. The slightly veined surface where the spores are borne, and the spores themselves, when a microscope is brought to bear upon them, distinguish this genus from Cantharellus; and its thin flesh and funnel-shape from the large forms of Pistillaria. Several of the species are edible. It is probable that all are.

Toadstools, despite their name, are more popularly associated with fairies than with toads. “Fairy rings,” “Fairy Bread” and “Fairy Clubs” are titles belonging to them, and these link us to the pretty belief of childhood—a belief we often do not outgrow. A group of C. lutescens or C. cornucopoides may well be likened to fairy trumpets, or to a tiny orchestrion thrusting its horns through wood earth where roots of stumps abound.

C. cantharel´lus Schw. (Plate XLVI, fig. 3.) Capn. across, convex, often becoming depressed and funnel-shaped, glabrous, yellowish or pinkish-yellow. Flesh white, tough, elastic. Hymenium slightly wrinkled, yellow or faint salmon color. Stem 1–3 in. high, 3–5 lines thick, glabrous, solid, yellow. Spores on white paper yellowish or pale salmon.

Spores 7.5–10×5–6µ Peck.

West Virginia, McIlvaine.

No one not looking for minute botanic details would separate this species from Cantharellus cibarius, especially if found growing near or with it. The pinkish tinge sometimes present in C. cantharellus I have never observed in C. cibarius. The present species is of equal excellence.

509C. cornucopoi´des Pers.—cornu and copiæ, horn of plenty. (Plate CXXXVI, fig. 8, p. 508.) Cap dark sooty shades of gray or brown—shades of well-worn velveteen—1–2 in. across, whole plant from 2–4 in. high, trumpet-shaped, or like a funnel with its open mouth, plane, wavy, split or in folds. Substance very thin and either brittle or tough. The inside is sometimes minutely scaly, the opening extending to the base; outside, where the spores are borne, it has neither gills, pores nor protuberances, but a slightly uneven surface varying little in color. Stem obsolete or seldom noticeable. Odor slight.

Spores pointed, 11–12×7–8µ Massee.

Grows single, clustered or in troops along shaded roads, or from leaf mold and ground in woods. July to frost.

Large patches, clustered, grow near stumps in moist places on Botanic Creek, West Philadelphia. It is plentiful near Haddonfield, N. J., at Mt. Gretna, Pa., and many other places in the United States.

It is not pleasant to look upon, because of its peculiar color, but when one gets used to it it has an attractiveness of its own. Its graceful shape, even its funereal hue and name—Trompet du Morte—are alluring.

It dries well, and when moistened expands to its normal size. It is a first-class edible fungus. It should be stewed slowly until tender.

C. clava´tus Fr.—clava, a club. Pileus 2 in. broad, somewhat light-yellowish, fleshy, top-shape, truncate or depressed, flexuous, unpolished, attenuated into the solid stem. Flesh thick, white. Hymenium even, then corrugated, purplish then changing color. Fries.

Spores elliptical, pale-yellow, 10–12×4–5µ Massee.

Professor Peck notes that the species so closely resembles Cantharellus cibarius that it might easily be mistaken for a deformed condition of it.

The resemblance to the yellow forms of Clavaria pistillaria is marked.

Massachusetts, Sprague, Farlow; New York, Peck, Rep. 32; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

An excellent species. Its scarcity is regrettable.

C. du´bius Pk. Pileus infundibuliform, subfibrillose, lurid-brown, pervious to the base, the margin generally wavy and lobed. Hymenium dark cinereous, rugose when moist, the minute crowded irregular folds abundantly anastomosing, nearly even when dry. Stem short. Spores broadly elliptical or subglobose, 6–7.5µ long.

510Plant simple or cespitose, 2–3 in. high. Pileus 1–2 in. broad.

Ground under spruce trees. Adirondack mountains. August.

In color this species bears some resemblance to Cantharellus cinereus. From Craterellus sinuosus it is separated by its pervious stem, and from C. cornucopoides by its more cespitose habit, paler color and smaller spores. Peck, 31st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

Its edible qualities are in every way equal to those of C. cornucopoides.

C. sinuo´sus Fr.—sinus, a curve. Strong scented. Pileus funnel-shaped, downy, grayish-brown, margin undulated. Stem pale yellow, elongated, stuffed. Hymenium with anastomosing ribs, grayish. Spores elliptical, pale yellow, 8–9×5µ.

In woods. Pileus ½-1 in. high and broad. Stem about 1 in. high, sometimes very short. Smell strong, musky. Hymenium becoming tan-color when dry. Pileus more or less villose. Massee.

The above description is given so that Var. crispus which follows may be compared with it. Fries considered var. crispus a good species.

Var. cris´pus—crispus, curled. (Plate CXXXVI, fig. 7, p. 508.) Margin of hymenium sinuous and crisped. Pileus pervious. Stem stuffed at base only. Hymenium almost even. Massee.

Solitary and cespitose in mixed woods.

Found by Dr. S.C. Schmucker near West Chester, Pa., 1896; Wm. H. Rorer, Mt. Gretna, Pa., August, 1897.

Cap varies in color from dark to light brownish-gray. Gills brownish-gray, almost even. Stem hollow, dark yellow. Smell strong, musky, much like A. silvicola.

Substance tender and of markedly high and pleasant flavor.

Hymenium not distinct from the hymenophore, covering entire outer surface. Somewhat fleshy, not coriaceous, vertical, simple or branched. Fries.

For the most part growing upon the ground.

In this family there is no separation into stem and pileus, with the spore-bearing surface restricted to gills or tubes, but the substance of the plant is continuous, and the spores are produced on the clubs or branches.

But three genera—Clavaria, Sparassis and Pistillaria—include species of food value. They are easily recognized.

The genus Calcocera resembles Clavaria in form, but is very different in material, being a jelly-like viscid, cartilaginous substance, horny when dry, resembling that of Tremella.

Very much branched, branches compressed, plate-like, crisped.

Simple or club-shaped, with a thread-like stem.

Fleshy, simple or branched, branches typically round, some forms club-shaped.

Club-shaped, simple, rigid when dry; usually minute.

Branches numerous, slender, forming a tuft, or single, leathery, round or compressed.

Fleshy, branched, with flat leaf-like branches, composed of two plates, fertile on both sides, with four-spored sporophores. Fries.

Very beautiful plants of striking appearance.

Unfortunately they are not common, although they generally occur yearly in the same locality.

S. Herb´stii Pk. Plants much branched, forming tufts 4–5 in. high and 5–6 in. broad, whitish, inclining to creamy-yellow, tough, moist, the branches numerous, thin, flattened, concrescent, dilated above and spatulate or fan-shaped, often somewhat longitudinally curved or wavy, mostly uniformly colored, rarely with a few indistinct, nearly concolorous, transverse zones near the broad, entire apices.

Spores subglobose or broadly elliptical, 5–6×4–5µ.

Trexlertown. August.

Closely allied to S. spathulata Schw., but differs in its paler color with no rufescent hues, more branching habit and absence of any distinct zones.

Four specimens were found at Mt. Gretna, Pa., during August, 1898. These were not as symmetrical as S. crispa, which they closely resembled in fold and texture. They were of equal excellence cooked.

S. lamino´sa Fr.—a thin plate. Base branching, straw-color. Branches erect, crowded, growing together, straight at the top, zoneless, entire.

North Carolina, Curtis. On oak log.

Edible, Curtis. “Deliciosa,” Fries.

S. cris´pa Fr.—crispus, curly. (Plate CXXXVII.) Height 3–12 in., width 4–24 in. Tufts very handsome, whitish, oyster color or pale-yellow, very much branched. Branches flat, leaf-like. Spore surface on both sides, sometimes crimped on edges. Compacted into a round mass, ending below in a solid rooting base.

Spores pale-ochraceous, 5–6×3–4µ Massee.

Very variable in size. On ground in woods and grassy places in open woods. Summer, autumn. 513North Carolina, Curtis; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

Have seen it 2 ft. across. “Delicosissima.” Fries.

A perfect specimen of S. crispa resembles a huge rosette, round and many-folded in tortuous design. The folds are wide, flattened branches springing from a common base, thin, semi-transparent, not unlike damp sheets of gelatine although thicker. Surfaces of the leaves are dull, like the flattened seaweeds and the light-colored sea-rock mosses. S. crispa may be easily dried, and though shrinking much in size, retains its shape, forming a very pretty ornament for the desk of the mycologist. It is not common. Where it has chosen a habitat several tufts may be found during the moderate season. The writer found three specimens ranging from 6–12 in. in diameter near Haddonfield, N.J., others, not as large, in West Virginia and in Chester county, Pa.

It has long been known as edible. It makes an ever-to-be-remembered dish.

Fleshy, branched or simple, somewhat round, without a distinct stem. Hymenium continuous, dry, homogeneous. For the most part growing on ground. Fries.

The members of this genus vary greatly in form, which in some is that of a club growing singly or cespitose, while others present a more or less bush-like appearance, being slightly or excessively branched.

The color of the plant covers a wide range, as it may be white, red, yellow, violet or their various shades, and to be in harmony the spores do not confine themselves to one color, but are white, ochraceous or cinnamon. In cases where the plant is not otherwise well defined the spore colors will be found a valuable aid in placing it.

Branched, branches attenuated upward.

* Plant, color bright, red, yellow or violet.

** Plant white, gray or yellowish.

* Plant yellow or dingy ochraceous.

** Growing on wood.

Clubs almost simple, tufted at the base.

Clubs almost simple, distinct at the base.

Excepting to toadstool hunters the Clavaria, though numerous, are not known to those who “Know a toadstool when they see it.” They bear no semblance to the stereotyped toadstool. They seem to possess an imitative faculty. Those growing among grasses harmonize with the faded stalks under debris or the bleached surfaces of blades famishing for sunlight; those of the woods take on the color of the leaf mat or of the lichens, and shapes of club and deer-horn mosses, or assemble in groves as pigmy trees, boled and sturdy-branched in mimicry of their giant protectors towering above them. In their forms many are delicate, graceful, beautiful, others are intricate. There is fascination for eye and brain in looking through the vistas and labyrinths of their branches.

A few species are tough as shoe-strings; a few bitter; one, C. dichotoma, on the authority of Leuba, contains a minor poison. The genus is plentiful and reliable. Many individuals are of marked excellence. In soups, stews, patties, they remind one of noodles; sometimes of macaroni. The hard parts of the stem should be removed, the branches broken or cut in ½ in. lengths. If stewed, they require time and slow cooking; if fried in butter they are crisp, choice bits.

Branched, branches attenuated upward.

C. fla´va Schaeff.—yellow. Fragile, trunk thick, fleshy, white, very much branched. Branches even, round, fastigiate, obtuse, yellow. Fries.

515Height 2–4 in., 2–4 in. across; pale-yellow, dingy-yellow. Stem or trunk short, robust, whitish. Branches very numerous, dense, fragile, erect, straight, lighter than the yellow tips (fading with age) which are toothed. Flesh white. Spores white. Taste and odor pleasant.

Woods and open places. June to frost.

Indiana, H.I. Miller; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

The C. flava and C. botrytes have long been noted edible species, liberally commended abroad and in the United States. Variations in their structure are interchangeable; variations in their quality are due to environment. There is a slight difference in the measurement of their spores, but the difference is not so great as between spores of the same specimen. Specific differences may exhibit themselves in young plants, yet disappear with age.

Plants for the table should be young and fresh. When aged or when the ravages of insects appear, they should not be used, as they then have an unpleasant taste which will effect a whole dish.

They should be cut into small pieces and stewed slowly for fully thirty minutes. They can be seasoned and eaten as a stew or made into patties.

C. botry´tes Pers. Gr—a cluster of grapes (from shape). Height 3–4 in., 3–6 in. across, white, yellow, pinkish, dingy in shades of these colors. Base thick, short, fleshy, unequal. Branches many, swollen, thick, crowded, unequal, enlarged at the ends and divided into several small branchlets which are sometimes reddish at tips. Flesh white.

Spores ellipsoid, sub-transparent, white, 8×5µ Massee.

On wood earth. Common.

New York, Peck, Rep. 24; West Virginia, New Jersey, McIlvaine.

A general favorite and highly esteemed in Europe. Edible. Curtis.

“When old the branches both of this species and of C. flava become elongated, obtuse, very fragile, and of a uniform color. The yellow tips of the latter and the red ones of the former species wholly disappear.” Peck, 32d Rep.

Excepting when young (not always then) the red tips to the branchlets can not be relied upon as distinctive features of this species. The place of its growth and the character of the soil have very much to do 516with its size, and the color and quality of its flesh. A well-shaded thin-soiled spot will, after a rain, grow pale, spindling, tender bunches, having but a tinge of red upon the points; perhaps not any. A rich, better lighted spot will produce more robust and highly colored plants. The same can be said of C. flava. C. botrytes is plentiful in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia and like latitudes. It must be well cooked.

C. amethys´tina Bull.—amethyst in color. (Plate CXXXIX, fig. 1, p. 516.) Height ½-3 in. Color violet, very much branched or almost simple. Branches round, even, fragile, smooth, obtuse, known by its color.

Spores elliptical, pale ochraceous, sub-transparent, 10–12×6–7µ Massee.

Common in open woods and grassy places.

New York, Peck 30th Rep.; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, McIlvaine. August, September.

Eaten in Europe, and by some preferred to any other.

A handsome species, very brittle, and though large, delicate.

C. fastigia´ta—fastigium, the top. Height 1–2 in., tufted, yellow. Branches numerous, flexible, tough, equal, fastigiate (branches pointing upward), sometimes short and simple, when higher very much branched.

Spores white, irregularly globose, 4–6µ Massee.

In pastures and grassy places, during warm months.

North Carolina, Curtis; California, West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

Commonly eaten throughout Europe. In Germany they call it Ziegenbart—goat’s beard.

This is one of the species that has to be looked for. Grass tufts hide it. Its yellowish stools are not unlike them in color. It is freely found, and, though not of the best, well rewards the seeker.

C. muscoi´des—muscus, moss. Height 1–1½ in., slightly tufted, yellow. Stem slender, tomentose at base, becoming two or three times forked. Branchlets thin, tapering, crescent-shaped, acute.

Spores white, subglobose, 5–6µ Massee.

In pastures.

517North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Ohio; New York, Peck, 47th Rep.

Edible. Curtis.

C. Her´veyi Pk. Gregarious or subcespitose, simple or with a few branches, often compressed or irregular, scarcely 1 in. high, golden-yellow, sometimes brownish at the apex. Flesh white. Branches when present, short, simple or terminating in few or many more or less acute denticles. Spores globose, 7.5µ broad, minutely roughened; mycelium white.

Ground under hemlock trees. Orono, Me. September. F.L. Hervey.

Allied to C. fastigiata and C. muscoides, but distinct from both by its more irregular and less branching character and by its larger spores. Peck, 45th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Near Haddonfield, N.J., August, 1890, among scrub pines and spruce. A pretty species of medium flavor.

C. coralloi´des Linn. Height 2–4 in., usually tufted, growing into each other, white. Trunk thick, short, much branched. Branches repeatedly forked, compressed, hollow within, fragile, dilated upward, tips crowded acute.

Occasionally the branches do not develop entirely and are obtuse; they then somewhat resemble in shape C. rugosa, but are not wrinkled.

Spores pale-ochraceous, pointed, 10×8µ Massee.

Indiana, H.I. Miller; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

A common edible species in Europe. Common in United States.

The writer has eaten it for many years. It is not always tender. It should be young, fresh, and the branches alone cooked. It requires slow, patient cooking if at all old. It does dry well, as stated by some writers, but it does not wet well again.

C. cine´rea Bull.—cinis, ashes. (Plate CXL.) Height 1–3 in., gregarious or tufted, sometimes in rows. Gray. Stem either thin or thick, short, lighter than branches. Branches very numerous compressed, 518wrinkled, irregular, somewhat obtuse or flattened and divided into slender points.

Its gray color easily distinguishes it from others. It is variable in its mode of growth and in its shape.

On ground in woods. Common. June to frost.

Eatable, but injurious in quantities. Cordier. Edible, but provokes indigestion in delicate stomachs. Leuba.

Eaten generally in Europe. In France it is called pied de coq.

Plentiful in United States, in mixed woods. June to frost.

The writer and his friends have eaten it for fifteen years, and know of no Clavaria equalling it.

C. tetrago´na Schw.—Four-angled. Very fragile, deep orange-yellow, twice forked. Stem and branches quadrangular, 1–1½ in. tall.

Moist shady places.

New York. Ground in shaded places. August and September. Poughkeepsie, Gerard, Peck, 24th Rep.; North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Schweinitz.

Edible. Curtis.

C. crista´ta Pers.—crista, a crest. (Plate CXLI, p. 518.) Height 1–5 in., whitish, tufts of broad flattened branches cut on margins or crested. Base short, stout. Branches numerous, irregular, flattened upward and divided like moose horns, tough, stuffed, dingy. This peculiarity distinguishes it and separates it from C. coralloides.

Spores pale ochraceous, pointed, 10×8µ Massee.

Woods. Common. Summer and autumn. Indiana, H.I. Miller; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, McIlvaine.

Edible. Curtis.

After a summer rain the crested Clavaria is usually abundant where there is good encouragement of mossy beds or mats of rich wood-soil in woods where leaves and mold accumulate. It is not as tender as 519many other species, but chopped fine and stewed slowly for an hour it will be eaten with enjoyment.

C. rugo´sa Bull.—ruga, a wrinkle. White or dingy, simple or tufted, 2–4 in. high, branched from the base with irregular blunt branches wrinkled lengthwise, sometimes thickened upward.

Distinguished by the distinct, irregular, longitudinal wrinkles.

Spores white, irregularly globose, 8–10µ Massee.

In woods, solitary or gregarious. August to November.

North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis. Pennsylvania, Ohio.

It is reported edible by Dr. Curtis, M.C. Cooke and Dr. Badham.

C. pyxida´ta Pers.—pyxis, a small box. Tufted, light tan-color, shaded with red, 1–3 in. high. Stem or trunk thin, smooth, variable in length, dividing into many erect forked branches, which are cup-shaped at the tips. The margins of these tips have slender branchlets issuing from them (proliforme).

Distinguished by the cup-like tips. Spores white, 4×3µ Massee.

On rotten wood, on rotten roots in ground. June and into the autumn.

North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

Specimen sent by writer to Prof. Peck, June, 1897, and identified by him. Not tested by writer, but is in Dr. Curtis' list of edible species.

C. subtil´is Pers. Scattered, slender, subtenaceous, pallid-white, bases smooth and of equal thickness, branches few, forked, subfastigiate.

North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania.

Edible. Curtis.

C. den´sa Pk. Tufts 2–4 in. high, nearly as broad, whitish or creamy-yellow, branching from the base. Branches very numerous, nearly parallel, crowded, terete, somewhat wrinkled when dry, the tips dentate, concolorous. Spores slightly colored, elliptical, 7.5–10×5–8.5µ.

Ground in woods. Selkirk. August.

Apparently closely allied to C. condensata, but differing decidedly in color. Peck, 41st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Specimens identified by Professor Peck.

520Large masses of it grew at Mt. Gretna, Pa., July, August and September, 1898, in mixed woods.

Brittle; when young it is very compact. It is without much flavor, but stews tender and makes a good dish.

C. au´rea Schaeff.—aurum, gold. (Plate CXXXIX, fig. 2, p. 516.) Trunk thick, elastic, pallid. Flesh white, dividing into numerous thick branches that become repeatedly divided in a dichotomous manner upward, and terminate in slender, erect, round, yellow branchlets. Spores pale ochraceous, elliptical, 10–11×5–6µ.

In woods. Forming large tufts 2–3 in. high, colorless or almost so below, tips yellow. Massee.

North Carolina, Curtis; Ohio, Alabama. Found in West Virginia, 1882; Devon, Angora, Eagle’s Mere, Mt. Gretna, Pa.; Haddonfield, N.J. August and September. McIlvaine.

Eaten in Europe. Edible. Curtis.

In structure it reminds one of a miniature cropped Lombardy poplar. The color is not bright, but dingy-yellow. Resembles C. flava; distinguished by different color of spores. The branches (not stem) are tender and good.

Var. rufes´cens Schaeff.

This plant occurs after heavy rains. It sometimes grows in continuous rows several feet in extent. The pinkish-red tips of the branches fade with age. The axils are rounded and the plant is quite fragile. Fries considers it a variety of C. aurea. Peck, 25th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Found at Springton, Chester county, Pa., August, 1887. It is edible and good. The plant is tender and easily cooked.

C. formo´sa Pers.—formosus, finely formed. (Plate CXXXIX, fig. 3, p. 416.) Height 2–4 in. Trunk 1 in. and more thick, whitish or yellowish, elastic. Branches numerous, crowded, elongated, divided at ends into yellow branchlets which are thin, straight, obtuse or toothed.

Spores ochraceous 9×3–4µ Massee; elongated, oval, rough, 16×8µ W.G.S.

521On ground in woods, in large tufts, frequently in rows several feet long.

North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, New Jersey, McIlvaine.

Esteemed in Europe. Edible. Dr. Curtis.

Common in the United States in woods. Variable. An orange-rose color is sometimes prominent on the tips. The tenderer portions of the plant are excellent, but must be well cooked.

C. spinulo´sa Pers.—spined. Height 2–3 in. high. Stem ½-1 in. thick. Trunk stout, short, whitish. Branches numerous, crowded, erect, tense, elongated, tapering upward. Color cinnamon-brown or darker.

Spores ochraceous, elliptical, 11–13×5–6µ Massee.

On ground in pine woods. August to October.

New York, Peck, 24th Rep.; New Jersey, Sterling; Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.

Of same edible quality as C. aurea, which it resembles, excepting that it is darker and less abrupt in the ending of its clusters.

C. flac´cida Fr.—flaccidus, flaccid. Height 1–3 in., bright ochraceous, slender. Stem short, smooth, sometimes wanting, thin, 1–2 lines thick, repeatedly branched. Branches crowded, unequal, flaccid, upper ones forcep-shaped, pointed. Does not turn green when bruised like C. abietina. The whitish mycelium creeps over the leaves on which it grows. Brittle, tender, flesh white.

Spores ochraceous, broadly elliptical 4–5×3µ K.

Received from E.B. Sterling, Trenton, N.J.

Two specimens eaten. These were quite dry. After soaking they were tender and had good flavor.

C. cir´cinans Pk.—circino, to make round. (Plate CXLII.) Stem short, solid, dichotomously or subverticillately branched. Branches slightly diverging or nearly parallel, nearly equal in length, the ultimate ones terminating in two or more short acute concolorous ramuli. Spores ochraceous.

Plant 1–2 in. high, obconic in outline, flat-topped, appearing almost 522as if truncated, pallid or almost whitish in color, generally growing in imperfect circles or curved lines.

Under spruce and balsam trees. Adirondack mountains. August. Peck, 39th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Where pines have grown, but where now oak and chestnut trees make rather open woods, it grows at Mt. Gretna, Pa. A stumpy fungus impressing one as stunted. Its texture is solid. It does not cook tender, but yields a fungus flavor to the cooking medium.

C. stric´ta Pers.—stringo, to draw tight. Height 2–3 in. Color pale dull-yellow becoming brown when bruised. Stem distinct, thick, short. Branches numerous, repeatedly forked, straight, closely pressed, tips pointed.

Spores dark cinnamon, Fries; creamy yellow 4×6µ W.G.S.

Var. fu´mida. The whole plant is a dingy, smoky-brownish hue, otherwise of the typical form. Catskill mountains. September. In the fresh state the specimens appear very unlike the ordinary form, but in the dried state they are scarcely to be distinguished. Peck, 41st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Eaten in Germany.

This form occurs in West Virginia mountains and at Mt. Gretna, Pa., Trenton, N.J., in August and September, among leaves in mixed woods. It compares favorably with the ordinary run of Clavaria.

C. dicho´toma God.—dividing by pairs. Cespitose, white; branches regularly dividing by pairs, elongated, flexuous, diverging, somewhat compressed, extremities obtuse, rounded at or just below the apex broadly compressed.

On the ground, under beeches.

“Notwithstanding its beauty this is dangerous. In 1883, when it was very plentiful, I saw entire families sick from it and in 1888 there was a repetition with new victims. 523“It produces nausea, vertigo and violent diarrhea.” Leuba.

I have not seen the plant.

Synco´ryne. Gr—together, a club.

C. fusifor´mis Sow.—fusus, a spindle. (Plate CXXXVIII, fig. 1, p. 522.) Yellow, cespitoso-connate, slightly firm, soon hollow. Clubs somewhat fusiform, simple and toothed, even, attenuated to the base which is of the same color. Stevenson.

Spores pale yellow, globose, 4–5µ Massee.

Closely resembles C. inæqualis Fl. Dan.

Woods and pastures. August to November.

Received from E.B. Sterling, Trenton, N.J., August, 1897.

The clubs are ¹⁄₁₆ in. through, 4 in. high, light clear yellow, translucent, clustered in groups of four or five united at the base.

Tender, well flavored, cooks easily.

C. auran´tio-cinnabari´no Schw.—aurantius, orange; cinnabaris, vermilion. Orange-red; base white with a sub-hairy powder; clubs simple, flexuous, fleshy, somewhat tenacious, fasciculate, thickened in the middle and attenuated toward either end, at first cylindrical then compressed, 6–7 mm. thick, 2–4 in. high.

Pennsylvania. On the ground among rhododendrons.

Received from E.B. Sterling, Trenton, N.J.

The plant when fresh is a beautiful rose color, inclining to orange at the tips. It reminds one of the peach-blow vase color in some of its shades. The single clubs, growing in cluster, to the height of four inches, graceful in outline, exquisitely shaded, are a sight one lingers over. While they invite the mycophagist to eat them, his voracity is checked by their beauty. They are tender and delicious. It is regrettable that thus far it has not been reported in quantity.

C. inæqual´is Fl. Dan.—unequal. Height 2–3 in. club-shaped, yellow, gregarious, single or in loose tufts, fragile, stuffed. Clubs club-shaped or almost equal, simple, sometimes forked or variously cut at tip, one color.

Spores colorless, elliptical, 9–10×5µ Massee.

524Woods and pastures. August to October.

Distinguished from C. fusiformis by the tips not being sharp-pointed and colored.

North Carolina, Schweinitz; New Jersey, Sterling.

This Clavaria is quite common in New Jersey. Its clusters are clear bright yellow and conspicuously pretty. The clubs are translucent and smooth. Excepting in color it resembles C. aurantio-cinnabarino. In the many specimens seen there was nothing to suggest the propriety of the name, excepting height of clubs.

A dish of it is a delicacy.

C. vermicula´ris Scop.—vermis, a worm. Height 1–2½ in., white, tufted. Clubs simple, quill-shaped, stuffed, awl-shaped, brittle, pointed.

Spores white, elliptical, 4×3µ Massee.

New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio. Thin grassy woods and among grass. July to October.

Edible. Cordier.

Common in southern New Jersey, and in warm soils from June to frost. When growing among grass it is not conspicuous and is often missed unless specially sought for. Its purity, its choice of refreshing abode, its excellent qualities, make it select among Clavaria.

Holoco´ryne. Gr—entire; Gr—a club.

C. pistillar´is L.—pistillum, a pestle. (Plate CXXXVIII, figs. 2, 3, p. 522.) Height 2–12 in., up to 1 in. and more thick, color light yellow, ochraceous, brownish, chocolate. Clubs Indian-club shape, ovate-rounded, puckered at top, simple, fleshy, white within, spongy, exterior smooth or more or less wrinkled, usually with smooth base.

Spores white, 10×5µ W.G.S.; 9–11×5–6µ Massee.

Mixed woods, moss and grassy places. August until November.

North Carolina, Pennsylvania, California, Alabama.

Eaten in Poland, Russia and Germany.

The writer first found this truly club-like species in West Virginia in 1882, and ate it. But few specimens were found, and those of a dark chocolate color. At Mount Gretna in 1897 and 1898 the yellow variety 525grew in considerable quantity from July until after frost. The largest specimen found measured 5½ in. and was 1 in. in diameter at its thickest part. The average height is 2½ in. Both varieties grew in mixed woods from the leaf-covered ground. They are often clustered, four or five together, and of different sizes. The surface, especially of the dark variety, is regularly, vertically wrinkled, truncated in few places, very much resembling that of the Craterellus cantharellus. The stems of both are white. The apex of the clubs is folded inward as though pulled by drawing-strings.

The flesh is soft, white, fine grained. A slight bitter is present in the dark variety, when raw, which entirely disappears upon cooking. This is one of the best of Clavariæ.

C. clava´ta Pk. Simple, straight, clavate, obtuse, smooth, not hollow, yellow when fresh, rugose-wrinkled and orange-colored when dry, 4–6 lines high.

Damp shaded banks by road-sides. Sandlake. June. Peck, 25th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Patches of it are conspicuous—golden-hued upon somber background. They are seen at Eagle’s Mere, Mt. Gretna, and on the Springton Hills, Pa., along wooded road-sides. Raw, they have a mild, pleasant flavor, and have the same when cooked. A small species seldom found in sufficient quantity to make a comforting dish.

Whole fungus homogeneous, gelatinous, shrivelling when dry, reviving when moistened, pervaded internally with branched filaments, terminating toward the surface all round in sporophores. Spores transparent, from globose to sausage-shape and curved, sometimes septate. Fries.

The Tremellaceæ, as their name signifies, tremble, because jelly-like when moist. They are hard, tough, horny when dry, but swell and become gelatinous when wet. In the typical genus, Tremella, there is often but little consistency. Whoever has climbed an old rail fence on a rainy day has had the doubtful pleasure of acquaintance with some of them. Sections for the microscope are obtainable by hardening them in alcohol.

There are several edible species in the family. They are good in soups, giving them flavor and body, and some are excellent when stewed.

Broadly attached, margin free and reflexed. (No edible species reported.)

Cartilaginous, ear-shaped, attached by a point.

Cup-shaped, truncate, or irregularly lobed; spores reniform, producing curved sporidiola on germination. (No edible species reported.)

Pulvinate and gyrose; spores reniform, producing rod-shaped sporidiola on germination. (No edible species reported.)

Brain-like or lobed; spores globose or ovoid.

Firm, convex, with a central hard nucleus. (No edible species reported.)

Erect, spathulate. (No edible species reported.)

Gelatinous, tremelloid, fan-shaped, fleshy; hymenium with distinct spines.

Small, pulvinate and gyrose. (No edible species reported.)

Irregularly cup-shaped, hymenium on one surface only. (No edible species reported.)

Hymenium at the apex of a short stem, bearing conidia and spores. (No edible species reported.)

Stem distinct, bearing the hymenium at its expanded apex. (No edible species reported.)

Subglobose or lobed, hollow. (No edible species reported.)

Subcylindrical and erect, simple or branched (No edible species reported.)

HIRNE´OLA Fr.

Gelatinous, rather cartilaginous, soft and tremulous when moist, but not distended with jelly, horny when dry, becoming somewhat cartilaginous when moistened. The hard skin forming the hymenium, which covers the cup-shaped cavity and is of a different color, can be separated entire after a thorough soaking in water. Sporophores (spore-bearing processes) not involved in jelly. Spores oblong, curved. Fries.

A very peculiar and distinct genus separated from the neighboring genera by its disk-like, somewhat cup-shaped cavity and by its not being distended with jelly.

H. auri´cula—Jude´a (Linn.) Berk.—Jew’s ear. 1–4 in. across, thin, and flexible when moist, hard when dry, date-brown or blackish. Hymenium venoso-plicate (vein-plaited), forming irregular depressions such as are in the ear, yellowish-gray or grayish beneath and hairy. The large depressions or corrugations branch from smaller ones near the center of the plant.

Spores 20–25×7–9µ Massee.

H. auricula-Judea is not very particular in the trees it patronizes. Elm, maple, hickory, balsam-fir, spruce, alder bear it. When the plant grows on upright timber it usually turns upward. It is not generally reported in the United States.

Ohio, Maryland, Miss Banning; Indiana, H.I. Miller; New York, Peck; New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, McIlvaine. Extensively used in China, where eating it probably antedates all European records by several thousand years. It is brought there dried from Tahiti in great quantities and made into soup.

The writer has found and eaten several specimens of it. It is not as tender as other gelatinous species, but it is an oddity that pleases.

TREMEL´LA Dill.

Distended with jelly when moist, tremulous, without a defined margin and without nipple-like elevations. Spore-bearing processes globose, becoming divided into four parts, each division producing an elongated free point terminating in a simple spore. Fries.

Distinguished by its peculiarly convoluted habit and jelly-like substance, which is more or less inclined to be cartilaginous.

Exidia, similar in form, is separated by possessing minute nipple-like elevations and Hirneola by its distinct difference in form.

Generally growing on dead wood; some species are found on trees and others on the ground, etc.

Old tradition, in many countries, attests that the Tremellas are Fairy bread, and T. albida the choicest baking. Pretty, indeed, must have been the feasts when piles of such purity filled the board, and the brilliant Pezizae were wassail cups.

They are better suited to Fairy appetites than to those of mortals; being watery their nutritive value is small. Nevertheless they have dainty flavor.

So far as tested no suspicion rests upon Tremellæ.

Gelatinous inclining to cartilaginous, foliaceous, naked.

Firm, then pulpy, somewhat pruinose with the spores.

Diffused, becoming plane.

Small, somewhat erumpent.

530I.—Mesenterifor´mes. Gelatinous, inclining to cartilaginous.

T. fimbria´ta Pers.—fimbriæ, fringe. Olivaceous inclining to black, cespitose, clusters 2–3 in. high and even broader, erect, corrugated; lobes flaccid, incised at the margin, undulately fringed.

When soaked with water it has a dark tawny tinge. Stevenson.

Spores subpyriform.

On roots, dead branches, stumps, rails, etc.

From July to December, 1898, tufts five inches in diameter grew from an oak stump close by the writer’s cottage at Mt. Gretna, Pa. These tufts dried, and revived after rain into a gelatinous condition. They were nibbled at raw, and several were cooked. Tufts were found elsewhere in the same woods and eaten by others. They were unanimously approved. The species dries hard, like thin glue, but is darker. A dried piece swells in the mouth, grows tough, and has but little taste. Flavor develops in cooking.

T. lutes´cens Pers.—luteus, yellow. Yellowish, cespitose, small, cluster ½-1 in. broad, very soft, circling in wavy, undulating folds; lobes entire, naked.

Inclining to be fluid. Whitish when young. Stevenson.

Spores subglobose, 12–16µ diameter Massee.

North Carolina, common. Curtis. On decaying branches, stumps, etc. July to February.

It dries and revives, or swells with moisture, very soft and tremulous.

Edible. Leuba.

II.—Cerebrinæ. Firm then pulpy, etc.

T. mesenter´ica Retz. Gr—the mesentary. Gelatinous but firm, bright orange-yellow, variously contorted; lobes short, smooth, pruinose with the white spores at maturity. Spores broadly elliptical, 6–9µ diameter; conidia 1–1.5µ diameter.

On dead branches. Very variable in 531form but known by the bright orange color. From ½-2 in. across. Massee.

North Carolina. Common, edible. Curtis; California, Ohio, West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. McIlvaine. Dr. J.R. Weist, Richmond, Ind., November, 1898, sent me fine specimens.

Very common as an apparent exudation from sticks, branches and rails. It can usually be collected in quantity from June until far into the winter. It can be found in every month in the year.

During the civil war the writer’s first attempt at making a dish of cornstarch resulted in getting it into knots. T. mesenterica, when stewed, very much resembles these same knots. It has a mild, woody flavor, slightly sweet, and is good.

T. myceto´phila Pk. (Plate CXLIVa.) Suborbicular, depressed, circling in folds, tremelloid-fleshy, slightly pruinose, yellowish or pallid, 4–8 lines broad. Peck, 28th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Haddonfield, N.J., August, 1895. McIlvaine.

Professor Peck notes it as found parasitic upon Collybia dryophila.

I found T. mycetophila growing parasitic upon Marasmius oreades, August, 1894. The mass was 2 in. in diameter. Separating them was taking the host from the parasite. Cooked it is glutinous, tender—like calf’s head. Rather tasteless.

T. al´bida Huds.—albidus, whitish. Whitish, becoming dingy-brown when dry, 1 in. broad, ascending, tough, expanded, undulated, somewhat circling in folds, powdered. Stevenson.

Spores oblong, obtuse, curved, 2-guttate, subhyaline, 12–14×4–5µ K.

Where birch, sugar-maple, hickory are in abundance the T. albida will be found. At Eagle’s Mere and Springton, Pa., and other wooded places, it is common during the warm months. It has slight taste, sweet, woody, but makes a pleasant dish.

532T. intumes´cens Eng. Bot.—intumesco, to swell up. Gelatinous; subcespitose, rounded, broken up into numerous tortuous lobes, brown, shining, obscurely dotted, becoming darker when dry. Spores oblong, slightly curved, 12–14×3–4µ.

From 1–2 in. across. Massee.

Entire year, but dried or frozen during winter, swelling in wet weather.

North Carolina. Common. Curtis. West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, McIlvaine.

T. intumescens is not rare in West Virginia, or where beech logs are in plenty, though it does not confine itself to beech. It occurs on maples and some other woods.

It resembles the T. mesenterica in taste, but is sweeter. It is not as large, but is equally good.

533TREMEL´LODON Pers.

Gelatinous, pileate, prickly below, spines awl-shaped, equal. Fries.

The members of this genus resemble in form the section Mesopus of Hydnum and have the same awl-shaped spines, but differ in their gelatinous consistency and fructification.

T. gelatino´sum Pers.—gelatina, jelly. Pileus covered with a greenish-brown bloom, gelatinous, tremulous, dimidiate, somewhat stipitate, covered with small pimples. Spines soft, glaucous.

On fir, trunks and sawdust. September to October. Stevenson.

Of singular beauty, almost translucent with steel-blue tints shading into violet, while the spines are of a pure soft white.

Spores round, somewhat irregular, white, 2µ W.G.S.

Can not be confounded with any. The only gelatinous spiny fungus.

North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Farlow, Frost; New York, Peck, Rep. 22. T. gelatinosum is well distributed over the United States but is not reported in quantity. It is an autumnal grower, lasting well into the winter. The writer found specimens near Haddonfield, N.J., in February, 1894, and sent them to Professor Peck. It is delicious when slowly stewed.