[Illustration: Plate I. Figure 1. --Hydnum Erinaceum. 

Original Specimen 20 × 16. Found on Mt. Logan near Chillicothe, Ohio. ]

THE MUSHROOM

EDIBLE AND OTHERWISE

ITS HABITAT AND ITS TIME OF GROWTH

WITH

PHOTOGRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS

OF

NEARLY ALL THE COMMON SPECIES

A GUIDE TO THE STUDY OF MUSHROOMS, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THEEDIBLE AND POISONOUS VARIETIES, WITH A VIEW OF OPENING UPTO THE STUDENT OF NATURE A WIDE FIELD OF USEFULAND INTERESTING KNOWLEDGE

BY

M. E. HARD, M. A. 

Superintendent of Public InstructionKirkwood, Mo. 

THE OHIO LIBRARY CO. DISTRIBUTORSCOLUMBUS, OHIO

Press ofTHE NEW FRANKLIN PRINTING CO. COLUMBUS, OHIO. 

Halftones by BUCHER ENGRAVING CO. 

Copyright 1908

by the

MUSHROOM PUBLISHING COMPANY

Columbus, Ohio

(All rights reserved)

_AUTHOR'S EDITION_

_No. _ ____

[Illustration: Author. ]

_TO MY WIFE_

 _Whose thorough knowledge of plant life, and whose patience in preserving fungal specimens--sometimes beautiful but often odorous--scattered from the back porch to the author's library, whose eyes, quick to detect structural differences, and whose kindly and patient help have been a constant benediction, this work's inscribed. _

INTRODUCTION

I would agree with those who might maintain that no Introduction isneeded for this book on mushrooms. Nevertheless a word may not be out ofplace for the inception of the work is out of the ordinary. Mr. Hard didnot decide that a book on this subject was needed and then set aboutstudying these interesting plants. He has observed them, collected them, induced many friends to join in eating those which proved to bepalatable and delicious--really meddled for years with the various kindswhich are edible and otherwise, and then recently he has decided topublish a book on his favorite subject. The interesting occupation ofphotographing the mushrooms and the toadstools doubtless has contributedlargely to the determination culminating in the materialization of thetreatise. 

If I have correctly apprehended the origin and the contributing causes, we would expect this book to be different from the other books onmushrooms--not of course in scope and purpose; but the instruction andsuggestions given, the descriptions and general remarks offered, thewide range of forms depicted in word and picture, the whole make up ofthe book in fact, will appeal to the people at large rather than thecollege student in particular. The author does not write for thespecially educated few, but for the mass of intelligent people--thosewho read and study, but who observe more; those who are inclined tocommune with nature as she displays herself in the glens and glades, inthe fields and forests, and who spend little, if any, time chasing theforms or sketching the tissues that may be seen on the narrow stage of acompound microscope. 

The book then is for the beginner, and for all beginners; the collegestudent will find that this is the guide to use when he is ready tobegin studying the mushrooms; the teachers in the schools should allbegin to study mushrooms now, and for the purpose they will find thisbook advantageous; the people who see mushrooms often but do not knowthem may find here a book that really is a help. 

We might wish for color photography when the subject is a delicatelytinted mushroom; but if with it we should lose detail in structure thenthe wish would be renounced. The colors can be, approximately, described, often not so the characteristic markings, shapes and forms. The halftones from the photographs will, we anticipate, prove a valuablefeature of the book, especially if the plants be most carefully examinedbefore turning to the pictures. For half an hour the pages may be turnedand the illustrations enjoyed. That, however, would give one no realknowledge of mushrooms. If such use only is made of the pictures, betterhad they never been prepared by Mr. Hard and his friends. But if acharming little toadstool, a delicately colored mushroom, a statelyagaric, be carefully removed from the bed of loam, the decaying stump, or the old tree-trunk, then turned over and over again, and upside down, every part scrutinized, the structure in every detail attentivelyregarded--not with repugnant feeling, rather with a sympathetic interestthat should naturally find all organisms inhabiting our globe--then indue time coming to the picture, a real picture, in the book, it mustsurely bring both pleasure and profit. Ponder the suggestion. Then, toconclude in a word, if Mr. Hard's book will induce people to _learn_ and_enjoy_ the mushrooms that we have, it will be a success, and great willbe his reward. 

 W. A. Kellerman, Ph. D. 

 _Botanical Department, Ohio State University, Columbus, O. _

AUTHOR'S NOTE

IN MEMORIAM

It is with feelings of profound sadness that I am impelled to supplementthe above Introduction by a brief tribute to the memory of that genialgentleman and lovable companion, as well as enthusiastic scientist, thelate Dr. W. A. Kellerman. 

Spending his life in the pursuit of science, the Angel of Death overtookhim while still in search for wider knowledge of Nature and her works, and with icy fingers sealed the lids over eyes ever on the alert for thediscovery of hidden truths. 

Quiet, reticent, and unassuming, it was given to but few to know thegreat-hearted, unselfish sweetness of nature underlying his whole life. Yet the scientific world in general and Nature students especially, recognize in Dr. Kellerman's death a loss long to be regretted and notsoon to be repaired. 

The foregoing "Introduction" from his pen was one of the latest, if notthe last of his public writings, done but a few weeks before beingstricken with the fatal fever which fell upon him in the forests ofGuatemala, and so quickly ended his earthly hopes and aspirations. 

It seems doubly sad that one so well and widely known in his life shouldbe called upon to lay its burdens and its pleasures down while so faraway from all who knew and loved him well; and to rest at last amongstrangers in a strange land. 

To this beloved friend and companion of so many pleasant days in woodsand fields the author of this book desires to pay the tribute of aloving remembrance and heartfelt appreciation. 

 The Author. 

PREFACE

 "Various as beauteous, Nature, is thy face; * * * all that grows, has grace. All are appropriate. Bog and moss and fen Are only poor to undiscerning men. Here may the nice and curious eye explore How Nature's hand adorns the ruby moor; Beauties are these that from the view retire, But will repay th' attention they require. "

Botany and geology have been favorite studies of the author sinceleaving college, thanks to Dr. Nelson, who lives in the hearts of allhis students. He, by his teachings, made these subjects so attractiveand interesting that by one, at least, every spare moment has been givento following up the studies of botany and paleontology. But themycological part of botany was brought practically to the author'sattention by the Bohemian children at Salem, Ohio, at the same timearousing a desire to know the scientific side of the subject and thus tobe able to help the many who were seeking a personal knowledge of theseinteresting plants. 

Every teacher should be able to open the doors of Nature to his pupilsthat they may see her varied handiwork, and, as far as possible, assistin removing the mist from their eyes that they may see clearly thebeauties of meadow, wood or hillside. 

In beginning the fuller study of the subject the writer labored at greatdisadvantage because, for a number of years, there was but littleavailable literature. Every book written upon this subject, in thiscountry, was purchased as soon as it came out and all have been veryhelpful. 

The study has been a very great pleasure, and some very delightfulfriendships have been made while in search for as great a variety ofspecies as possible. 

For a number of years the object was simply to become familiar with thedifferent genera and species, and no photographs of specimens were made. This was a great mistake; for, after it was determined to bring out thiswork, it seemed impossible to find many of the plants which the authorhad previously found in other parts of the state. 

However, this failure has been very largely overcome through thegenerous courtesy of his esteemed friends, --Mr. C. G. Lloyd, ofCincinnati; Dr. Fisher, of Detroit; Prof. Beardslee, of Ashville, N. C. ;Prof. B. O. Longyear, of Ft. Collins, Col. , and Dr. Kellerman, of OhioState University, --who have most kindly furnished photographsrepresenting those species found earlier in other parts of the state. The species represented here have all been found in this state withinthe past few years. 

The writer is under great obligation to Prof. Atkinson, of CornellUniversity, for his very great assistance and encouragement in the studyof mycology. His patience in examining and determining plants sent himis more fully appreciated than can be expressed here. Dr. WilliamHerbst, Trexlertown, Pa. , has helped to solve many difficult problems;so also have Mr. Lloyd, Prof. Morgan, Capt. McIlvaine and Dr. Charles H. Peck, State Botanist of New York. 

The aim of the book has been to describe the species, as far aspossible, in terms that will be readily understood by the generalreader; and it is hoped that the larger number of illustrations willmake the book helpful to those who are anxious to become acquainted witha part of botany so little studied in our schools and colleges. 

No pains have been spared to get as representative specimens as it waspossible to find. A careful study of the illustrations of the plantswill, in most cases, very greatly assist the student in determining theclassification of the plant when found; but the illustration should notbe wholly relied upon, especially in the study of Boleti. Thedescription should be carefully studied to see if it tallies with thecharacteristics of the plant in hand. 

In many plants where notes had not been taken or had been lost, thedescriptions given by the parties naming the plants were used. This isnotably so of many of the Boleti. The author felt that Dr. Peck'sdescriptions would be more accurate and complete, hence they were used, giving him credit. 

Care has been taken to give the translation of names and to show why theplant was so called. It is always a wonder to the uninitiated how theLatin name is remembered, but when students see that the name includessome prominent characteristic of the plant and thus discover itsapplicability, its recollection becomes comparatively easy. 

The habitat and time of growth of each plant is given, also itsedibility. The author was urged by his many friends throughout thestate, while in institute work and frequently talking upon this subject, to give them a book that would assist them in becoming familiar with thecommon mushrooms of their vicinity. The request has been complied with. 

It is hoped that the work will be as helpful as it has been pleasant toperform. 

 M. E. H. 

Chillicothe, Ohio, January 11, 1908. 

CONTENTS

 Introduction by Dr. W. A. Kellerman vii

 Preface ix

 Chapter I. Why Study Mushrooms? 1

 Mushrooms and Toadstools 3

 What Any One May Eat 4

 How to Preserve Mushrooms 5

 Terms Used 5

 What Is a Fungus or a Mushroom? 10

 Six Groups of Mushrooms 12

 Group I--Hymenomycetes 13

 Family I--Agaricaceæ 13

 Spore Prints 14

 Analytical Key 16

 Chapter II. The White-Spored Agarics 20

 Chapter III. The Rosy-Spored Agarics 236

 Chapter IV. The Rusty-Spored Agarics 257

 Chapter V. The Purple-Brown-Spored Agarics 307

 Chapter VI. The Black-Spored Agarics 331

 Chapter VII. Polyporaceæ. Tube-Bearing Fungi 350

 Chapter VIII. Fungi With Teeth 432

 Chapter IX. Thelephoraceæ 450

 Chapter X. Clavariaceæ--Coral Fungi 459

 Chapter XI. Tremellini 477

 Chapter XII. Ascomycetes--Spore-Sac Fungi 485

 Chapter XIII. Nidulariaceæ--Bird's Nest Fungi 517

 Chapter XIV. Group Gastromycetes 522

 Chapter XV. Lycoperdaceæ--Puff-Balls 531

 Chapter XVI. Sphæriaceæ 573

 Chapter XVII. Myxomycetes 577

 Chapter XVIII. Recipes for Cooking Mushrooms 582

 Chapter XIX. How to Grow Mushrooms 586

 Glossary 595

 A Brief History of Mycologists 598

CHAPTER I. 

=WHY STUDY MUSHROOMS. = Some years ago, while in charge of the schools ofSalem, Ohio, we had worked up quite a general interest in the study ofbotany. It was my practice to go out every day after flowers, especiallythe rarer ones, of which there were many in this county, and bring inspecimens for the classes. There was in the city a wire nail mill, running day and night, whose proprietors brought over, from time totime, large numbers of Bohemians as workers in the mill. Veryfrequently, when driving to the country early in the morning, I foundthe boys and girls of these Bohemian families searching the woods, fields and pastures at some distance from town, although they had notbeen in this country more than a week or two and could not speak a wordof English. I soon found that they were gathering mushrooms of variouskinds and taking them home for food material. They could not tell me howthey knew them, but I quickly learned that they knew them from theirgeneral characteristics, --in fact, they knew them as we know people andflowers. 

I resolved to know something of the subject myself. I had no literatureon mycology, and, at that time, there seemed to be little obtainable. About that time there appeared in Harper's Monthly an article by W. Hamilton Gibson upon Edible Toadstools and Mushrooms--an article which Ithoroughly devoured, soon after purchasing his book upon the subject. 

Salem, Ohio, was a very fertile locality for mushrooms and it was notlong till I was surprised at the number that I really knew. I rememberedthat where there is a will there is a way. 

In 1897 I moved to Bowling Green, Ohio; there I found many species whichI had found about Salem, Ohio, but the extremely rich soil, heavy timberand numerous old lake beaches seemed to furnish a larger variety, sothat I added many more to my list. After remaining three years inBowling Green, making delightful acquaintance with the good people ofthat city as well as with the flowers and mushrooms of Wood county, Providence placed me in Sidney, Ohio, where I found many new species offungi and renewed my acquaintance with many of those formerly met. 

Since coming to Chillicothe I have tried to have the plants photographedas I have found them, but having to depend upon a photographer I couldnot always do this. I have not found in this vicinity many that I havefound elsewhere in the state, although I have found many new thingshere, a fact which I attribute to the hilly nature of the county. Forprints of many varieties of fungi obtained before coming here, I amindebted to my friends. I should advise any one intending to make astudy of this subject to have all specimens photographed as soon as theyare identified, thus fixing the species for future reference. 

It seems to me that every school teacher should know something ofmycology. Some of my teachers have during the past year made quite astudy of this interesting subject, and I have found that their pupilskept them busy in identifying their finds. Their lists of genera andspecies, as exhibited on the blackboards at the close of the season werequite long. I found from my Bohemian boys and girls that their teachersin their native country had opened for them the door to this very usefulknowledge. Observation has proven to me conclusively that there is alarge and increasing interest in this subject throughout the greaterpart of Ohio. 

Every professional man needs a hobby which he may mount in his hours ofrelaxation, and I am quite sure there is no field that offers betterinducement for a canter than the subject of botany, and especially thisparticular department of botanical work. 

I have a friend, a professional man who has an eye and a heart for allthe beauties of nature. After hours of confinement in his office atclose and critical work he is always anxious for a ramble over thehillsides and through the woods, and when we find anything new he seemsto enjoy it beyond measure. 

Many ministers of the gospel have become famous in the mycologicalworld. The names of Rev. Lewis Schweiwitz, of Bethlehem, Pa. ; Rev. M. J. Berkeley and Rev. John Stevenson, of England, will live as long asbotany is known to mankind. Their influence for good and helpfulness totheir fellowmen will be everlasting. 

With such an inspiration, how quickly one is lost to all business cares, and how free and life-giving are the fields, the meadows and the woods, so that one must exclaim with Prof. Henry Willey in his "Introduction tothe Study of the Lichen":

 "If I could put my woods in song, And tell what's there enjoyed, All men would to my garden throng, And leave the cities void. In my lot no tulips blow; Snow-loving pines and oaks instead; And rank the savage maples grow, From Spring's first flush to Autumn red; My garden is a forest ledge, Which older forests bound. "

MUSHROOMS AND TOADSTOOLS

=HOW TO TELL MUSHROOMS FROM TOADSTOOLS. = In all probability no studentof mycology has any one query more frequently or persistently pressedupon his attention than the question, "How do you tell a toadstool froma mushroom?"--or if in the woods or fields, in search for new species, with an uninitiated comrade, he has frequently to decide whether acertain specimen "is a mushroom or a toadstool, " so firmly fixed is theidea that one class of fungi--the toadstools--are poisonous, and theother--the mushrooms--are edible and altogether desirable; and theseinquiring minds frequently seem really disappointed at being told thatthey are one and the same thing; that there are edible toadstools andmushrooms, and poisonous mushrooms and toadstools; that in short atoadstool is really a mushroom and a mushroom is only a toadstool afterall. 

Hence the questions with the beginner is, how he may tell a poisonousfungus from an edible one. There is but one answer to this question, andthat is that he must thoroughly learn both genera and species, studyingeach till he knows its special features as he does those of his mostfamiliar friends. 

Certain species have been tested by a number of people and found to beperfectly safe and savory; on the other hand, there are species undervarious genera which, if not actually poisonous, are at leastdeleterious. 

It is the province of all books on fungi to assist the student inseparating the plants into genera and species; in this work specialattention has been given to distinguishing between the edible and thepoisonous species. There are a few species such as Gyromitra esculenta, Lepiota Morgani, Clitocybe illudens, etc. , which when eaten by certainpersons will cause sickness soon after eating, while others will escapeany disagreeable effects. Chemically speaking, they are not poisonous, but simply refuse to be assimilated in some stomachs. It is best toavoid all such. 

=HOW MUSHROOMS GROW. = There is a strong notion that mushrooms grow veryquickly, springing up in a single night. This is erroneous. It is truethat after they have reached the button stage they develop very quickly;or in the case of those that spring from a mature egg, develop sorapidly that you can plainly see the motion of the upward growth, butthe development of the button from the mycelium or spawn takestime--weeks, months, and even years. It would be very difficult to tellthe age of many of our tree fungi. 

=HOW TO LEARN MUSHROOMS. = If the beginner will avoid all Amanitas andperhaps some of the Boleti he need not be much worried in regard to thesafety of other species. 

There are three ways by which he can become familiar with the ediblekinds. The first is the physiological test suggested by Mr. Gibson inhis book. It consists in chewing a small morsel and then spitting it outwithout swallowing the juice; if no important symptoms arise withintwenty-four hours, another bit may be chewed, this time swallowing asmall portion of the juice. Should no irritation be experienced afteranother period of waiting, a still larger piece may be tried. I alwayssample a new plant carefully, and thus am often able to establish thefact of its edibility before being able to locate it in its properspecies. This fall I found for the first time Tricholoma columbetta; itwas some time after I had proven it an edible mushroom before I hadsettled upon its name. A better way, perhaps, is to cook them and feedthem to your cat and watch the result. 

Another way is to have a friend who knows the plants go with you, andthus you learn under a teacher as a pupil learns in school. This is thequickest way to gain a knowledge of plants of any kind, but it isdifficult to find a competent teacher. 

Still another way, and one that is open to all, is to gain a knowledgeof a few species and through their description become familiar with theterms used in describing a mushroom; this done, the way is open, if youhave a book containing illustrations and descriptions of the most commonplants. Do not be in a hurry to get the names of all the plants, and donot make use of any about which you are not absolutely sure. Ingathering mushrooms to eat, do not put into your basket with those youintend to eat a single mushroom of whose edible qualities you have anydoubt. If you have the least doubt about it, discard it, or put it inanother basket. 

There are no fixed rules by which you can tell a poisonous from anedible mushroom. I found a friend of mine eating Lepiota naucina, noteven knowing to what genus it belonged, simply because she could peelit. I told her that the most deadly mushroom can be peeled just asreadily. Nor is there anything more valuable in the silver spoon test inwhich Mr. Gibson's old lady put so much confidence. Some say, do not eatany that have an acrid taste; many are edible whose taste is quiteacrid. Others say, do not eat any whose juice or milk is white, but thiswould discard a number of Lactarii that are quite good. There is nothingin the white gills and hollow stem theory. It is true that the Amanitahas both, but it must be known by other characteristics. Again we aretold to avoid such as have a viscid cap, or those that change colorquickly; this is too sweeping a condemnation for it would cut outseveral very good species. I think I may safely say there is no knownrule by which the good can be distinguished from the bad. The only safeway is to know each species by its own individual peculiarities--to knowthem as we know our friends. 

The student of mycology has before him a description of each species, which must tally with the plant in hand and which will soon render himfamiliar with the different features of the various genera and species, so he can recognize them as readily as the features of his best friends. 

=WHAT ANYONE MAY EAT. = In the spring of the year there comes with theearliest flowers a mushroom so strongly characteristic in all its formsthat no one will fail to recognize it. It is the common morel or spongemushroom. None of them are known to be harmful, hence here the beginnercan safely trust his judgment. While he is gathering morels to eat hewill soon begin to distinguish the different species of the genera. FromMay till frost the different kinds of puff-balls will appear. Allpuff-balls are good while their interior remains white. They are neverpoisonous, but when the flesh has begun to turn yellow it is verybitter. The oyster mushroom is found from March to December and isalways a very acceptable mushroom. The Fairy Rings are easily recognizedand can be found in any old pasture during wet weather from June toOctober. In seasonable weather they are usually very plentiful. Thecommon meadow mushroom is found from September to frost. It is known byits pink gills and meaty cap. There is a mushroom with pink gills foundin streets, along the pavements and among the cobble stones. The stemsare short and the caps are very meaty. It is A. Rodmani. These are foundin May and June. The horse mushroom has pink gills and may be foundfrom June to September. The Russulas, found from July to October, aregenerally good. A few should be avoided because of their acrid taste ortheir strong odor. There is no time from early spring till freezingweather when you can not find mushrooms, if the weather is at allfavorable. I have given the habitat and the time when each species canbe found. I should recommend a careful study of these two points. Readthe descriptions of plants which grow in certain places and at certaintimes, and you will generally be rewarded, if you follow out thedescription and the season is favorable. 

=HOW TO PRESERVE MUSHROOMS. = Many can be dried for winter use, such asthe Morels, Marasmius oreades, Boletus edulis, Boletus edulis, va. Clavipes, and a number of others. My wife has very successfully canned anumber of species, notably Lycoperdon pyriforme, Pleurotus ostreatus andTricholoma personatum. The mushrooms were carefully picked over andwashed, let stand in salt water for about five minutes, in order to freethem of any insect-life which may be in the gills, then drained, cutinto pieces small enough to go into the jars easily. Each jar was packedas full as possible with mushrooms and filled up with water salt enoughto flavor the mushroom properly. Then put into a kettle of cold water onthe stove, the lids being loosely placed on the top, and allowed to cookfor an hour or more after the water in the kettle begins to boil. Thetops were then fastened on securely and after trying the jars to see ifthere was any leak, they were set away in a cool, dark place. 

In canning puff-balls they should be carefully washed and sliced, beingsure that they are perfectly white all through. They do not need tostand in salt water before packing in the jar as do those mushroomswhich have gills. Otherwise they were canned as the Tricholoma andoyster mushroom. Any edible mushroom can easily be kept for winter useby canning. Use glass jars with glass tops. 

TERMS USED

=SOME OF THE MOST COMMON TERMS USED. = In describing mushrooms it isnecessary to use certain terms, and it will be incumbent upon anyone whowishes to become familiar with this part of botanical work to understandthoroughly the terms used in describing the plants. 

The substance of all mushrooms is either fleshy, membranaceous, orcorky. The _pileus_ or _cap_ is the expanded part, which may be eithersessile or supported by a stem. The pileus is not made up of cellulartissue as in flowering plants, but of myriads of interwoven threads orhyphae. This structure of the pileus will become evident at once if athin portion of the cap is placed under the microscope. 

The _gills_ or _lamellæ_ are thin plates or membranes radiating from thestem to the margin of the cap. When they are attached squarely andfirmly to the stem they are said to be _adnate_. If they are attachedonly by a part of the width of the gills, they are _adnexed_. Shouldthey extend down on the stem, they are _decurrent_. They are _free_ whenthey are not attached to the stem. Frequently the lower edge is notchedat, or near, the stem and in this case they are said to be _emarginate_or _sinuate_. 

[Illustration: Figure 2. --Small portion of a section through thespore-bearing layer of a mushroom which produces its spores on the endsof cells called basidium. (a) Spores, (b) basidium, (c) sterile cells. ]

In some genera the lower surface of the cap is full of pores instead ofgills; in other genera the lower surface is crowded with teeth; in stillothers the surface is smooth, as in the Stereums. The gills, pores andteeth afford a foundation for the hymenium or fruit-bearing surface. Itwill be readily seen that the gills, pores and teeth simply expose in avery economical way the greatest possible spore-bearing surface. 

If a section of the gills be examined by a microscope, it will beobserved that upon both sides of the surface are extended hymeniallayers. The _hymenium_ consists of elongated cells or basidia(singular, basidium) more or less club-shaped. Figure 2 will show howthese basidia appear on the hymenial layer when strongly magnified. Itwill be seen that they are placed side by side and are perpendicular tothe surface of the gills. Upon each of these basidia are in some speciestwo, usually four, slender projections upon which the spores areproduced. In Figure 2 a number of sterile cells will be seen whichresemble the basidia except that the latter bear four sterigmata uponwhich the spores rest. Among these basidia and sterile cells willfrequently be seen an overgrown bladder-like sterile basidium whichprojects beyond the rest of the hymenium, and whose use is not as yetfully known. They are called cystidia (singular, cystidium). They arenever numerous, but they are scattered over the entire surface, becomingmore numerous along the edge of the gills. When they are colored, theychange the appearance of the gills. 

[Illustration: Figure 3. --Rootlike strands of mycelium of thepear-shaped puff-ball growing in rotten wood. Young puff-balls in theform of small white knots are forming on the strands. Naturalsize. --_Longyear. _]

The spores are the seeds of the mushroom. They are of various sizes andshapes, with a variety of surface markings. They are very small, as fineas dust, and invisible to the naked eye, except as they are seen inmasses on the grass, on the ground, or on logs, or in a spore print. Itis the object of every fungus to produce spores. Some fall on the parenthost or upon the ground. Others are wafted away by every rise of thewind and carried for days and finally settle down, it may be, in otherstates and continents from those in which they started. Millions perishbecause of not finding a suitable resting place. Those spores that dofind a favorable resting-place, under right conditions, will begin togerminate by sending out a slender thread-like filament, or hyphæ, whichat once branches out in search of food material, and which always formsa more or less felted mass, called mycelium. When first formed the hyphæare continuous and ramify through the nourishing substratum from whichthere arises afterward a spore-bearing growth known as the sporocarp oryoung mushroom. This vegetative part of the fungus is usually hidden inthe soil, or in decayed wood, or vegetable matter. In Figure 3 is arepresentation of the mycelium of the small pear-shaped puff-ball with anumber of small white knobs marking the beginning of the puff-ball. Themycelium exposed here is very similar to the mycelium of all mushrooms. 

In the pore-bearing genera the hymenium lines the vertical pores; inteeth-bearing fungi it lines the surface of each tooth, or is spread outover the smooth surface of the Stereum. 

The development of the spores is quite interesting. The young basidia asseen in Figure 2 are filled with a granular protoplasm. Soon smallprojections, called sterigma (plural, sterigmata), make their appearanceon the ends of the basidia and the protoplasm passes into them. Eachprojection or sterigma soon swells at its extremity into a bladder-likebody, the young spore, and, as they enlarge, the protoplasm of thebasidium is passed into them. When the four spores are full grown theyhave consumed all the protoplasm in the basidium. The spores soonseparate by a transverse partition and fall off. All spores of theHymenomycetous fungi are arranged and produced in a similar manner, withtheir spore-bearing surface exposed early in life by the rupture of theuniversal veil. 

In the puff-balls the spores are arranged in the same way, but thehymenium is inclosed within an outer sack. When the spores are ripe thecase is ruptured and the spores escape into the air as a dusty powder. The puff-balls, therefore, belong to the Gastromycetous fungi becauseits spores are inclosed in a pouch until they are matured. 

Another very large group of fungi is the Ascomycetes, or sac fungi. Itis very easily determined because all of its members develop theirspores inside of small membranous sacs or asci. These asci are generallyintermixed with slender, empty asci, or sterile cells, calledparaphyses. These asci are variously shaped bodies and are known indifferent orders by different names, such as ascoma, apothecium, perithecium, and receptacle. The Ascomycetes often include among theirnumbers fungi ranging in size from microscopic one-celled plants toquite large and very beautiful specimens. To this group belong the greatnumber of small fungi producing the various plant diseases. 

In a work of this kind especial attention is naturally given to theorder of Discomycetes or cup fungi. This order is very large and is socalled because so many of the plants are cup shaped. These cups varygreatly in size and form; some are so small that it requires a lens toexamine them; some are saucer-shaped; some are like goblets, and someresemble beakers of various shapes. The saddle fungi and morels belongto this order. Here the sac surface is often convoluted, lobed, andridged, in order to afford a greater sac-bearing surface. 

[Illustration: Figure 4. --Small portion of a section through thespore-bearing part of a morel in which the spores are produced in littlesacs or asci. (a) An ascus, (b) an ascus discharging its spores, (c) thespores, (d) sterile cells. Highly magnified. --_Longyear. _]

In the mushrooms, puff-balls, etc. , we find the spores were borne on theends of basidia, usually four spores on each. In this group the sporesare formed in minute club-shaped sacs, known as asci (singular, ascus). These asci are long, cylindrical sacs, standing side by side, perpendicular to the fruiting surface. Figure 4 will illustrate theirposition together with the sterile cells on the fruiting surface of oneof the morels. They usually have eight spores in each sac or ascus. 

The stem of the mushroom is usually in the center of the cap, yet it maybe eccentric or lateral; when it is wanting, the pileus is said to besessile. The stem is solid when it is fleshy throughout, or hollow whenit has a central cavity, or stuffed when the interior is filled withpithy substance. The stems are either fleshy or cartilaginous. When theformer, it is of the same consistency as the pileus. If the latter, itsconsistency is always different from the pileus, resembling cartilage. The stem of the Tricholoma affords a good example of the fleshy stemmedmushroom, and that of the Marasmius illustrates the cartilaginous. 

[Illustration: Figure 5. --Small portion of a stem of a morel showingcell filaments. Highly magnified. --_Longyear. _]

If the cap or stem of a mushroom is examined with a microscope of highmagnifying power it will be found to be made up of a continuation of themycelial filaments, interlaced and interwoven, branching, and thetubular filaments often delicately divided, giving the appearance ofcells. Figure 5 represents a small portion of a Morel stem highlymagnified showing the cell filaments. In soft fungi the mycelial threadsare more loosely woven and have thin walls with fewer partitions. 

The _veil_ is a thin sheet of mycelial threads covering the gills, sometimes remaining on the stem, forming a _ring_ or _annulus_. Thissometimes remains for a time on the margin of the cap when it is said tobe _appendiculate_. Sometimes it resembles a spider's web when it iscalled _arachnoid_. 

The _volva_ is a universal wrapper, surrounding the entire plant whenyoung, but which is soon ruptured, leaving a trace in the form of scaleson the cap and a sheath around the base of the stem, or breaking up intoscales or a scaly ring at the base of the stem. All plants having thisuniversal volva should be avoided, further than for the purpose ofstudy. Care should be taken that, in their young state, they are notmistaken for puff-balls. Frequently when found in the egg state theyresemble a small puff-ball. Figure 6 represents a section of an Amanitain the egg-state and also the Gemmed puff-ball. As soon as a section ismade and carefully examined the structure of the inside will reveal theplant at once. There is but little danger of confusing the egg stage ofan Amanita with the puff-ball, for they resemble each other only intheir oval shape, and not in the least in their marking on the surface. 

[Illustration: Figure 6. --The lefthand figure represents a verticalsection through a young plant of the gemmed puff-ball showing thecellular structure of the stem-like lower half, called the subgleba. Therighthand figure shows a vertical section of the egg stage of anAmanita, a very poisonous fungus which grows in woods and which might bemistaken for a young puff-ball if not cut open. The fungus forms justbelow the surface of the soil, finally bursting the volva, sending up aparasol mushroom. Natural size. --_Longyear. _]

=WHAT IS A FUNGUS OR A MUSHROOM?= It is a cellular, flowerless plant, nourished by the mycelium which permeates the soil or other substanceson which the fungus or mushroom grows. All fungi are either parasites orsaprophytes which have lost their chlorophyll, and are incapable ofsupporting an independent existence. 

There is a vast number of genera and species, and many have theparasitic habit which causes them to enter the bodies of other plantsand of animals. For this reason all fungi are of economic importance, especially the microscopic forms classed under the head of Bacteria. Some recent writers are inclined to separate the Bacteria andslime-molds from the fungus group, and call them fungus animals. However this may be, they are true plants and have many of thecharacteristics of the fungi. They may differ from the fungi in theirvegetative functions, yet they have so many things in common that I aminclined to place them under this group. 

Many, such as the yeast fungus, the various fermentative fungi, and theBacteria concerned in the process of decomposition, are indeed veryuseful. The enrichment and preparation of soils for the uses of higherplants, effected by Bacteria, are very important services. 

Parasites derive their nourishment from living plants and animals. Theyare so constituted that when their nourishing threads come within rangeof the living plant they answer a certain impulse by sending out specialthreads, enveloping the host and absorbing nutrition. Saprophitic plantsdo not experience this reaction from the living plants. They arecompelled to get their nourishment from decaying products of plants oranimals, consequently they live in rich ground or leaf mold, on decayedwood, or on dung. Parasites are usually small, being limited by theirhost. Saprophytes are not thus limited for food supply and it ispossible to build up large plants such as the common mushroom group, puff-balls, etc. 

The spores are the seeds or reproductive bodies of the mushroom. Theyare very fine, and invisible to the naked eye except when collectedtogether in great masses. Underneath mushrooms, frequently, the grass orwood will be white or plainly discolored from the spores. The hymeniumis the surface or part of the plant which bears the spores. Thehymenophore is the part which supports the hymenium. 

In the common mushroom, and in fact many others, the spores develop on acertain club-like cell, called basidium (plural, basidia), on each ofwhich four spores usually develop. In morels these cells are elongatedinto cylindrical membranous sacs called asci, in each of which eightspores are usually developed. The spores will be found of variouscolors, shapes, and sizes, a fact which will be of great assistance tothe student in locating strange species and genera. In germination thespores send out slender threads which Botanists call mycelium, but whichcommon readers know as spawn. 

The method and place of spore development furnish a basis for theclassification of fungi. The best way to acquire a thorough knowledge ofboth our edible and poisonous mushrooms is to study them in the light ofthe primary characters employed in their classification and theirnatural relation to each other. 

There is a wide difference of opinion as to the classification ofmushrooms. Perhaps the most simple and satisfactory is that of Underwoodand Cook. They arrange them under six groups:

 1. Basidiomycetes--those in which the spores or reproductive bodies are naked or external as shown in illustration 2 on page 15. 

 2. Ascomycetes--those in which the spores are inclosed in sacs or asci. These sacs are very clearly represented in illustration Figure 4 on page 18. This will include the Morels, Pezizæ, Pyrenomycetes, Tuberaceæ, Sphairiacei, etc. 

 3. Physcomycetes--including the Mucorini, Saprolegniaceæ, and Peronosporeæ. Potato rot and downy mildew on grape vines belong to this family. 

 4. Myxomycetes--Slime moulds. 

 5. Saccharomycetes--Yeast fungi. 

 6. Schizomycetes--are minute, unicellular Protophytes which reproduce mainly by transverse fission. 

CLASS, FUNGI--SUB-CLASS, BASIDIOMYCETES. 

This class will include all gill-bearing fungi, Polyporus, Boletus, Hydnum, etc. 

Fungi of this class are divided into four natural groups:

 1. Hymenomycetes. 2. Gasteromycetes. 3. Uredinæ. 4. Ustilagineæ. 

GROUP 1--HYMENOMYCETES. 

Under this group will be placed all fungi composed of membranes, fleshy, woody, or gelatinous, whether growing on the ground or on wood. Thehymenium, or spore-bearing surface, is external at an early stage in thelife of the plant. The spores are borne on basidia as explained inFigure 2, page 6. When the spores ripen they fall to the ground or arecarried by the wind to a host that presents all the conditions necessaryfor germination; there they produce the mycelia or white thread-likevines that one may have noticed in plowing sod, in old chip piles, ordecayed wood. If one will examine these threads there will be foundsmall knots which will in time develop into the full grown mushroom. Hymenomycetes are divided into six families:

 1. Agaricaceæ. Hymenium with gills. 2. Polyporaceæ. Hymenium with pores. 3. Hydnaceæ. Hymenium with spines. 4. Thelephoraceæ. Hymenium horizontal and mostly on the under surface. 5. Clavariaceæ. Hymenium on a smooth club-shaped surface. 6. Tremellaceæ. Hymenium even and superior. Gelatinous fungi. 

FAMILY 1--AGARICACEAE. 

[Illustration: Figure 7. --Spore-print of Agaricus arvensis. ]

In the Agaricaceæ or common mushrooms, and in all other of similarstructure, the spore-producing membranes are found on the under surfaceof the cap. They consist of thin lamellæ, or gills, attached by theupper edge to the cap and extending from the stem to the margin of thecap. Very frequently that space may be entirely utilized by shorterlamellæ, or gills, intervening between the longer, especially toward themargin of the cap. In a few species where the stem seems to be wanting, or where it is attached to the side of the cap, the lamellæ, or gills, radiate from the point of attachment or from the lateral stem to otherparts of the circumference of the cap. Berkeley gives the followingcharacteristics: Hymenium, inferior, spread over easily divisible gillsor plates, radiating from a center or stem, which may be either simpleor branched. 

This family includes the following genera:

 1. Agaricus--Gills, not melting, edge acute; including all the sub-genera which have been elevated to the rank of genera. 

 2. Coprinus--Gills deliquescent, spores black. 

 3. Cortinarius--Gills persistent, veil spider-web-like, terrestrial. 

 4. Paxillus--Gills separating from the hymenophorum and decurrent. 

 5. Gomphidius--Gills branched and decurrent, pileus top-shaped. 

 6. Bolbitius--Gills becoming moist, spores colored. 

 7. Lactarius--Gills milky, terrestrial. 

 8. Russula--Gills equal, rigid, and brittle, terrestrial. 

 9. Marasmius--Gills thick, tough, hymenium dry. 

 10. Hygrophorus--Stem confluent with the hymenophorum; gills sharp edged. 

 11. Cantharellus--Gills thick, branched, rounded edge. 

 12. Lentinus--Pileus hairy, hard, tough; gills, tough, unequal, toothed; on logs and stumps. 

 13. Lenzites--Whole plant corky; gills simple or branched. 

 14. Trogia--Gills venose, fold-like, channelled. 

 15. Panus--Gills corky, with acute edge. 

 16. Nyctalis--Veil universal; gills broad, often parasitic. 

 17. Schizophyllum--Gills corky, split longitudinally. 

 18. Xerotus--Gills tough, fold-like. 

Therefore the gill-bearing fungi are known under the family name, Agaricaceæ, or more generally known as Agarics. 

[Illustration: Figure 8. --Spore-print of Hypholoma sublatertium. ]

This family is divided into five series, according to the color of theirspores. The spores when seen in masses possess certain colors, white, rosy, rusty, purple-brown and black. Therefore the first and mostimportant part to be determined in locating a mushroom is to ascertainthe color of the spores. To do this, take a fresh, perfect, and fullydeveloped specimen, remove the stem from the cap. Place the cap with thegills downward on the surface of dark velvety paper, if you suspect thespores to be white. Invert a finger bowl or a bell glass over the cap tokeep the air from blowing the spores away. If the spores should becolored, white paper should be used. If the specimen is left too longthe spore deposit will continue upward between the gills and it mayreach an eighth of an inch in height, in which case if great care istaken in removing the cap there will be a perfect likeness of the gillsand also the color of the spores. 

[Illustration: Figure 9. --Spore-print of a Flammula. ]

There are two ways of making these spore prints quite permanent. Firsttake a piece of thin rice paper, muscilage it and allow it to dry, thenproceed as above. In this way the print will stand handling quite alittle. Another way, and that used to prepare the spore-prints in thesephotographs, is to obtain the spore-print upon Japanese paper as in thepreceding method, then by an atomizer spray the print gently andcarefully with a fixative such as is used in fixing charcoal drawings. Success in making spore-prints requires both time and care, but thesatisfaction they give is ample recompense for the trouble. It is moredifficult to obtain good prints from the white-spored mushrooms thanfrom those bearing colored spores, because it is hard to obtain a blackpaper having a dull velvety surface, and the spores will not adhere wellto a smooth-finished, glossy paper. For the prints illustrated I amindebted to Mrs. Blackford. 

[Illustration: Figure 10. --Spore-print of a Boletus. ]

If the plant is dry it is well to moisten the fingerbowl or bell-glasson the inside before placing it over the mushroom. The spores of Boleti, and, indeed, all fungi can be caught and fixed in the same way. 

From the study of these spore-prints we shall find five different colorsof spores. This family is, therefore, divided into five series, determined by the color of the spores, which are always constant incolor, size and shape. 

The five series will be treated in the following order:

 1. The white-spored Agarics. 2. The rosy-spored Agarics. 3. The rusty-spored Agarics. 4. The purple-brown-spored Agarics. 5. The black-spored Agarics. 

=ANALYTICAL KEY. =

This key is largely based upon Cooke's analytical key. Its use will helpto locate the plant in hand in the genus to which it belongs. 

The first thing the student should do is to determine the color of thespore if it is not evident. This is best done according to the plandescribed on page 15. 

The plant should be fresh and mature. Careful attention should be givento different stages of development. The habit of the plant should beconsidered; then, as soon as the color of the spores is determined, itwill be an easy matter to locate the genus by means of the key. 

GROUP I--HYMENOMYCETES. 

Mycelium floccose, giving rise to a distinct hymenium, fungus fleshy, membranaceous, woody or gelatinous. Spores naked. 

 Hymenium, normally inferior-- Hymenium with gills Agaricaceæ. Hymenium with pores Polyporaceæ. Hymenium with teeth Hydnaceæ. Hymenium even Thelophoraceæ. Hymenium, superior-- Hymenium on smooth surface, club-shaped, Clavariaceæ. Hymenium lobed, convolute, gelatinous, Tremellaceæ. 

FAMILY 1--AGARICACEAE. 

Hymenium inferior, pileus more or less expanded, convex, bell-shaped. Gills radiating from the point of attachment of the pileus with thestem, or from a lateral stem to other parts of the cap, simple orbranched. 

 I. Spores white or slightly tinted. _A. _ Plants fleshy, more or less firm, decaying soon. _a. _ Stem fleshy, pileus easily separating from the stem. Volva present and ring on the stem. Pileus bearing warts or patches free from the cuticle Amanita. Volva present, ring wanting Amanitopsis. Pileus scaly, scales concrete with cuticle, Volva wanting, ring present Lepiota. Hymenophore confluent, Without cartilaginous bark, _b. _ Stem central, ring present (sometimes vague), Volva wanting, gills attached Armillaria. Without a ring, Gills sinuate Tricholoma. Gills decurrent, Edges acute Clitocybe. Edges swollen Cantharellus. Gills adnate, Parasitic on other mushrooms Nyctalis. Not parasitic, Milky Lactarius. Not exuding juice when bruised, Rigid and brittle Russula. Quite viscid, waxy consistency Hygrophorus. _c. _ Stem lateral or none, rarely central Pleurotus. _d. _ Stem with cartilaginous bark, Gills adnate Collybia. Gills sinuate Mycena. Gills decurrent Omphalia. Plants tough, fleshy, membranaceous, leathery, Stem central, Gills simple Marasmius. Gills branched Xerotus. _B. _ Plants gelatinous and leathery Heliomyces. Stem lateral or wanting, Edge of gills serrate Lentinus. Edge of gills entire Panus. Gills fold-like, irregular Trogia. Edge of gills split longitudinally Schizophyllum. _C. _ Plants corky or woody, Gills anastomosing. Lenzites. 

 II. Spores rosy or salmon color. _A. _ Stem central. Gills free, stem easily separating from pileus. Without cartilaginous stem, Volva present and distinct, no ring Volvaria. Without a volva, with a ring Annularia. Without a volva and without a ring Pluteus. _B. _ Stem fleshy to fibrous, margin of pileus at first incurved, Gills sinuate or adnate Entoloma. Gills decurrent Clitopilus. _C. _ Stem eccentric or none, pileus lateral Claudopus. Gills decurrent, pileus umbilicate Eccilia. Gills not decurrent, pileus torn into scales, and slightly convex, margin at first involute Leptonia. Pileus bell-shaped, margin at first straight Nolanea. 

 III. Spores rusty-brown or yellow-brown. _A. _ Stem not cartilaginous, _a. _ Stem central, With a ring, Ring continuous Pholiota. Veil arachnoid, Gills adnate, powdery from spores Cortinarius. Gills decurrent or adnate, mostly epiphytal Flammula. Gills somewhat sinuate, cuticle of the pileus silky, or bearing fibrils Inocybe. Cuticle smooth, viscid Hebeloma. Gills separating from the hymenophore and decurrent Paxillus. _b. _ Stem lateral or absent Crepidotus. _B. _ Stem cartilaginous, Gills decurrent Tubaria. Gills not decurrent, Margin of the pileus at first incurved Naucoria. Margin of pileus always straight, Hymenophore free Pluteolus. Hymenophore confluent Galera. Gills dissolving into a gelatinous condition Bolbitius. 

 IV. Spores purple-brown. _A. _ Stem not cartilaginous, Pileus easily separating from the stem, Volva present, ring wanting Chitonia. Volva and ring wanting Pilosace. Volva wanting, ring present Agaricus. Gills confluent, ring present on stem Stropharia. Ring wanting, veil remaining attached to margin of pileus Hypholoma. _B. _ Stem cartilaginous, Gills decurrent Deconia. Gills not decurrent, margin of pileus at first incurved Psilocybe. Margin of pileus at first straight Psathyra. 

 V. Black spored mushrooms. Gills deliquescent Coprinus. Gills not deliquescent, Gills decurrent Gomphidius. Gills not decurrent, pileus striate Psathyrella. Pileus not striate, ring wanting, veil often present on margin Panæolus. Ring wanting, veil appendiculate Chalymotta. Ring present Anellaria. 

CHAPTER II. 

THE WHITE-SPORED AGARICS. 

The species bearing the white spores seem to be higher in type thanthose producing colored spores. Most of the former are firmer, while theblack spored specimens soon deliquesce. The white spores are usuallyoval, sometimes round, and in many cases quite spiny. All white-sporedspecimens will be found in clean places. 

_Amanita. Pers. _

_Amanita_ is supposed to be derived from Mount Amanus, an ancient nameof a range separating Cilicia from Syria. It is supposed that Galenfirst brought specimens of this fungus from that region. 

The genus _Amanita_ has both a volva and veil. The spores are white andthe stem is readily separable from the cap. The volva is universal atfirst, enveloping the young plant, yet distinct and free from thecuticle of the pileus. 

This genus contains some of the most deadly poisonous mushrooms, although a few are known to be very good. There is a large number ofspecies--about 75 being known, 42 of which have been found in thiscountry--a few being quite common in this state. All the Amanita areterrestrial plants, mostly solitary in their habits, and chiefly foundin the woods, or in well wooded grounds. 

In the button stage it resembles a small egg or puff-ball, as will beseen in Figure 6, page 11, and great care should be taken to distinguishit from the latter, if one is hunting puff-balls to eat; yet the dangeris not great, since the volva usually breaks before the plant comesthrough the ground. 

_Amanita phalloides. Fr. _

THE DEADLY AMANITA. 

[Illustration: Figure 11. --Amanita phalloides. Fr. Showing volva at thebase, cap dark. ]

[Illustration: Figure 12. --Amanita phalloides. Fr. White form showingvolva, scaly stem, ring. ]

_Phalloides_ means phallus-like. This plant and its related species aredeadly poisonous. For this reason the plant should be carefully studiedand thoroughly known by every mushroom hunter. In different localities, and sometimes in the same locality, the plant will appear in verydifferent shades of color. There are also variations in the way in whichthe volva is ruptured, as well as in the character of the stem. 

The beginner will imagine he has a new species often, till he becomesthoroughly acquainted with all the idiosyncrasies of this plant. 

The pileus is smooth, even, viscid when young and moist, frequentlyadorned with a few fragments of the volva, white, grayish white, sometimes smoky-brown; whether the pileus be white, oyster-color orsmoky-brown, the center of the cap will be several shades darker thanthe margin. The plant changes from a knob or egg-shape when young, toalmost flat when fully expanded. Many plants have a marked umbo on thetop of the cap and the rim of the cap may be slightly turned up. 

The gills are always white, wide, ventricose, rounded next to the stem, and free from it. 

The stem is smooth, white unless in cases where the cap is dark, thenthe stem of those plants are apt to be of the same color, taperingupward as in the specimen (Fig. 11); stuffed, then hollow, inclined todiscolor when handled. 

The volva of this species is quite variable and more or less buried inthe ground, where careful observation will reveal it. 

One need never confound this species with the meadow mushroom, for thespores of that are always purple-brown, while a spore-print of this willalways reveal white spores. I have seen a slight tint of pink in thegills of the A. Phalloides but the spores were always white. Until oneknows thoroughly both Lepiota naucina and A. Phalloides before eatingthe former he should always hunt carefully for the remains of a volvaand a bulbous base in the soil. 

This plant is quite conspicuous and inviting in all of its variousshades of color. It is found in woods, and along the margin of woods, and sometimes on lawns. It is from four to eight inches high and thepileus from three to five inches broad. There is a personality about theplant that renders it readily recognizable after it has once beenlearned. Found from August to October. 

_Amanita recutita. Fr. _

THE FRESH-SKINNED AMANITA. POISONOUS. 

Recutita, having a fresh or new skin. Pileus convex, then expanded, dry, smooth, often covered with small scales, fragments of the volva; marginalmost even, gray or brownish. 

The gills forming lines down the stem. 

The stem stuffed, then hollow, attenuated upward, silky, white, ringdistant, edge of volva not free, frequently obliterated. 

Rather common where there is much pine woods. August to October. 

This species differs from A. Porphyria in ring not being brown orbrownish. 

_Amanita virosa. Fr. _

THE POISONOUS AMANITA. 

Virosa, full of poison. The pileus is from four to five inches broad;the entire plant white, conical, then expanded; viscid when moist;margin often somewhat lobed, even. 

The gills are free, crowded. 

The stem is frequently six inches long, stuffed, round, with a bulbousbase, attenuated upward, squamulose, ring near apex, volva large, lax. 

The spores are subglobose, 8-10µ. This is probably simply a form of A. Phalloides. It is found in damp woods. August to October. 

_Amanita muscaria. Linn. _

THE FLY AMANITA. POISONOUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 13. --Amanita muscaria. --_Linn. _ Cap reddish ororange, showing scales on the cap and at base of stem. ]

Muscaria, from musca, a fly. The fly Amanita is a very conspicuous andhandsome plant. It is so called because infusions of it are used to killflies. I have frequently seen dead flies on the fully developed caps, where they had sipped of the dew upon the cap, and, like theLotos-eaters of old, had forgotten to move away. It is a very abundantplant in the woods of Columbiana county, this state. It is also foundfrequently in many localities about Chillicothe. It is often a veryhandsome and attractive plant, because of the bright colors of the capin contrast with the white stem and gills, as well as the white scaleson the surface of the cap. These scales seem to behave somewhatdifferently from those of other species of Amanita. Instead ofshrivelling, curling, and falling off they are inclined to adhere firmlyto the smooth skin of the pileus, turning brownish, and in the maturelyexpanded plant appear like scattered drops of mud which have dried uponthe pileus, as you will observe in Figure 13. 

The pileus is three to five inches broad, globose at first, thendumb-bell in shape, convex, then expanded, nearly flat in age; margin inmatured plants slightly striate; the surface of the cap is covered withwhite floccose scales, fragments of the volva, these scales being easilyremoved so that old plants are frequently comparatively smooth. Thecolor of the young plant is normally red, then orange to pale yellow;late in the season, or in old plants, it fades to almost white. Theflesh is white, sometimes stained yellow close to the cuticle. 

The gills are pure white, very symmetrical, various in length, theshorter ones terminating under the cap very abruptly, crowded, free, butreaching the stem, decurrent in the form of lines somewhat broader infront, sometimes a slight tinge of yellow will be observed in the gills. 

The stem is white, often yellowish with age, pithy and often hollow, becoming rough and shaggy, finally scaly, the scales below appearing tomerge into the form of an obscure cup, the stem four to six inches long. 

The veil covers the gills of the young plant and later is seen as acollar-like ring on the stem, soft, lax, deflexed, in old specimens itis often destroyed. The spores are white and broadly elliptical. 

The history of this plant is as interesting as a novel. Its deadlyproperties were known to the Greeks and Romans. The pages of historyrecord its undoing and its accessory to crime. Pliny says, alluding tothis species, "very conveniently adapted for poisoning. " This wasundoubtedly the species that Agrippina, the mother of Nero, used topoison her husband, the Emperor Claudius; and the same that Nero used inthat famous banquet when all his guests, his tribunes and centurions, and Agrippina herself, fell victims to its poisonous properties. 

However, it is said this mushroom is habitually eaten by certain peopleas an intoxicant; indeed, it is used in Kamchatka and Asiatic Russia, generally, where the Amanita drunkard takes the place of the opium fiendand the alcohol bibber in other countries. By reading Colonel GeorgeKennan in his "Tent-life in Siberia, " and Cooke's "Seven Sisters ofSleep, " you will find a full description of the toxic employment of thisfungus which will far surpass any possible imagination. 

It caused the death of the Czar Alexis of Russia; also Count de Vecchi, with a number of his friends, in Washington in 1896. He was in search ofthe Orange Amanita and found this, and the consequences were serious. 

In size, shape, and color of the cap there is similarity, but in otherrespects the two are very different. They may be contrasted as follows:

Orange Amanita, edible. --Cap _smooth_, gills _yellow_, stem _yellow_, wrapper _persistent_, _membranaceous_, _white_. 

Fly Amanita, poisonous. --Cap _warty_, gills _white_, stem _white_, orslightly _yellowish_, wrapper _soon breaking_ into _fragments orscales_, white or sometimes yellowish brown. 

Found along roadsides, wood margins, and in thin woods. It prefers poorsoil, and is more abundant where poplar and hemlock grow. From June tofrost. 

[Illustration: Figure 14. --Amanita muscaria. --_Linn. _ One-half naturalsize, showing development of the plant. ]

_Amanita Frostiana. Pk. _

FROST'S AMANITA. POISONOUS. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 15. --Amanita Frostiana. ]

Frostiana, named in honor of Charles C. Frost. 

The pileus is convex, expanded, bright orange or yellow, warty, sometimes smooth, striate on the margin, pileus one to three inchesbroad. 

The gills are free, white, or slightly tinged with yellow. 

The stem is white or yellow, stuffed, bearing a slight, sometimesevanescent, ring, bulbous, at the base, the bulb slightly margined bythe volva. The spores globose, 8-10µ in diameter. _Peck. _

Great care should be taken to distinguish this species from A. Cæsareabecause of its often yellow stem and gills. I found some beautifulspecimens on Cemetery Hill and on Ralston's Run. It is very poisonousand should be carefully avoided, or rather, it should be thoroughlyknown that it may be avoided. The striations on the margin of its yellowtinge might lead one to mistake it for the Orange Amanita. It is foundin shady woods and sometimes in open places where there is underbrush. June to October. 

_Amanita verna. Bull. _

THE SPRING AMANITA. POISONOUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 16. --Amanita verna. Two-thirds natural size, showing the volva cup and the ring. ]

Verna, pertaining to spring. This species is considered by some only awhite variety of Amanita phalloides. The plant is always a pure white. It can only be distinguished from the white form of the A. Phalloides byits closer sheathing volva and perhaps a more ovate pileus when young. 

The pileus is at first ovate, then expanded, somewhat depressed, viscidwhen moist, even, margin naked, smooth. The gills are free. 

The stem is stuffed, with advancing age hollow, equal, floccose, white, ringed, base bulbous, volva closely embracing the stem with its freemargin, ring forming a broad collar, reflexed. The spores are globose, 8µ broad. 

This species is very abundant on the wooded hills in this section of thestate. Its pure white color makes it an attractive plant, and it shouldbe carefully learned. I have found it before the middle of June. 

_Amanita magnivelaris. Pk. _

THE LARGE VEILED AMANITA. POISONOUS. 

Magnivelaris is from _magnus_, large; _velum_, a veil. 

The pileus is convex, often nearly plane, with even margin, smooth, slightly viscid when moist, white or yellowish-white. 

The gills are free, close, white. 

The stem is long, nearly equal, white, smooth, furnished with a largemebranaceous volva, the bulbous base tapering downward and rooting. Thespores are broadly elliptical. 

This species very closely resembles Amanita verna, from which it can bedistinguished by its large, persistent annulus, the elongateddownward-tapering bulb of its stem, and, especially, by its ellipticalspores. 

It is found solitary and in the woods. I found several on Ralston's Rununder beech trees. Found from July to October. 

_Amanita pellucidula. Ban. _

Pileus at first campanulate, then expanded, slightly viscid, fleshy incenter, attenuated at the margin; color a smooth bright red, deeper atthe top, shaded into clear transparent yellow at the margin; glossy, flesh white, unchanging. 

The gills are ventricose, free, numerous, yellow. 

The stem is stuffed, ring descending, fugacious. Peck's 44th Report. 

This species differs from Amanita cæsarea in having an even margin and awhite stem. It is only a form of the cæsarea. The white stem willattract the attention of the collector. 

_Amanita solitaria. Bull. _

THE SOLITARY AMANITA. 

[Illustration: Figure 17. --Amanita solitaria. Two-thirds natural size, showing the peculiar veil. ]

[Illustration: Figure 18. --Amanita solitaria. Two-thirds natural size, showing scaly cap and stem. ]

[Illustration: Plate II. Figure 19. --Amanita solitaria. 

Natural size, showing scaly cap and stem, plant white. ]

Solitary, growing alone. I have found this plant in various parts of thestate and have always found them growing alone. In Poke Hollow, where Ifound the specimens in the illustrations, I found several on thehillside on different occasions, but I have never found them growing ingroups. It is quite large in size, white or whitish, very woolly orfloccose. Usually the cap, stem, and the gills are covered with afloccose substance which will serve to identify the species. This fluffyexterior adheres readily to your hands or clothing. The cap is sometimestinged with brown, but the flesh is white and smells quite strong, notunlike chloride of lime. The annulus is frequently torn from the stemand is found adhering to the margin of the cap. 

The pileus is from three to five inches broad, or more, when fullyexpanded, at first globose to hemispherical, as will be seen in Figures17 and 18, convex, or plane, warty, white or whitish, the pointed scalesbeing easily rubbed off, or washed off by heavy rains, these scalesvarying in size from small granules to quite large conical flakes, anddiffering in condition and color in different plants. 

The gills are free, or are not attached by the upper part, the edges arefrequently floccose where they are torn from the slight connection withthe upper surface of the veil; white, or slightly tinged withcream-color, broad. 

The stem is four to eight inches high, solid, becoming stuffed when old, bulbous, rooting deep in the soil, very scaly, ventricose sometimes inyoung plants, white, very mealy. Volva friable. Ring, large, lacerated, usually hanging to the margin of the cap, but in Figure 19 it adheres tothe stem. 

This is a large and beautiful plant in the woods, and easily identifiedbecause of its floccose nature and the large bulb at the base of thestem. It is not so warty and the odor is not nearly so strong as theAmanita strobiliformis. It is edible but very great caution should beused to be sure of your species. Found from July to October in woods androadsides. 

_Amanita radicata. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 20. --Amanita radicata. Two-thirds natural size, showing scaly cap, bulbous stem and root broken off and peculiar veil. ]

Radicata means furnished with a root. The root of the specimen in Figure20 was broken off in getting it out of the ground. 

The pileus is subglobose, becoming convex, dry, verrucose, white, margineven, flesh firm, white, odor resembling that of chloride of lime. 

The gills are close, free, white. 

The stem is solid, deeply radicating, swollen at the base or bulbous, floccose or mealy at the top, white; veil thin, floccose, or mealy, white, soon lacerated and attached in fragments to the margin of thepileus or evanescent. The spores are broadly elliptic, 7. 5-10µ long, 6-7µ broad. _Peck. _

This is quite a large and beautiful plant, very closely related toAmanita strobiliformis, but readily distinguished from it because of itswhite color, its clearly radiating stem, and small spores. The stemshows to be bulbous and the cap covered with warts. I found the plantfrequently in Poke Hollow and on Ralston's Run. July and August. 

[Illustration: Figure 21. --Amanita radicata. ]

_Amanita strobiliformis. Fr. _

THE FIR-CONE AMANITA. 

[Illustration: Plate III. Figure 22. --Amanita strobiliformis. 

Young plant showing veil covering the entire gill-surface of the plant. Cap covered with persistent warts, stem rough and rooting, odor strongof chloride of lime. ]

[Illustration: Plate IV. Figure 23. --Amanita strobiliformis. 

Showing long root. ]

Strobiliformis means fir-cone form; so called from the similarity of itsundeveloped form to that of the strobile of the pine. 

The pileus is six to eight inches broad, when young, subglobose, thenconvex, expanded, nearly plane, with persistent warts, white, ash-color, sometimes yellow on the cap, the margin even and extending beyond thegills; warts hard, angular, pointed, white; flesh white, compact. 

The gills are free, crowded, rounded, white, becoming yellow. 

The stem is five to eight inches long, frequently longer, taperingupward, floccosely scaly, bulbous, rooting beyond the bulb; ring large, torn; volva forming concentric rings. The spores are 13-14×8-9µ. 

This is one of the most stately plants in the woods. It is said to beedible, but the strong pungent odor, like chloride of lime, has deterredme from eating it. This, however, is said to disappear in cooking. Itgrows to be very large. Dr. Kellerman and I found a specimen in Haynes'sHollow whose stem measured over eleven inches, and cap nine inches. Itis found in open woods and wood margins. Great caution should be usedbefore the plant is eaten to know it beyond doubt. Found July toOctober. 

_Amanita mappa. Fr. _

THE DELICATE AMANITA. POISONOUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 24. --Amanita mappa. Natural size, showing longsmooth stem, cap yellowish-white and ring. ]

Mappa means a napkin, so called from the volva. The pileus is two tothree inches broad, convex, then expanded, plane, obtuse or depressed, without separable cuticle; margin nearly even; white or yellowish, usually with patches of the volva dry. 

The gills are adnexed, close, narrow, shining, white. 

The stem is two to three inches long, stuffed, then hollow, cylindrical, nearly smooth, bulbous, nearly globose at the base, white, almost equalabove the bulb. 

The volva with its free margin is acute and narrow. The ring ismembranaceous, superior, soft, lax, ragged. 

Its color is quite as variable and its habits are much like A. Phalloides, from which it can only be distinguished by its lessdeveloped volva, which, instead of being cup-shaped, is little more thana mere rim fringing the bulb. The odor at times is very strong. It isfound in open woods and under brush. Label it poisonous. 

_Amanita crenulata. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 25. --Amanita crenulata. ]

Crenulata means bearing notches, referring to the crenulate form of thegills, which are very distinct. 

The pileus is thin, two to two and a half inches broad, broadly ovate, becoming convex, or nearly plane, somewhat striate on the margin, adorned with a few thin whitish floccose warts or with whitishflocculent patches, whitish or grayish, sometimes tinged with yellow. 

The gills are close, reaching the stem, and sometimes forming decurrentlines upon it, floccose crenulate on the edge, the short ones truncateat the inner extremity, white. 

The stem is equal, bulbous, floccose mealy above, stuffed or hollow, white, the annulus slight, evanescent. Spores broadly elliptic orsubglobose, 7. 5-10 long, nearly as broad, usually containing a singlelarge nucleus. _Peck_, Bull. Tor. Bot. Club. 

The stem is bulbous at the base but the volva is rarely seen upon italthough slight patches are frequently seen on the pileus. The ring isvery evanescent and soon disappears. The specimens I have received fromMrs. Blackford look good enough to eat and she speaks highly of theedible qualities of this species. So far as I know this plant isconfined to the New England states. Found from September to November. Itgrows in low damp ground under trees. 

_Amanita cothurnata. Atkinson. _

THE BOOTED AMANITA. 

[Illustration: Figure 26. --Amanita cothurnata. Slightly reduced fromnatural size, showing different stages of development. ]

Cothurnata means buskined; from corthunus, a high shoe or buskin worn byactors. This species is easily separated from the other Amanitas. Ishall give Prof. Atkinson's description of it in full: "The pileus isfleshy and passes from nearly globose to hemispherical, convex, expanded, and when specimens are very old sometimes the margin iselevated. It is usually white, though specimens are found with a tingeof citron yellow in the center or of tawny yellow in the center of otherspecimens. The pileus is viscid, strongly so when moist. It is finelystriate on the margin, and covered with numerous, white, floccose scalesfrom the upper half of the volva, forming more or less dense patches, which may wash off in heavy rains. 

The gills are rounded next the stem, and quite remote from it. The edgeof the gills is often eroded or frazzly from the torn-out threads withwhich they were loosely connected to the upper side of the veil in theyoung or button stage. The spores are globose or nearly so, with a large"nucleus" nearly filling the spore. 

The stem is cylindrical, even, and expanded below into quite a largeoval bulb, the stem just above the bulb being margined by aclose-fitting roll of the volva, and the upper edge of this presentingthe appearance of having been sewed at the top like the rolled edge of agarment or buskin. The surface of the stem is minutely floccose, scalyor strongly so, and decidedly hollow even from a very young stage orsometimes when young with loose threads in the cavity. 

A. Cothurnata resembles in many points A. Frostiana and it will affordthe collector a very interesting study to note the points of difference. I found the two species growing on Cemetery Hill. Figure 26 is fromplants collected in Michigan and photographed by Dr. Fisher. Found inSeptember and October. 

_Amanita rubescens. Fr. _

THE REDDISH AMANITA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 27. --Amanita rubescens. One-third natural size, caps a dingy reddish-brown, stains reddish when bruised. ]

Rubescens is from _rubesco_, to become red. It is so called because ofthe dingy reddish color of the entire plant, and also because when theplant is handled or bruised it quickly changes to a reddish color. It isoften a large bulky plant and rather uninviting. 

The pileus is four to six inches broad, dingy reddish, often becomingpale flesh color, fleshy, oval to convex, then expanded; sprinkled withsmall pale warts, unequal, mealy, scattered, white, easily separating;margin even, faintly striate, especially in wet weather; flesh soft, white, becoming red when broken. 

The gills are white or whitish, free from the stem but reaching it andforming at times decurrent lines upon it, thin, crowded. 

The stem is four or five inches long, nearly cylindrical, solid, thoughinclined to be soft within, tapering from the base up, with a bulbousbase which often tapers abruptly below, containing reddish scales, colordull red. It has seldom any distinct evidence of a volva at the base butabundant evidence on the cap. Ring large, superior, white, and fragile. 

The plant is quite variable in color, sometimes becoming almost whitewith a slight reddish or brownish tint. The strong distinguishingcharacter of the species is the almost entire absence of any remains ofthe volva at the base of the stem. By this, and by the dull red hues andthe bruised portions quickly changing to a reddish color, it is easilydistinguished from any of the poisonous Amanitas. 

According to Cordier it is largely used as an article of food in France. Stevenson and Cooke speak well of it. I noticed the small Bohemian boysgathered it about Salem, Ohio, not having been in this country more thana week and not being able to speak a word of English. It convinced methat it was an article of diet in Bohemia and that our species issimilar to theirs. I have found the plants in woods about Bowling Greenand Sidney, Ohio. The plants in Figure 27 were collected on Johnson'sIsland, Sandusky, Ohio, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. It is foundfrom June to September. 

_Amanita aspera. Fr. _

ROUGH AMANITA. 

Aspera means rough. The pileus is convex, then plane; warts minute, somewhat crowded, nearly persistent; margin even, rather thin, increasing in thickness toward the stem; scarcely umbonate, reddish withvarious tints of livid and gray; flesh rather solid, white, with tintsof reddish-brown immediately next to the epidermis. 

The gills are free, with sometimes a little tooth behind, running downthe stem, white, broad in front. 

The stem is white, squamulose, bulb rugulose, ring superior and entire. The spores are 8×6µ. 

When the flesh is bruised or eaten by insects it assumes a reddish-browncolor, and in this respect it resembles A. Rubescens. The odor is strongbut the taste is not unpleasant. In woods from June till October. Thecollector should be sure he knows the plant before he eats it. 

_Amanita cæsarea. Scop. _

THE ORANGE AMANITA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 28. --Amanita cæsarea. From a drawing showing thedifferent stages of the plant. Caps, gills, stem and collar yellow, volva white. ]

[Illustration: _Photo by H. C. Beardslee. _

Figure 29. --Amanita cæsarea. ]

The Orange Amanita is a large, attractive, and beautiful plant. I havemarked it edible, but no one should eat it unless he is thoroughlyacquainted with all the species of the genus Amanita, and then withgreat caution. It is said to have been Cæsar's favorite mushroom. Thepileus is smooth, hemispherical, bell-shaped, convex, and when fullyexpanded nearly flat, the center somewhat elevated and the marginslightly curved downward; red or orange, fading to yellow on the margin;usually the larger and well-developed specimens have the deeper andricher color, the color being always more marked in the center of thepileus; margin distinctly striate; gills rounded at the stem end and notattached to the stem, yellow, free and straight. The color of the gillsof matured plants usually is an index to the color of the spores but itis an exception in this case as the spores are white. 

The stem and the flabby membranaceous collar that surrounds it towardthe top are yellow like the gills, the depth of the color varying morewith the size of the plant than is the case with color of the cap. Sometimes in small and inferior plants the color of both stem and gillsis nearly white, and if the volva is not distinct it is difficult todistinguish it from the fly mushroom, which is very poisonous. The stemis hollow, with a soft cottony pith in the young plants. 

In very young plants the edge of the collar is attached to the margin ofthe cap and conceals the gills, but with the upward growth of the stemand the expansion of the cap the collar separates from the margin andremains attached to the stem, where it hangs down upon it like a ruffle. 

The expanded cap is usually from three to six inches broad, the stemfrom four to six inches long and tapering upward. 

When in the button stage, the plant is ovate; and the white color of thevolva, which now entirely surrounds the plant, presents an appearancemuch like a hen's egg in size, color, and shape. As the parts withindevelop, the volva ruptures in its upper part, the stem elongates andcarries upward the cap, while the remains of the volva surrounds thebase of the stem in the form of a cup. 

When the volva first breaks at the apex, it reveals the point of the capwith its beautiful red color and in contrast with the white volva makesquite a pretty plant, but with advancing age the red or orange red fadesto a yellow. In drying the specimens the red often entirely disappears. In young, as well as in old plants, the margin is often prominentlymarked with striations, as will be seen in Figures 28 and 29. The fleshof the plant is white but more or less stained with yellow next to theepidermis and the gills, which are of that color. 

The plant grows in wet weather from July to October. It grows in thinwoods and seems to prefer pine woods and sandy soil. I have found itfrom the south tier of counties to the north of our state. It is not, however, a common plant in Ohio. 

From its several names--Cæsar's Agaric, Imperial Mushroom, Cibus Deorum, Kaiserling--one would infer that for ages it had been held in highesteem as an esculent. 

Too great caution cannot be used in distinguishing it from the verypoisonous fly mushroom. 

_Amanita spreta. Pk. _

HATED AMANITA. POISONOUS. 

Spreta, hated. The pileus at first is nearly ovate, slightly umbonate, then convex, smooth, sometimes fragments of the volva adhering, themargin striate, whitish or pale-brown toward and on the umbo, soft, dry, more or less furrowed on the margin. 

The flesh is white, thin on the edges, and increasing in thicknesstoward the center. Gills close, white, reaching the stem. 

The stem is equal, smooth, annulate, stuffed or hollow, whitish, finelystriate at the top from the decurrent lines of the gills, not bulbous atthe base, the volva rather large and inclined to yellowish color. Thespores are elliptical. 

The plant resembles the dark forms of the Amanitopsis in having themarked striations and the entire and closely fitting volva at the base, but can be easily distinguished by its ring. I found it on Cemetery Hillin company with the Amanitopsis. It does not seem to root as deep in theground as the Amanitopsis. It is very poisonous and should be carefullystudied so that it may be readily recognized and avoided. 

It is found in open woods from July to September. 

_Amanitopsis. Roze. _

Amanitopsis is from _Aminita_ and _opsis_, resembling; so called becauseit resembles the Amanita. The principal feature wherein the genusdiffers from the Amanita is the absence of a collar on the stem. Itsspecies are included among the Amanita by many authors. The spores arewhite. The gills are free from the stem, and it has a universal veil atfirst completely enveloping the young plant, which soon breaks it, carrying remnants of it on the pileus, where they appear as scatteredwarts. It differs from the Lepiota in having a volva. 

_Amanitopsis vaginata. Bull. _

THE SHEATHED AMANITOPSIS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 30. --Amanita vaginata. One-third natural size. Notice a portion of the volva adhering to the cap. ]

Vaginata--from _vagina_, a sheath. The plant is edible but should beused with very great caution. It is quite variable in color, rangingfrom white to mouse color, brownish or yellowish. 

The pileus is ovate at first, bell-shaped, then convex and expanded, thin, quite fragile, smooth, when young with a few fragments of thevolva adhering to its surface, deeply and distinctly striate. 

The gills are free, white, then pallid, ventricose, broadest in front, irregular. The flesh is white, but in the darker forms stained under theeasily separating skin. The spores are white and nearly round, 7-10µ. 

The stem is cylindrical, even or slightly tapering upward, hollow orstuffed, smooth or sprinkled with downy scales, not bulbous at the base. 

The volva is long, thin, fragile, forming a permanent sheath which isquite soft and readily adheres to the base of the stem. 

The striations on the margin are deep and distinct, as in the OrangeAmanita. The cup is quite regular but it is fragile, easily broken andusually deep in the ground. In some plants a slight umbo is developed atthe center. 

The mushroom-eater wants to distinguish very carefully between thisspecies and Amanita spreta, which is very poisonous. 

It is found in woods, in open places where there is much vegetablemould, sometimes found in stubble and pastures, especially in meadowsunder trees. Found from June to November. 

The plant varies considerably in color, and there are several varieties, separable by means of their color:

A. Vaginata, var. Alba. The whole plant is white. 

A. Vaginata var. Fulva. The cap tawny yellow or pale ochraceous. 

A. Vaginata var. Livida. The cap leaden brown; gills and stem tingedwith smoky brown. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate V. Figure 31. --Amanita vaginata]

_Amanitopsis strangulata. Fr. _

THE GRAY AMANITOPSIS. EDIBLE. 

Strangulata means choked, from the stuffed stem. The pileus is two tofour inches broad, soon plane, livid-bay or gray, with patches of thevolva, margin striate or grooved. 

The gills are free, white, close. 

The stem is stuffed, silky above, scaly below, slightly taperingupwards. The volva soon breaking up, forming several ring-like ridges onthe stem. The spores are globose, 10-13µ. 

This is a synonym for A. Ceciliae. B. And Br. And perhaps nothing morethan a vigorous growth of Amanitopsis vaginata. It has almost no odorand a sweet taste and cooks deliciously. 

Found in the woods and in open places from August to October. 

_Lepiota. Fr. _

Lepiota means a scale. In the Lepiota the gills are typically free fromthe stem, as in Amanita and Amanitopsis, but they differ in having nosuperficial or removable warts on the cap, and no sheathing or scalyremains of a volva at the base of the stem. In some species theepidermis of the cap breaks into scales which persistently adhere to thecap, and this feature, indeed, suggests the name of the genus, which isderived from the Latin word _lepis_, a scale. 

The stem is hollow or stuffed, its flesh being distinct from the pileusand easily separable from it. There are a number of edible species. 

_Lepiota procera. Scop. _

THE PARASOL MUSHROOM. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate VI. Figure 32. --Lepiota procera. ]

Procera means tall. 

The pileus is thin, strongly umbonate, adorned with brown spot-likescales. 

The gills are white, sometimes yellowish-white, free, remote from thestem, broad and crowded, ventricose, edge sometimes brownish. 

The stem is very long, cylindrical, hollow or stuffed, even, very longin proportion to its thickness and is, therefore, suggestive of thespecific name, procera. The ring is rather thick and firm, though inmature plants it becomes loosened and movable on the stem. This and theform of the plant suggest the name, parasol. The cap is from three tofive inches broad and the stem from five to nine inches high. I foundone specimen among fallen timber that was eleven inches tall and whosecap was six inches broad. 

It has a wide distribution. It is found in all parts of Ohio but is notabundant anywhere. It is a favorite with those who have eaten it, and, indeed, it is a delicious morsel when quickly broiled over coals, seasoned to taste with salt and pepper, butter melted in the gills andserved on toast. This mushroom is especially free from grubs and it canbe dried for winter use. 

There is no poisonous species with which one is likely to confound it. The very tall, slender stem with a bulbous base, the very peculiarspotted cap with the prominent dark colored umbo and the movable ring onthe stem, are ear-marks sufficient to identify this species. 

Spores white and elliptical, 14×10µ. Lloyd. It is found in pastures, stubble, and among fallen timber. July to October. 

I am indebted to C. G. Lloyd for the photograph given here. 

_Lepiota naucina. Fr. _

SMOOTH LEPIOTA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 33. --Lepiota naucina. The entire plant white. ]

Pileus soft, smooth, white or smoky-white; gills free, white, slowlychanging with age to a dirty pinkish-brown color; stem annulate, slightly thickened at the base, attenuated upward, clothed with fibrespure white. The Smooth Lepiota is generally very regular in shape and ofa pure white color. The central part of the cap is sometimes tinged withyellow or a smoky white hue. Its surface is nearly always very smoothand even. The gills are somewhat narrower toward the stem than they arein the middle. They are rounded and not attached to the stem. 

Cap two to four inches broad; stem two to three inches long. It grows inclean grassy places in lawn, pastures, and along roadsides. I have seenthe roadside white with this species around Sidney, Ohio. The specimensrepresented in figure were found in Chillicothe, August to November. 

This is one of the best mushrooms, not inferior to the meadow mushroom. It has this advantage over the former that the gills retain their whitecolor and do not pass from a pink to a repulsive black. The halftone andthe description ought to make the plant known to the most casual reader. 

_Lepiota americana. Pk. _

THE AMERICAN LEPIOTA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 34. --Lepiota americana. Center of disk red orreddish-brown, stem frequently swollen. Plant turning red when drying. ]

This plant is quite common about Chillicothe, especially upon sawdustpiles. It grows both singly and in clusters. The umbonate cap is adornedwith reddish or reddish-brown scales except on the center where thecolor is uniformly reddish or reddish-brown because the surface is notbroken up into scales; gills close, free, white, ventricose; stemsmooth, enlarged at the base. In some plants the base of the stem isabnormally large; ring white, inclined to be delicate. 

Wounds and bruises are apt to assume brownish-red hues. Dr. Herbst says:"This is truly an American plant, not being found in any other country. This is the pride of the family. There is nothing more beautiful than acluster of this fungi. To look over the beautiful scaly pileus is asight equally as fascinating as a covey of quail. "

Found in grassy lawns and on old sawdust piles, in common with Pluteuscervinus. It is found almost all over the state. It is quite equal tothe Parasol mushroom in flavor. It has a tendency to turn the milk orcream in which it is cooked to a reddish color. It is found from June toOctober. Mr. Lloyd suggests the name Lepiota Bodhami. It is the same asthe European plant L. Hæmatosperma. Bull. 

_Lepiota Morgani. Pk. _

IN HONOR OF PROF. MORGAN. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate VII. Figure 35. --Lepiota morgani. 

Entire plant white or brownish-white. Gills white at first thengreenish. ]

Pileus fleshy, soft, at first subglobose, then expanded or evendepressed, white, the brownish or yellowish cuticule breaking up intoscales on 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 as you willobserve in Figure 35. Flesh of both pileus and stem white, changing to areddish, then to yellowish hue when cut or bruised. Spores ovate orsubelliptical, mostly uninucleate, sordid green. 10-13×7-8. Peck. 

This plant is very abundant about Chillicothe and I found it equally soat Sidney. I have known several families to eat of it, making about halfof the children in each family sick. I regard it as a dangerous plant toeat. It grows very large and I have seen it growing in well marked ringsa rod in diameter. If you are in doubt whether the plant you have isMorgani or not, let it remain in the basket over night and you willplainly see that the gills are turning green. The gills are white untilthe spores begin to fall. The plant is found in pastures and sometimesin pasture woods. June to October. 

_Lepiota granulosa. Batsch. _

GRAINY LEPIOTA. EDIBLE. 

Granulosa--from granosus, full of grains. Pileus thin, convex or nearlyplain, sometimes almost umbonate, rough, with numerous granular scales, often radiately wrinkled, rusty-yellow or reddish-yellow, often growingpaler with age. Flesh white or reddish tinged. Gills close, roundedbehind and usually slightly adnexed, white. Stem equal or slightlythickened at the base, stuffed or hollow, white above the ring, coloredand adorned like the pileus below it. Ring slight and evanescent. Sporeselliptical, . 00016 to . 0002 inch long, . 00012 to . 00014 inch broad. 

Plant one to two and one-fifth inches high; pileus one to two andone-fifth inches broad; stem one to three lines thick. Common in woods, copses, and waste places. August to October. 

"This is a small species with a short stem and granular reddish-yellowpileus, and gills slightly attached to the stem. The annulus is verysmall and fugacious, being little more than the abrupt termination tothe coating of the stem. The species was formerly made to includeseveral varieties which are now regarded as distinct. "--Peck's Report. 

Found in the open woods about Salem, Ohio. The plant is small but quitemeaty and of a pleasing quality. 

_Lepiota cristatella. Pk. _

Pileus thin, convex, subumbonate, minutely mealy, especially on themargin, white disk slightly tinged with pink. 

Gills close, rounded behind, free, white; stem slender, whitish, hollow;spores subelliptical, . 0002 inch long. 

Mossy places in woods. October. --_Peck's Report_. No one will fail torecognize the crested Lepiota the moment he sees it. It has many of theear marks of the Lepiota family. 

_Lepiota granosa. Morg. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate VIII. Figure 36. --Lepiota granosa. ]

Granosa means covered with granules. 

The pileus is convex, obtuse or umbonate, even, radiatelyrugose-wrinkled, generally even and regular on the margin, reddish-yellow or light bay. 

The gills are attached to the stem, slightly decurrent, somewhatcrowded, whitish, then reddish-yellow. 

The stem is thickened at the base, tapering toward the cap, flesh of thestem is yellow. The veil is membranous and forms a persistent ring onthe stem. 

It grows on decayed wood. I found it in large quantities, and tried tomake it L. Granulosa, but I found it fit better L. Amianthinus, which itresembles very closely, but it is much larger and its habit is not thesame. I was not satisfied with this description and sent the specimensto Prof. Atkinson, who set me right. It is a beautiful plant found ondecayed wood in September and October. 

_Lepiota cepæstipes. Sow. _

THE ONION STEMMED LEPIOTA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 37. --Lepiota cepæstipes. Pileus thin, white oryellowish. ]

Cepæstipes is from cepa, an onion and stipes, a stem, Pileus is thin atfirst ovate, then bell-shaped or expanded, umbonate, soon adorned withnumerous minute brownish scales, which are often granular or mealy, folded into lines on the margin, white or yellow, the umbo darker. 

The gills are thin, close, free, white, becoming dingy with age ordrying. 

The stem is rather long, tapering toward the apex, generally enlarged inthe middle or near the base, hollow. The ring is thin and subpersistent. The spores are subelliptical, with a single nucleus, 8-10×5-8µ. 

The plants often cespitose, two to four inches high. Pileus is one totwo inches broad. It is found in rich ground and decomposing vegetablematter. It is also found in graperies and conservatories. _Peck. _

This plant derives its specific name from the resemblance of its stem tothat of the seed-stalk of an onion. One form has a yellow or yellowishcap, while the other has a white or fair cap. It seems to delight togrow in well rotted sawdust piles and hot houses. The specimensrepresented in Figure 37 were collected in Cleveland and photographed byProf. H. C. Beardslee. 

_Lepiota acutesquamosa. Wein. _

THE SQUARROSE LEPIOTA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 38. --Lepiota acutesquamosa. Two-thirds naturalsize, showing small pointed scales. ]

Acutesquamosa is from _acutus_, sharp, and _squama_, a scale; so calledfrom the many bristling, erect scales on the pileus. The pileus is twoto three inches broad, fleshy, convex, obtuse, or broadly umbonate; palerusty with numerous small pointed scales, which are usually larger andmore numerous at the disk. 

The gills are free, crowded, simple, white or yellowish. 

The stem is two to three inches or more long; stuffed or hollow, tapering upward slightly from a swollen base; below the ring rough orsilky, pruinose above, ring large. The spores are 7-8×4µ. 

They are found in the woods, in gardens, and frequently in greenhouses. There is a slight difference between the specimens growing in the woodsand those in the greenhouse. In the latter the pubescent covering isless dense and the erect scales are more numerous than in the former. Inolder specimens these scales fall off and leave small scars on the capwhere they were attached. The specimens in Figure 38 were gathered inMichigan and were photographed by Dr. Fisher of Detroit. 

_Armillaria. Fr. _

Armillaria, from armilla, a bracelet--referring to the ring upon thestem. This genus differs from all the foregoing white-spored species inhaving the gills attached to the stem by their inner extremity. Thespores are white and the stem has a collar, though a somewhat evanescentone, but no wrapper at the base of the stem as in the Amanita andAmanitopsis. By the collar the genus differs from the other genera whichare to follow. 

The Amanita and Lepiota have the flesh of the stem and the pileus notcontinuous, and their stems are, therefore, easily separated from thecap, but in the Armillaria the gills and the pileus are attached to thestem. 

_Armillaria mellea. Vahl. _

THE HONEY-COLORED ARMILLARIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 39. --Armillaria mellea. Two-thirds natural size. Honey colored. Tufted with dark-brown fugitive hairs. Flesh white. ]

Mellea, from melleus, of the color of honey. Cap fleshy, honey colored, or ochraceous, striate on the margin, shaded with darker brown towardthe center, having a central boss-like elevation and sometimes a centraldepression in full grown specimens, tufted with dark-brown fugitivehairs. Color of the cap varies, depending upon climatic conditions andthe character of the habitat. Gills distant, ending in a decurrenttooth, pallid or dirty white, very often showing brown or rust coloredspots when old. Spores white and abundant. Frequently the ground under aclump of this species will be white from the fallen spores. Stem elasticand scaly, four inches or more in length. Ring downy. Diameter of capfrom two to five inches. Manner of growth is frequently in tufts, and, as with most of the Armillarias, generally parasitic on old stumps. 

The veil varies greatly. It may be membranaceous and thin, or quitethick, or may be wanting entirely, as will be seen in Figure 39; inFigure 40 only a slight trace of the ring can be seen. The two plantsgrew under very different environment; the last grew in the woods andFigure 39 on a lawn in the city. The species is very common and growseither in thin woods or in cleared lands, on the ground or on decayingwood. Its favorite habit is about stumps. It is either solitary, gregarious, or in dense clusters. It is very abundant about Chillicothe, where I have seen stumps literally surrounded with it. It has a slightacridity while raw, which it seems to lose in cooking. Those who like itmay eat it without fear, all varieties being edible. 

Prof. Peck gives the following varieties:

A. Mellea var. Obscura--has the cap covered with numerous small blackscales. 

A. Mellea var. Flava--has a cap yellow or reddish-yellow, otherwisenormal. 

A. Mellea var. Glabra--has a smooth cap, otherwise normal. 

A. Mellea var. Radicata--has a tapering root penetrating the soil. 

A. Mellea var. Bulbosa--has a bulbous base. 

A. Mellea var. Exannulata--has the cap smooth and even on the margin, and the stem tapering at the base. 

[Illustration: Figure 40. --Armillaria mellea. Two-thirds natural size, showing double ring present. ]

_Armillaria bulbigera. A. & S. _

MARGINATE-BULBED ARMILLARIA. 

[Illustration: Figure 41. --Armillaria bulbigera. Reddish-gray caps andshort bulbous stems. ]

Bulbigera is from _bulbus_, a bulb, and _gero_, to bear. 

The pileus is fleshy, three to four inches across, convex, thenexpanded, obtuse, even, brownish, gray, sometimes reddish, dry, fibrillose near the margin. 

The gills are notched at the stem, pallid, crowded at first, at lengthrather distant, becoming slightly colored. 

The stem is distinctly bulbous, two to three inches long, stuffed, pallid, fibrillose, ring oblique, fugacious. The spores are 7-10×5µ. 

I have found some very fine specimens in Poke Hollow, near Chillicothe. The stems were short and very bulbous, having hardly any trace of thering on the older specimens. The caps were obtusely convex and of agrayish rufescent color. This species can readily be distinguished bythe distinctly marginate bulb at the base of the stem. The specimens inFigure 41 were found in Poke Hollow, near Chillicothe, October 2d. Ihave no doubt of their edibility but I have not eaten them. 

_Armillaria nardosmia. Ellis. _

SPIKENARD-SMELLING ARMILLARIA. ELLIS. 

[Illustration: Figure 42. --Armillaria nardosmia. One-half natural size, showing the veil and incurved margin. ]

Nardosmia is from _nardosmius_, the odor of nardus or spikenard. 

The pileus is quite thick, firm and compact, thinner toward the margin, strongly involute when young, grayish white and beautifully variegatedwith brown spots, like the breast of a pheasant, rather tough, with aseparable epidermis, flesh white. 

The gills are crowded, slightly notched or emarginate, somewhatventricose, white. 

The stem is solid, short, fibrous, sheathed by a veil forming a ringmore or less evanescent. The spores are nearly round, 6µ in diameter. 

This is the most beautiful species of the genus, and from itspheasant-like spotted cap, as well as its strong odor and taste ofspikenard or almonds, it is easily determined. The almond taste and odordisappears in cooking. I found some very fine specimens around a pond inMr. Shriver's woods, east of Chillicothe. In older specimens thecuticule of the caps frequently breaks into scales. Found in woods inSeptember and October. 

_Armillaria appendiculata. Pk. _

Appendiculata, bearing small appendages. Pileus is broadly convex, glabrous, whitish, often tinged with rust-color or brownish rust-coloron the disk. Flesh white or whitish. Gills close, rounded behind, whitish. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, solid, bulbous, whitish, the veil either membraneous or webby, white, commonly adheringin fragments to the margin of the pileus. Spores subelliptical, 8×5. 

Pileus two to four inches broad. Stem 1. 5-3. 5 inches long; 5-10 linesthick. 

The general appearance of this species is suggestive of Tricholomaalbum, but the appearance of a veil separates it from that fungus andplaces it in the genus Armillaria. The veil, however, is often slightlylacerated, or webby, and adherent to the margin of the pileus. Peck'sReport. 

I have found this at Salem and Chillicothe. 

_Tricholoma. Fr. _

Tricholoma is from two Greek words meaning hair and fringe. This genusis known by its stout, fleshy stem, without any evidence of a ring, andby the gills being attached to the stem and having a notch in theiredges near or at the extremity. The veil is absent, or, if present, itis downy and adherent to the margin of the cap. The cap is generallyquite fleshy; the stem is homogeneous and confluent with the pileus, central and nearly fleshy, without either ring or volva, and with nodistinct bark-like coat. The spores are white or grayish-white. 

The distinguishing features are the fleshy stem, continuous with theflesh of the pileus, and the sinuate or notched gills. This is quite auniversal genus. All the species grow on the ground, so far as I knowthem. 

There are many edible species under this genus, there being only two, sofar as I know, not edible; and no one is likely to touch those onaccount of their strong odor. They are T. Sulphureum and T. Saponaceum. 

_Tricholoma transmutans. Pk. _

THE CHANGING TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

Transmutans means changing, from changes of color in both stem and gillsin different stages of the plant. This species has a cap two to fourinches broad, viscid or sticky when moist. It is at first tawny-brown, especially with advancing age. The flesh is white and has a decidedfarinaceous odor and taste. 

The gills are crowded, rather narrow, sometimes branched, becomingreddish-spotted with age. 

The stem is equal or slightly tapering upward; bare, or slightlysilky-fibrillose; stuffed or hollow; whitish, often marked with reddishstains or becoming reddish-brown toward the base, white within. Sporessubglobose, 5µ. 

The species grows in woods and open places, also in clover pastures, either singly or in tufts. I have seen large tufts of them, and in thatcase the caps are more or less irregular on account of their crowdedcondition. I found it frequently about Salem, and this fall, 1905, Ifound it quite plentiful in a clover pasture near Chillicothe. Found inwet weather from August to September. 

_Tricholoma equestre. Linn. _

THE KNIGHTLY TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 43. --Tricholoma equestre. ]

Equestre means belonging to a horseman; so called from its distinguishedappearance in the woods. 

The pileus is three to five inches broad, fleshy, compact, convex, expanded, obtuse, viscid, scaly, margin incurved at first, paleyellowish, with sometimes a slight tinge of green in both cap and gills. Flesh white or tinged with yellow. 

The gills are free, crowded, rounded behind, yellow. 

The stem is stout, solid, pale yellow or white, white within. The sporesare 7-8×5µ. 

It differs from T. Coryphæum in having gills entirely yellow, while theedges only of the latter are yellow. It differs from T. Sejunctum in thelatter having pure white gills and a more slender stem. 

It is found but occasionally here, and then only a specimen or two. Itis an attractive plant and no one would pass it in the woods withoutadmiring it. Found from August to October. 

_Tricholoma sordidum. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 44. --Tricholoma sordidum. ]

Sordidum means dingy, dirty. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, rather tough, fleshy, convex, bell-shaped, then depressed, subumbonate, smooth, hygrophanous, marginslightly striate, brownish lilac, then dusky. 

The gills are rounded, rather crowded, dingy violet then dusky, notchedwith a decurrent tooth. 

The stem is colored like the pileus, fibrillose striate, usuallyslightly curved, stuffed, short, often thickened at the base. 

The spores are 7-8×3-4, minutely rugulose. 

This species differs from T. Nudum in being smaller, tougher, and oftenhygrophanous. 

It is found in richly manured gardens, about manure piles, and inhot-houses. The specimens in Figure 44 were found in a hot-house nearBoston, Mass. , and sent to me by Mrs. E. Blackford. They are found inSeptember and October. 

_Tricholoma grammopodium. Bull. _

THE GROOVED STEM TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 45. --Tricholoma grammopodium. Natural size. ]

Grammopodium is from two Greek words meaning _line_ and _foot_. 

The pileus is three to six inches broad, flesh thick at the center, thinat the margin, solid yet tender; brownish, blackish-umber, almost adingy-lavender when moist, whitish when dry; at first bell-shaped, thenconvex, sometimes slightly wavy, obtusely umbonate; margin at firstinclined to be involute, and extending beyond the gills. 

The gills are attached to the stem, broadly notched as will be seen inthe specimen, closely crowded, quite entire, shorter ones numerous, afew branched, white or whitish. 

The stem is three to four inches long, thickened at the base, smooth, firm, longitudinally grooved from which it gets its specific name, whitish. 

The spores are nearly round, 5-6µ. 

It closely resembles T. Fuligineum but can be distinguished by thegrooved stem and crowded gills. The specimens in Figure 45 were foundnear Boston, and were sent to me by Mrs. Blackford. The plants keep welland are easily dried. They were found the first of June. They have anexcellent flavor. 

_Tricholoma pædidum. Fr. _

Paedidum means nasty, stinking. 

The pileus is small, about one and a half inches broad, rather fleshy, tough; convex, then flattened, soon depressed around the conical umbo;fibrillose, becoming smooth; smoky gray, somewhat streaked; moist;margin involute, naked. 

The gills are adnexed, crowded, narrow, white, then grayish, somewhatsinuate with a slight decurrent tooth. 

The stem is short, slightly striate, dingy gray, thickened at the base. The spores are elliptical or fusiform, 10-11×5-6µ. 

The specific name, "nasty" or "stinking, " has really no application tothe plant. It is said to be very good when cooked. It is found in wellmanured gardens and fields, or about manure piles. 

It differs from T. Sordidum in having no trace of violet color. T. Lixivium differs in the free truncate gills. 

_Tricholoma lixivium. Fr. _

Lixivium means made into lye; hence, of the color of ashes and water. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad; flesh thin; convex then plane;umbonate, never depressed; even; smooth; grayish-brown when moist, thenumber; margin membranaceous, at length slightly striate, sometimes wavy. 

The gills are rounded behind and adnexed, free, soft, distant, oftencrisped, gray. 

The stem is about two inches long, fibrous, hollow, or stuffed, equal, at first covered with a white down, fragile, gray. 

The spores are elliptical, 7×4-5µ. 

The umbonate pileus and the nearly free, broad, gray gills willdistinguish it. They are a late grower and are found under pine trees inNovember. 

_Tricholoma sulphureum. Bull. _

SULPHURY TRICHOLOMA. POISONOUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 46. --Tricholoma sulphureum. ]

Sulphureum, sulphur; so called from the general color of the plant. 

The pileus is one to three inches broad, fleshy, convex, then expanded, plane, slightly umbonate, sometimes depressed, or flexuous andirregular, margin at first involute, dingy or reddish-yellow, at firstsilky, becoming smooth and even. 

The gills are rather thick, narrowed behind, emarginate or acutelyadnate, sulphur-colored. 

The stem is two to four inches long, somewhat bulbous, sometimes curved, frequently slightly striate; stuffed, often hollow; sulphur-yellow, yellow within; furnished at the base occasionally with many ratherstrong, yellow, fibrous roots. Odor strong and disagreeable. Flesh thickand yellow. Spores are 9-10×5µ. 

It grows in mixed woods. I find it frequently where logs have decayed. The specimen in Figure 46 was found in Haynes' Hollow and photographedby Dr. Kellerman. Found in October and November. 

_Tricholoma quinquepartitum. Fr. _

Quinquepartitum means divided into five parts. There is no apparentreason for the name. Fries could not identify Linnæus' Agaricusquinquepartitus and he attached the name of this species. 

The pileus is three or four inches broad, slightly fleshy; convex, rather involute, then flattened, somewhat repand; viscid, smooth, even, pale yellowish. 

The gills are notched at the point of attachment to the stem, broad, white. 

The stem is three to four inches long, solid, striate or grooved, smooth. The spores are 5-6×3-4. 

This species differs from T. Portentosum in the pileus not beingvirgate, and from T. Fucatum in the smooth, striate or grooved stem. This plant is found in thin woods where logs have decayed. I have noteaten this species but I have no doubt of its edibility. The taste ispleasant. Found in October and November. 

_Tricholoma laterarium. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 47. --Tricholoma laterarium. ]

Laterarium is from _later_, a brick; so called because there is nearlyalways a slight tinge of brick red on the disk. 

The pileus is two to four inches broad, convex, then expanded, sometimesslightly depressed in the center; pruinose, whitish, the disk oftentinged with red or brown, the thin margin marked with slight subdistant, short, radiating ridges. 

The gills are narrow, crowded, white, prolonged in little decurrentlines on the stem. The stem is nearly equal, solid, white. The sporesare globose, . 00018 inch in diameter. _Peck's_ 26th Rep. 

This plant is quite widely distributed in the United States. It is foundquite frequently in Ohio and is rather abundant on the hillsides aboutChillicothe, where it is frequently somewhat bulbous. The tinge ofbrownish-red on the disk, and the short radiating ridges on the marginof the pileus will serve to identify the plant. It is edible and fairlygood. Found on leaf-mold in rather damp woods from July to November. 

_Tricholoma panæolum. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 48. --Tricholoma panæolum. ]

Panæolum, all variegated. The pileus is from three to four inches broad, deeply depressed, dusky with a gray bloom, hygrophanous; margin at firstinrolled, sometimes wavy or irregular when fully expanded. 

The gills are quite crowded, adnate, arcuate, white at first, turningto a light gray tinged with an intimation of red, notched with adecurrent tooth. 

The stem is short, slightly bulbous, tapering upward, solid, smooth, about the same color as the cap. The spores are subglobose, 5-6. 

I found the specimens in Figure 48 under pine trees, growing on a bed ofpine needles, on Cemetery Hill. They were found on the 9th of November. 

Var. Calceolum, Sterb. , has the pileus spongy, deformed, thin, soft, expanded, edge incurved, sooty-gray; gills smoky; stem excentric, fusiform, very short. 

_Tricholoma columbetta. Fr. _

THE DOVE-COLORED TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 49. --Tricholoma columbetta. One-third naturalsize. Caps white. Stems bulbous. ]

Columbetta is the diminutive of _columba_, a dove; so called from thecolor of the plant. The pileus is from one to four inches broad, fleshy, convex, then expanded; at first smooth, then silky; white, centersometimes a dilute mouse color shading to a white, frequently a tinge ofpink will be seen on the margin, which is at first inrolled, tomentosein young plants, sometimes cracked. 

The gills are notched at the junction of the stem, crowded, thin, white, brittle. 

The stem is two inches or more long, solid, white, cylindrical, unequal, often compressed, smooth, crooked, silky especially in young plants, bulbous. Spores . 00023 by . 00018 inch. Flesh white, taste mild. 

This is a beautiful plant, seeming to be quite free from insects, andwill remain sound for several days on your study table. I had no end oftrouble with it till Dr. Herbst suggested the species. It is quiteplentiful here. Dr. Peck gives quite a number of varieties. Curtis, McIlvaine, Stevenson, and Cooke all speak of its esculent qualities. Found in the woods in September and October. 

_Tricholoma melaleucum. Pers. _

THE CHANGEABLE TRICHOLOMA. 

[Illustration: Figure 50. --Tricholoma melaleucum. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

Melaleucum, black and white; from contrasted colors of the cap andgills. 

This Tricholoma grows in abundance in northern Ohio. I have found it inthe woods near Bowling Green, Ohio. The specimens in the halftone werefound near Sandusky, Ohio, and were photographed by Dr. Kellerman. It isusually found in sandy soil, growing singly in shady woods. 

The pileus fleshy, thin, from one to three inches broad, convex, ratherbroadly umbonate, smooth, moist, with variable color, usually pale, nearly white at first, later much darker, sometimes slightly wavy. 

The gills are notched, adnexed, ventricose, crowded, white. 

The stem is stuffed, then hollow, elastic, from two to four inches long, somewhat smooth, whitish, sprinkled with a few fibrils, usuallythickened at the base. The flesh is soft and white. There is no report, so far as I know, regarding its edibility, and I have no doubt as tothis, but would advise caution. 

_Tricholoma lascivum. Fr. _

THE TARRY TRICHOLOMA. 

Lascivum, playful, wanton; so called because of its many affinities, none of which are very close. The pileus is fleshy, convex, thenexpanded, slightly obtuse, somewhat depressed, silky at first, thensmooth, even. The gills are notched, adnexed, crowded, white; the stemis solid, equal, rigid, rooting, white, tomentose at the base. Found inthe woods, Haynes' Hollow near Chillicothe. September and October. 

_Tricholoma Russula. Schæff. _

THE REDDISH TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 51. --Tricholoma Russula. Natural size. Capsreddish or flesh color. ]

Russula is so named because of its likeness in color to some species ofthe genus Russula. 

The pileus is three to four inches broad, fleshy, convex, thendepressed, viscid, even or dotted with granular scales, red or fleshcolor, the margin somewhat paler, involute and minutely downy in theyoung plant. 

The gills are rounded or slightly decurrent, rather distant, white, often becoming red-spotted with age. 

The stem is two to three inches long, solid, firm, whitish rosy-red, nearly equal, scaly at the apex. The spores are elliptical, 10×5µ. 

This plant is quite variable in many of its peculiar characteristics, yet it usually has enough to readily distinguish it. The cap may beflesh-color and the stem rosy-red, the cap may be red and the stem whiteor whitish with stains of red. During wet weather the caps of all areviscid; when dry, all may be cracked more or less. The stems may not bescaly at the apex, often rosy when young. They are found in the woodssolitary, in groups, or frequently in dense clusters. The specimens inFigure 51 were found in Michigan and photographed by Dr. Fischer. 

I found this plant in Poke Hollow. The gills were quite decurrent. 

_Tricholoma acerbum. Bull. _

THE BITTER TRICHOLOMA. 

Acerbum means bitter to the taste. 

The pileus is three to four inches broad, convex to expanded, obtuse, smooth, more or less spotted, margin thin, at first involute, rugose, sulcate, viscid, whitish, often tinged rufous, or yellow, quite bitterto the taste. 

The gills are notched, crowded, pallid or rufescent, narrow. 

The stem is solid, rather short, blunt, yellowish, squamulose above orabout the apex. The spores are subglobose, 5-6µ. 

These plants were found growing in a thick bed of moss along withArmillaria nardosmia. They were not perfect plants but I judged them tobe T. Acerbum from their taste and involute margin. I sent some to Prof. Atkinson, who confirmed my classification. They grow in open woods inOctober and November. 

_Tricholoma cinerascens. Bull. _

Cinerascens means becoming the color of ashes. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, fleshy, convex to expanded, even, obtuse, smooth, white, then grayish, margin thin. 

The gills are emarginate, crowded, rather undulate, dingy, reddish oftenyellowish, easily separating from the pileus. 

The stem is stuffed, equal, smooth, elastic. 

They grow in clusters in mixed wood. They are mild to the taste. 

_Tricholoma album. Schæff. _

THE WHITE TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 52. --Tricholoma album. Entirely white. ]

Album means white. 

The pileus is two to four inches broad, fleshy, entirely white, convex, then depressed, obtuse, smooth, dry, disc frequently tinged with yellow, margin at first involute, at length repand. 

The gills are rounded behind, rather crowded, thin, white, broad. 

The stem is two to four inches long, solid, firm, narrowed upwards, smooth. 

This plant is quite plentiful in our woods, growing usually in groups. It grows upon the leaf mould and is frequently quite large. It is quiteacrid to the taste when raw, but this is overcome in cooking. It isfound from August to October. 

These plants are quite plentiful on the wooded hillsides aboutChillicothe. Those in Figure 52 were found on Ralston's Run andphotographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Tricholoma imbricatum. Fr. _

THE IMBRICATED TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd_

Figure 53. --Tricholoma imbricatum. ]

Imbricatum means covered with tiles, _imbreces_, referring to thelacerated condition of the cap. This species is very closely related toT. Transmutans in size, color and taste. It is, however, easilyseparated by its dry cap and solid stem. Its cap is reddish-brown orcinnamon-brown, and its surface often presents a somewhat scalyappearance because the epidermis becomes lacerated or torn into smallirregular fragments which adhere and seem to overlap like shingles on aroof. The flesh is firm, white, and has a farinaceous taste as well asodor. The gills are white, becoming red or rusty spotted, rather close, and notched. The stem is solid, firm, nearly equal, except slightlyswollen at the base, colored much like the cap but usually paler. Whenold it is sometimes hollow on account of the insects mining it. Thespores are white and elliptical, . 00025 inch long. 

I found this mushroom near Salem, Ohio, Bowling Green, Ohio, and onRalston's Run near Chillicothe. Found in mixed woods from September toNovember. 

_Tricholoma terriferum. Pk. _

THE EARTH-BEARING TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

Terriferum, earth-bearing, alluding to the viscid cap's holdingparticles of loam and pine needles to it as it breaks through the soil. This is a meaty mushroom, and when properly cleaned makes an appetizingdish. 

The pileus is convex, irregular, wavy on the margin and rolled inward, smooth, viscid, pale yellow, sometimes whitish, generally covered withloam on account of the sticky surface of the cap, flesh white. 

The gills are white, thin, close, slightly adnexed. 

The stem is short, fleshy, solid, equal, mealy, very slightly bulbous atthe base. 

Found near Salem, Ohio, on Hon. J. Thwing Brooks' farm September toOctober. 

_Tricholoma fumidellum. Pk. _

THE SMOKY TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

Fumidellum--smoky, because of the clay-colored caps clouded with brown. 

The pileus is one to two inches broad, convex, then expanded, subumbonate, bare, moist, dingy-white or clay-color clouded with brown, the disk or umbo generally smoky brown. 

The gills are crowded, subventricose, whitish. 

The stem is one and a half to two and a half inches long, equal, bare, solid whitish. The spores minute, subglobose, 4-5×4µ. _Peck_, 44 Rep. 

The specimens I found grew in a mixed woods in the leaf-mold. They arefound only occasionally in our woods in September and October. 

_Tricholoma leucocephalum. Fr. _

THE WHITE-CAPPED TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

Leucocephalum is from two Greek words meaning white and head, referringto the white caps. 

The pileus is one and a half to two inches across, convex, then plane;even, moist, smooth when the silky veil is gone, water-soaked after arain; flesh thin, tough, smell mealy, taste mild and pleasant. 

The gills are rounded behind and almost free, crowded, white. 

The stem is about two inches long, hollow, solid at the base, smooth, cartilaginous, tough, rooting. The spores are 9-10×7-8µ. 

It differs from T. Album in having the odor of new meal strongly marked. It is found in open woods during September and October. 

_Tricholoma fumescens. Pk. _

SMOKY TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 54. --Tricholoma fumescens. ]

Fumescens means growing smoky. 

Pileus convex or expanded, dry, clothed with a very minute appressedtomentum, whitish. 

The gills are narrow, crowded, rounded behind, whitish or pale creamcolor, changing to smoky blue or blackish where bruised. 

The stem is short, cylindrical, whitish. Spores are oblong-elliptical, 5-6×5µ. Pileus is one inch broad. Stem one to one and a half incheshigh. _Peck_, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot. 

The caps are quite a bit larger in the specimens found in Ohio thanthose described by Dr. Peck. So much so that I was in doubt as to thecorrect identification. I sent some specimens to Dr. Peck for hisdetermination. The species will be readily identified by the finecrowded gills and the smoky blue or blackish hue they assume whenbruised. The caps are frequently wavy, as will be seen in Figure 54. 

I found the plants in Poke Hollow near Chillicothe, September toNovember. 

_Tricholoma terreum. Schaeff. _

THE GRAY TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 55. --Tricholoma terreum. Cap grayish-brown ormouse color. ]

Terreum is from _terra_, the earth; so called from the color. This isquite a variable species in color and size, as well as manner of growth. 

The pileus is one to three inches broad, dry, fleshy, thin, convex, expanded, nearly plane, often having a central umbo; floccose-scaly, ashy-brown, grayish-brown or mouse-color. 

The gills are adnexed, subdistant, white, becoming grayish, edges moreor less eroded. Spores, 5-6µ. 

The stem is whitish, fibrillose, equal, paler than the cap, varying fromsolid to stuffed or hollow, one to three inches high. 

I find this plant on north hillsides, in beech woods. It is notplentiful. There are several varieties:

Var. Orirubens. Q. Edge of gills reddish. 

Var. Atrosquamosum. Chev. Pileus gray with small black scales; g. Whitish. 

Var. Argyraceum. Bull. Entirely pure white, or pileus grayish. 

Var. Chrysites. Jungh. Pileus tinged yellowish or greenish. 

The plants in Figure 55 were found in Poke Hollow near Chillicothe. Their time is September to November. 

_Tricholoma saponaceum. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 56. --Tricholoma saponaceum. ]

Saponaceum is from _sapo_, soap, so called from its peculiar odor. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, convex, then plane, involute atfirst as will be seen in Figure 56, smooth, moist in wet weather but notviscid, often cracked into scales or punctate, grayish or livid-brown, often with a tinge of olive, flesh firm, becoming more or less red whencut or wounded. 

The gills are uncinately emarginate, thin, quite entire, not crowded, white, sometimes tinged with green. Spores subglobose, 5×4µ. 

The stem is solid, unequal, rooting, smooth, sometimes reticulated withblack fibrils or scaly. 

This species is found quite frequently about Chillicothe. It is quitevariable in size and color, but can be readily recognized from itspeculiar odor and the flesh's becoming reddish when wounded. It is notpoisonous but its odor will prevent any one from eating it. Found inmixed woods from August to November. 

_Tricholoma cartilagineum. Bull. _

THE CARTILAGINOUS TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 57. --Tricholoma cartilagineum. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

Cartilagineum means gristly or cartilaginous. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, cartilaginous, elastic, fleshy, convex, soon expanded, wavy, as seen in Figure 57, margin incurved, smooth, inclined to be blackish at first, then broken up into smallblack spots. 

The gills are slightly notched, adnexed, somewhat crowded, grayish. 

The stem is one to two inches long, rather firm, stuffed, equal, smooth, white, often striate and mealy. Taste and odor pleasant. 

A number of my friends ate it because of its inviting taste and odor. Itgrew in quantities among the clover in our city park during the wetweather of the last of May and the first of June. 

_Tricholoma squarrulosum. Bres. _

[Illustration: Figure 58. --Tricholoma squarrulosum. Caps showing blacksquamules. ]

Squarrulosum means full of scales. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, convex, then expanded, umbonate, dry; fuscous then lurid tan, center black, with blacksquamules; edge fibrillose, exceeding gills. 

The gills are broad, crowded, whitish-gray, reddish when bruised. 

The stem is of the same color as the pileus, punctato-squamulose. Thespores are elliptical, 7-9×4-5µ. 

This is a beautiful plant, growing in mixed woods among the leaves. Thestem is short and apparently the same color as the pileus. The latter iscovered with black squamules which give rise to the name of the species. I have succeeded in finding the plants only in October. The specimens inFigure 58 were found in Poke Hollow, near Chillicothe. 

_Tricholoma maculatescens. Pk. _

SPOTTED TRICHOLOMA. 

[Illustration: Figure 59. --Tricholoma maculatescens. One-third naturalsize. ]

Maculatescens means growing spotted; so called because when the specimenis dried the cap becomes more or less spotted. 

The pileus is one and a half to three inches broad, compact, spongy, reddish-brown, convex, then expanded, obtuse, even, slightly viscid whenwet, becoming rivulose and brown spotted in drying, flesh whitish, margin inflexed, exceeding the gills. 

The gills are slightly emarginate, rather narrow, cinereous. 

The stem is spongy-fleshy, equal, sometimes abruptly narrowed at thebase, solid, stout, fibrillose, pallid or whitish. The spores are oblongor subfusiform, pointed at the ends, uninucleate, . 0003 inch long, . 00016 broad. _Peck. _

I found the plant on several occasions in the month of November, but wasunable to fix it satisfactorily until Prof. Morgan helped me out. Thespecimens in Figure 59 were found on Thanksgiving day in the Mortonwoods, in Gallia County, Ohio. I had found several specimens aboutChillicothe, previous to this. 

This species seems to be very near T. Flavobrunneum, T. Graveolens, andT. Schumacheri, but may be distinguished from them by the spotting ofthe pileus when drying and the peculiar shape of the spores. 

It is found among the leaves in mixed woods even during freezingweather. It is no doubt edible, but I should try it cautiously for thefirst time. 

_Tricholoma flavobrunneum. Fr. _

THE YELLOW-BROWN TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

Flavobrunneum is from flavus, yellow; brunneus, brown; so called fromthe brown caps and yellow flesh. 

The pileus is three to four or more inches broad, fleshy, conical, thenconvex, expanded, subumbonate, viscid, brownish-bay, scaly-streaked, flesh yellow, then tinged with red. 

The gills are pale yellow, emarginate, slightly decurrent, somewhatcrowded, and often tinged with red. 

The stem is three to four inches long, hollow, slightly ventricose, brownish, flesh yellow, at first viscid, sometimes reddish-brown. Thespores are 6-7×4-5. Found in mixed woods among leaves. 

_Tricholoma Schumacheri. Fr. _

Schumacheri in honor of C. F. Schumacher, author of "PlantarumSællandiæ. " The pileus is from two to three inches broad, spongy, convex, then plane, obtuse, even, livid gray, moist, edge beyond gillsincurved. 

The gills are narrow, close, pure white, slightly emarginate. 

The stem is three to four inches long, solid, fibrillosely-striate, white and fleshy. 

This seems to be a domestic plant, found in greenhouses. 

_Tricholoma grande. Pk. _

THE LARGE TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

Grande, large, showy. This was quite abundant in Haines' Hollow and onRalston's Run during the wet weather of the fall of 1905. It seems to bevery like T. Columbetta and is found in the same localities. 

The pileus is thick, firm, hemispherical, becoming convex, oftenirregular, dry, scaly, somewhat silky-fibrillose toward the margin, white, the margin at first involute. Flesh grayish-white, tastefarinaceous. 

The gills are close, rounded behind, adnexed, white. 

The stem is stout, solid, fibrillose, at first tapering upward, thenequal or but slightly thickened at the base, pure white. The spores areelliptical, 9-11×6µ. 

The pileus is four to five inches broad, the stem two to four incheslong, and an inch to an inch and a half thick. _Peck_, 44th Rep. 

This is a very large and showy plant, growing among leaves after heavyrains. Both this and T. Columbetta, as well as a white variety of T. Personatum, were very plentiful in the same woods. They grow in groupsso closely crowded that the caps are often quite irregular. The darkerand scaly disk and larger sized spore will help you to distinguish itfrom T. Columbetta. The very large specimens are too coarse to be good. Found in damp woods, among leaves, from August to November. 

_Tricholoma sejunctum. Sow. _

THE SEPARATING TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 60. --Tricholoma sejunctum. One-half natural size. ]

Sejunctum means having separated. It refers to the separation of thegills from the stem. Pileus fleshy, convex, then expanded, umbonate, slightly viscid, streaked with innate brown or blackish fibrils, whitishor yellow, sometimes greenish-yellow, flesh white and fragile. 

The gills are broad, subdistant, rounded behind or notched, white. 

The stem is solid, stout, often irregular, white. The spores aresubglobose, . 00025 inch broad. The pileus is one to three inches broad;stem one to four inches long and from four to eight lines thick. _Peck's_ Report. 

This is quite common about Salem, Ohio; on the old Lake Shore line inWood County near Bowling Green, Ohio; and I have found it frequentlynear Chillicothe. When cooked it has a pleasant flavor. It is always anattractive specimen. I find it under beech trees in the woods, Septemberto November. 

_Tricholoma unifactum. Pk. _

UNITED TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

Unifactum means united or made into one, referring to the stems unitedin one base root or stem. 

The pileus is fleshy but thin, convex; often irregular, sometimeseccentric from its mode of growth; whitish, flesh whitish, taste mild. 

The gills are thin, narrow, close, rounded behind, slightly adnexed, sometimes forked near the base, white. 

The stems are equal or thicker at the base, solid, fibrous, white, united at the base in a large fleshy mass. 

Spores are white, subglobose, . 00016 to . 0002 of an inch broad. _Peck. _

I found a beautiful specimen in Poke Hollow, in a beech woods with someoak and chestnut. There was but one cluster growing from a large whitishfleshy mass. There were fifteen caps growing from this fleshy mass. Icould not identify species until too late to photograph. 

_Tricholoma albellum. Fr. _

THE WHITISH TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, becoming pale-white, passinginto gray when dry, fleshy, thick at the disk, thinner at the sides, conical then convex, gibbous when expanded, when in vigor moist on thesurface, spotted as with scales, the thin margin naked, flesh soft, floccose, white, unchangeable. 

The gills are very much attenuated behind, not emarginate, becomingbroad in front; very crowded, quite entire, white. 

The stem is one to two inches long, solid, fleshy-compact, ovate-bulbous(conical to the middle, cylindrical above), fibrillose-striate, white. Spores elliptical, 6-7×4µ. 

_Tricholoma personatum. Fr. _

THE MASKED TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 61. --Tricholoma personatum. One-third naturalsize. Caps usually tinged with lilac or violet. Stems bulbous. ]

[Illustration: Figure 62. --Tricholoma personatum. Two-thirds naturalsize. The entire plant white. ]

Personatum means wearing a mask; so called because of the variety ofcolors it undergoes. This is a beautiful mushroom, and is excellentlyflavored; it has a wide range and is frequently found, in greatabundance. I have often seen it growing in almost a straight line forover twenty feet, the caps so thoroughly crowded that they had losttheir form. When young the cap is convex and quite firm, with the marginminutely downy or adorned with mealy particles, and incurved. In themature plant it is softer, broadly convex, or nearly plane, with thethin margin spreading and more or less turned upward and wavy. Whenyoung it is pale lilac in color, but with advancing age it changes to atawny or rusty hue, especially in the center. Sometimes the cap iswhite, whitish or gray, or of a pale violaceous color. 

The gills are crowded, rounded next to the stem, and nearly free butapproaching close to the stem, more narrow toward the margin, with afaint tinge of lilac or violet tint when young, but often white. 

The stem is short, solid, adorned with very minute fibers, downy ormealy particles when young and fresh, but becoming smooth withadvancing age. The color of the stem is much like the cap but perhaps ashade lighter. 

The cap is from one to five inches broad, and the stem from one to threeinches high. It grows singly or in groups. It is found in thin woods andthickets. It delights to grow where an old saw mill has stood. 

The finest specimens of this species that I ever saw grew on a pile ofcompost of what had been green cobs from the canning factory. They hadlain in the pile for about three years and late in November the compostwas literally covered with this species, many of whose caps exceededfive inches while the color and figuration of the plants were quitetypical. 

In English books this plant is spoken of as Blewits and in France asBlue-stems, but the stems in this country are inclined to be lilac orviolet, and then only in the younger plants. 

The spores are nearly elliptical and dingy white, but in masses on whitepaper they have a salmon tint. Its smooth, almost shining, unbrokenepidermis and its peculiar peach-blossom tint distinguish it from allother species of the Tricholoma. There is a white variety, veryplentiful in our woods, which is illustrated in Figure 62. They arefound only in leaf-mould in the woods. September to freezing weather. 

_Tricholoma nudum. Bull. _

THE NAKED TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

Nudum, naked, bare; from the character of the margin. The pileus is twoto three inches broad, fleshy, rather thin, convex, then expanded, slightly depressed; smooth, moist, the whole plant violet at first, changing color, margin involute, thin, naked, often wavy. 

The gills are narrow, rounded behind, slightly decurrent when the plantbecomes depressed, crowded, violet at first, changing to a reddish-brownwithout any tinge of violet. 

The stem is two to three inches long, stuffed, elastic, equal, at firstviolaceous, then becoming pale, more or less mealy. Spores 7×3. 5µ

I found some very fine specimens among the leaves in the woods inHaynes' Hollow, near Chillicothe. October and November. 

_Tricholoma gambosum. Fr. _

ST. GEORGE'S MUSHROOM. EDIBLE. 

Gambosum, with a swelling of the hoof, _gamba_. The pileus is three tosix inches broad, sometimes even larger; very thick, convex, expanded, depressed, commonly cracked here and there; smooth, suggesting soft kidleather; margin involute at first, pale ochre or yellowish white. 

The gills are notched, with an adnexed tooth, densely crowded, ventricose, moist, various lengths, yellowish white. 

The stem is short, solid, flocculose at apex, substance creamy white;swollen slightly at the base. The spores are white. 

It is called St. George's mushroom in England because it appears aboutthe time of St. George's day, April 23d. It frequently grows in rings orcrescents. It has a very strong odor. Its season is May and June. 

_Tricholoma portentosum. Fr. _

THE STRANGE TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 63. --Tricholoma portentosum. ]

Portentosum means strange or monstrous. 

The pileus is three to five inches broad, fleshy, convex, then expanded, subumbonate, viscid, sooty, often with purple tinge, frequently unequaland turned up, streaked with dark lines, the thin margin naked, fleshnot compact, white, fragile, and mild. 

The gills are white, very broad, rounded, almost free, distant, oftenbecoming pale-gray or yellowish. 

The stem is three to six inches long, solid, quite fibrous, sometimesequal, often tapering toward the base, white, stout, striate, villous atbase. The spores are subglobose, 4-5×4µ. 

The plants grow in pine woods and along the margins of mixed woods, frequently by roadsides. It is usually found in October and November. The plants in Figure 63 were found near Waltham, Mass. , and were sent tome by Mrs. E. B. Blackford. This is said to even excel T. Personatum inedible qualities. 

_Clitocybe. Fr. _

Clitocybe is from two Greek words, a hillside, or declivity, and a head;so called from the central depression of the pileus. 

The genus Clitocybe differs from Tricholoma in the character of thegills. They are attached to the stem by the whole width and usually areprolonged down the stem or decurrent. This is the first genus withdecurrent gills. The genus has neither a volva nor a ring and the sporesare white. The stem is elastic, spongy within, frequently hollow andextremely fibrous, continuous with the pileus. 

The pileus is generally fleshy, growing thin toward the margin, plane ordepressed or funnel-shaped, and with margin incurved. The universalveil, if present at all, is seen only on the margin of the pileus likefrost or silky dew. 

These plants usually grow on the ground and frequently in groups, thougha few may be found on decayed wood. 

The Collybia, Mycena, and Omphalia have cartilaginous stems, while thestem of the Clitocybe is extremely fibrous, and the Tricholoma isdistinguished by its notched gills. 

This genus, because of the variations in its species, will always bepuzzling to the beginner, as it is to experts. We may easily decide itis a Clitocybe because of the gills squarely meeting the stem, ordecurrent upon it, and its external fibrous stem, but to locate thespecies is quite a different matter. 

_Clitocybe media. Pk. _

THE INTERMEDIATE CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 64. --Clitocybe media. One-half natural size. ]

Media is from _medius_, middle; it is so called because it isintermediate between C. Nebularis and C. Clavipes. It is not asplentiful as either of the others in our woods. 

The pileus is grayish-brown or blackish-brown, always darker than C. Nebularis. The flesh is white and farinaceous in taste. 

The gills are rather broad, not crowded, adnate and decurrent, white, with few transverse ridges or veins in the spaces between the gills. 

The stem is one to two inches long, usually tapering upward, palerthan the pileus, rather elastic, smooth. The spores are plainlyelliptical, 8×5µ. 

This resembles very closely the two species mentioned above and is hardto separate. I found the specimens in Figure 64 along Ralston's Runwhere the ground is mossy and damp. Found in September and October. 

_Clitocybe infundibuliformis. Schaeff. _

THE FUNNEL-FORMED CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate IX. Figure 65. --Clitocybe infundibuliformis. ]

Infundibuliformis means funnel-shaped. This is a beautiful plant andvery abundant in woods after a heavy rain. It grows upon the leaves andespecially among pine needles. 

The pileus is at first convex and umbonate and as the plant advances inage the margin becomes elevated until the plant becomes funnel-shaped. The margin is frequently incurved and finally wavy. The flesh is softand white. The color of the cap is a pale tan. If the cap is examinedcarefully it will be seen to be covered with a slight down or silkysubstance, especially on the margin. The color of the cap is apt to fadeso that specimens will be found almost white. 

The gills are thin, close, white or whitish, and very decurrent. 

The stem is quite smooth, and generally tapers upward from the base. Itis sometimes white or whitish, but more frequently like the cap. Mycelium will usually be found at the base on the leaves, forming a softwhite down. I have found this species in several parts of the state. Itis frequently found in clusters, when the caps will be irregular onaccount of the crowded condition. They are very tender and of excellentflavor. Found from August to October. 

_Clitocybe odora. Bull. _

SWEET-SMELLING CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 66. --Clitocybe odora. One-third natural size. Cappale green. ]

Odora means fragrant. This is one of the easiest of the Clitocybes toidentify. The collector will very readily recognize it by itsolive-green color and its odor. The color in the old plant is quitevariable but in young plants is well marked. The pileus is one to twoand a half inches broad, flesh quite thick; at first convex, thenexpanded, plane, often depressed, sometimes inclined to be wavy; even, smooth, olive-green. 

The gills are adnate, rather close, sometimes slightly decurrent, broad, pallid. 

The stem is one to one and a half inches long, often slightly bulbous atthe base. 

These plants are found from August to October, in the woods, on leaves. They are quite common about Chillicothe after a rain. When cooked bythemselves the flavor is a bit strong, but when mixed with other plantsnot so strong in flavor, they are fine. 

_Clitocybe illudens. Schw. _

THE DECEIVING CLITOCYBE. NOT EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate X. Figure 67. --Clitocybe illudens. 

Caps reddish-yellow to deep yellow. Gills yellow and decurrent. ]

Illudens means deceiving. Pileus of a beautiful yellow, very showy andinviting. Many a basketful has been brought to me to be identified withthe hope of their edibility. The cap is convex, umbonate, spreading, depressed, smooth, often irregular from its crowded condition of growth;in older and larger plants the margin of the pileus is wavy. The fleshis thick at the center but thinner toward the margin. In old plants thecolor is brownish. 

The gills are decurrent, some much further than others; yellow; notcrowded; broad. 

The stem is solid, long, firm, smooth tapering towards the base, as willbe seen by Figure 67, sometimes the stems are very large. 

The pileus is from four to six inches broad. The stem is six to eightinches high. It occurs in large clusters and the rich saffron color ofthe entire plant compels our admiration and we are reminded that "notall is gold that glitters. " It will be interesting to gather a largecluster to show its phosphorescence and the heat which the plant willgenerate. You can show the phosphorescence by putting it in a dark roomand by placing a thermometer in the cluster you can show the heat. It isfrequently called "Jack-o'-lantern. "

I have known people to eat it without harm, but the chances are that itwill make most persons sick. It ought to be good, since it is soabundant and looks so rich. Found from July to October. 

_Clitocybe multiceps. Pk. _

THE MANY-HEADED CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 68. --Clitocybe multiceps. One-half natural size. Caps grayish-white. ]

Multiceps means many heads; so called because many caps are found in onecluster. It is a very common plant around Chillicothe. It has been foundwithin the city limits. It is quite a typical species, too, having allthe characteristics of the genus. I have often seen over fifty caps inone cluster. 

The pileus is white or gray, brownish-gray or buff; smooth, thin at themargin, convex, slightly moist in rainy weather. 

The gills are white, crowded, narrow at each end, decurrent. 

The stem is tough, elastic, fleshy, solid, tinged with the same color asthe cap. 

The pileus is one to three inches broad; grows in dense tufts. Sporesare white, smooth and globose. 

When found in June the plants are a shade whiter than in the fall. Thefall plants are very much the oyster color. The early plant is a moretender one and better for table use, however, I do not regard it asexcellent. They are found in woods, in old pastures by logs and stumps, and in lawns. June to October. 

_Clitocybe clavipes. Pers. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 69. --Clitocybe clavipes. ]

Clavipes is from _clava_, a club, and _pes_, a foot. 

The pileus is one to two and a half inches broad, fleshy, rather spongy, convex to expanded, obtuse, even, smooth, gray or brownish, sometimeswhitish toward the margin. 

The gills are decurrent, descending, rather distant, nearly entire, rather broad, white. 

The stem is two inches long, swollen at the base, attenuated upward, stuffed, spongy, fibrillose, livid sooty. Spores are elliptical, 6-7×4µ. 

I found specimens on Cemetery Hill underneath pine trees. I sent some toDr. Herbst and Prof. Atkinson; both pronounced them C. Clavipes. Theyresemble quite closely C. Nebularis. I have also found this plant inmixed woods. Edible and fairly good. 

_Clitocybe tornata. Fr. _

Tornata means turned in a lathe; so called because of its neat andregular form. 

The pileus is orbicular, plane, somewhat depressed, thin, smooth, shining, white, darker on the disk, very regular. 

The gills are decurrent adnate, rather crowded, white. 

The stem is stuffed, firm, slender, smooth, pubescent at the base. 

The spores are elliptical, 4-6×3-4µ. 

These are small, very regular, and inodorous plants. They are found inopen fields in the grass about elm stumps. July to September. They areedible and cook readily. 

_Clitocybe metachroa. Fr. _

THE OBCONIC CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 70. --Clitocybe metachroa. Caps dark gray. Gillspale gray. ]

Metachroa means changing color. 

The pileus is one to two and a half inches broad, somewhat fleshy, convex, then plane, depressed, smooth, hygrophanous, brownish-gray, thenlivid, growing pale. 

The gills are attached to the stem, crowded, pale gray, slightlydecurrent. 

The stem is one to two inches long, stuffed, then hollow, apex mealy, equal, gray. 

It differs from C. Ditopa in being inodorous and having a thicker anddepressed pileus. 

The caps are quite smooth and are frequently concentrically cracked orwrinkled, much as in Clitopilus noveboracensis. 

It is found growing on leaves in mixed woods, after a rain, in Augustand September. When young the margin is incurved but wavy in age. It isquite a hardy plant. 

_Clitocybe adirondackensis. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 71. --Clitocybe adirondackensis. Three-fourthsnatural size. Caps white. ]

Adirondackensis, so called because the plant was first found in theAdirondack Mountains of New York. 

The pileus is thin, submembranaceous, funnel-form, with the margindecurved, nearly smooth, hygrophanous, white, the disk often darker. 

The gills are white, very narrow, scarcely broader than the thickness ofthe flesh of the pileus, crowded, long, decurrent, subarcuate, some ofthem forked. 

The stem is slender, subequal, not hollow, whitish, mycelio-thickened atthe base. _Peck. _

The pileus is one to two inches broad and the stem is one to two and ahalf long. This is quite a pretty mushroom and has the Clitocybeappearance in a marked degree. The long, narrow, decurrent gills, sometimes tinged with yellow, some of them forked, margin of the pileussometimes wavy, will assist in distinguishing it. I have no doubt of itsedibility. Found among leaves in woods after heavy rains. With us it isconfined to the wooded hillsides. The specimens in Figure 71 were foundin Michigan and photographed by Dr. Fischer. Found in July and August. 

_Clitocybe ochropurpurea. Berk. _

THE CLAY-PURPLE CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XI. Figure 72. --Clitocybe ochropurpurea. ]

Ochropurpurea is from _ochra_, ocher or clay color; _purpureus_, purple;it is so called because the caps are clay-color and the gills arepurple. The caps are convex, fleshy, quite compact, clay-colored, sometimes tinged with purple around the margin, cuticle easilyseparating, margin involute, often at first tomentose, old forms oftenrepand or wavy. 

The gills are purple, sometimes whitish in old specimens from the whitespores, broad behind, decurrent, distant. 

The stem is paler than the cap, often tinted with purple, solid, frequently long and swollen in the middle, fibrous. The spores white orpale yellow. 

The first time I found this species I never dreamed that it was aClitocybe. It was especially abundant on our wooded clay banks orhillsides, near Chillicothe, during the wet weather in July and Augustof 1905. It is a hardy plant and will keep for days. Insects do not seemto work in it readily. When cooked carefully it is rather tender andfairly good. 

_Clitocybe subditopoda. Pk. _

Subditopoda is so called because it is nearly (sub) like Fries' C. Ditopus, which means living in two places, perhaps referring to the stembeing sometimes central and sometimes eccentric. 

The pileus is thin, convex or nearly plane, umbilicate, hygrophanous, grayish-brown, striate on the margin when moist, paler when dry, fleshconcolorous, odor and taste farinaceous. 

The gills are broad, close, adnate, whitish or pale cinereous. 

The stem is equal, smooth, hollow, colored like the pileus. The sporesare elliptical, . 0002 to . 00025 inch long, . 00012 to . 00016 broad. _Peck. _

It is found on mossy ground in woods. I have found them under pine treeson Cemetery Hill. Dr. Peck says he separated this species from C. Ditopoda because of the "striate margin of the pileus, paler gills, longer stem, and elliptical spores. " The plant is edible. September andOctober. 

_Clitocybe ditopoda. Fr. _

Ditopoda is from two Greek words, _di-totos_, living in two places, and_pus_ or _poda_, foot, having reference to the stem being central attimes and again eccentric. 

The pileus is rather fleshy, convex, then plane, depressed, even, smooth, hygrophanous. 

The gills are adnate, crowded, thin, dark, cinereous. 

The stem is hollow, equal, almost naked. 

This species resembles in appearance C. Metachroa but can be separatedby the mild taste and farinaceous odor. Its favorite habit is on pineneedles. August and September. I found this species in various placesabout Chillicothe and on Thanksgiving day I found it in a mixed wood inGallia County, Ohio, along with Hygrophorus lauræ and Tricholomamaculatescens. I sent some specimens to Dr. Herbst, who pronounced it C. Ditopoda. 

_Clitocybe pithyophila. Fr. _

THE PINE-LOVING CLITOCYBE. 

[Illustration: Figure 73. --Clitocybe pithyophila. Two-thirds naturalsize. Cap white and showing the pine needles upon which they grow. ]

Pithyophila means pine-loving. This plant is very abundant under pinetrees on Cemetery Hill. They grow on the bed of pine needles. The pileusis very variable in size, white, one to two inches broad; fleshy, thin, becoming plane, umbonate, smooth, growing pale, at length irregularlyshaped, repand, wavy, sometimes slightly striate. 

The stem is hollow, terete, then compressed, smooth, equal, even, downyat the base. 

The gills are adnate, somewhat decurrent, crowded, plane, always white. The spores are 6-7×4µ. The plants in Figure 73 are small, having beenfound during the cold weather in November. They are said to be good, butI have not eaten them. 

_Clitocybe candicans. Fr. _

Candicans, whitish or shining white. Pileus is one inch broad, entirelywhite, somewhat fleshy, convex, then plane, or depressed, even, shining, with regularly deflexed margin. 

The gills are adnate, crowded, thin, at length decurrent, narrow. 

The stem is nearly hollow, even, waxy, shining, nearly equal, cartilaginous, smooth, incurved at the base. The spores are broadlyelliptical, or subglobose, 5-6×4µ. Found in damp woods on leaves. 

_Clitocybe obbata. Fr. _

THE BEAKER-SHAPED CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

Obbata means shaped like an obba or beaker. 

The pileus is somewhat membranaceous, umbilicate, then rather deeplydepressed, smooth, inclined to be hygrophanous, sooty-brown, margin atlength striate. 

The gills are decurrent, distant, grayish-white, pruinose. 

The stem is hollow, grayish-brown, smooth, equal, rather tough. 

I found plants growing on Cemetery Hill under pine trees. I had sometrouble to identify the species until Prof. Atkinson helped me out. August to September. 

_Clitocybe gilva. Pers. _

THE YELLOW CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

Gilva means pale yellow or reddish yellow. 

The pileus is two to four inches broad, fleshy, compact, soon depressedand wavy, smooth, moist, dingy ocher, flesh same color, sometimesspotted, margin involute. 

The gills are decurrent, closely crowded, thin, sometimes branched, narrow but broader in the middle, ochraceous yellow. 

The stem is two to three inches long, solid, smooth, nearly equal, somewhat paler than the cap, and inclined to be villous at the base. 

The spores are nearly globose, 4-5µ. 

This plant is sometimes found in mixed woods, but it seems to preferpine trees. It has a wide distribution, found in the east and south aswell as the west. I have found it in several localities in Ohio. Foundfrom July to September. 

_Clitocybe flaccida. Sow. _

THE LIMP CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 74. --Clitocybe flaccida. One-half natural size. ]

Flaccida means flabby, limp. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, rather fleshy, thin, limp, umbilicate, then funnel-shaped, even, smooth, sometimes cracking intominute scales, tawny or rust-colored, margin broadly reflexed. 

The gills are strongly decurrent, yellowish, to whitish, close, arcuate. 

The stem is tufted, unequal, rusty, somewhat wavy, tough, naked, villousat the base. The spores are globose or nearly so, 4-5×3-4µ. 

This resembles the C. Infundibuliformis very closely, both in itsappearance and its habit. It grows among leaves in mixed woods duringwet weather. It is gregarious, often many stems growing from one mass ofmycelium. The plants in Figure 74 were collected in Ackerman's woodsnear Columbus, Ohio, and were photographed by Dr. Kellerman. They arefound on all the hillsides about Chillicothe. Found from July to late inOctober. 

_Clitocybe monadelpha. Morg. _

THE ONE-BROTHERHOOD CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XII. Figure 75. --Clitocybe monadelpha. ]

Monadelpha is from _monos_, one and _adelphos_, brother. 

Prof. Morgan of Preston, Ohio, gives the following description of theOne-Brotherhood Clitocybe in the Mycological Flora of the Miama Valley:"Densely cespitose. Pileus fleshy, convex, then depressed, at firstglabrous, then scaly, honey-colored, varying to pallid-brown or reddish. The stem elongated, solid, crooked, twisted, fibrous, tapering at thebase, pallid-brownish or flesh color. Spores white, a little irregular, . 0055MM. "

It might be easily taken for the ringless Armillaria mellea, but thedecidedly decurrent gills and the solid stem ought to set any one right. In very wet weather it soon becomes water-soaked, and is then not good. It is found in woods about stumps, and in newly cleared fields aboutroots or stumps. From spring to October. See Plate XII, Figure 75, foran illustration. Bresadola of Europe has determined this to be the sameas that described by Scoparius in 1772 as Agaricus (Clitocybe)tabescens. I have preferred to retain the name given by Prof. Morgan. 

_Clitocybe dealbata. Sow. _

THE WHITE CLYTOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

Dealbata means whitewashed; so called from its white color. 

The pileus is about one inch broad, rather fleshy, convex, then plane, upturned and wavy, smooth, shining, even. 

The gills are crowded, white, attached to the stem. 

The stem is fibrous, thin, equal, stuffed. Spores are 4-5×2. 5µ. 

This is a beautiful plant and widely distributed. Found among leaves andsometimes in the grass. It makes a delicious dish. 

_Clitocybe phyllophila. Fr. _

THE LEAF-LOVING CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

Phyllophila means leaf and fond of. It is so called because it is foundon leaves in the woods during wet weather. 

The pileus is one and a half to three inches in diameter, whitish-tan, rather fleshy, convex, then plane, at length depressed, even, dry, noticeably white around the margin. 

The gills are attached to the stem, decurrent especially after the capis depressed, somewhat distant, rather broad, white, becoming yellowishor ocher tinged, thin. 

The stem is two to three inches long, stuffed, becoming hollow, silky, rather tough, whitish. The spores are elliptical. , 6×4µ. 

The whitish-tan cap with its white, silvery zone near the margin willserve to identify the species. August to October. 

_Clitocybe cyathiformis. Bull. _

THE CUP-SHAPED CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

Cyathiformis is from _cyathus_, a drinking cup; _formis_, form or shape. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, fleshy, rather thin; at firstdepressed, then funnel-shaped; even, smooth, moist, hygrophanous; themargin involute, sooty or dark brown when moist, becoming pale when dry, often dingy ochraceous or tan-color, inclined to be wavy. 

The gills are attached to the stem, decurrent from the depressed form ofthe pileus, united behind, somewhat dingy, sparingly branched. 

The stem is stuffed, elastic, tapering upward, fibrillose, base villous. The spores are elliptical, 9×6µ. 

This plant has a wide distribution and is found in woods or woodmargins. I found some very fine specimens on Ralston's Run, nearChillicothe. September to October. 

_Clitocybe laccata. Scop. _

WAXY CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 76. --Clitocybe laccata. Two-thirds natural size. Caps violet or reddish-brown. Gills broad and distant. ]

Laccata means made of shellac or sealing-wax. This is a very common, variable plant. Sometimes of a bright amethyst but usually of a reddishbrown. The pileus is from one to two inches broad, almost membranaceous, convex, then plane, depressed in the center, downy with short hairs, violet or reddish-brown. 

The gills are broad, distant, attached to the stem by the entire width;pale fleshy-red in hue which is more constant than the color of the capand which forms an ear-mark to tell the species; adnate with a decurrenttooth, plane, the white spores being very abundant. 

The stem is tough, fibrous, stuffed, crooked, white-villous at the base, rather long and slender, dull reddish yellow or reddish-flesh-colored, sometimes pallid or dull ochraceous, slightly striate; when the seasonis wet it is often watery. 

This waxy Clitocybe has a wide range and is frequently very abundant. Itis found through almost the entire season. It will grow almost anywhere, in woods, pastures, and lawns, and sometimes on naked ground. The plantsin Figure 76 were found in tall grass in a grove in August. Those inFigure 77 were found the last of November on Cemetery Hill, under pinetrees. 

[Illustration: Figure 77. --Clitocybe laccata. Two-thirds natural size. Specimens growing late in the fall. ]

Prof. Peck gives the following varieties:

Var. Amethystina--in which the cap is much darker in color. 

Var. Pallidifolia--gills much paler than usual. 

Var. Striatula--cap smooth, thin, so that shadowy lines are seen on cap, radiating from near the center to the margin. This grows in damp places. Some authors make Clitocybe laccata a type for a new genus and call itLacaria laccata. 

_Collybia. Fr. _

Collybia is from a Greek word meaning a small coin or a small roundcake. The ring and volva are both wanting in this genus. The pileus isfleshy, generally thin, and when the plant is young the margin of thepileus is incurved. 

The gills are adnate or nearly free, soft, membranaceous. Many speciesof Collybia will revive to some extent when moistened, but they are notcoriaceous. 

The stem differs in substance from the pileus, cartilaginous or has acartilaginous cuticle, while the inside is stuffed or hollow. This isquite a large genus, containing fifty-four American species. 

_Collybia radicata. Rehl. _

THE ROOTING COLLYBIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Plate XIII. Figure 78. --Collybia radicata. ]

This, in its season, is one of the most common mushrooms in the woods. It grows in the ground, frequently around old stumps, sometimes onlawns. 

Those in Figure 78 were found in the woods on the ground. One plant, aswill be seen by the square, is a foot high. 

It is easily recognized by its long root and flat cap. The root extendsinto the ground and will frequently break before pulling up. This rootgives name to the species. 

The pileus is fleshy, rather thin, convex, then plane, often with marginupturned in old plants as in Figure 78, and frequently wrinkled at andtoward the umbo, smooth, viscid when moist. 

The color is quite variable, from almost white to gray, grayish-brown;flesh thin, very white, elastic. 

The gills are usually snow white, broad, rather distant, broad in themiddle, joined to the stem by the upper angle, unequal. 

The stem is frequently long, of the same color as the cap, yet sometimespaler; smooth, firm, sometimes grooved, often twisted, tapering upward, ending in a long tapering root, deeply planted in the soil. 

The spores are elliptical, 15×10µ. 

They grow singly, but generally have many neighbors. They are found inopen woods and around old stumps. I seldom have any trouble in gettingenough for a large family and some for my neighbor, who may not knowwhat to get but does know how to appreciate them. Found from June toOctober and from the New England states through the middle west. Theydiffer from C. Hariolarum in the densely tufted habit of the latter. 

_Colybia ingrata. Schum. _

Ingrata means unpleasant; from its somewhat unpleasant odor. 

The pileus is one to two inches broad, globose, bell-shaped, thenconvex, umbonate, even, brownish-tan. 

The gills are free, narrow, crowded, pallid. 

The stem is twisted, subcompressed, sprinkled with a mealy tomentumabove, umber below, hollow, rather long, unequal. 

I found this plant quite abundant on Cemetery Hill, growing under pinetrees, from the mass of pine needles. Found in July and August. 

_Collybia platyphylla. Fr. _

BROAD-GILLED COLLYBIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 79. --Collybia platyphylla. One-third naturalsize. ]

Platyphylla is from two Greek words meaning broad and leaf, referring tothe broad gills. It is a much larger and stouter plant than Collybiaradicata. It is found in new ground on open pastures about stumps, alsoin woods, on rotten logs and about stumps. 

The pileus is three to four inches broad, at first convex, thenexpanded, plane, margin often upturned, smoky brown to grayish, streakedwith dark fibrils, watery when moist, flesh white. 

The gills are adnexed, very broad, obliquely notched behind, distant, soft, white, in age more or less broken or cracked. 

The stem is short, thick, often striated, whitish, soft, stuffed, sometimes slightly powdered at the apex, root blunt. The spores arewhite and elliptical. 

It is easily distinguished from C. Radicata by the blunt base of theroot and the very broad gills. Like C. Radicata they need to be cookedwell or there is a slightly bitter taste to them. They are found fromJune to October. 

_Collybia dryophila. Bull. _

OAK-LOVING COLLYBIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 80. --Collybia dryophila. Natural size. Caps bay-brown. ]

Dryophila is from two Greek words, oak and fond of. The pileus isbay-brown, bay red, or tan color, one or two inches broad, convex, plane, sometimes depressed and the margin elevated, flesh thin andwhite. 

The gills are free with a decurrent tooth, crowded, narrow, white, orwhitish, rarely yellow. 

The stem is cartilaginous, smooth, hollow, yellow, or yellowish, equal, sometimes thickened at the base as will be seen in Figure 80. The colorof the stem is usually the same as the cap. This is a very commonplant about Chillicothe. They are found in woods, especially under oaktrees, but are also found in open places. I found them on the HighSchool lawn in Chillicothe. Some very fine specimens that were foundgrowing in a well marked ring, in an old orchard, were brought to meabout the first of May. Their season is from the first of May toOctober. 

_Collybia zonata. Pk. _

THE ZONED COLLYBIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XIV. Figure 81. --Collybia Zonata. ]

Zonata, zoned; referring to the concentric zones on the cap which showfaintly in Figure 81. 

The pileus is about one inch broad, sometimes more, sometimes less;rather fleshy, thin, convex, when expanded nearly plane, slightlyumbilicate, covered with fibrous down; tawny or ochraceous tawny, sometimes marked with faintly darker zones; even in the very youngspecimens the umbilicate condition is usually present. 

The gills are narrow, close, free, white or nearly white, usually with apulverulent edge. 

The stem is one to three inches long, rather firm, equal, hollow, covered like the cap with a fibrous down, tawny, or brownish tawny. Thespores are broadly elliptical, . 0002 inch long, . 00016 broad. 

This species closely resembles C. Stipitaria, but is easilydistinguished from it because of its habits of growth, different gills, and shorter spores. It is found on or near decaying wood in mixed woods. I have found it frequently on Ralston's Run but always only a fewspecimens in one place. It does not grow in a cespitose manner with us. Found in August. 

_Collybia maculata. Alb. & Schw. _

THE SPOTTED COLLYBIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 82. --Collybia maculata. Two-thirds natural size. Reddish-brown spots on caps and stems. ]

Maculata, spotted; referring to the reddish spots or stains both on thecap and on the stem. The pileus is two to three inches broad, at firstwhite, then spotted (as well as the stem) with reddish brown spots orstains, fleshy, very firm, convex, sometimes nearly plane, even, smooth, truly carnose, compact, at first hemispherical and with an involutemargin, often repand. 

The gills are somewhat crowded, narrow, adnexed, often free, linear, white or whitish, often brownish cream, gills not reaching to the marginof the cap. 

The stem is three to four inches long, nearly solid, more or lessgrooved, stout, unequal, sometimes ventricose, frequently partiallybulbous, lighter than the gills, usually spotted in age, white at first. The spores are subglobose, 4-6µ. The plant is a hardy one. It will keepfor several days. The plants in Figure 82 grew in the woods where a loghad rotted down. 

Var. Immaculata, Cooke, differs from the typical form in not changingcolor or being spotted, and in the broader and serrated gills. Thisvariety delights in fir woods. September to November. 

_Collybia atrata. Fr. _

CHARCOAL COLLYBIA. 

[Illustration: Figure 83. --Collybia atrata. One-half natural size. Capsdull blackish-brown. Gills grayish-white. ]

Atrata, clothed in black; from the pileus being very black when young. The pileus is from one to two inches broad, at first regular and convex, when expanded becoming, as a rule, irregular in shape, sometimespartially lobed or wavy; in young plants the cap is a dull blackishbrown, faded in older specimens to a lighter brown, umbilicate, smooth, shining. 

The gills are adnate, slightly crowded, with many short ones, ratherbroad, grayish-white. 

The stem is smooth, equal, even, hollow, or stuffed, tough, short, brownwithin and without, but lighter than the cap. The plant grows inpastures where stumps have been burned out, always, so far as I havenoticed, on burned ground. Spores . 00023×. 00016. 

_Collybia ambusta. Fr. _

THE SCORCHED COLLYBIA. 

Ambusta, burned or scorched, from its being found on burned soil. 

The pileus is nearly membranaceous, convex, then expanded, nearly plane, papillate, striatulate, smooth, livid brown, hygrophanous, umbonate. 

The gills are adnate, crowded, lanceolate, white, then of a smoky tinge. 

The stem is somewhat stuffed, tough, short, livid. Spores 5-6×3-4. 

This species differs from C. Atrata in having an umbonate pileus. 

_Collybia confluens. Pers. _

THE TUFTED COLLYBIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 84. --Collybia confluens. Natural size, showingreddish stems. ]

Confluens means growing together; so called from the stems often beingconfluent or adhering to each other. 

The pileus is from an inch to an inch and a quarter broad, reddish-brown, often densely cespitose, somewhat fleshy, convex, thenplane, flaccid, smooth, often watery, margin thin, in old specimensslightly depressed and wavy. 

The gills are free and in old plants remote from the stem, rathercrowded, narrow, flesh colored, then whitish. 

The stem is two to three inches long, hollow, pale red, sprinkled with amealy pubescence. The spores are slightly ovate, inclined to be pointedat one end, 5-6×3-4µ. 

These plants grow among leaves in the woods after warm rains, growing intufts, sometimes in rows or lines. They are not as large as C. Dryophylla, the stem is quite different and the plants seem to have theability to revive like a Marasmius. They can be dried for winter use. 

_Collybia myriadophylla. Pk. _

MANY-LEAVED COLLYBIA. 

[Illustration: Figure 85. --Collybia myriadophylla. ]

Myriadophylla is from two Greek words, meaning many leaves. It hasreference to its numerous gills. 

The pileus is very thin, broadly convex, then plane or centrallydepressed, sometimes umbillicate, hygrophanous, brown when moist, ochraceous or tan-color when dry. 

The gills are very numerous, narrow, linear, crowded, rounded behind orslightly adnexed, brownish-lilac. 

The stem is slender, but commonly short, equal, glabrous, stuffed orhollow, reddish-brown. The spores are minute, broadly elliptical, . 00012to . 00016-inch long, . 0008-inch broad. _Peck_, 49th Rep. 

I found only a few specimens in Haynes's Hollow. The caps were about aninch broad and the stems were an inch and a half long. It will be easilyidentified if one has the description of it, because of its peculiarlycolored gills. I found my plants on a decayed stump in August. In thedried specimens the gills assume a more brownish-red hue, as in the nextfollowing species. 

Collybia colorea. Pk. They sometimes appear to have a glaucousreflection, probably from the abundance of the spores. The stem is moreor less radicated and often slightly floccose-pruinose toward the base. The basidia are very short, being only . 0006 to . 0008-inch long. 

_Collybia atratoides. Pk. _

THE BLACKISH COLLYBIA. 

[Illustration: Figure 86. --Collybia atratoides. Two-thirds natural size. Caps blackish to grayish-brown. ]

Atratoides means like the species _atrata_, which means black; so calledbecause the caps when fresh are quite black. Atratoides has a differenthabitat and is not so dark. 

The pileus is thin, convex, subumbilicate, glabrous, hygrophanous, blackish-brown when moist, grayish-brown and shining when dry. 

The gills are rather broad, subdistant, adnate, grayish-white, oftentransversely veiny above and venosely connected. 

The stem is equal, hollow, smooth, grayish-brown with a whitishmycelioid tomentum at the base. The spores are nearly globose, about. 0002-inch broad. The pileus is six to ten lines broad and the stem isabout one inch long. _Peck. _

The plant is gregarious, growing on decayed wood and on mossy sticks inmixed woods. The margin of the cap is often serrated, as you will see inFigure 86, yet this does not seem to be a constant characteristic of thespecies. It is closely related to C. Atrata, but its habitat and thecolor of its pileus and gills differ very greatly. I have not eaten it, but have no doubt of its good qualities. 

Found in August and September. Quite common in all our woods. 

_Collybia acervata. Fr. _

THE TUFTED COLLYBIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 87. --Collybia acervata. Two-thirds natural size. Caps pale, tan or dingy pink. ]

Acervata, from acervus, a mass, a heap. 

Pileus fleshy but thin, convex, or nearly plane, obtuse, glabrous, hygrophanous, pale, tan-color or dingy pinkish-red, and commonly striateon the margin when moist, paler or whitish when dry. 

Gills narrow, close, adnexed or free, whitish or tinged withflesh-color. 

The stem slender, rigid, hollow, glabrous, reddish, reddish-brown orbrown, often whitish at the top, especially when young, commonly with amatted down at the base. Spores elliptical, 6×3-4µ. 

The plant is cespitose. Pileus one-half inch broad. Stem two to threeinches long. _Peck's_ 49th Report. 

This is a beautiful plant when growing in large tufts. The entire plantis tender and has a delicate flavor. I found the plant figured here onthe Frankfort pike where an old saw mill had formerly stood. It grewabundantly there, along with Lepiota Americana and Pluteus cervinus. 

Found from August to October. 

_Collybia velutipes. Curtis. _

THE VELVET-FOOT COLLYBIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XV. Figure 88. --Collybia velutipes. 

Natural size, showing the velvet stems, which give name to thespecies. ]

Velutipes, from _vellum_, velvet and _pes_, foot. 

Pileus from one to four inches broad, tawny yellow, fleshy at thecenter, thick on the margin, quite sticky or viscid when moist, marginslightly striate, sometimes inclined to be excentric. 

Gills rounded behind, broad, slightly adnexed, tan or pale-yellow, somewhat distant. 

The stem is cartilaginous, tough, hollow, umber, then becoming blackish, with a velvety coat. Spores are elliptical, 7×3-3. 5µ. 

It grows on stumps, logs and roots, in the ground. It grows almost theyear round. I have gathered it to eat in February. Plate XV gives a verycorrect notion of the plant. It is most plentiful in September, Octoberand November, yet found throughout the winter months. 

_Mycena. Fr. _

Mycena is from a Greek word, meaning a fungus. The plants of this genusare small and rather fragile. 

Pileus more or less membranaceous, generally striate, with the marginalmost straight, and at first pressed to the stem, never involute, expanded, campanulate, and generally umbonate. 

The stem is externally cartilaginous, hollow, not stuffed when young, confluent with the cap. Gills never decurrent, though some species havea broad sinus near the stem. 

Most species are small and inodorous, but some which have a strongalkaline odor are probably not good. Some are known to be edible. 

A few species exude a colored or watery juice when bruised. The Mycenaresembles the Collybia, but never has the incurved margin of the latter. The plants are usually smaller, and the caps are more or less conical. 

This genus might be mistaken for Omphalia, in which the gills are butslightly decurrent, but in Omphalia the cap is umbilicate while inMycena it is umbonate. 

Their being so small makes the determination of species somewhatdifficult. Some have characteristic odors which greatly assist inestablishing their identity. 

_Mycena galericulata. Scop. _

THE SMALL PEAKED-CAP MYCENA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Plate XVI. Figure 89. --Mycena galericulata. 

Natural size. ]

Galericulata, a small peaked-cap. 

The pileus is campanulate, whitish or grayish, center of the disk darkerand lighter toward the margin, smooth, dry, margin striated nearly tothe peak of the umbo, sometimes slightly depressed. 

The gills are adnate with a tooth, connected by veins, whitish, thengray, often flesh color, rather distant, ventricose, edge sometimesentire, sometimes serrate. 

The stem is rigid, cartilaginous, hollow, tough, straight, polished, smooth, hairy at the base. 

It grows on logs and stumps in the woods. It is very common andsometimes found in abundance. The plants are frequently denselyclustered, the numerous stems matted together by a soft hairy down atthe base. There are many forms of this plant. Found from September tofrost. The plants in Figure 89 were photographed by Prof. G. D. Smith, Akron, O. 

_Mycena rugosa. Fr. _

THE WRINKLED MYCENA. EDIBLE. 

Rugosa means wrinkled. The pileus is somewhat fleshy, darker and smallerthan the galericulata, quite tough, bell-shaped, then expanded, withunequal elevated wrinkles, always dry, striate on the margin. 

The gills are adnate, with a tooth, united behind, connected by veins, somewhat distant, whitish, then gray, edge sometimes entire, sometimesserrate. 

The stem is short, tough, rooted with a hairy base, stronglycartilaginous, hollow, rigid, smooth. It is found on stumps or decayedlogs during September and October. 

_Mycena prolifera. Sow. _

THE PROLIFEROUS MYCENA. EDIBLE. 

Prolifera is from _proles_, offspring, and _fero_, to bear. The pileusis somewhat fleshy, campanulate, then expanded, dry, with a broad, darkumbo; margin at length sulcate or furrowed and sometimes split, pale-yellowish or becoming brownish-tan. 

The gills are adnexed, subdistant, white, then pallid. 

The stem is firm, rigid, smooth, shining, minutely striate, rooting. _Fries. _

This species, as well as M. Galericulata, is closely related to M. Cohærens. I have found it in dense tufts or clusters, sometimes onlawns, on the bare ground, and in the woods. It is one of the plants inwhich the stems may be cooked with the caps. 

_Mycena capillaris. Schum. _

Capillaris means hair-like. This is a very small but beautiful whiteplant. 

The pileus is bell-shaped, at length umbilicate, smooth. 

The gills are attached to the stem, ascending, rather distant. 

The stem is thread-like, smooth, short. 

The spores are 7-8×4. _Fries. _

These plants are very small and easily overlooked. They grow on leavesin the woods after a rain. July and August. Quite common. 

_Mycena setosa. Sow. _

Setosa means full of setæ or hairs. 

The pileus is very delicate, hemispherical, obtuse, smooth. 

The gills are distant, white, almost free. 

The stem is short, slender, and covered with spreading hairs which givesrise to its specific name. 

Commonly found on dead leaves in the woods after a rain. Found in Julyand August. 

_Mycena hæmatopa. Pers. _

THE BLOOD-FOOT MYCENA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 90. --Mycena hæmatopa. Brownish-red or flesh-color. A dull red juice exudes from the stem. Margin dentate by sterile flap. ]

Hæmatopa is from two Greek words, meaning blood and foot. 

The pileus is fleshy, one inch broad, conic, or bell-shaped, somewhatumbonate, obtuse, whitish to flesh-color, with more or less dull red, even, or slightly striate at the margin, the margin extending beyond thegills and is toothed. 

The gills are attached to the stem, often with a decurrent tooth, whitish. Spores, 10×6-7. 

The stem is two to four inches long, firm, hollow, sometimes smooth, sometimes powdered with whitish, soft hairy down, in color the same asthe pileus, yielding a dark red juice which gives name to the species. 

The color varies quite a little in these plants, owing to some havingmore of the red juice than others. The genus is readily identified bythe dull blood-red juice, hollow stem, the crenate margin of the cap, and its dense cespitose habits. It is found on decayed logs in dampplaces from August to October. The plants in Figure 90 were found inHaynes' Hollow, September 8. The plant is widely distributed over theUnited States. No one will have the slightest difficulty in recognizingthis species after seeing the plants in the figure above. 

_Mycena alkalina. Fr. _

THE STUMP MYCENA. 

[Illustration: Figure 91. --Mycena alkalina. Two-thirds natural size, often larger. Young specimens. ]

Solitary or cespitose; pileus one-half to two inches broad, rathermembranaceous, campanulate, obtuse, naked, deeply striate, moist, shining when dry, when old expanded or depressed, but little changed incolor, though occasionally with a pink or yellow hue, whitish orgrayish, the center of the disk darker. 

The gills are adnate, rather distant, slightly ventricose, at firstpale, then glaucous, pinkish, or yellow, more or less connected byveins. 

The stem is smooth, slightly sticky, shining, villous at the base with asometimes tawny-down, sometimes firm and tenacious, hollow, attenuatedupward. The plant is rigid, but brittle, and strong-scented. Found ondecayed stumps and logs, you will meet it frequently. August toNovember. 

_Mycena filopes. Bull. _

THREADY-STEMMED MYCENA. 

Pileus membranaceous, obtuse, campanulate, then expanded, striate, brownor umber, tinged with pink. 

The gills are free or minutely adnexed, slightly ventricose, white orpaler than the pileus, crowded. 

The stem is hollow, juicy, smooth, filiform, rather brittle, whitish orbrownish. Found in woods on leaves, after a rain, from July to October. 

_Mycena stannea. Fr. _

THE TIN-COLORED MYCENA. 

[Illustration: Figure 92. --Mycena stannea. Natural size. Caps white, sometimes smoky. ]

Stannea pertaining to the color of tin. This is a delicate species thatgrows in the woods in tufts on rotten wood in damp places. The generalcharacter is shown in the illustration, being nearly white but many ofthe pilei are somewhat smoky. 

The pileus is firm, membranaceous, bell-shaped, then expanded, smooth, very slightly striate, hygrophanous, quite silky, tin-color. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, with a decurrent tooth, connected by veins, grayish-white. 

The stem is smooth, even, shining, becoming pale, at length compressed. This species differs from Mycena vitrea in having a tooth to the gills. May, June, and July. 

_Mycena vitrea. Fr. _

Vitrea, glassy. This plant is quite fragile. The pileus ismembranaceous, bell-shaped, livid-brown, finely striate, no trace ofumbo. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, not connected by veins, distinct, linear, whitish. 

The stem is slender, slightly striate, polished, pale, base fibrillose. This species differs from M. ætites and M. Stannea in gills not having adecurrent tooth and not being connected by veins. 

_Mycena corticola. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 93. --Mycena corticola. ]

Corticola means dwelling on bark. 

It is one of the smallest of the Mycenas, the pileus being about two tofour lines across, thin, hemispherical, obtuse, becoming slightlyumbilicate, deeply striate, glabrous or flocculosely pruinose, gray, tan, or brownish. 

The gills are attached to the stem, with slight decurrent tooth, broad, rather ovate, pallid. 

The stem, is short, slender, incurved, glabrous or minutely scurfy, somewhat paler than the pileus. The spores are elliptical, 5-6×3µ;cystidia obtusely fusiform, 50-60×8-10µ. 

These plants are found on the bark of living trees. After rains I haveseen the bark on the shade trees along the walks in Chillicothe, literally covered with these beautiful little plants. The plants inFigure 93 were taken from a maple tree the 4th of December. They arevery close allied to M. Hiemalis but can be distinguished by the broad, ovate gills bearing cystidia, and smaller spores. 

_Mycena hiemalis. Osbeck. _

THE WINTER MYCENA. 

Hiemalis, of, or belonging to, winter. The pileus quite thin, bell-shaped, very slightly umbonate, margin striate; pinkish, rufescent, white, sometimes pruinose. 

The gills are adnate, linear, white or whitish. 

The stem is slender, curved, base downy, whitish, pinkish-red. Thespores are 7-8×3. 

This is a more delicate species than M. Corticola and differs from it inits narrow gills, and striate, not sulcate, pileus, also in the color ofthe stem. Found on stumps and logs. October and November. 

_Mycena Leaiana. Berk. _

[Illustration: Figure 94. --Mycena leaiana. Natural size. Caps brightorange and very viscid. ]

Leaiana named in honor of Mr. Thomas G. Lea, who was the first man tostudy mycology in the Miami Valley. This is a very beautiful plantgrowing on decayed beech logs in rainy weather. The pileus is fleshy, very viscid, bright orange, the margin slightly striate as will be seenin the one whose cap shows. 

The gills are distant, not entire, broad, notched at the stem, attached, the edge a dusky orange, or vermilion, the short gills beginning at themargin. 

The stem is in most cases curved, attenuated toward the cap, smooth, hollow, rather firm, quite hirsute or strigose at the base. The sporesare elliptical, apiculate, . 0090×. 0056 mm. 

They are cæspitose, growing in dense tufts on logs somewhat decayed. Itis extremely viscid, so much so that your hands will be stained yellowif you handle it much. It grows from spring to fall but is usually moreabundant in August and September. Very common. 

_Mycena iris. B. _

Pileus is small, convex, expanded, obtuse, slightly viscid, striate, quite [blue?] when young, growing brownish with blue fibrils. 

The gills are free, tinged with gray. 

The stem is short, bluish below, tinged with brown above, somewhatpruinose. Found in damp woods after a rain, in August. 

_Mycena pura. Pers. _

[Illustration: _Photo by Prof. G. D. Smith. _

Figure 95. --Mycena pura. ]

Pura means unstained, pure. 

The pileus is fleshy, thin, bell-shaped, expanded, obtusely umbonate, finely striate on the margin, sometimes having margin upturned, violetto rose. 

The gills are broad, adnate to sinuate, in older plants sometimes freeby breaking away from the stem, connected by veins, sometimes wavy andcrenate on the edge, the edge of the gills sometimes almost or quitewhite, violet, rose. 

The stem is even, nearly naked, somewhat villous at the base, sometimesalmost white when young, later assuming the color of the cap, hollow, smooth. 

The spores are white and oblong, 6-8×3-3. 5. M. Pelianthina differsfrom this in having dark-edged gills. It differs from M. Pseudopura andM. Zephira in having a strong smell. M. Ianthina differs in having aconical cap. 

This plant is quite widely distributed. Our plants are light-violet incolor, and the color seems constant. I have found it in mixed woods. Itis found in September and October. 

_Mycena vulgaris. Pers. _

Vulgaris means common. 

The pileus is small, convex, then depressed, papillate, viscid, brownish-gray, finely striate on the margin. 

The gills are subdecurrent, thin, white; the depressed cap and decurrentgills make the plant resemble an Omphalia. Spores, 5×2. 5µ. 

The stem is viscid, pale, tough, fibrillose at the base, rooting, becoming hollow. It differs from M. Pelliculosa in not having aseparable cuticule and the fold-like gills. 

This plant will be recognized by its smoky or grayish color, umbilicatepileus, and viscid stem. It is found in woods on leaves and decayedsticks. August and September. 

_Mycena epipterygia. Scop. _

[Illustration: Figure 96. --Mycena epipterygia. ]

Epipterygia is _Epi_, upon, and _Pterygion_, a small wing. 

These are small, the pileus being one-half to one inch broad, membranaceous, bell-shaped, then expanded, rather obtuse, not depressed, striate, the cuticule separable in every condition and viscid in dampweather, gray, often pale yellowish-green near the margin often minutelynotched when young. 

The gills are attached to the stem with a decurrent tooth, thin, whitishor tinged with gray. 

The stem is two to four inches long, hollow, tough, rooting, viscid, yellowish, sometimes gray or even whitish. The spores are elliptical, 8-10×4-5µ. 

These plants have a wide distribution and [are?] found on branches, among moss and dead leaves. They are found in clusters and solitary. They resemble in many ways M. Alcalina but do not have the peculiarsmell. 

The plants in Figure 96 were photographed by Prof. G. D. Smith of Akron. 

_Omphalia. Fr. _

Omphalia is from a Greek word meaning the navel; referring here to thecentral depression in the cap. 

The pileus from the first is centrally depressed, then funnel-shaped, almost membranaceous, and watery when moist; margin incurved orstraight. Stem cartilaginous and hollow, often stuffed when young, continuous with the cap but different in character. Gills decurrent andsometimes branched. 

They are generally found on wood, preferring a damp woody situation anda wet season. It is easily distinguished from Collybia and Mycena by itsdecurrent gills. In some of the species of the Mycena where the gillsare slightly decurrent, the pileus is not centrally depressed as it isin corresponding species of Omphalia. There are a few species ofOmphalia whose pileus is not centrally depressed but whose gills areplainly decurrent. 

_Omphalia campanella. Batsch. _

THE BELL OMPHALIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XVII. Figure 97. --Omphalia campanella. ]

Campanella means a little bell. 

The pileus is membranaceous, convex to extended, centrally depressed, striate, watery, rusty-yellow in color. 

The gills are moderately close, decurrent, bow-shaped, connected byveins, rigid, firm, yellowish. The spores elliptical, 6-7×3-4µ. 

The stem is hollow, clothed with down, and paler above. 

This plant is very common and plentiful in our woods and is widelydistributed in the states. It grows on wood or on ground very heavilycharged with decaying wood. It is found through the summer and fall. Itis delicious if you have the patience to gather them. 

_Omphalia epichysia. Pers. _

The pileus is thin, convex to expanded, depressed in the center, sooty-gray with a watery appearance, pallid to nearly white when dry. 

The gills are slightly decurrent, whitish then gray, somewhat crowded. 

The stem is slender, hollow, gray. The spores are elliptical, 8-10×4-5µ. 

It grows in decayed wood. Its smoky color, funnel-shaped pileus, andgray short stem will distinguish it. I have some plants sent me fromMassachusetts which seem to be much smaller than our plants. 

_Omphalia umbellifera. Linn. _

THE UMBEL OMPHALIA. EDIBLE. 

Umbellifera--_umbella_, a small shade; _ferro_, to bear. Pileus one-halfinch broad, membranaceous, whitish, convex, then plane, broadly obconic, slightly umbilicate even in the smallest plants, hygrophanous in wetweather, rayed with darker striæ. 

The gills are decurrent, very distant, quite broad behind, triangular, with straight edges. 

The stem is short, not more than one inch long, dilated at the apex, ofsame color as the pileus, at first stuffed, then hollow, firm, white, villous at the base. 

It is a common plant in our woods, growing on decayed wood or groundlargely made up of rotten wood. Decayed beech bark is a favoritehabitat. Found from July till October. 

_Omphalia cæspitosa. Bol. _

[Illustration: Figure 98. --Omphalia cæspitosa. Natural size. ]

Cæspitosa means growing in tufts; _cæspes_, turf. The pileus issubmembranaceous, very small, convex, nearly hemispherical, umbilicate, thin, sulcate, light-ochre, margin crenate, smooth. 

The gills are distant, rather broad, shortly decurrent, whitish. 

The stem is curved, hollow, colored like the pileus, slightly bulbous atthe base. The spores are 6×5. 

This species is very much like Omphalia oniscus and they can only bedistinguished by their habitats and color. It is found in August andSeptember. It delights in well rotted wood. I have seen millions in oneplace. 

_Omphalia oniscus. Fr. _

BOLTON'S OMPHALIA. EDIBLE. 

Oniscus, a name given to a species of codfish by the Greeks, so namedbecause of their gray color. The pileus is flaccid, irregular, about oneinch broad, convex, plane, or depressed, slightly fleshy, wavy, sometimes lobed, margin striate, dark cinereous, paler when dry. 

The gills are adnate, decurrent, livid or whitish, arranged in groups offour, somewhat distant. 

The stem is about one inch long, rather firm, straight or curved, sometimes unequal, nearly hollow. The spores are 12×7-8µ. 

This is found in damp places from August to November. 

_Omphalia pyxidata. Bull. _

THE BOX OMPHALIA. 

Pyxidata means made like a box, from _pyxis_, a box. 

The pileus is somewhat membranaceous, clearly umbilicate, thenfunnel-shaped, smooth when moist, margin often striate, brick-red. 

The gills are decurrent, rather distant, triangular, narrow, reddishgray, often yellowish. 

The stem is stuffed, then hollow, even, tough, pale-tawny. The sporesare 7-8×5-6µ. 

The plants are usually hygrophanous, but when dry, floccose or slightlysilky. This is a small plant growing usually on lawns, nearly hidden inthe grass. I found some very fine specimens on Dr. Sulzbacher's lawn onSecond Street, Chillicothe. The plant is, however, widely distributed. Ifound many specimens on the 3d of November. 

_Omphalia fibula. Bull. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 99. --Omphalia fibula. ]

Fibula means a buckle or pin, from the pin-like stem. 

The pileus is membranaceous, at first top-shaped, expanded, slightlyumbilicate, striate, margin inclined to be inflexed, yellow or tawny, with a dusky center, minutely pilose. 

The gills are deeply decurrent, paler, distinct. 

The stem is slender, nearly orange color with a violet-brown apex, thewhole minutely pilose. The spores are elliptical, 4-5×2µ. 

They are found on mossy banks where it is more or less damp. I have onlyfound it in October. 

_Omphalia alboflava. Moy. _

THE GOLDEN-GILLED OMPHALIA. 

[Illustration: Figure 100. --Omphalia alboflava. Cap yellowish-brown, sometimes a greenish tinge. Gills golden yellow. ]

Alboflava is from two Greek words meaning whitish-yellow, from theyellow gills. 

The pileus is one to two inches broad, thin, somewhat membranaceous, umbilicate, flaccid, covered with fine woolly material, yellow-brown, lighter when dry, margin reflexed. 

The gills are distant, deep golden-yellow, occasionally forked. 

The stem is hollow, equal, smooth, shining, egg-yellow. 

The spores are elliptical, 8×4µ. 

This plant, is found quite frequently on decayed branches and logs aboutChillicothe. I have never had the opportunity to test its edibility butI have no doubt of its being good. 

The plants in Figure 100 were found in Haynes' Hollow and werephotographed by Dr. Kellerman. Found from July to October. 

_Marasmius. Fr. _

_Marasmius is a Greek participle meaning withered or shriveled_; it isso called because the plant will wither and dry up, but revive with thecoming of rain. 

The spores are white and subelliptical. The pileus is tough and fleshyor membranaceous. 

The stem is cartilaginous and continuous with the pileus, but of adifferent texture. The gills are thick, rather tough and distant, sometimes unequal, variously attached or free, rarely decurrent, with asharp entire edge. It is quite a large genus and many of its specieswill be of great interest to the student. 

_Marasmius oreades. Fr. _

THE FAIRY-RING MUSHROOM. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 101. --Marasmius oreades. Two-thirds natural size. ]

_Oreades, mountain nymphs. _ Pileus is fleshy, tough and pliable whenmoist, brittle when dry, convex, becoming flat, somewhat umbonate, brownish-buff at first, becoming cream-color; when old it is usuallyquite wrinkled. 

The gills are broad and wide apart, creamy or yellowish, rounded at thestem end, unequal in length. 

The stem is solid, equal, tough, fibrous, naked and smooth at base, everywhere with a downy surface. The spores are white, 8×5. 

To my mind there is no more appetizing mushroom than the "Fairy Ring"mushroom. Figure 101 will give an accurate notion of the plant andFigure 102 will show how they grow in the grass. It is found in allparts of Ohio. Every old pasture field or lawn will be full of theserings. The plant is small but its plentifulness will make up for itssize. 

There are many conjectures why this and many other mushrooms grow in acircle. The explanation is quite obvious. The ring is started by a clumpor an individual mushroom. The ground where the mushroom grew isrendered unfit for mushrooms again, the spores fall upon the ground andthe mycelium spreads out from this point, consequently each year thering is growing larger. Sometimes they appear only in a crescent form. One can tell, by looking over a lawn or pasture, where the rings are, because, from the decay of the mushroom, the grass is greener and morevigorous there. 

Long ago, in England and Ireland, before the peasantry had begun toquestion the reality of the existence of the fairy folk and theirbeneficent interference in the affairs of life, these emerald-hued ringswere firmly believed to be due to the fairy footsteps which nightlypressed their chosen haunts, and to mark the "little people's" favoritedancing ground. "They had always fine music among themselves, and dancedin a moonshiny night around or in a ring, as one may see to this dayupon every common in England where mushrooms grow, " quaintly says oneold writer. And the Rev. Gerard Smith still further voices the belief ofthe people as to the nature of these grassy rings:

 "The nimble elves That do by moonshine green sour ringlets make, Whereof the ewe bites not; whose pastime 'tis To make these midnight mushrooms. "

It is a very common plant, and it will pay any one to know it, as wecannot find anything in the markets that will equal it as a tabledelicacy. 

Found in pastures and lawns during rainy weather from May till frost. 

[Illustration: Figure 102. --Marasmius oreades. Showing a fairy ring. ]

_Marasmius urens. Fr. _

THE STINGING MARASMIUS. 

Urens means burning; so called from its acrid taste. 

The pileus is pale-buff, tough, fleshy, convex or flat, becomingdepressed and finally wrinkled, smooth, even, one to two inches broad. 

The gills are unequal, cream-colored, becoming brownish, much closerthan in the Fairy Ring, hardly reaching the stem proper, joined behind. 

The stem is solid above and hollow below, fibrous, pale, its surfacemore or less covered with flocculent down, and densely covered withwhite down at the base. 

It will be well for collectors to pass by this and M. Peronatus, or toexercise the greatest caution in their use. They have been eaten withoutharm, but they also have so long been branded as poisonous that toogreat care cannot be taken. Its taste is acrid, and it grows in lawnsand pastures from June to September. 

_Marasmius androsaceus. Linn. _

[Illustration: Figure 103. --Marasmius androsaceus. Natural size. ]

Androsaceus is from a Greek word which means an unidentified sea plantor zoophyte. 

The pileus is three to six lines broad, membranaceous, convex, with aslight depression, pale-reddish, darker in the center, striate, smooth. 

The gills are attached to the stem, frequently quite simple and few innumber, about fifteen, with shorter ones between, sometimes forked, whitish. 

The stem is one to two inches long, horny, filiform, hollow, quitesmooth, black, often twisted when dry. The spores are 7×3-4µ. 

This is a very attractive little plant found on the leaves in the woodsafter a rain. They are quite abundant. Found from July to October. 

_Marasmius foetidus. Sow. _

[Illustration: Figure 104. --Marasmius foetidus. ]

Foetidus means stinking or foetid. 

The pileus is submembranaceous, tough, convex, then expanded, umbilicatestriato-plicate, turning pale when dry, subpruinose. 

The gills are annulato-adnexed, distant, rufescent with a yellow tinge. 

The stem is hollow, minutely velvety, bay, base flocculose. 

The caps are light brownish-red in color, fading when dry. When fresh ithas a foetid odor quite perceptible for such small plants. It is foundon decayed sticks and leaves in woods. During wet weather or after heavyrains it is quite common in the woods about Chillicothe. 

Found from July to October. 

This is also called Heliomyces foetens (Pat. ) and is so classified byProf. Morgan in his very excellent Monogram on North American Species ofMarasmius. 

_Marasmius velutipes. B. & C. _

[Illustration: Figure 105. --Marasmius velutipes. ]

Velutipes means velvet-footed, from the velvety stem. The pileus isthin, submembranaceous, smooth, convex, or expanded, grayish-rufous whenmoist, cinereous when dry, a half to one and a half inches broad. 

The gills are very narrow, crowded, whitish or grayish. 

The stem is slender, three to five inches long, equal, hollow, clothedwith a dense grayish velvety tomentum. _Peck. _

They usually grow in a very crowded condition, many plants growing fromone mat of mycelium. It is quite a common plant with us, found in dampwoods or around a swampy place. The pileus with us is convex. Someauthorities speak of an umbilicate cap. The plant is quite hardy andeasily identified because of its long and slender stem, with the grayishtomentum at the base. Found from July to October. 

The specimens in Figure 105 were found at Ashville, Ohio. 

_Marasmius cohærens. (Fr. ) Bres. _

THE STEMMED-MASSED MARASMIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 106. --Marasmius cohærens. Two-thirds natural size, showing how the stems are massed together. ]

Cohærens means holding together, referring to the stems being massedtogether. 

The pileus is fleshy, thin, convex, campanulate, then expanded, sometimes slightly umbonate, in old specimens the margin upturned orwavy, velvety, reddish tan-color, darker in the center, indistinctlystriate. 

The gills are rather crowded, narrow, adnate, sometimes becoming freefrom the stem, connected by slight veins, pale cinnamon-color, becomingsomewhat darker with age, the variation of color due to the number ofcystidia scattered over the surface of the gills and on their edge. Spores, oval, white, small, 6×3µ. 

The stem is hollow, long, rigid, even, smooth, shining, reddish-brown, growing paler or whitish toward the cap, a number of the stems growingtogether at the base with a whitish myceloid tomentum present. 

The plant grows in dense clusters among leaves and in well rotted wood. I have found it quite often about Chillicothe. It is called Mycenacohærens, Fr. , Collybia lachnophylla, Berk. , Collybia spinulifera, Pk. The plants in Figure 106 were found near Ashville, Ohio. September tofrost. 

_Marasmius candidus. Bolt. _

THE WHITE MARASMIUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 107. --Marasmius candidus. Natural size. ]

Candidus means shining white. This delicate species grows in moist andshady places in the woods. It grows on twigs, its habitat and structureare fully illustrated in the Figure 107. 

The pileus is rather membranaceous, hemispherical, then plane ordepressed, pellucid, wrinkled, naked, entirely white. 

The gills are adnexed, ventricose, distant, not entire. 

The stem is thin, stuffed, whitish, slightly pruinose, base tinged withbrown. Spores are elliptical, 4×2µ. 

This plant has a wide distribution in this country. The specimensfigured were collected by H. H. York near Sandusky, Ohio, and werephotographed by Dr. Kellerman. I have found them at various points inOhio. 

_Marasmius rotula. Fr. _

THE COLLARED MARASMIUS. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 108. --Marasmius rotula. Natural size. Caps white or pale-buff. ]

Rotula means a little wheel. 

The pileus is one to three lines broad, hemispherical, umbilicate, andminutely umbonate, plaited, smooth, membranaceous, margin crenate, white, or pale buff, with a dark umbilicus. 

The gills are broad, distant, few, equal, or occasionally with a fewshort ones, of the color of the pileus, attached to a free collarbehind. 

The stem is setiform, slightly flexuous, white above, then tawny, deepshining brown at the base, striate, hollow, frequently branched andsarmentose, with or without abortive pilei. --M. J. B. This plant is verycommon in woods on fallen twigs. The plants in Figure 108 were collectednear Cincinnati. This plant has a wide distribution. It is in all ourOhio woods. 

_Marasmius scorodonius. Fr. _

STRONG-SCENTED MARASMIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 109. --Marasmius scorodonius. ]

Scorodonius is from a Greek word meaning like garlic. 

The pileus is one-half inch or more broad, reddish when young, butbecoming pale, whitish; somewhat fleshy, tough; even, soon plane, rugulose even when young, at length rugulose and crisped. 

The gills are attached to the stem, often separating, connected byveins, crisped in drying, whitish. 

The stem is at least one inch long, hollow, equal, quite smooth, shining, reddish. The spores are elliptical, 6×4µ. 

It is found in woods growing on sticks and decayed wood. It isstrong-smelling. It is frequently put with other plants to give a flavorof garlic to the dish. Found from July to October. 

_Marasmius calopus. Fr. _

Calopus is from two Greek words meaning beautiful and foot, so calledbecause of its beautiful stem. 

The pileus is rather fleshy, tough, convex, plane then depressed, even, at length rugose, whitish. 

The gills are emarginate, adnexed, thin, white, in groups of 2-4. 

The stem is hollow, equal, smooth, not rooting, shining, reddish-bay. Itis found growing on twigs and fallen leaves, in the woods. Smaller thanM. Scorodonius but with longer stem. 

_Marasmius prasiosmus. Fr. _

THE LEEK-SCENTED MARASMIUS. 

Prasiosmus means smelling like a leek; from, _prason_, a leek. Thepileus is one-half to one inch broad, somewhat membranaceous, tough, bell-shaped, pale yellow or whitish, disk often darker, wrinkled. 

The gills are adnexed, somewhat close, white. 

The stem is tough, hollow, pallid and smooth above, dilated at the base, tomentose and brown. It is found in woods adhering to oak leaves afterheavy rains. It is very near M. Porreus but differs from it in its gillsbeing white and caps not being striated. It differs from M. Terginusmainly in its habitat and leek-like scent. 

_Marasmius anomalus. Pk. _

Anomalus, not conforming to rule, irregular. The pileus is one to twoinches broad, somewhat fleshy, tough, convex, even, reddish-gray. 

The stem is two to three inches long, hollow, equal, smooth, pallidabove, reddish-brown below. 

The gills are rotundate-free, close, narrow, whitish or pallid. _Morgan. _

This is quite a pretty plant, growing on sticks among leaves in thewoods. It is larger than most of the small Marasmii found in similarhabitats. 

_Marasmius semihirtipes. Pk. _

Semihirtipes means a slightly hairy foot or stem. 

The pileus is thin, tough, nearly plane or depressed, smooth, sometimesstriate on the margin, hygrophanous, reddish-brown when moist, alutaceous when dry, the disk sometimes darker. 

The gills are subdistant, reaching the stem, slightly venose-connected, sub-crenulate on the edge, white. 

The stem is equal, even or finely striate, hollow, smooth above, velvety-tomentose toward the base, reddish-brown. _Peck. _

These plants are very small, often no doubt overlooked by the collector. They are gregarious in their mode of growth. 

_Marasmius longipes. Pk. _

Longipes means long stem or foot. 

The pileus is thin, convex, smooth, finely striate on the margin, tawny-red. 

The gills are not crowded, attached, white. 

The stem is tall, straight, hollow, equal, covered with a downy meal, rooting, brown or fawn-color, white at the top. 

These plants are quite small and slender, sometimes four to five incheshigh. They are rather common in our woods after a rain. 

_Marasmius graminum. Berk. _

Graminum is the gen. Pl. Of _gramen_, which means grass. 

The pileus small, membranaceous, convex, then nearly plane, umbonate, deeply and distinctly striate or sulcate, tinged with rufous, thefurrows paler, disc brown. 

The gills are attached to a collar that is free around the stem, few innumber, slightly ventricose, cream-color. 

The stem is short, slender, equal, smooth, shining, black, whitishabove. 

The spores are globose, 3-4µ. 

This species is very near M. Rotula but it can be easily distinguishedby the pale rufescent, distinctly sulcate pileus, and its growing ongrass. I have frequently found it on the Chillicothe high school lawn. 

_Marasmius siccus. Schw. _

THE BELL-SHAPED MARASMIUS. 

[Illustration: Plate XVII. Figure 110. --Marasmius siccus. 

Natural size. The cap ochraceous red, the disks somewhat darker, thestems shining and blackish-brown. ]

[Illustration: Figure 111. --Marasmius siccus. Natural size. Caps deeplyfurrowed and pinkish. ]

This is a very beautiful plant found in the woods after a rain, growingfrom the leaves. They are found singly, but usually in groups. 

The pileus is at first nearly conical, then campanulate, membranaceous, dry, smooth, furrows radiating from almost the center, growing larger asthey approach the margin, ochraceous-red, the disk a little darker. 

The gills are free or slightly attached, few, distant, broad, narrowedtoward the stem, whitish. 

The stem is hollow, tough, smooth, shining, blackish-brown, two to threeinches long. The pileus is about a half inch broad. 

The plant is quite common in our woods. I have not found it elsewhere. The plants in the photograph represent the pink form, which is not socommon as the ochraceous-red. In the pink form the center of the cap andthe apex of the stem is a delicate pink, which gives the plant abeautiful appearance. 

Found from June to October. I have not tested it but have no doubt ofits esculent qualities. 

_Marasmius fagineus. Morgan. _

Fagineus means belonging to beech. 

Pileus a little fleshy, convex then plane or depressed, at lengthsomewhat repand, rugose-striate, reddish-pallid or alutaceous. 

The gills are short-adnate, somewhat crisped, close, pale reddish. 

The stem is short, hollow, pubescent, thickened upward, concolorous; thebase somewhat tuberculose. _Morgan_, Myc. Flora M. V. 

This plant is quite frequently found in our woods growing on the bark atthe base of living beech trees. Its habitat, its reddish or alutaceouscap, and its paler gills will clearly identify the species. 

_Marasmius peronatus. Fr. _

THE MASKED MARASMIUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 112. --Marasmius peronatus. Natural size. Capreddish-buff. Gills creamy or light reddish-brown. ]

Peronatus is from _pero_, a boot. 

The pileus is reddish-buff, convex, slightly flattened at the top, quitewrinkled when old; diameter, at full expansion, between one and twoinches, margin striate. 

The gills are thin and crowded, creamy, becoming light reddish-brown, continuing down the stem by a short curve. 

The stem is fibrous-stuffed, pale, densely clothed at the base withstiff yellowish hairs. 

It grows in the woods, among dead leaves, from May till frost. 

It is usually solitary yet is sometimes found in clusters. It has beeneaten frequently without injury, but by most writers is brandedpoisonous. It is quite acrid, but that disappears in cooking. The denseyellow hairs at the base of the stem appear to constitute thedistinguishing characteristic. Found from July to October. 

_Marasmius ramealis. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 113. --Marasmius ramealis. Natural size. ]

Ramealis means a branch or stick; so called because the plant is foundgrowing on sticks, in open woods. 

The pileus is very small, somewhat fleshy, plane or a trifle depressed, obtuse, not striate, slightly rugulose, opaque. 

The gills are attached to the stem, somewhat distant, narrow, white. 

The stem is about one inch long, stuffed, mealy, white, inclined to berufescent at the base. 

The spores are elliptical, 4×2µ. 

This is a very pretty plant, but easily overlooked. It is found on oakand beech branches, frequently in large groups. Figure 113 illustratestheir mode of growth and will assist the collector in identifying thespecies. Not poisonous, but too small to gather. Found from July toOctober. The specimens in Figure 113 were found in Haynes' Hollow nearChillicothe and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Marasmius saccharinus. Batsch. _

GRANULAR MARASMIUS. EDIBLE. 

Saccharinus is from _saccharum_, sugar; it is so called because thewhite pileus looks very much like loaf sugar. 

The pileus is entirely white, membranaceous, convex, somewhat papillate, smooth, sulcate and plicate. 

The gills are broadly and firmly attached to the stem, narrow, thick, very distant, united by veins, whitish. 

The stem is quite thin, thread-form, attenuated upward, at firstflocculose, at length becoming smooth, inserted obliquely, reddish, paleat the apex. Spores, 5×3µ. 

Quite common in wet weather on dead oak limbs in woods. This plantdiffers from M. Epiphyllus in its habitat, in the papillate form of itspileus and the stem's being flocculose, then smooth; also in that thegills are united in a reticulated manner. Common. July to October. 

_Marasmius epiphyllus. Fr. _

THE LEAF MARASMIUS. EDIBLE. 

Epiphyllus means growing on leaves. 

The pileus is white, membranaceous, nearly plane, at length umbilicate, smooth, wrinkled, plicate. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, white, connected by veins, entire, distant, few. 

The stem is rather horny, bay, minutely velvety, apex pale, inserted. The spores are 3×2µ. This plant is abundant everywhere, on fallen leavesin woods during rainy weather. July to October. 

_Marasmius delectans. Morgan. _

[Illustration: Figure 114. --Marasmius delectans. Natural size. Capswhite. Gills broad and distant. ]

Delectans means pleasing or delightful. 

The pileus is subcoriaceous, convex, then expanded and depressed, glabrous, rugulose, white, changing in drying to pale alutaceous. 

The gills are moderately broad, unequal, rather distant, trabeculatebetween, white, emarginate, adnexed; the spores are lance-oblong, hyaline, 7-9×4µ. 

The stem, arising from an abundant white-floccose mycelium, is long, slender, tapering slightly upward, smooth, brown and shining, white atthe apex. 

It is found growing on old leaves in woods. The plants in the figurewere collected in the woods at Sugar Grove, Ohio, by R. A. Young, July28, 1906, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. Found from July to October. 

_Marasmius nigripes. Schw. _

[Illustration: Figure 115. --Marasmius nigripes. Natural size. Caps andgills white, stems black. ]

Nigripes means black foot, so called because the stems are black. 

Tremmelloid. Pileus very thin, pure white, pruinose, rugulose-sulcate, convex then expanded. 

The gills are pure white, unequal, some of them forked, adnate, theinterstices venulose. 

The stem is thickest at the apex, tapering downward, black, white-pruinose, the base insititious. _Morgan_. 

It is found on old leaves, sticks, and old acorns and hickory-nuts. Whendry, the stem loses its black color and the gills become flesh-color. Itis quite common in thin and open woods. The spores are hyaline andstellate, 3-5-rayed. Found from July to October. 

This is called Heliomyces nigripes by some authors. 

_Pleurotus. Fr. _

Pleurotus is from two Greek words meaning side and ear, alluding to itsmanner of growth on a log. This genus is very common everywhere in Ohio, and is easily determined by its eccentric, lateral, or even absent stem, but it must have white spores, and the characteristics of the Agaricini. 

Pileus fleshy in the larger species and membranaceous in the smallerforms, but never becoming woody. Stem mostly lateral or wanting; whenpresent, continuous with cap. Gills with sinus or broadly decurrent, toothed. 

Grows in woods. 

_Pleurotus ostreatus. Jacq. _

THE OYSTER MUSHROOM. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 116. --Pleurotus ostreatus. Two-thirds naturalsize. Often growing very large. ]

Pileus two to six inches broad, soft, fleshy, convex, or slightlydepressed behind, subordinate, often cespitosely imbricated, moist, smooth, margin involute; whitish, cinereous or brownish; flesh white, the whole surface shining and satiny when dry. 

[Illustration: Plate XVIII. Figure 117. --Pleurotus ostreatus. 

Two-thirds natural size. ]

Gills broad, decurrent, subdistant, branching at the base, white orwhitish. The stem when present is very short, firm, lateral, sometimesrough with stiff hair, hairy at the base. Spores oblong, white, . 0003 to. 0004 inch long, . 00016 inch broad. 

This is one of our most abundant mushrooms, and the easiest for thebeginner to identify. In Figures 116 and 117, you will see the plantgrowing in imbricated form apparently without any stem. In Figure 118 isa variety that has a pronounced stem, showing how the stems growtogether at the base, the slight grooving on the stems, also thedecurrent gills. In most of these plants the stems are plainly lateral, but a few will appear to be central. It will be difficult to distinguishit from the Sapid mushroom and for table purposes there is little needto separate them. In Ohio the Oyster mushroom is very common everywhere. I have seen trees sixty to seventy feet high simply loaded with thismushroom. If one will locate a few logs or stumps upon which the Oystermushroom grows, he can find there an abundant supply (when conditionsare right for fungus growth) during the entire season. It is almostuniversally a favorite among mushroom eaters, but it must be carefullyand thoroughly cooked. It grows very large and frequently in greatmasses. I have often found specimens whose caps were eight to ten inchesbroad. It is found from May to December. 

[Illustration: Figure 118. --Pleurotus ostreatus. One-half natural size, showing gills and stems. ]

_Pleurotus salignus. Fr. _

THE WILLOW PLEUROTUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 119. --Pleurotus ulmarius. One-third natural size. ]

Salignus, from _salix_, a willow. Pileus is compact, nearly halved, horizontal, at first cushion-shaped, even, then with the disk depressed, substrigose, white or fuliginous. The stem, eccentric or lateral, sometimes obsolete, short, white-tomentose. The gills are decurrent, somewhat branched, eroded, distinct at the base, nearly of the samecolor. Spores . 00036 by . 00015 inch. Fries. 

I found this species near Bowling Green on willow stumps. About everyten days the stumps offered me a very excellent dish, better than anymeat market could afford. September to November. 

_Pleurotus ulmarius. Bull. _

THE ELM PLEUROTUS. EDIBLE. 

Ulmarius, from _ulmus_, an elm. It takes its name from its habit ofgrowing on elm trees and logs. It appears in the fall and may be foundin company with the Oyster mushroom, late in December, frozen solid. This species is frequently seen on elm trees, both dead and alive, onlive trees where they have been trimmed or injured in some way. It isoften seen on elms in the cities, where the elm is a common shade tree. Its cap is large, thick and firm, smooth and broadly convex, sometimespale yellow or buff. Frequently the epidermis in the center of the capcracks, giving the surface a tessellated appearance as in Figure 119. The flesh is very white and quite compact. The gills are white or oftenbecoming tawny at maturity, broad, rounded or notched, not closelyplaced, sometimes nearly decurrent. The stem is firm and solid, variousin length, occasionally very short, inclined to be thick at the base andcurved so that the plant will be upright, as will be seen in Figure 119. 

The cap is from three to six inches broad. A specimen that measured overten inches across the cap, was found some thirty feet high in a tree. While it was very large, it was quite tender and made several meals fortwo families. But this species is not limited entirely to the elm. Ifound it on hickory, about Chillicothe. There are a few elm logs alongmy rambles that afford me fine specimens with great regularity. Insectsdo not seem to infest it as they do the ostreatus and the sapidus. Sometimes, when the plant grows from the top of a log or the cut surfaceof a stump, the stem will be longer, straight, and in the center of thecap. This form is called by some authors var. Verticalis. 

For my own use I think the Elm mushroom, when properly prepared, verydelicious. Like all tree mushrooms it should be eaten when young. It iseasily dried and kept for winter use. Found from September to November. 

_Pleurotus petaloides. Bull. _

THE PETALOID PLEUROTUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 120. --Pleurotus petaloides. ]

This species is so called from its likeness to the petals of a flower. Pileus fleshy, spathulate, entire; margin at first involute, finallyfully expanded; villous, depressed. The stem is compressed and villous, often channelled, nearly erect. The gills are strongly decurrent, crowded, narrow, and white or whitish. Spores minutely globose, . 0003 by. 00015. 

The plant varies very greatly in form and size. Its chief characteristicis the presence of numerous short white cystidia in the hymenium, whichdot the surface of the hymenium, and under an ordinary pocket lens giveto the gills a sort of fuzzy appearance. Frequently it will have theappearance of growing from the ground, but a careful examination willreveal a piece of wood of some kind, which serves as a host for themycelium. I have found this plant but a few times, It seems to be quiterare in our state, especially in the southern part of the state. Theplants in Figure 120 were photographed by Prof. G. D. Smith of Akron, Ohio. 

_Pleurotus sapidus. Kalchb. _

THE SAPID PLEUROTUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 121. --Pleurotus sapidus. One-third natural size, showing imbricated growth. Spores lilac. ]

[Illustration: Figure 122. --Pleurotus sapidus. ]

Sapidus, savory. This plant grows in clusters whose stems are more orless united at the base as in Figure 121. The caps when densely crowdedare often irregular. They are smooth and vary much in color, beingwhitish, ash-gray, brownish, yellowish-gray. 

The flesh is thick and white. The gills are white or whitish, ratherbroad, running down on the stem, and slightly connected, at times, byoblique or transverse branches. The stem is generally short, solid, several usually springing from a thickened base, white or whitish andeither laterally or eccentrically connected with the cap. 

This plant is classed with the white-spored species, yet its spores, after a short exposure to the air, really exhibit a pale lilac tint. This can only be seen when the spores are in sufficient quantity andresting on a suitable surface. 

The size of the plant varies, the cap being commonly from two to fiveinches long. It grows in woods and open places, on stumps and logs ofvarious kinds. Its edible quality is quite as good as the Oystermushroom. The only way by which it can be distinguished from the P. Ostreatus is by its lilac-tinted spores. It is found from June toNovember. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XX. Figure 123. --pleurotus Sapidus. ]

_Pleurotus serotinoides. Pk. _

THE YELLOWISH PLEUROTUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 124. --Pleurotus serotinoides. One-third naturalsize. ]

Serotinoides, like serotinus, which means late-coming; from itsappearing in the winter. 

The pileus is fleshy, one to three inches broad, compact, convex ornearly plane, viscid when young and moist, half-kidney-shaped, roundish, solitary or crowded and imbricated, variously colored, dingy-yellow, reddish-brown, greenish-brown or olivaceous, the margin at firstinvolute. 

The gills are close, determinate, whitish or yellowish. 

The stem is very short, lateral, thick, yellowish beneath, and minutelydowny or scaly with blackish points. 

The spores are minute, elliptical, . 0002 inch long, . 0001 inch broad. 

There is probably no difference between this and P. Serotinus, theEuropean species. It is a beautiful plant. The color and size are quitevariable. I found it on Ralston's Run and in Baird's woods on FrankfortPike. It is found from September to January. 

_Pleurotus applicatus. Batsch. _

LITTLE GRAY PLEUROTUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 125. --Pleurotus applicatus. Natural size. ]

Applicatus means lying upon or close to; so named from the sessilepileus. The pileus is one-third of an inch across, when youngcup-shaped, dark cinereous, somewhat membranaceous, quite firm, resupinate, then reflexed, somewhat striate, slightly pruinose, villousat the base. 

The gills are thick, broad in proportion to the size of the cap, distant, radiating, gray, the margin lighter, sometimes the gills are asdark as the pileus. 

Sometimes it is attached only by the center of the pileus; sometimes, growing on the side of a shelving log, it is attached laterally. It isnot as abundant as some other forms of Pleurotus. It differs from P. Tremulus in absence of a distinct stem. 

_Pleurotus cyphellæformis. Berk. _

Cyphellæformis means shaped like the hollows of the ears. The pileus iscup-shaped, pendulous, downy or mealy, upper layer gelatinous, gray, very minutely hairy, especially at the base, margin paler. 

The gills are narrow, rather distant, pure white, alternate ones beingshorter. These are very small plants, found only in damp places on deadherbaceous plants. They resemble a Cyphella griseo-pallida in habit. 

_Pleurotus abscondens. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 126. --Pleurotus abscondens. Entire plant white. ]

Abscondens means keeping out of view. It is so called because itpersists in growing in places where it is hidden from sight. 

The pileus is often two and a half inches broad, delicate-white, strongstringent odor, usually pruinose, margin slightly incurved. 

The gills are attached to the stem, rather crowded, very white, somewhatnarrow. 

The stem is short, solid, pruinose, usually lateral, and curved. 

The plant usually grows in hollow stumps or logs, and in this case thestem is always lateral and the plant grows very much as does the P. Ostreatus, except that they are not imbricated. Occasionally the plantis found on the bottom of a hollow log and in that case the cap iscentral and considerably depressed in the center. I have never seen itgrowing except in a hollow stump or log. Its manner of growth and itsdelicate shape of white will serve to identify it. It is found fromAugust to November. 

_Pleurotus circinatus. Fr. _

Circinatus means to make round, referring to the shape of the pileus. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, white, plane, orbicular, convexat first, even, covered over with silky-pruinose lustre. 

The gills are adnate-decurrent, rather crowded, quite broad, white. 

The stem is equal, smooth, one to two inches long, stuffed, central orslightly eccentric, rooted at the base. 

The form of these plants is quite constant and the round white caps willat first suggest a Collybia. The white gills and its decurrent formwill distinguish it from P. Lignatilis. It makes quite a delicious dishwhen well cooked. I found some beautiful specimens on a decayed beechlog in Poke Hollow. Found in September and October. 

_Lactarius. Fr. _

Lactarius means pertaining to milk. There is one feature of this genusthat should easily mark it, the presence of milky or colored juice whichexudes from a wound or a broken place on a fresh plant. This featurealone is sufficient to distinguish the genus but there are other pointsthat serve to make the determination more certain. 

The flesh, although it seems quite solid and firm, is very brittle. Thefracture is always even, clean cut, and not ragged as in more fibroussubstances. 

The plants are fleshy and stout, and in this particular resemble theClitocybes, but the brittleness of the flesh, milky juice, and themarking of the cap, will easily distinguish them. 

Many species have a very acrid or peppery flavor. If a person tastes onewhen raw, he will not soon forget it. This acridity is usually lost incooking. 

The pileus in all species is fleshy, becoming more or less depressed, margin at first involute, often marked with concentric zones. 

The stem is stout, often hollow when old, confluent with the cap. 

The gills are usually unequal, edge acute, decurrent or adnate, milky;in nearly all the species the milk is white, changing to a sulphuryellow, red, or violet, on exposure to the air. 

_Lactarius torminosus. Fr. _

THE WOOLLY LACTARIUS. POISONOUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 127. --Lactarius torminosus. Three-fourths naturalsize. Caps yellowish-red or ochraceous tinged with red, marginincurved. ]

Torminosus, full of grips, causing colic. The pileus is two to fourinches broad, convex, then depressed, smooth, or nearly so, except theinvolute margin which is more or less shaggy, somewhat zoned, viscidwhen young and moist, yellowish-red or pale ochraceous, tinged with red. 

The gills are thin, close, rather narrow, nearly of the same color asthe pileus, but yellower and paler, slightly forked, subdecurrent. 

The stem is one to two inches long, paler than the cap, equal orslightly tapering downward, stuffed or hollow, sometimes spotted, clothed with a very minute adpressed down. 

The milk is white and very acrid. The spores are echinulate, subglobose, 9-10×7-8µ. 

This differs from L. Cilicioides in its zoned pileus and white milk. Most authorities speak of it as dangerous. Captain McIlvaine speaks ofthe Russians as preserving it in salt and eating it seasoned with oiland vinegar. They grow in the woods, open places, and in fields. Thespecimens in Figure 127 were found in Michigan and photographed by Dr. Fischer. 

_Lactarius piperatus. Fr. _

THE PEPPERY LACTARIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 128. --Lactarius piperatus. One-third naturalsize. ]

Piperatus--having a peppery taste. The pileus is creamy-white, fleshy, firm, convex, then expanded, depressed in the center, dry, never viscid, and quite broad. 

The gills are creamy-white, narrow, close, unequal, forked, decurrent, adnate, exuding a milky juice when bruised, milky-white, very acrid. 

The stem is creamy white, short, thick, solid, smooth, rounded at theend, slightly tapering at the base. Spores generally with an apiculus, . 0002 by . 00024 inch. 

The plant is found in all parts of Ohio, but most people are afraid ofit on account of its very peppery taste. Although it can be eatenwithout harm, it will never prove a favorite. 

It is found in open woods from July to October. In its season is one ofthe very common plants in all of our woods. 

_Lactarius pergamenus. Fr. _

Pergamenus is from _pergamena_, parchment. The pileus is convex, thenexpanded, plane, depressed, wavy, wrinkled, without zones, often repand, smooth, white. 

The gills are adnate, very narrow, tinged with straw-color, often white, branched, much crowded, horizontal. 

The stem is smooth, stuffed, discolored, not long. The milk is white andacrid. Spores, 8×6. It differs from L. Piperatus in its crowded, narrowgills and longer stem. Found in woods from August to October. 

_Lactarius deceptivus. Pk. _

DECEIVING LACTARIUS. EDIBLE

[Illustration: Figure 129. --Lactarius deceptivus. ]

Deceptivus means deceiving. 

The pileus is three to five inches broad, compact, at first convex, andumbilicate, then expanded and centrally depressed or subinfundibuliform, obsoletely tomentose or glabrous except on the margin, white or whitish, often varied with yellowish or sordid strains, the margin at firstinvolute and clothed with a dense, soft cottony tomentum, then spreadingor elevated and more or less fibrillose. 

The gills are rather broad, distant or subdistant, adnate or decurrent, some of them, forked, whitish, becoming cream-colored. 

The stem is one to three inches long, equal or narrowed downward, solid, pruinose-pubescent, white. Spores are white, 9-12. 7µ. Milk white, tasteacrid. 

This plant delights in woods and open groves, especially underconiferous trees. It is a large, meaty, acrid white species, with athick, soft, cottony tomentum on the margin of the pileus of the youngplant. 

The specimen photographed was sent me from Massachusetts by Mrs. Blackford. It grows in July, August and September. Its sharp acridity islost in cooking, but like all acrid Lactarius it is coarse and not verygood. 

_Lactarius indigo. (Schw. ) Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 130. --Lactarius indigo. One-third natural size. Entire plant indigo blue. ]

[Illustration: Figure 131. --Lactarius indigo. One-third natural size, showing gills. ]

This is one of our most striking plants. No one can fail to recognizeit, because of the deep indigo blue that pervades the whole plant. Ihave found it in only one place, near what is known as the Lone-TreeHill near Chillicothe. I have found it there on several differentoccasions. 

The pileus is from three to five inches broad, the very young plantsseem to be umbilicate with the margin strongly incurved, then depressedor funnel-shaped; as the plant ages the margin is elevated and sometimeswaved. The entire plant is indigo blue, and the surface of the cap hasa silvery-gray appearance through which the indigo color is seen. Thesurface of the cap is marked with a series of concentric zones of darkershade, as will be seen in Figure 130 especially on the margin; sometimesspotted, becoming paler and less distinctly zonate with age or indrying. 

The gills are crowded, indigo blue, becoming yellowish and sometimesgreenish, with age. 

The stem is one to two inches long, short, nearly equal, hollow, oftenspotted with blue, colored like the pileus. 

It is edible but rather coarse. Found in open woods July and August. 

_Lactarius regalis. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 132. --Lactarius regalis. Natural size. Caps white, tinged with yellow. ]

Regalis means regal; so named from its large size. The pileus is four tosix inches broad, convex, deeply depressed in the center; viscid whenmoist; often corrugated on the margin; white, tinged with yellow. 

The gills are close, decurrent, whitish, some of them forked at thebase. 

The stem is two to three inches long and one inch thick, short, equal, hollow. The taste is acrid and the milk sparse, white, quickly changingto sulphur-yellow. The spores are . 0003 of an inch in diameter. _Peck. _

This is frequently a very large plant, resembling in appearance L. Piperatus but easily recognized because of its viscid cap and its sparemilk changing to yellow, as in L. Chrysorrhæus. It grows on the groundin the woods, in August and September. I find it here chiefly on thehillsides. The specimens in Figure 132 were found in Michigan andphotographed by Dr. Fischer. 

_Lactarius scrobiculatus. Fr. _

THE SPOTTED-STEMMED LACTARIUS. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 133. --Lactarius scrobiculatus. Natural size. Caps reddish-yellow, zoned. Margin very much incurved, stem pitted. ]

Scrobiculatus is from _scrobis_, a trench, and _ferro_, to bear, referring to the pitted condition of the stem. The pileus is convex, centrally depressed, more or less zoned, reddish-yellow, viscid, themargin very much incurved, downy. 

The gills are adnate, or slightly decurrent, whitish, and often verymuch curled, because of the incurved condition of the cap at first. 

The stem is equal, stuffed, adorned often with pits of a darker color. 

The spores are white, juice white, then yellowish. 

The plant is very acrid to the taste, and solid. Too hot to be eaten. Ihave found it only a few times on the hills of Huntington township, nearChillicothe. The yellowish hue and markedly incurved margin willidentify the plant. Found in August and September. 

_Lactarius trivialis. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 134. --Lactarius trivialis. One-half natural size. Caps light tan with a pinkish hue. Very acrid. ]

Trivialis means common. 

The pileus is three to four inches broad, usually damp or watery, sometimes quite viscid, shining when dry, convex, then expanded, depressed in the center, margin at first incurved, even, smooth; warm, soft tan, rather light, and sometimes a very slight pinkish hueprevails. The flesh is solid and persistent. 

The gills are rather crowded, slightly decurrent, at first whitish, then a light yellow, many not reaching to the stem, none forked. Thestem is from three to four inches long, of same color as the pileus, often a much lighter shade; tapering from the cap to the base, smooth, stuffed, and finally hollow. The plant is quite full of milk, white atfirst, then turning yellowish. 

The plant is very acrid and peppery. It is quite plentiful along thestreams of Ross county, Ohio. It is not poisonous, but it seems too hotto eat. It is found after rains from July to October, in mixed woodswhere it is damp. 

_Lactarius insulsus. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 135. --Lactarius insulsus. One-third natural size. Caps yellowish or straw color. Very acrid. ]

Insulsus, insipid or tasteless. This is a very attractive plant. Quitesolid and maintains its form for several days; The pileus is two to fourinches broad, convex, depressed in the center, then funnel-shaped, smooth, viscid when moist, more or less zoned, the zones much narrowerthan L. Scrobiculatus, yellowish or straw-color, margin slightlyincurved and naked. 

The gills are thin, rather crowded, adnate and sometimes decurrent, someof them forked at the base, whitish or pallid. Spores subglobose, rough, 10×8µ. 

The stem is one to two inches long, equal or slightly tapering downward, stuffed, whitish, generally spotted. Milk, white. 

Most authorities class this as an edible plant, but it is so hot and theflesh so solid that I have never tried it. I found two plants whichfully answered the description of the European plants. The zones wereorange-yellow and brick-red. I have visited the place many times since, but have never been able to find another. It is not an abundant plantwith us. Found from July to October, in open woods. 

_Lactarius lignyotus. Fr. _

THE SOOTY LACTARIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XXI. Figure, 136. --Lactarius lignyotus. 

Natural size. Caps a sooty umber. Flesh mild to the taste. ]

Lignyotus is from _lignum_, wood. The pileus is one to four inches indiameter, fleshy, convex, then expanded, sometimes slightly umbonate, often in age slightly depressed, smooth or often wrinkled, pruinoselyvelvety, sooty umber, the margin in the old plants wavy and distinctlyplaited; the flesh white and mild to the taste. 

The gills are attached to the stem; unequal; snow-white oryellowish-white, slowly changing to a pinkish-red or salmon color whenbruised; distant in old plants. 

The stem is one to three inches long, equal, abruptly constricted at theapex, smooth, stuffed, of the same color as the pileus. Milk white, taste mild or tardily acrid. The spores are globose, yellowish, 9-11. 3µ. 

This is called the Sooty Lactarius and is very easily identified. Itwill be frequently found associated with the Smoky Lactarius which itgreatly resembles. It seems to delight in wet swampy woods. It is saidto be one of the best of the Lactarii. The specimens in Figure 136 werecollected at Sandusky, Ohio, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Lactarius cinereus. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 137. --Lactarius cinereus. ]

Cinereus is from _cineres_, ashes; so called from the color of theplant. 

The pileus is one to two and a half inches broad, zoneless, somewhatviscid, floccose-scaly, depressed in the center, margin thin, even, flesh thin and white, mild to the taste, ashy-gray. 

The gills are adnate, rather close, sometimes forked (usually near thestem), uneven, white or creamy-white, milk white, not plentiful. 

The stem is two to three inches long, tapering upward, loosely stuffed, finally hollow, often floccose at the base. 

This plant is quite common from September to November, growing in dampweather on leaves in mixed woods. It has a mild taste. While I have noteaten it I have no doubt of its edibility. The color of the pileus issometimes quite dark. 

_Lactarius griseus. Pk. _

GRAY LACTARIUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 138. --Lactarius griseus. ]

Griseus means gray. 

The pileus is thin, nearly plane, broadly umbilicate or centrallydepressed, sometimes infundibuliform, generally with a small umbo orpapilla, minutely squamulose tomentose, gray or brownish-gray, becomingpaler with age. 

The gills are thin, close, adnate, or slightly decurrent, whitish oryellowish. 

The stem is slender, equal or slightly tapering upward, rather fragile;stuffed or hollow; generally villose or tomentose at the base; palerthan, or colored like, the pileus. 

The spores are . 0003 to . 00035 inch; milk white, taste subacrid. Pileusis 6 to 18 lines broad, stem 1 to 2 inches long, 1 to 3 lines thick. _Peck. _

It resembles L. Mammosus and L. Cinereus. It differs from the former innot having ferruginous gills and pubescent stems, and from the latter byits smaller size, its densely pubescent pileus, and its habitat. Itgrows on mossy logs or in mossy swamps. The base of one of the plants inFigure 138 is covered with the moss in which they grew. These plantswere found in Purgatory Swamp, near Boston, by Mrs. Blackford. They growfrom July to September. 

_Lactarius distans. Pk. _

THE DISTANT-GILLED LACTARIUS. EDIBLE. 

Distans means distant, so called because the gills are very wide apart. 

The pileus is firm, broadly convex or nearly plane, umbilicate orslightly depressed in the center; with a minute, velvety pruinosity;yellowish-tawny or brownish-orange. 

The gills are rather broad, distant, adnate or slightly decurrent, whiteor creamy yellow, interspaces veined; milk white, mild. 

The stem is short, equal or tapering downward, solid, pruinose, coloredlike the pileus. 

The spores are subglobose, 9-11µ broad. _Peck_, N. Y. Report, 52. 

I frequently mistake this plant for L. Volemus when seen growing in theground, but the widely separated gills distinguish the plant as soon asit is gathered. The stem is short and round, tapering downward, solid, colored like the pileus. The milk is both white and mild. I find it onnearly every wooded hillside about Chillicothe. It is found from July toSeptember. 

_Lactarius atroviridus. Pk. _

THE DARK-GREEN LACTARIUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 139. --Lactarius atroviridus. Cap and stem darkgreen. Cap depressed in center. Gills white. ]

Atroviridus is from _ater_, black; _viridus_, green; so called from thecolor of the cap and the stem of the plant. 

The pileus is convex, plane, then depressed in the center, with anadherent pellicle, greenish with darker scales, margin involute. 

The gills are slightly decurrent, whitish, broad, distant; milk whitebut not copious as in many of the Lactarii. 

The stem is quite short, tapering downward, dark green, scaly. 

The stem is so short that the cap seems to be right on the ground, henceit is very easily overlooked. It is found only occasionally on mossyhillsides, where there are not too many leaves. The plant in Figure 139was found in Haynes' Hollow, near Chillicothe. I have found the plant ontop of Mt. Logan. It is found from July to October. I do not know of itsedibility. All specimens that I have found I have sent to my Mycologicalfriends. It should be tasted with caution. 

_Lactarius subdulcis. Fr. _

THE SWEET LACTARIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 140. --Lactarius subdulcis. ]

Subdulcis means almost sweet, or sweetish. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, rather thin, papillate, convex, then depressed, smooth, even, zoneless, cinnamon-red or tawny-red, margin sometimes wavy. 

The gills are rather narrow, thin, close, whitish, often reddish ortinged with red. Spores, 9-10µ. 

The stem is stuffed, then hollow, equal, slightly tapering upward, slender, smooth, sometimes villous at the base. The milk is white, sometimes rather acrid and unpleasant to the taste when raw. It needs tobe cooked a long time to make it good. 

It is likely to be found anywhere, but it does best in damp places. Theplants found with us all seem to have red or cinnamon-red gills, especially before the spores begin to fall. They are found growing onthe ground, among leaves, or on well-rotted wood and sometimes on thebare ground. Found from July to November. 

_Lactarius serifluus. Fr. _

Serifluus means flowing with serum, the watery part of milk. 

The pileus is fleshy, depressed in the center, dry, smooth, not zoned, tawny-brown, margin thin, incurved. 

The gills are crowded, light-brown, or yellowish, milk scanty andwatery. 

The stem is solid, equal, paler than the pileus. Spores, 7-8µ. 

It differs from L. Subdulcis in having a solid stem and perhaps a shadedarker color. Found in woods, July to November. 

_Lactarius corrugis. Pk. _

THE WRINKLED LACTARIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 141. --Lactarius corrugis. Caps wrinkled, tawny-brown. Gills orange-brown. ]

Corrugis means wrinkled. 

The pileus is convex, plane, expanded, slightly depressed in the center;surface of the cap wrinkled, dry, bay-brown; margin at first involute. 

The gills are adnexed, broad, yellowish or brownish-yellow, growingpaler with age. The stem is rather short, equal, solid, pruinose, of thesame color as the pileus. The spores are subglobose, 10-13µ. 

This species looks very much like L. Volemus, and its only essentialdifference is in the wrinkled form, and color of the pileus. The milkwhen dry is very sticky and becomes rather black. It has just a touch ofacridity. 

Any one determining this species will not fail to note the number ofbrown cystidia or setæ, in the hymenium, which project above the surfaceof the gills. They are so numerous and so near the edge of the gillsthat they give these a downy appearance. The quality of this species iseven better than L. Volemus, though it is not as abundant here as thelatter. Found in thin woods from August to September. The photograph, Figure 141, was made by Prof. H. C. Beardslee. 

_Lactarius volemus. Fr. _

THE ORANGE-BROWN LACTARIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by Prof. Atkinson. _

Figure 142. --Lactarius volemus. Natural size. Caps golden-tawny. Milkcopious, as will be seen where the plant has been pricked. ]

_Volemus from volema pira, a kind of a pear_, so called from the shapeof the stem. The pileus is broad, flesh thick, compact, rigid, plane, then expanded, obtuse, dry, golden-tawny, at length somewhat wrinkly. 

The gills are crowded, adnate or slightly decurrent, white, thenyellowish; milk copious, sweet. 

The stem is solid, hard, blunt, generally curved like a pear-stem; itscolor is that of the pileus but a shade lighter. Spores globose, white. 

The milk in this species is very abundant and rather pleasant to thetaste. It becomes quite sticky as it dries on your hands. This plant hasa good record among mushroom eaters, both in this country and Europe. 

There is no danger of mistaking it. The plants grow in damp woods fromJuly to September. They are found singly or in patches. They were foundquite plentifully about Salem, Ohio, and also about Chillicothe. 

_Lactarius deliciosus. Fr. _

THE DELICIOUS LACTARIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 143. --Lactarius deliciosus. One-third naturalsize. Caps light reddish-yellow. Milk orange color. ]

Deliciosus, delicious. The pileus is three to five inches broad; colorvarying from yellow to dull orange or even brownish-yellow with mottledconcentric zones of deeper color, especially in younger plants, sometimes a light reddish-yellow, without apparent zones (as is the caseof those in Figure 143); convex, when expanded becoming very muchdepressed; funnel-shaped; smooth, moist, sometimes irregular, wavy;flesh brittle, creamy, more or less stained with orange. 

The gills are slightly decurrent in the depressed specimens, somewhatcrowded, forked at the stem, short ones beginning at the margin; whenbruised exuding a copious supply of milky juice of an orange color; apale tan-color, turning green in age or in drying. Spores areechinulate, 9-10×7-8µ. 

The stem is two to three inches or more, equal, smooth, hollow, slightlypruinose, paler than the cap, occasionally spotted with orange, tingedwith green in old plants. 

The taste of the raw plant is slightly peppery. It grows in damp woodsand is sometimes quite common. Its name suggests the estimation in whichit is held by all who have eaten it. Like all Lactarii it must be wellcooked. The specimens in Figure 143 were gathered on Cemetery Hill closeto the pine trees and in company with Boletus Americanus. Found fromJuly to November. I found the plant in a more typical form about Salem, Ohio. 

_Lactarius uvidus. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 144. --Lactarius uvidus. ]

Uvidus is from _uva_, grape, so called because when exposed to the airchanges to the color of a grape. 

The pileus is two to four inches broad, flesh rather thin, convex, sometimes slightly umbonate, then depressed in the center, not zoned, viscid, dingy pale ochraceous-tan, margin at first involute, naked, milkmild at first then becoming acrid, white changing to lilac. 

The gills are thin, slightly decurrent, crowded, shorter ones veryobtuse and truncate behind, connected by veins, white, when woundedbecoming lilac. 

The stem is soon hollow, two to three inches long, viscid, pallid. 

The spores are round, 10µ. 

Not only the milk changes to a lilac when cut, but the flesh itself. They are found in damp woods during August and September. The plants inFigure 144 were found near Boston, by Mrs. Blackford. These plants grewin Purgatory Swamp. The Sphagnum moss will be seen at the base of theupright plant. 

_Lactarius chrysorrheus. Fr. _

YELLOW-JUICED LACTARIUS. 

Chrysorrheus from two Greek words; _chrysos_, yellow or golden; _reo_, Iflow, because the juice soon turns to a golden yellow. 

The pileus is rather fleshy, depressed, then funnel-shaped, yellowish-flesh colored, marked with dark zones or spots. 

The stem is stuffed, then hollow, equal, or tapering below, paler thanthe pileus, sometimes pitted. 

The gills are decurrent, thin, crowded, yellowish, milk white, thengolden-yellow, very acrid. 

The milk is white, quite acrid, has a peculiar taste, and changes atonce on exposure to a beautiful yellow. This is a common species aboutSalem, Ohio, and is quite variable in size. Found in woods and grovesfrom July to October. I do not know whether its edible quality has everbeen tested. When I found it some years ago I had less faith inmushrooms than I have now. 

_Lactarius vellereus. Fr. _

THE WOOLY-WHITE LACTARIUS. EDIBLE. 

Vellereus from vellus, a fleece. The pileus is white, compact, fleshy, depressed or convex, tomentose, zoneless, margin at first involute, milkwhite and acrid. 

The gills are white or whitish, distant, forked, adnate or decurrent, connected by veins, bow-shaped, milk scanty. 

The stem is solid, blunt, pubescent, white, tapering downward. Sporeswhite and nearly smooth, . 00019 by . 00034 inch. 

This species is quite common; and though very acrid to the taste, thisacridity is entirely lost in cooking. It will be readily known by thedowny covering of the cap. Found in thin woods and wood margins. July toOctober. 

_Russula. Pers. _

Russula, red or reddish. The beginner will have little difficulty indetermining this genus. There is such a strong family likeness that, finding one, he will say at once it is a Russula. The contour of thecap, the brittleness of its flesh and of its stem, the fragile gills, and the failure of any part of the plant to exude a milky or coloredjuice, the many gay colors--will all help in determining the genus. 

Many species of Russula strongly resemble those of the genus Lactarius, in size, shape, and texture. The spores, too, are quite similar, but theabsence of the milky juice will mark the difference at once. 

The cap may be red, purple, violet, pink, blue, yellow, or green. Thecolored zones often seen in the Lactarii do not appear here. Thebeginner will possibly find trouble in identifying species, because ofvariation of size and color. The spores are white to very pale yellow, generally spiny. The pileus is fleshy, convex, then expanded, and atlength depressed. The stem is brittle, stout, and smooth, generallyspongy within, and confluent with the cap. The gills are milkless, withacute edge, and very tender. 

Captain McIlvaine, in his very valuable book, One Thousand AmericanFungi, says: "To this genus authors have done special injustice; thereis not a single species among them known to be poisonous, and where theyare not too strong of cherry bark and other highly flavored substances, they are all edible; most of them favorites. " I can testify to the factthat many of them are favorites, though a few are very peppery and itrequires some courage to attack them. 

They are all found on the ground in open woods, from early summer tolate fall. 

_Russula delica. Fr. _

THE WEANED RUSSULA. EDIBLE. 

Delica means weaned, so called because, though it resembles Lactariusvellereus in appearance, it is void of milk. 

The pileus is quite large, fleshy, firm, depressed, even, shining, margin involute, smooth, not striated. 

The gills are decurrent, thin, distant, unequal, white. 

The stem is solid, compact, white, short. 

Specimens will be found that resemble Lactarius piperatus and L. Vellereus, but they may be easily distinguished because they have nomilk in their gills and the taste is mild. They are not equal to most ofthe Russulas. Found in woods from August to October. 

_Russula adusta. Pers. _

THE SMOKY RUSSULA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 145. --Russula adusta. ]

Adusta means burned. 

The pileus is fuliginous, cinereous, flesh compact, margin even andinflexed, depressed in the center. 

The gills are attached to the stem, decurrent, thin, crowded, unequal, white, not reddening when bruised. 

The stem is obese, solid, of the same color as the pileus, not turningred when bruised. 

The plant resembles R. Nigricans, but can readily be distinguished fromit because of the thin, crowded gills and failure to turn red when cutor bruised. The spores are subglobose, almost smooth, 8-9µ; nocystidia. It is found in the woods during August and September. Ediblebut not first class. It is a plant very widely distributed. 

_Russula nigricans. Fr. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 146. --Russula nigricans. ]

Nigricans means blackish. 

The pileus is two to four inches broad, dark grayish-brown, black withadvancing age, fleshy, compact, flesh turning red when bruised orconvex, flattened, then depressed, at length funnel-shaped, marginentire, without striate, margin at first incurved, young specimens areslightly viscid when moist, even, without a separable pellicle; whitishat first, soon sooty olive, at length becoming broken up into scales andblack; flesh firm and white, becoming reddish when broken. 

The gills are rounded behind, slightly adnexed, thick, distant, broad, unequal, the shorter ones sometimes very scanty, forked, reddening whentouched. 

The stem is rather short, thick, solid, equal, pallid when young, thenblack. The spores are subglobose, rough, 8-9µ. 

The plant is quite compact, inodorous, becoming entirely black with age. It is easily distinguished from R. Adusta by the flesh becoming reddishwhen bruised, and by the much thicker, and more distant gills. It isvery close to R. Densifolia but differs from it in that its gills aremore distant and because of its mild taste. 

I am pleased to present to my readers, in Figure 146, a photograph of aplant which grew in Sweden in the locality where Prof. Fries did hisgreat work in fungal study and research. It is a typical specimen ofthis species. It was gathered and photographed by Mr. C. G. Lloyd. 

It is found from June to October. Not poisonous, but not good. 

_Russula foetens. Fr. _

THE FETID RUSSULA. NOT EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 147. --Russula foetens. ]

Foetens means stinking. 

The pileus is four to six inches broad, dirty white or yellowish; fleshthin; at first hemispherical, then expanded, almost plane, oftendepressed in the center; covered with a pellicle which is adnate; viscidin wet weather; widely striate-tuberculate on the margin, which is atfirst incurved. 

The gills are adnexed, connected by veins, crowded, irregular, manyforked, rather broad, whitish, becoming dingy when bruised, exudingwatery drops at first. 

The stem is stout, stuffed, then hollow, concolor, two to four incheslong. The spores are small, echinulate, almost round. 

I have found the plants very generally diffused over the state. It isvery coarse and uninviting. Its smell and taste are bad. Found from Julyto October. These plants are widely distributed and usually ratherabundant. 

_Russula alutacea. Fr. _

THE TAN-COLORED RUSSULA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 148. --Russula alutacea. Two-thirds natural size. Caps flesh color. Gills broad and yellowish. ]

Alutacea, tanned leather. The pileus is flesh-color, sometimes red;flesh white; bell-shaped, then convex; expanded, with a viscid covering, growing pale; slightly depressed; even; margin inclined to be thin, striate. 

The gills are broad, ventricose, free, thick, somewhat distant, equal, yellow, then ochraceous. 

The stem is stout, solid, even; white, though parts of the stem are red, sometimes purple; wrinkled lengthwise; spongy. The spores are yellow. 

The taste is mild and pleasant when young, but quite acrid when old. Alutacea will be known mostly by its mild taste, broad, and yellowgills. It is quite common, but does not grow in groups. It is sweet andnutty. 

From July to October. 

_Russula ochrophylla. Pk. _

OCHREY GILLED RUSSULA. EDIBLE. 

Ochrophylla is from two Greek words meaning _ochre_ and _leaf_, becauseof its ochre-colored gills. 

The pileus is two to four inches broad, firm, convex, becoming nearlyplane or slightly depressed in the center; even, or rarely very slightlystriate on the margin when old; purple or dark purplish-red; fleshwhite, purplish under the adnate cuticle; taste mild. 

The gills are entire, a few of them forked at the base, subdistant, adnate at first yellowish, becoming bright, ochraceous-buff when matureand dusted by the spores, the interspaces somewhat venose. 

The stem is equal or nearly so, solid or spongy within, reddish or rosytinted, paler than the pileus. The spores are bright, ochraceous-buff, globose, verruculose, . 0004 of an inch broad. _Peck. _

This is one of the easiest Russulas to determine because of its purpleor purplish-red cap, entire gills, at first yellowish, then a bright, ochraceous-buff when mature. The taste is mild and the flavor fairlygood. 

There is also a plant which has a purplish cap and a white stem, calledRussula ochrophylla albipes. Pk. It quite agrees in its edible qualitieswith the former. 

R. Ochrophylla is found in the woods, especially under oak trees, inJuly and August. 

_Russula lepida. Fr. _

THE NEAT RUSSULA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 149. --Russula lepida. Two-thirds natural size. Caps, purplish-red, with more or less brown. ]

Lepida, from _lepidus_, neat. 

The pileus firm, solid; varying in color from bright red to dull, subdued purplish with a distinct brown; compact; convex, then depressed, dry unpolished; margin even, sometimes cracked and scaly, not striated. 

The gills are white, broad, principally even, occasionally forked, verybrittle, rounded, somewhat crowded, connected by veins, sometimes red onthe edge, especially near the margin. 

The stem is solid, white, usually stained and streaked with pink, compact, even. 

The surface is dull, as with a fine dust or plum-like bloom, and thuswithout polish. Often times the surface will appear almost velvety. Thetints of the flesh and the gills will be found uniform. The plant whenraw is sweet and nut-like to the taste. This is a beautiful species, thecolor being averaged under the general hue of dark, subdued red, inclining to maroon. It is simply delicious when properly cooked. Foundin woods from July to September. 

_Russula cyanoxantha. Fr. _

THE BLUE AND YELLOW RUSSULA. EDIBLE. 

Cyanoxantha, from two Greek words, blue and yellow, referring to colorof the plant. 

The pileus is quite variable as to color, ranging from lilac or purplishto greenish; disk yellowish, margin bluish or livid-purple; convex, thenplane, depressed in center; margin faintly striate, sometimes wrinkled. 

The gills are rounded behind, connected by veins, forked, white, slightly crowded. 

The stem is solid, spongy, stuffed, hollow when old, equal, smooth andwhite. 

The color of the cap is quite variable but the peculiar combination ofcolor will assist the student in distinguishing it. It is a beautifulplant and one of the best of the Russulas to eat. The mushroom-eatercounts himself lucky indeed when he can find a basketful of this speciesafter "the joiner squirrel" has satisfied his love of this special goodthing. It is quite common in woods from August to October. 

_Russula vesca. Fr. _

THE EDIBLE RUSSULA. EDIBLE. 

Vesca from vesco, to feed. The pileus is from two to three inches broad;red-flesh-color, disk darker; fleshy; firm; convex, with a slightdepression in the center, then funnel-shaped; slightly wrinkled; margineven, or remotely striate. 

Gills adnate, rather crowded, unequal, forked, and white. 

The stem is firm, solid, sometimes peculiarly reticulated, tapering atthe base. The spores are globose, spiny, and white. I frequently foundit near Salem, O. , in thin chestnut woods and in pastures under suchtrees. A mushroom lover will be amply paid for the long tramps if hefinds a basket full of these dainties. It is mild and sweet when raw. Itis found in thin woods and in wood margins, sometimes under trees inpastures, from August to October. 

_Russula virescens. Fr. _

THE GREEN RUSSULA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 150. --Russula virescens. Two-thirds natural size. Caps pale-green. Gills white. ]

Virescens, being green. The Pileus is grayish-green; at first globose, then expanded, convex, at last depressed at the center; firm, adornedwith flaky greenish or yellow patches, produced by the cracking of theskin; two to four inches broad, margin striate, often white. 

The gills are white, moderately close, free or nearly so, narrow as theyapproach the stem, some being forked, others not; very brittle, breakingto pieces at the slightest touch. 

The stem is shorter than the diameter of the cap, smooth, white, andsolid or spongy. The spores are white, rough, and nearly globose. 

This plant is especially sweet and nutty to the taste when young andunwilted. All Russulas should be eaten when fresh. I have found theplant over the state quite generally. It is a prime favorite with thesquirrels. You will often find them half eaten by these little nibblers. Found in open woods from July to September. It is one of the bestmushrooms to eat and one that is very easily identified. It is quitecommon about Chillicothe, Ohio. Its mouldy color is not as prepossessingas the brighter hues of many far less delicious fungi, but it stands thetest of use. 

_Russula variata. Ban. _

VARIABLE RUSSULA. EDIBLE. 

Pileus is firm, convex becoming centrally depressed or somewhatfunnel-form, viscid, even on the thin margin, reddish-purple, oftenvariegated with green, pea-green sometimes varied with purple, fleshwhite, taste acrid or tardily acrid. 

The gills are thin, narrow, close, often forked, tapering toward eachend, adnate or slightly decurrent, white. 

The stem is equal or nearly so, solid, sometimes cavernous, white. Thespores are white, subglobose, . 0003 to . 0004 of an inch long, . 0003broad. _Peck_, Rep. State Bot. , 1905. 

This plant grows in open beech woods, rather damp, and appears in Julyand August. The caps are often dark purple, often tinged with red, andsometimes the caps contains shades of green. I found the plantsplentifully in Woodland Park, near Newtonville, Ohio, in July, 1907. Weate them on several occasions and found them very good. The greenishmargin and purplish center will mark the plant. 

_Russula integra. Fr. _

THE ENTIRE RUSSULA. EDIBLE. 

Integra, whole or entire. The pileus is three or four inches indiameter, fleshy; typically red, but changing color; expanded, depressed, with a viscid cuticle, growing pale. Margin thin, furrowedand tuberculate. Flesh white, sometimes yellowish above. 

The stem is at first short and conical, then club-shaped or ventricose, sometimes three inches long and up to one inch thick; spongy, stuffed, commonly striate; even, and shining white. 

The gills are somewhat free, very broad, sometimes three-fourths of aninch; equal or bifid at the stem, rather distant and connected by veins;pallid or white, at length light yellow, being powdered yellow with thespores. 

Although the taste is mild it is often astringent. One of the mostchangeable of all species, especially in the color of the pileus, which, though typically red, is often found inclining to azure-blue, bay-brown, olivaceous, etc. It occasionally happens that the gills are sterile andremain white. _Fries. _

The spores are spheroid, spiny, pale ochraceous. 

R. Integra so closely resembles R. Alutacea that to distinguish themrequires a knowledge of both plants, and even then one may not feelquite sure; however, it matters little as they are equally good. Itspowdery gills will help to distinguish R. Integra from R. Alutacea. Found from July to October. 

_Russula roseipes. (secr) Bres. _

THE ROSY-STEMMED RUSSULA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 151. --Russula roseipes. Natural size. ]

Roseipes is from _rosa_, a rose; _pes_, a foot; so called because of itsrose-colored or pinkish stem. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, convex, becoming nearly plane, or slightly depressed; at first viscid, soon dry, becoming slightlystriate on the margin; rosy-red variously modified by pink, orange orochraceous hues, sometimes becoming paler with age; taste mild. 

The gills are moderately close, nearly entire, rounded behind andslightly adnexed, ventricose, whitish becoming yellow. 

The stem is one to three inches long, slightly tapering upward, stuffedor somewhat cavernous, white tinged with red. The spores are yellow, round. _Peck_, 51 R. 

This plant is widely distributed from Maine to the West. It grows bestin pine and hemlock woods, but sometimes found in mixed woods. It isfound in July and August. 

_Russula fragilis. Fr. _

THE TENDER RUSSULA. 

[Illustration: Figure 152. --Russula fragilis. ]

Fragilis means fragile. 

The pileus is rather small, flesh-color or red, or reddish; thin, fleshyonly at the disk; at first convex and often umbonate, then plane, depressed; cuticle thin, becoming pale, viscid in wet weather, margintuberculate-striate. 

The gills are thin, ventricose, white, slightly adnexed, equal, crowded, sometimes slightly eroded at the edge. The spores are minutelyechinulate, 8-10×8µ. 

The stem is stuffed, hollow, shining white. 

Quite as acrid as R. Emetica, which it resembles in many ways, especially the smaller plants. It can be distinguished by its thinnercaps, thinner and crowded gills, more ventricose and often slightlyeroded at the edge. It is generally classed among poisonous mushrooms;but Captain Charles McIlvaine in his book says: "Though one of thepeppery kind, I have not, after fifteen years of eating it, had reasonto question its edibility. " I should advise caution. Eat of it sparinglytill sure of its effects. Found in woods from July to October. 

_Russula emetica. Fr. _

THE EMETIC RUSSULA. 

[Illustration: Figure 153. --Russula emetica. Two-thirds natural size. Caps rose-red to yellow-red. Gills white. ]

Emetica means making sick, inciting to vomit. The pileus is fleshy, quite viscid, expanded, polished, shining, oval, or bell-shaped whenyoung; its color is very variable from rose-red to a yellow-red or evenpurple; margin furrowed, flesh white. 

The gills are free, equal, broad, distant, white. The spores are round, 8µ. 

The stem is stout, solid, though sometimes spongy stuffed, even, whiteor reddish. The spores are white, round, and spiny. 

This species is recognized by its very acrid taste and free gills. Adistinct channel will be seen between the gills and the stem. This verypretty mushroom is quite common in most parts of Ohio. I found it inabundance about Salem, Bowling Green, Sidney, and Chillicothe--all inthis state. 

Captain McIlvaine states that he has repeatedly eaten it and cites anumber of others who ate it without bad results, although weight ofauthority would band it a reprobate. I am glad to report something inits favor, for it is a beautiful plant, yet I should advise caution inits use. 

It is found in open woods or in pastures under trees, from July toOctober. Its viscid cap will distinguish it. 

_Russula furcata. Fr. _

THE FORKED GILLED RUSSULA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 154. --Russula furcata. Two-thirds natural size. Caps greenish-umber to reddish. ]

Furca, a fork, so called from the forking of the gills. This is notpeculiar, however, to this species. The pileus is two to three inchesbroad; greenish, usually greenish-umber, sometimes reddish; fleshy;compact; nearly round, then expanded, depressed in the center; even;smooth; often sprinkled with a silky luster, pellicle separable, marginat first inflexed, then expanded, always even, sometimes turned upward. The flesh is firm, white, dry, somewhat cheesy. 

The gills are adnate or slightly decurrent, somewhat crowded, broad, narrowed at both ends, many forked, shining white. The spores, 7-8×9µ. 

The stem is two to three inches long, solid, white, rather firm, even, equal or tapering downward. The spores are round and spiny. 

I have found it frequently on the wooded hillsides of the state. Thetaste when raw is mild at first, but soon develops a slight bitternesswhich, however, is lost in cooking. Fried in butter they are excellent. July to October. 

_Russula rubra, Fr. _

THE RED RUSSULA. 

[Illustration: Figure 155. --Russula rubra. Two-thirds natural size. Capsbright-vermilion. Gills forked and tinged with red. ]

Rubra means red, so called from the cap being concolorous, brightvermillion; showy, becoming pale with age, center of the cap usuallydarker; compact, hard, fragile, convex, expanded, somewhat depressed, dry, no pellicle, often cracked when old. The flesh is white, oftenreddish under the cuticle. 

The gills are adnate, rather crowded, white at first, then yellowish, many forked and with some short ones intermixed, frequently tinged withred at the edge. Spores 8-10µ, cystidia pointed. 

The stem is two to three inches long, solid, even, white, often with afaint reddish hue. The spores are nearly round and white. 

It is very acrid to the taste, and because of this acridity it isusually thought to be poisonous, but Captain McIlvaine says he does nothesitate to cook it either by itself or with other Russulæ. It is foundvery generally in the state and is quite plentiful in the woods aboutChillicothe, from July to October. 

_Russula purpurina. Quel & Schulz. _

THE PURPLE RUSSULA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 156. --Russula purpurina. Two-thirds natural size. Caps rosy-pink to light-yellow. Gills yellowish in age. ]

Purpurina means purple. The pileus is fleshy, margin acute, subglobose, then plane, at length depressed in the center, slightly viscid in wetweather, not striate, often split, pellicle separable, rosy-pink, palingto light-yellow. 

Gills are crowded in youth, afterward subdistant, white, in ageyellowish, reaching the stem, not greatly narrowed behind, almost equal, not forked. 

The stem is stuffed, spongy, very variable, cylindrical, attenuatedabove, rosy-pink, becoming paler toward the base, color obscure in age. The flesh is fragile, white, reddish under the skin; odor slight andtaste mild. The spores white, globose, sometimes subelliptical, 4-8µlong, minutely warted. _Peck_, 42 Rept. , N. Y. State Bot. 

This is not a large plant, but it can be readily determined by its redor reddish stem, mild taste and white spores. Found in open woods inJuly and August. 

_Russula densifolia. Gillet. _

[Illustration: Figure 157. --Russula densifolia. Two-thirds natural size. Caps whitish, becoming fuliginous gray. Flesh turning red when exposedto the air. ]

Densifolia has reference to the crowded condition of the gills. 

The pileus is from three to four inches broad, fleshy, quite compact, convex, expanded, then depressed, margin inflexed, smooth, not striate, white or whitish, becoming fuliginous, gray, or brownish, quite black incenter, flesh red when broken. 

The gills are attached to the stem, somewhat decurrent, unequal, thin, crowded, white or whitish, with a rosy tint. Spores, 7-8µ. 

The stem is short, slightly mealy, white, then gray, at length blackish, smooth, round, turning red or brown on being handled. 

It differs from _R. Nigricans_ in being much smaller, and in its crowdedgills. It differs from _R. Adusta_ in flesh turning red when broken. Theflesh or substance is white at first, turning red when exposed to theair, then blackish. This plant is not abundant in this state. I found anumber of plants on Cemetery Hill, where some shale had been dumpedunder a large beech tree. Found in July and August. 

_Cantharellus. Adanson. _

Cantharellus means a diminutive drinking-cup or vase. This genus can bedistinguished from all other genera by the character of its gills whichare quite blunt on the edge, like folds, polished, and are mostly forkedor branched. In some species the gills vary in thickness and number. They are decurrent, folded, more or less thick and swollen. The sporesare white. They grow on the ground, on rotten wood, and among moss. Theyseem to delight in damp shady places. 

_Cantharellus cibarius. Fr. _

THE EDIBLE CANTHARELLUS. 

[Illustration: Plate XXII. Figure 158. --Cantharellus cibarius. 

Natural size. Entire plant egg-yellow. ]

Cibarius means pertaining to food. This plant is frequently spoken of asthe Chanterelle. The entire plant is a rich egg-yellow. The pileus isfleshy, at first convex, later flat, three to five inches broad, depressed in the center, finally funnel-shaped; bright to deep yellow;firm, smooth, but often irregular, its margin often wavy; flesh white, the cap has the appearance of an inverted cone. 

The gills are decurrent, shallow and fluted, resembling swollen veins, branched, more or less interconnected and tapering downward on the stem, color the same as the pileus. 

The stem is solid, variable in length, often curved, tapering towardsthe base, paler than the pileus and gills. 

It grows in woods and rather open places. I found it in great abundancein Stanley's woods, near Damascus, Ohio. I have found it very oftenabout Chillicothe. The plant has a strong prune-like odor; when tastedraw they are peppery and pungent but sweet and quite delicious whencooked. My friends and myself have eaten it and pronounced very good. The plants in Figure 158 were gathered near Columbus, Ohio, andphotographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

The species is quite common in the state, and is found from June toSeptember. 

_Cantharellus aurantiacus. Fr. _

FALSE CHANTARELLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 159. --Cantharellus aurantiacus. One-third natural size. Capsorange-yellow. Gills yellow and forked. ]

Aurantiacus means orange-yellow. The pileus is fleshy, soft, depressed, downy, the margin strongly incurved when young, in mature plants it iswavy or lobed; color dull yellowish, usually brownish. 

The gills are crowded, straight, dark-orange, branched, with a regularbifurcation. 

The stem is lighter in color than the pileus, solid at first, spongy, stuffed, hollow, unequal, tapering upward, and somewhat curved. 

It is generally labeled poisonous, but some good authorities say it iswholesome. I have never eaten it further than in its raw state. It iseasily distinguished from the edible species by its dull orange cap andits orange gills, which are thinner and closer and more regularly forkedthan those of the Edible Chantarelle. It grows in woods and open places. Found from July to September. 

_Cantharellus floccosus. Schw. _

THE WOOLLY CANTHARELLUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XXIII. Figure 160. --Cantharellus floccosus. ]

Floccosus means floccose or woolly. 

The pileus at the top is from one to two inches broad, fleshy, elongatedfunnel-form or trumpet-shape, floccose-squamose, ochraceous-yellow. 

The gills are vein-like, close, much anastomosing above, long decurrentand subparallel below, concolorous. 

The stem is very short, thick, rather deeply rooted. The spores areelliptical, 12. 5-15×7. 6µ. _Peck_, 23 Rep. , N. Y. 

This plant is funnel-shaped nearly to the base of the stem. It is asmall plant, never more than four inches high. I found it in Haynes'sHollow, in rather open woods, on mossy hillsides. July and August. 

_Cantharellus brevipes. Pk. _

The Short-Stemmed Cantharellus. Edible. 

Brevipes is from _brevis_, short; _pes_, foot; so called because of itsshort stem. 

The pileus is fleshy, obconic, glabrous, alutaceous, or dingycream-color, the thin margin erect, often irregular and lobed, tingedwith lilac in the young plant; folds numerous, nearly straight in themargin, abundantly anastomosing below; pale umber, tinged with lilac. 

The stem is short, tomentose-pubescent, ash-colored, solid, oftentapering downward. Spores yellowish, oblong-elliptical, uninucleate, 10-12×5µ. _Peck_, 33d Rep. , N. Y. 

The plant is small; with us, not more than three inches high and thepileus not more than two inches broad at the top. It differs somewhat incolor, in the character of the folds, and materially in the shape of themargin of the pileus. Found occasionally on the hillsides of HuntingtonTownship, near Chillicothe, July to August. 

_Cantharellus cinnabarinus. Schw. _

THE CINNABAR CANTHARELLUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 161. --Cantharellus cinnabarinus. Cap and stemcinnibar-red, flesh white. Natural size. ]

Cinnabarinus means cinnabar-red, from the color of the plant. 

The pileus is firm, convex, or slightly depressed in the center, oftenirregular with wavy or lobed margin; glabrous, cinnabar-red, fleshwhite. 

The gills are narrow, distant, branched, decurrent, of the same color asthe cap, dull on the edge. 

The stem is equal or tapering downward, glabrous, solid, sometimesstuffed, cinnabar-red. 

The spores are elliptical, 8-10µ long, 4-5µ broad. 

No one will have any difficulty in identifying this plant, since itscolor suggests the name at once. It is quite common about Chillicotheand throughout the state. It is found frequently with Craterelluscantharellus. It is a very pretty plant, growing in open woods or alongthe roadside in woods. It will keep for some time after it is gathered. It is found from July to October. 

_Cantharellus infundibuliformis. Fr. _

FUNNEL-SHAPED CANTHARELLUS. 

Infundibuliformis means shaped like a funnel. 

The pileus is one to two and a half inches broad, somewhatmembranaceous, umbilicate, then infundibuliform, usually perforated atthe base, and opening into the cavity of the stem, floccosely rugose onthe surface, yellowish-gray or smoky when moist, pale when dry, becomingwavy. 

The gills are decurrent, thick, distant, regularly forked, straight, yellow or cenereous, at length pruinose. 

The stem is two to three inches long, hollow, even, smooth, alwaysyellow, slightly thickened at the base. The spores are elliptical, smooth, 9-10×6µ. 

They grow on the ground, especially where wood has decayed and become apart of the ground. They also grow on decayed wood. They are found fromJuly to October. 

_Nyctalis. Fr. _

Nyctalis is from a Greek word meaning night. 

Pileus symmetrical, in some species bearing large conidia upon itssurface. 

The gills are adnate or decurrent, thick, soft, margin obtuse. 

The stem is central, its substance continuous with the flesh of thepileus. The spores are colorless, smooth, elliptical or globose. _Fries. _

_Nyctalis asterophora. Fr. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 162. --Nyctalis asterophora. ]

Asterophora means star-bearing. 

The pileus is about one-half inch broad, fleshy; conical, thenhemispherical; flocculose and rather mealy, owing to the large, stellateconidia; whitish, then tinged with fawn-color. 

The gills are adnate, distant, narrow, somewhat forked, straight, dingy. 

The stem is about one-half inch long, slender, twisted, stuffed, whitethen brownish, rather mealy. The spores are elliptical, smooth, 3×2µ. _Fries, Hym. _

I found, about the last of August, these plants growing on decayingspecimens of Russula nigricans, along Ralston's Run, near Chillicothe. 

_Hygrophorus. Fr. _

Hygrophorus is from two Greek words meaning bearing moisture. So calledbecause the members of this genus may be known from their moist caps andthe waxy nature of the gills, which distinguish them from all others. Asin the Pleurotus, the gills of some of the species are rounded ornotched at the end next to the stem, but of others they are decurrent onit; hence, in some species they are like the gills of Tricholoma intheir attachment, in others they run down on the stem as in theClitocybe. In many of them both cap and stem are very viscid, acharacteristic not found in the Clitocybes; and the gills are generallythicker and much farther apart than in that genus. A number of thespecies are beautifully colored. 

_Hygrophorus pratensis. Fr. _

THE PASTURE HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Plate XXIV. Figure 163. --Hygrophorus pratensis. ]

Pratensis, from pratum, a meadow. The pileus is one to two inches broad;when young almost hemispherical, then convex, turbinate or nearly flat, the center more or less convex, as if umbonate; margin often cracked, frequently contracted or lobed; white or various shades of yellow, buffish-reddish, or brownish. Flesh white, thick in the center, thin atthe margin. The stem is stuffed, attenuated downwards. The gills arethick, distant, white or yellowish, bow-shaped, decurrent, and connectedby vein-like folds. Spores are white, broadly elliptical, . 00024 to. 00028 inch long. 

The pasture hygrophorus is a small but rather stout-appearing mushroom. It grows on the ground in pastures, waste places, clearings, and thinwoods, from July to September. Sometimes all white or gray. 

Var. Cinereus, Fr. Pileus and gills gray. The stem whitish and slender. 

Var. Pallidus, B. & Br. Pileus depressed, edge wavy, entirely paleochre. 

This species differs mainly from H. Leporinus in that the latter isquite floccose on the pileus. 

_Hygrophorus eburneus. Bull. _

SHINING WHITE HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 164. --Hygrophorus eburneus. ]

Eburneus is from _ebur_, ivory. The pileus is two to four inches broad, sometimes thin, sometimes somewhat compact, white; very viscid orglutinous in wet weather, and slippery to the touch; margin uneven, sometimes wavy; smooth, and shining. When young, the margin is incurved. 

The gills are firm, distant, straight, strongly decurrent, withvein-like elevations near the stem. The spores are white, rather long. 

The stem is unequal, sometimes long and sometimes short; stuffed, thenhollow, tapering downward, punctate above with granular scales. Odor andtaste are rather pleasant. It is found in woods and pastures in allparts of Ohio, but it is not plentiful anywhere. I have found it only indamp woods about Chillicothe. August to October. 

_Hygrophorus cossus. Sow. _

Cossus, because it smells like the caterpillar, Cossus ligniperda. 

The pileus is small, quite viscid, shining when dry, white with a yellowtinge, edge naked, very strong-scented. 

The gills are somewhat decurrent, thin, distant, straight, firm. 

The stem is stuffed, nearly equal, scurvy-punctate upwards. Spores 8×4. Found in the woods. The strong smell will serve to identify thespecies. 

_Hygrophorus chlorophanus. Fr. _

THE GREENISH-YELLOW HYGROPHORUS. 

Chlorophanus is from two Greek words, meaning appearing greenish-yellow. 

The pileus is one inch broad, commonly bright sulphur-yellow, sometimesscarlet-tinted, not changing color; slightly membranaceous, veryfragile, often irregular, with the margin split or lobed, at firstconvex, then expanded; smooth, viscid, margin striate. 

The gills are emarginate, adnexed, quite ventricose, with a thindecurrent tooth, thin, subdistant, distinct, pale-yellow. 

The stem is two to three inches long, hollow, equal, round, viscid whenmoist, shining when dry, wholly unicolorous, rich light-yellow. 

The spores are slightly elliptical, 8×5µ. 

This species resembles in appearance H. Ceraceus, but it can beidentified by its emarginate gills and somewhat larger form. The planthas a wide distribution, having been found from the New England Statesthrough the Middle West. It is found in damp, mossy places from Augustto October. I have no doubt of its edibility. It has a mild andagreeable taste when eaten in the raw state. 

_Hygrophorus cantharellus. Schw. _

[Illustration: Figure 165. --Hygrophorus cantharellus. Natural size. Capsbright red. ]

Cantharellus means a small vase. 

The pileus is thin, convex, at length umbilicate, or centrallydepressed, minutely squamulose, moist, bright red, becoming orange oryellow. 

The gills are distant, subarcuate, decurrent, yellow, sometimes tingedwith vermilion. 

The stem is one to three inches long, smooth, equal, sub-solid, sometimes becoming hollow, concolorous, whitish within. _Peck. _

I have found about Chillicothe a number of the varieties given by Dr. Peck. 

Var. Flava. Pileus and stem pale yellow. Gills arcuate, stronglydecurrent. 

Var. Flavipes. Pileus red or reddish. Stem yellow. 

Var. Flaviceps. Pileus yellow. Stem reddish or red. 

Var. Rosea. Has the pileus expanded and margin wavy scalloped. 

Found from July to September. 

_Hygrophorus coccineus. Fr. _

THE SCARLET HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

Coccineus, pertaining to scarlet. The pileus is thin, convex, obtuse, viscid, scarlet, growing pale, smooth, fragile. 

The gills are attached to the stem, with a decurrent tooth, connected byveins, variously shaded. 

The stem is hollow and compressed, rather even, not slippery, scarletnear the cap, yellow at the base. 

This plant when young is of a bright scarlet, but it soon shades into alight-yellow with advancing age. It is quite fragile and varies verygreatly in size in different localities. Found in woods and pasturesfrom July to October. 

_Hygrophorus conicus. Fr. _

THE CONICAL HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 166. --Hygrophorus conicus. ]

The pileus is one to two inches broad, acutely conical, submembranaceous, smooth, somewhat lobed, at length expanded, andrimose; turning black, as does the whole plant when broken or bruised;orange, yellow, scarlet, brown, dusky. 

The gills are free or adnexed, thick, attenuated, ventricose, yellowishwith frequently a cinereous tinge, wavy, rather crowded. 

The stem is three to four inches long, hollow, cylindrical, fibrillose, striated, colored like the pileus, turning black when handled. 

This plant is quite fragile. It can be identified by its turning blackwhen bruised. It sometimes appears early in the spring and continuestill late in the fall. It is not abundant but is only occasionally foundon the ground in woods and open places. 

_Hygrophorus flavodiscus. Frost. _

YELLOW-DISKED HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 167. --Hygrophorus flavodiscus. Natural size. Thegluten is shown connecting the margin of the cap to their stem. ]

Flavodiscus means yellow-disked. 

The pileus is one-half to three inches broad, fleshy, convex or nearlyplane, glabrous, very viscid or glutinous, white, pale-yellow orreddish-yellow in the center, flesh white. 

The gills are adnate or decurrent, subdistant, white, sometimes with aslight flesh-colored tint, the interspaces sometimes venose. 

The stem is one to three inches long, solid, subequal, very viscid, orglutinous, white at the top, white or yellowish elsewhere. The sporesare elliptical, white, . 00025 to . 0003 of an inch long, . 00016 to . 0002broad. 

These mushrooms make a delicious dish. The specimens in the photographwere gathered at West Gloucester, Mass. , by Mrs. E. B. Blackford, ofBoston. I have found them about Chillicothe. They are very viscid, asthe plants in Figure 167 will show. The caps are thick and the margininrolled. They are found in October and November. 

_Hygrophorus speciosus. Pk. _

SHOWY HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 168. --Hygrophorus speciosus. ]

Speciosus means beautiful, showy; so called from the scarlet color ofthe umbo. The pileus is one to two inches in diameter, broadly convex, often with small central umbo; glabrous, very viscid or glutinous whenmoist; yellow, usually bright red or scarlet in the center; flesh white, yellow under the thin, separable pellicle. 

The gills are distant, decurrent, white, or slightly tinged with yellow. 

The stem is two to four inches long, nearly equal, solid, viscid, slightly fibrillose, whitish or yellowish. The spores are elliptic, . 0003 of an inch long, . 0002 broad. _Peck. _

This is a very beautiful and showy plant. It grows in swampy places andunder tamarack trees. The specimens in Figure 168 were found inMassachusetts by Mrs. Blackford, and were photographed by Dr. Kellerman. It is found in September and August. 

_Hygrophorus fuligineus. Frost. _

SOOTY HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 169. --Hygrophorus fuligineus. Natural size. Specimen on the right is H. Caprinus. ]

Fuligineus means sooty or smoky. 

The pileus is one to four inches broad, convex or nearly plane, glabrous, very viscid or glutinous, grayish-brown or fuliginous, thedisk often darker or almost black. 

The gills are subdistant, adnate or decurrent, white. 

The stem is two to four inches long, solid, viscid or glutinous, whiteor whitish. The spores are elliptic, . 0003 to . 00035 of an inch long, . 0002 broad. _Peck_, No. 4, Vol. 3. 

This species is found frequently associated with H. Flavodiscus, whichit resembles very closely, save in color. When moist, the cap and stemsare covered with a thick coating of gluten, and when the caps are drythis gives them a varnished appearance. I do not find them abundanthere. The plants in Figure 169 were found by Mrs. Blackford near WestGloucester, Mass. They are found October and November. 

_Hygrophorus caprinus. Scop. _

THE GOAT HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

Caprinus means belonging to a goat; it is so called from the fibrilsresembling goat's hair. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, fleshy, fragile, conical, thenflattened and umbonate, rather wavy, sooty, fibrillose. 

The gills are very broad, quite distant, deeply decurrent, white, thenglaucous. 

The stem is two to four inches long, solid, fibrillose, sooty, oftenstreaked or striate, as will be seen in Figure 169, page 212. 

The spores are 10×7-8µ. 

These plants grow in pine woods in company with H. Fuligineus and H. Flavodiscus. The specimen on the right in Figure 169 was found near WestGloucester, Mass. , by Mrs. Blackford. It is found from September tillhard frost. 

_Hygrophorus Lauræ. Morg. _

[Illustration: Figure 170. --Hygrophorus Lauræ. ]

This is a beautiful plant, found among leaves, and so completely coveredwith particles of leaves and soil that it is hard to clean them off. They are very viscid, both stem and cap. They are only occasionallyfound in our state. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad; reddish-brown in the center, shading to a very light tan on the edges; very viscid; convex; margin atfirst slightly incurved, then expanded. 

The gills are adnate, slightly decurrent, not crowded, unequal, yellowish. 

The stem is stuffed, tapering downward, whitish, furfuraceous near thecap. 

I have found this plant in Poke Hollow, near Chillicothe, on severaloccasions, also in Gallia county, Ohio. I have not found it elsewhere inthis vicinity. While I have not found it in sufficient quantity to tryit I have no doubt of its edible qualities. I have found it only aboutthe last of September and the first of October. It grows in rather densewoods on the north sides of the hills, where it is constantly shaded anddamp. Named in honor of Prof. Morgan's wife. 

_Hygrophorus micropus. Pk. _

SHORT-STEMMED HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

Micropus means short-stemmed. The pileus is thin, fragile, convex orcentrally depressed, umbilicate; silky, gray, often with one or twonarrow zones on the margin; taste and odor farinaceous. 

The gills are narrow, close, adnate or slightly decurrent, gray, becoming salmon color with age. 

The stem is short, solid or with a slight cavity, often slightlythickened at the top, pruinose, gray, with a white, mycelioid tomentumat the base. The spores are angular, uninucleate, salmon color, . 0003--. 0004 of an inch long, . 00025--. 0003 broad. _Peck. _

This is a very small plant and not frequently found, but widelydistributed. I have always found it in open grassy places during dampweather. The caps are thin, often markedly depressed. Its silkyappearance and narrow zones on the margin of the cap, together with itsrather close gills, broadly attached to the stem, gray at first, thensalmon color, will identify the species. July to September. 

_Hygrophorus miniatus. Fr. _

THE VERMILION HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 171. --Hygrophorus miniatus. Cap and stemsvermilion-red. Gills yellowish and tinged with bright-red. ]

Miniatus is from minium, red lead. 

This is a small but a very common species, highly colored and veryattractive. The pileus and the stem are bright red and often vermilion. The pileus is at first convex, but, when fully expanded, it is nearly orquite flat, and in wet weather it is even concave by the elevation ofthe margin, smooth or minutely scaly, often umbilicate. Its color variesfrom a bright red or vermilion or blood-red to pale orange hues. 

The gills are yellow and frequently strongly tinged with red, distant, attached to the stem, and sometimes notched. 

The stem is usually short and slender, colored like, or a little paler, than the cap; solid, when young, but becoming stuffed or hollow withage. The spores are elliptical, white, 8µ long. 

The Vermilion mushroom grows in woods and in open fields. It is moreplentiful in wet weather. It seems to grow best where chestnut logs havedecayed. It can be found in such places in sufficient quantities to eat. Few mushrooms are more tender or have a more delicate flavor. There aretwo other species having red caps, Hygrophorus coccineus and H. Puniceus, but both are edible and no harm could come from any mistake. They are found from June to October. Those in Figure 171 were found inPoke Hollow September 29. 

_Hygrophorus miniatus sphagnophilus. Pk. _

[Illustration: Plate XXV. Figure 172. --Hygrophorus miniatussphagnophilus. 

Natural size. ]

Sphagnophilus means sphagnum-loving, so called because it is foundgrowing on sphagnum. 

The pileus is broadly convex, subumbilicate, red. 

The gills are adnate, whitish, becoming yellowish or sometimes tingedwith red, occasionally red on the edge. 

The stem is colored like the pileus, whitish at the base, both it andthe pileus are very fragile. 

This is more fragile than the typical form and retains its color betterin drying. _Peck_, 43d Rep. 

This is a beautiful plant growing, as Figure 172 shows, on the lowerdead portion of the stems of bog moss or sphagnum. It grows veryabundantly in Buckeye Lake. The photograph was made by Dr. Kellerman. Itis found from July to October. These plants cook readily, have anexcellent flavor and because of their color make an inviting dish. Ihave eaten heartily of them several times. 

_Hygrophorus marginatus. Pk. _

MARGINED HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 173. --Hygrophorus marginatus. ]

Marginatus, so called from the frequent vermilion edged gills. 

The pileus is thin, fragile, convex, subcampanulate or nearly plane, often irregular, sometimes broadly umbonate, glabrous, shining, striatulate on the margin, bright golden-yellow. 

The gills are rather broad, subdistant, ventricose, emarginate, adnexed, yellow, sometimes becoming orange or vermilion on the edge, interspacesvenose. 

The stem is fragile, glabrous, often flexous, compressed or irregular, hollow, pale-yellow; spores broadly elliptic, . 00024--. 0003 of an inchlong, . 00024--. 0002 broad. _Peck_, N. Y. , 1906. 

This plant has the most beautiful yellow I have ever seen in a mushroom. This bright golden yellow and the orange or vermilion color on themargin or edge of the gills will always characterize the plant. 

The specimen in Figure 173 were sent to me by Mrs. Blackford, of Boston, Mass. , the last of August. They were not in the best condition whenphotographed. 

_Hygrophorus ceraceus. Fr. _

THE WAX-LIKE HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 174. --Hygrophorus ceraceus. Caps waxy yellow. ]

Ceraceus is from _cera_, wax. The pileus is one inch and less broad, waxy-yellow, shining, fragile, thin, occasionally subumbonate, slightlyfleshy, slightly striate. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, subdecurrent, distant, broad, ventricose often connected with veins, almost triangular, yellow. 

The stem is one to two inches long, hollow, often unequal, flexuous, sometimes compressed, yellow, occasionally orange at the base, waxy. Thespores 8×6µ. 

This is a very beautiful, fragile plant, usually found growing in thegrass. It is easily distinguished by its waxy yellow color. The plantsphotographed were found on the Cemetery Hill. They are found from Augustto October. 

_Hygrophorus virgineus. Wulf. _

THE IVORY-CAPPED HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 175. --Hygrophorus virgineus. Two-thirds naturalsize. Entire plant white. ]

Virgineus, virgin; so called from its whiteness. The pileus is fleshy, convex, then plane, obtuse, at length depressed; moist, sometimescracked into patches, floccose when dry. 

The gills are decurrent, distant, rather thick, often forked. 

The stem is curt, stuffed, firm, attenuated at the base, externallybecoming even and naked. Spores 12×5-6µ. _Fries. _

The plant is wholly white and never large. It is easily confounded withH. Niveus and sometimes difficult to distinguish from the white forms ofH. Pratensis. This plant is quite common in pastures, both in the springand in the fall. I found the specimens in Figure 175 on Cemetery Hillunder the pine trees on November 11. They were photographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Hygrophorus niveus. _

THE SNOW-WHITE HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

Niveus, snow-white. The plant is wholly white. The pileus is scarcelyone inch broad, somewhat membranaceous, bell-shaped, convex, thenumbilicate, smooth, striate, viscid when moist, not cracked when dry, flesh thin, everywhere equal. 

The gills are decurrent, thin, distant, acute, quite entire. 

The stem is hollow, thin, equal, smooth. Spores 7×4µ. Found in pastures. 

_Hygrophorus sordidus. Pk. _

THE DINGY HYGROPHORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 176. --Hygrophorus sordidus. ]

Sordidus means a dirty white, or dingy, referring to the color of thecaps, so made by adhering earth. 

The pileus is broadly convex or nearly plane, glabrous, slightly viscid, white, but usually defiled by adhering dirt; the margin at firststrongly involute, then spreading or reflexed; flesh firm when young, tough when old. 

The gills are subdistant, adnate, or decurrent, white or creamy-white. 

The stem is five to ten Cm. Long, firm, solid, white. 

The spores are elliptical, 6. 5-7. 5×4-5µ. _Peck. _

The specimens I found were clear white, growing among leaves and wereespecially free from soil. The stems were short and were inclined to beslightly ventricose. Dr. Peck says that this "species is distinguishedfrom H. Penarius by its clear white color, though this is commonlyobscured by the adhering dirt that is carried up in the growth of thefungus. " The young, growing plants were strongly involute but the olderplants were reflexed, giving the plants a funnel-shaped appearance andgiving the gills a much stronger decurrent appearance. Found October26th. 

_Hygrophorus serotinus. Pk. _

LATE HYGROPHORUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 177. --Hygrophorus serotinus. ]

Serotinus means late. So called because it is late in the season. 

Pileus is fleshy but thin, convex or nearly plane, often with the thinmargin curved upward, glabrous or with a few obscure innate fibrils, reddish in the center, whitish on the margin, flesh white, taste mild. 

The gills are thin, subdistant, adnate or decurrent, white, theinterspaces slightly venose. 

The stem is equal, stuffed or hollow, glabrous, whitish. The spores arewhite, elliptic, . 0003 of an inch long, . 0002 broad. 

Pileus is 8-15 lines broad; stem about 1 inch long, 1. 5-2. 5 linesthick. _Peck. _

Some specimens of this species were sent to me from Boston by Mrs. Blackford, but after a careful study of them I was unable to place them. She then sent them to Dr. Peck, who gave them their very appropriatename. Those in Figure 177 were sent me in December, 1907. 

They grow a number in the same locality and frequently in close groupsor tufts. They seem to delight in oak and pine woods. Dr. Peck observesthat this species is similar to Hygrophorus queletii, Bres. , both insize and color, but the general characteristics of the plants do notagree. He also says it is similar in size and color to H. Subrufescens, Pk. , but differs materially in the specific description. 

_Panus. Fr. _

Panus means swelling. The species under this genus are leathery plants, having the stems lateral and sometimes wanting. They dry up but revivewith moisture. The gills are simple and thinner than the Lentinus, butwith an entire, acute edge. There are a few species which give aphosphorescent light when growing on decayed logs. The genus closelyresembles Lentinus but can be readily recognized on account of thesmooth edged gills. A number of good authorities do not separate thembut give both under the name Lentinus. This genus abounds wherever thereare stumps and fallen timber. 

_Panus stypticus. Fr. _

THE STYPTIC PANUS. POISONOUS. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 178. --Panus stypticus. Two-thirds natural size. Cinnamon color. ]

Stypticus means astringent, styptic. The pileus is coriaceous, kidney-shaped, cinnamon-color, growing pale, cuticle breaking up intoscales, margin entire or lobed, surface nearly even, sometimes zoned. 

The gills are thin, crowded, connected by veins, of same color as cap, determinate, quite narrow. 

The stem is lateral, quite short, swollen above, solid, compressed, pruinose, paler than the gills. 

It is found very plentifully on decayed logs and stumps, and at times itis quite phosphorescent in its manifestations. It has an extremelyunpleasant astringent taste. One might as well eat an Indian turnip asthis species. Just a taste will betray it. Found from fall to winter. 

_Panus strigosus. B. & C. _

THE HAIRY PANUS. EDIBLE. 

Strigosus, covered with stiff hairs. The pileus is sometimes quitelarge, eccentric, covered with stiff hairs, margin thin, white. 

The gills are broad, distant, decurrent, straw-color. 

The stem is stout, two to four inches long, hairy like the pileus. 

The favorite host of this species is an apple tree. I found a beautifulcluster on an apple tree in Chillicothe. Its creamy whiteness and hairycap and short hairy stem will distinguish it from all other tree fungi. It is edible when young, but soon becomes woody. 

_Panus conchatus. Fr. _

THE SHELL PANUS. 

Conchatus means shell-shaped. The pileus is thin, unequal, tough, fleshy, eccentric, dimidiate; cinnamon, then pale; becoming scaly;flaccid; margin often lobed. 

The gills are narrow, forming decurrent lines on the stem, oftenbranched, pinkish, then ochre. 

The stem is short, unequal, solid, rather pale, base downy. 

This species will frequently be found imbricated and very generallyconfluent. Its shell-like form, its tough substance, and its thin pileusare its distinguishing marks. The taste is pleasant but its substancevery tough. Found from September to frost. 

_Panus rudis. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 179. --Panus rudis. ]

This is a very plentiful plant about Chillicothe and is found throughoutthe United States, although it is a rare plant in Europe. It isgenerally given in American Mycology under the name Lentinus Lecomtei. It grows on logs and stumps. The form of the plant is quite differentwhen growing on the top of a log or a stump, from those springing fromthe side. Those in the extreme left of Figure 179 grew on the side ofthe log, while those in the center grew on the top, in which case theplant has usually a funnel-shaped appearance. 

The pileus is tough, reddish or reddish-brown, depressed, sinuate, bristling with tufts of hair, the margin quite strongly incurved, cæspitose. 

The gills are narrow and crowded, decurrent, considerably paler than thecap. 

The stem is short, hairy, tawny; sometimes the stem is almost obsolete. 

There is a slight tinge of bitterness in the plant when raw, but incooking this disappears. When prepared for food it should be choppedfine and well cooked. It can be dried for winter use. It is found fromspring to late fall. 

_Panus torulosus. Fr. _

THE TWISTED PANUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 180. --Panus torulosus. ]

Torulosus means a tuft of hair. The pileus is two to three inches broad, fleshy, then tough, coriaceous; plane, then funnel-shaped, or dimidiate;even; smooth; almost flesh color, varying to reddish-livid, sometimesviolet tinted. 

The gills are decurrent, rather distant, distinct behind, separate, simple, ruddy, then tan-colored. 

The stem is short, stout, oblique, gray, covered with a violaceous down. The spores are 6×3µ. 

The plant is variable both in form and color. Sometimes shaded veryslightly with pink. It is not very common here. I found some very finespecimens growing on a log near Spider Bridge, Chillicothe. 

It is edible but quite tough. 

_Panus levis. B. & C. _

THE LIGHT PANUS. EDIBLE. 

Levis, light. Pileus two to three inches broad, orbicular, somewhatdepressed, white, covered with a dense mat of hair; margin inflexed andmarked by triangular ridges. 

The gills are broad, entire, decurrent. 

The stem is two to three inches long, attenuated upward, eccentric, lateral, solid, hairy below like the pileus. The spores are white. 

This certainly is a very beautiful plant and will hold the attention ofthe collector. It is not common with us. I have found it only on hickorylogs. It is said to be of good flavor and to cook readily. 

_Lentinus. Fr. _

Lentinus means tough. The pileus is fleshy, corky, tough, hard and dry, reviving when moist. 

The stem is central or lateral and often wanting, but when present iscontinuous with the cap. 

The gills are tough, unequal, thin, normally toothed, decurrent more orless, margin acute. The spores are smooth, white, orbicular. 

All the species, so far as I know, grow on wood. They assume a greatvariety of forms. This genus is very closely related to Panus in thedry, coriaceous nature of the pileus and the gills, but it can bereadily recognized by the toothed margin of the gills. 

_Lentinus vulpinus. Fr. _

STRONG-SCENTED VULPINUS. 

[Illustration: Plate XXVI. Figure 181. --Lentinus vulpinus. 

One-third natural size. ]

Vulpinus is from _vulpes_, a fox. 

This is quite a large, massive plant, growing in a sessile andimbricated manner. It has appeared in large quantities for the past fouryears on an elm, very slightly decayed, but in quite a damp and darkplace. The reader will get some idea of the size of the whole plant inFigure 181 if he will consider each pileus to be five to six inchesbroad. They are built up one on top of another, overlapping each otherlike shingles on a roof. 

The pileus is fleshy but tough, shell-shaped, connate behind, longitudinally rough, costate, corrugate, tan-colored, and the margin isstrongly incurved. 

The gills are broad, nearly white, flesh-colored near the base, coarselytoothed. 

The stem is usually obsolete, yet in some cases it is apparent. 

The spores are almost round and very small, . 00006 inch in diameter. Inall plants which I have found the odor is somewhat strong and the tasteis pungent. It grows in the woods in September and October. 

_Lentinus lepideus. Fr. _

THE SCALY LENTINUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 182. --Lentinus lepideus. ]

Lepideus is from _lepis_, a scale. 

The pileus is fleshy, compact, convex, then depressed, unequal, brokenup in dark scales, flesh white, tough. 

The gills are sinuate, decurrent, broad, torn, transversely striate, whitish, or with white edges, irregularly toothed. 

The stem is stout, central or lateral, tomentose or scaly, oftencrooked, rooting, whitish, solid, equal or tapering at the base. 

This is a peculiar plant, growing sometimes to immense forms. It growson wood, seemingly to be partial to railroad ties to which its myceliumis very injurious. I found the plant frequently about Salem, Ohio. Thespecimens in the halftone were found near Akron, Ohio, and photographedby Prof. Smith. As an esculent it almost rivals the Pleuroti. It isfound from spring to autumn. I found a beautiful cluster on an oak stumpnear Chillicothe, while looking for Morels, about the last of April. 

_Lentinus cochleatus. Fr. _

THE SPIRAL-FORMED LENTINUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 183. --Lentinus cochleatus. ]

Cochleatus is from _cochlea_, a snail, from resembling its shell. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, tough, flaccid, irregular, depressed, sometimes funnel-shaped, sometimes lobed or contorted, flesh-color, becoming pale. 

The gills are crowded, beautifully serrated, pinkish-white. 

The stem is solid, length variable, sometimes central, frequentlyeccentric, often lateral, smooth. The spores are nearly round, 4µ. 

This is a beautiful plant but sparingly found with us. I found apretty cluster at the foot of a maple stump in Poke Hollow. The serratedform of the gills will attract attention at once. It is found in Augustand September. 

_Lenzites. Fr. _

Lenzites, named after Lenz, a German botanist. The pileus is corky, dimidiate, sessile. The gills are corky, firm, unequal, branched, edgeobtuse. It is very common in the woods, sometimes almost covering stumpsand logs. 

_Lenzites betulina. Fr. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XXVII. Figure 184. --Lenzites betulina. ]

[Illustration: Figure 185. --Lenzites betulina. ]

Betulina, from _betula_, a birch. This has a somewhat corky, leatherycap, firm and without zones, woolly, sessile, deeply groovedconcentrically, margin of the same color. 

The gills are radial, somewhat branching, and coming together again, sordid white or tan-color. 

This species is wide-spread and is quite variable. It grows in the formof brackets. Figure 185 was photographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Lenzites separia. Fr. _

THE CHOCOLATE LENZITES. 

The pileus is corky, leathery shells, with the upper surface marked withrough zones of various shades of brown; margin yellowish. 

The gills are rather thick, branched, one running into another;yellowish. Stem obsolete. Growing on limbs and branches, especially ofthe fir tree. 

_Lenzites flaccida. Fr. _

FLACCID LENZITES. 

[Illustration: Figure 186. --Lenzites flaccida. Two-thirds natural size. ]

Flaccida means limp, flaccid. Pileus is coriaceous, thin, flaccid, unequal, hairy, zoned, pallid, more or less flabelliform, imbricated. 

The gills are broad, crowded, straight, unequal, branched, white, becoming pallid. Spores are 5×7. 

This is a very attractive plant and quite common. It runs almostimperceptibly into Lenzites betulina. It is found on stumps and trunks. 

_Lenzites vialis. Pk. _

Pileus is corky, almost woody, firm, zoned. 

Gills are thick, firm, serpentine. 

Stem, none. 

_Schizophyllum. Fr. _

Schizophyllum is from two Greek words, meaning to split, and a leaf. 

The pileus is fleshy and arid. The gills are corky, fan-like, branched, united above by the tomentose pellicle, bifid, split longitudinally atthe edge. The spores somewhat round and white. 

The two lips of the split edge of the gills are commonly revolute. Thisgenus is far removed from the type of Agaricini. It grows on wood and isvery common. _Stevenson. _

_Schizophyllum commune. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 187. --Schizophyllum commune. ]

This is a very common plant, growing in the woods on branches anddecayed wood, where it can be found in both winter and summer. 

The pileus is thin, adnate behind, somewhat extended, more or lessfan-shaped or kidney-shaped, simple, often much lobed, narrowed behindto the point of attachment; whitish, downy, then strigose. 

The gills are radiating, gray, then brownish-purple, and sometimeswhite, branched, split along the edges and rather deeply rolledbackwards. The spores are nearly round, 5-6µ. 

This is a very common species all over the world. I found it in thewinter of 1907 on decayed shade-trees along the streets of Chillicothe. It seems to be partial to maple timber. Some call this S. Alneum. It isvery easily identified from its purple gills being split. 

_Trogia. Fr. _

Trogia is so called in honor of the Swiss botanist, Trog. 

The pileus is nearly membranaceous, soft, quite tough, flaccid, dry, flexible, fibrillose, reviving when moist. 

The gills are fold-like, venose, narrow, irregular, crisped. 

_Trogia crispa. Fr. _

Crispa means crisp or curled. The pileus tough, cup-shaped, reflexed, lobed, villous, whitish or reddish toward the attachment, oftentan-colored. 

The gills are quite narrow, vein-like, irregular, more or less branched, blunt on the edge, white or bluish-gray, quite crisped, edge notchanneled. 

The caps are usually very much crowded and imbricated. It revives duringwet weather and is found throughout the year, generally on beech limbsin our woods. 

CHAPTER III. 

THE ROSY-SPORED AGARICS. 

The spores of this series are of great variety of color, including rosy, pink, salmon-color, flesh-color, or reddish. In Pluteus, Volvaria, andmost of Clitopilus, the spores are regular in shape, as in thewhite-spored series; in the other genera they are generally irregularand angular. There are not so many genera as in the other series andfewer edible species. 

_Pluteus. Fr. _

Pluteus means a shed, referring to the sheds used to make a cover forbesiegers at their work, that they might be screened from the missilesof the enemy. 

They have no volva, no ring on the stem. Gills are free from the stem, white at first then flesh-color. 

_Pluteus cervinus. Schæff. _

FAWN-COLORED PLUTEUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XXVIII. Figure 188. --Pluteus cervinus. 

Natural size. ]

_Cervinus is from cervus, a deer. _ The pileus is fleshy, bell-shaped, expanded, viscid in wet weather, smooth, except a few radiating fibrilswhen young, margin entire, flesh soft and white; color of the caplight-brown or fawn-color, sometimes sooty, often more than three inchesacross the cap. 

The gills are free from the stem, broad, ventricose, unequal in length, almost white when young, flesh-colored when mature from the falling ofthe spores. The stem is solid, slightly tapering upward, firm, brittle, white, spread over with a few dark fibrils, generally crooked. Thespores are broadly elliptical. The cystidia in the hymenium on the gillswill be of interest to those who have a microscope. 

This is a very common mushroom about Chillicothe. It is found on logs, stumps, and especially on old sawdust piles. Note how easily the stem isremoved from the cap. This will distinguish it from the genus Entoloma. You cannot get anything in the market that will make a better fry thanPluteus cervinus; fried in butter, it is simply delicious. Found fromMay to October. 

[Illustration: Figure 189. --Pluteus cervinus. ]

_Pluteus granularis. Pk. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 190. --Pluteus granularis. ]

Pileus is convex, then expanded, slightly umbonate, wrinkled, sprinkledwith minute blackish granules, varying in color from yellow to brown. 

The gills are rather broad, close, ventricose, free, whitish, thenflesh-colored. 

The stem is equal, solid, pallid, or brown, usually paler at the top, velvety with a short, close pile. 

The spores are subglobose, about . 0002 inch in diameter. The plant istwo to three inches high, pileus one to two inches broad, stem one totwo lines thick. _Peck_, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot. 

This is a much smaller species than P. Cervinus, but its esculentqualities are quite as good. Found from July to October. 

_Pluteus eximius. Smith. _

_Eximius, choice, distinguished. _ The pileus is fleshy, bell-shaped whenyoung, expanded, beautifully fringed on the margin, larger than thecervinus. 

The gills are free, broad, ventricose, white at first, thenrose-colored, flesh white, and firm. 

The stem is thick, solid, and clothed with fibers. Dr. Herbst, FungalFlora of the Lehigh Valley. 

I found some beautiful specimens in George Mosher's icehouse. I am verysorry I did not photograph them. 

_Volvaria. Fr. _

The spores of this genus are regular, oval, rosy-spored. The veil isuniversal, forming a perfect volva, distinct from the cuticle of thepileus. The stem is easily separable from the pileus. The gills arefree, rounded behind, at first white, then pink, soft. Most of thespecies grow on wood. Some on damp ground, rich mold, in gardens, and inhot-houses. One is a parasite on Clitocybe nebularis and monadelphus. 

_Volvaria bombycina. (Pers. ) Fr. _

THE SILKY VOLVARIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Plate XXIX. Figure 191. --Volvaria bombycina. 

The egg form of the V. Bombycina showing the universal veil or volvabursting at the apex. These are unusually large specimens. ]

[Illustration: Figure 192. --Volvaria bombycina. Two-thirds natural size. Entire plant white and silky. ]

[Illustration: Figure 193. --Volvaria bombycina. Two-thirds natural size, showing the gills, which are pink, then dark-brown. ]

Bombycina is from _bombyx_, _silk_. This plant is so called because ofthe beautiful silky lustre of the entire plant. The pileus is three toeight inches broad, globose, then bell-shaped, finally convex andsomewhat umbonate, white, the entire surface silky, in older specimensmore or less scaly, sometimes smooth at the apex. The flesh is whiteand not thick. 

The gills are free, very crowded, broad, ventricose, flesh-colored, notreaching the margin, toothed. The stem is three to six inches long, tapering upward, solid, smooth, the tough volva remaining like a cup atthe base. The spores are rosy in mass, smooth, and elliptical. The volvais large, membranaceous, somewhat viscid. 

The plant in Figure 192 was found August 16th, on a maple tree where alimb had been broken, on North High Street, Chillicothe. Many people hadpassed along and enjoyed the shade of the trees but its discoveryremained for Miss Marian Franklin, whose eyes are trained to see birds, flowers, and everything beautiful in nature. 

I have found the plant frequently about Chillicothe, usually solitary;but on one occasion I found three specimens upon one trunk, apparentlygrowing from the same mycelial mass. The caps of two of them were eachfive inches across. It usually grows on maple and beech. If you willobserve a hollow beech, or sugar snag of which one side is broken away, leaving the sheltered yet open nestling place, you are very likely tofind snugly enscounced in its decaying heart one or more specimens ofthese beautiful silky plants. The volva is quite thick and frequentlythe plant, when in the egg state, has the appearance of a phalloid. Found from June to October. 

_Volvaria umbonata. Peck. _

THE UMBONATE VOLVARIA. 

[Illustration: Figure 194. --Volvaria umbonata. Two-thirds natural size. Entire plant white and silky. ]

Umbonata, having an umbo or conical projection like the boss of ashield. This plant is quite common on the richly manured lawns ofChillicothe. I have found it from June to October. The pileus is whiteor whitish, sometimes grayish, often smoky on the umbo; globose whenyoung, bell-shaped, plane when fully expanded, umbonate, smooth;slightly viscid when moist, shining when dry, inch to an inch and a halfbroad. The flesh is white and very soft. 

The gills are free, white at first, then from flesh-color to a reddishhue from the rosy-colored spores; some of the gills are dimidiate, somewhat crowded, broader in the middle. 

The stem is two inches to two and a half long, tapering from the baseup, smooth, cylindrical, hollow and firm. The volva is always present, free, variously torn, white and sometimes grayish. 

The entire plant is silky when dry. I have found it growing in my buggyshed. It is not abundant, though quite common. I have never eaten it, but I do not doubt its edibility. 

_Volvaria pusilla. Pers. _

[Illustration: Figure 195. --Volvaria pusilla. ]

The pileus is explanate, white, fibrillose, dry, striate, centerslightly depressed when mature. 

The gills are white, becoming flesh-color, from the color of the spores, free, distant. 

The stem is white, smooth, volva split to the base into four nearlyequal segments. The spores are broadly elliptical, 5-6 mc. 

This is the smallest species of the Volvaria. It grows on the groundamong the weeds and is apt to escape the attention of the collectorunless he knows its habitat. It is quite likely that V. Parvula is thesame plant as this. Also V. Temperata, although it has a differenthabitat, seems to be very near this species. The plants in Figure 195were collected in Michigan and photographed by Dr. Fischer. The volva isbrown-tipped as shown in the figure given. 

_Volvaria volvacea. Bull. _

THE STOVE VOLVARIA. 

It is called "The Stove Volvaria" because it has been found in oldunused stoves. Pileus fleshy, soft, bell-shaped, then expanded, obtuse, virgate, with adpressed black fibrils. The gills are free, flesh-colored, and inclined to deliquesce. The stem is solid, subequal, white. The volva loose, whitish. The spores are smooth, elliptical. 

This is a much smaller plant than the V. Bombycina and grows in theground. It is often found in hot-houses and cellars. 

_Entoloma. Fr. _

Entoloma is from two Greek words; _entos_, within; _loma_, a fringe, referring to the inner character of the veil, which is seldom evenapparent. The members of this genus have rosy spores which areprominently angular. There is neither volva, nor annulus. The gills areattached to the stem or notched near the junction of the gills and thestem. The pileus is fleshy and the margin incurved, especially whenyoung. The stem is fleshy, fibrous, sometimes waxy, continuous with thepileus. It corresponds with Hypholoma, Tricholoma, and Hebeloma. It canalways be separated from the rosy-spored genera by the notched gills. The flesh-colored spores and gills distinguish the Entoloma from theHebeloma, which has ochre-spored ones, and Tricholoma, which has whiteones. 

All the species, so far as I know, have rather a pleasant odor, and forthat reason it is highly necessary that the genus and species should bethoroughly known, as they are all dangerous. 

_Entoloma rhodopolium. Fr. _

THE ROSE-GRAY ENTOLOMA. 

[Illustration: Figure 196. --Entoloma rhodopolium. Three-fourths naturalsize. ]

Rhodopolium is composed of two Greek words, rose and gray. 

The pileus is two to five inches broad, hygrophanous; when moistdingy-brown or livid, becoming pale when dry, isabelline-livid, silky-shining; slightly fleshy, bell-shaped when young, then expandedand somewhat umbonate, or gibbous, at length rather plane and sometimesdepressed; fibrillose when young, smooth when full grown; margin atfirst bent inwards and when large, undulated. Flesh white. 

The gills adnate, then separating, somewhat sinuate, slightly distant, broad, white, then rose color. 

The stem is two to four inches long, hollow; equal when smaller, whenlarger, attenuated upward; white pruinate at the apex, otherwise smooth;slightly striate, white, often reddish from spores. Spores 8-10×6-8µ. _Fries_. 

The plant is found in mixed woods and is rather common. CaptainMcIlvaine reports it edible, but I have never eaten any of theEntolomas. Some of them have a bad reputation. Found in September andOctober. 

_Entoloma grayanum. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 197. --Entoloma grayanum. One-half natural size. ]

The pileus is convex to expanded, sometimes broadly umbonate, drab incolor, the surface wrinkled or rugose, and watery in appearance. Theflesh is thin and the margin incurved. 

The gills are at first drab in color, but lighter than the pileus, becoming pinkish in age. The spores on paper are very lightsalmon-color. They are globose or rounded in outline, 5-7 angled, withan oil globule, 8-10µ, in diameter. 

The stem is of the same color as the pileus, but lighter, striate, hollow, somewhat twisted, and enlarged below. The above accuratedescription was taken from Atkinson's Studies of American Fungi. Theplants were found near a slate cut on the B. & O. Railroad nearChillicothe. Not edible. This species and E. Grisea are very closelyrelated. The latter is darker in color, with narrower gills, and has adifferent habitat. 

_Entoloma subcostatum. Atkinson n. Sp. _

[Illustration: Plate XXX. Figure 198. --Entoloma subcostatum. 

Mature plants showing broad gills and very thin flesh, also fibrousstriate stems. ]

Subcostatum means somewhat ribbed, referring to the gills. 

Plants gregarious or in troups or clusters, 6-8 cm. High; pileus 4-8cm. Broad; stems 1-1. 5 cm. Thick. 

The pileus is dark-gray to hair-brown or olive-brown, often subvirgatewith darker lines; gills light salmon-color, becoming dull; stem coloredas the pileus, but paler; in drying the stems usually become as dark asthe pileus. 

Pileus subviscid when moist, convex to expanded, plane or subgibbous, not umbonate, irregular, repand, margin incurved; flesh white, ratherthin, very thin toward the margin. 

Gills are broad, 1-1. 5 cm. Broad, narrowed toward the margin of thepileus, deeply sinuate, the angles usually rounded, adnexed, easilybecoming free, edge usually pale, sometimes connected by veins, sometimes costate, especially toward the margin of the pileus. 

Basidia four-spored. Spores subglobose, about six angles, 8-10µ indiameter, some slightly longer in the direction of the apiculus, pale-rose under the microscope. 

Stem even, fibrous striate, outer bark subcartilaginous, flesh white, stuffed, becoming fistulose. 

Odor somewhat of old meal and nutty, not pleasant; taste similar. 

Related to E. Prunuloides, Fr. , and E. Clypeatum, Linn. Differs from theformer in dark stem and uneven pileus, differs from the latter in beingsubviscid, with even stem, and pileus not umbonate and much moreirregular, and differs from both in subcostate gills. _Atkinson_. 

The specimens in Plate XXX grew in grassy ground on the campus of theOhio State University, Columbus, Ohio. They were collected by R. A. Young and photographed by Dr. W. A. Kellerman, and through his courtesyI publish it. The plants were found the last of October, 1906. 

_Entoloma salmonea. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 199. --Entoloma salmonea. ]

Pileus thin, conical or campanulate, subacute, rarely with a minutepapilla at the apex, smooth, of a peculiar soft, ochraceous color, slightly tinged with salmon or flesh color. 

The gills and stem are colored like the pileus. _Peck. _

Dr. Peck says, "It is with some hesitation that this is proposed as aspecies, its resemblance to another species is so close. The onlydifference is found in its color and in the absence of the prominentcusp of that plant. In both species the pileus is so thin that in welldried specimens, slender, dark, radiating lines on it, mark the positionof the lamellæ beneath, although in the living plant these are notvisible. " The plant in Figure 199 was found in Purgatory Swamp nearBoston, by Mrs. Blackford. They are found in August and September. 

_Entoloma clypeatum. Linn. _

THE BUCKLER ENTOLOMA. 

_Clypeatum, a shield or buckler. _ The pileus is slightly fleshy, luridwhen moist, when dry gray and rather shining, streaked, spotted, campanulate, then expanded, umbonate, smooth, watery. 

Gills just reaching the stem, rounded, ventricose, somewhat distant, minutely toothed, dirty flesh-color. 

The stem is stuffed, then hollow, equal, round, clothed with smallfibers, becoming pale, covered with a minute powdery substance. Theflesh is white when dry. This plant will be distinguished usually by theamount of white mycelium at the base of the stem. Dr. Herbst remarksthat it is a genuine Entoloma. It is certainly a beautiful plant whenfully developed. It is found in woods and in rich grounds from May tillSeptember. Label it poisonous until its reputation is established. 

_Clitopilus. Fr. _

Clitopilus is from _clitos_, a declivity; pilos, a cap. This genus hasneither volva nor ring. It is often more or less eccentric, margin atfirst involute; stem fleshy, diffused upward into the pileus; the gillsare white at first, then pink or salmon-color as the plant matures andthe spores begin to fall; decurrent, never notched. The pileus is moreor less depressed, darker in the center. The spores are salmon-color, insome cases rather pale, smooth or warted. Clitopilus is closely relatedto Clitocybe, the latter having white gills, the former pink. It differsfrom Entoloma just as Clitocybe differs from Tricholoma. It can alwaysbe distinguished from Eccilia because the stem is never cartilaginous atthe surface. It differs from the genus, Flammula, mainly in the color ofthe spores. 

_Clitopilus prunulus. Scop. _

THE PLUM CLITOPILUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 200. --Clitopilus prunulus. ]

Prunulus means a small plum; so called from the white bloom covering theplant. 

The pileus is two to four inches broad, fleshy, firm; at first convex, then expanded, at length becoming slightly depressed, often eccentric, as will be seen in Figure 200; whitish, often covered with a frost-likebloom, margin often wavy, bending backward. 

The gills are strongly decurrent, comparatively few of full length, white, then flesh-color. 

The stem is solid, white, naked, striate, short. Spores, 7-8×5. 

This is one of the most interesting plants because of the various formsit presents. 

I have found it in various parts of the state and frequently aboutChillicothe. It has a pleasant taste, and an odor reminding you of newmeal. It is tender and its flavor is excellent. 

Found in woods or open woods, especially where it is damp, and underbeech trees, as well as oak. Found from June to October. 

The plants in Figure 200 were collected near Ashville, N. C. , andphotographed by Prof. H. C. Beardslee. 

_Clitopilus orcellus. Bull. _

THE SWEET-BREAD CLITOPILUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 201. --Clitopilus orcellus. ]

Orcellus is a diminutive meaning a small cask; from _orca_, a cask. 

The pileus is fleshy, soft, plane, or slightly depressed, oftenirregular, even when young; slightly silky, somewhat viscid when moist;white or yellowish-white, flesh white, taste and odor farinaceous. 

The gills are deeply decurrent, close, whitish, then flesh-color. 

The stem is short, solid, flocculose, often eccentric, thickened above. The spores are elliptical, 9-10×5µ. _Peck_, 42d Rep. N. Y. 

This plant resembles the Plum mushroom, C. Prunulus, very closely inappearance, taste and odor, but it is considerably smaller. It grows inwet weather, in open fields and lawns. It is quite widely distributed inour state, having found it in Salem, Bowling Green, Sidney, andChillicothe. I frequently find it associated with Marasmius oreades. Thespecimens in Figure 201 were found near Ashville, N. C. , and werephotographed by Prof. H. C. Beardslee. Found from July to October. 

_Clitopilus abortivus. B. And C. _

THE ABORTIVE CLITOPILUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 202. --Clitopilus abortivus. Two-thirds naturalsize, showing the grayish-brown cap and solid stem. ]

Abortivus means abortive or imperfectly developed; so called from itsmany irregular and undeveloped forms. 

The pileus is fleshy, firm, convex, or nearly plane, regular orirregular, dry, clothed with a minute silky tomentum, becoming smootherwith age, gray or grayish-brown, flesh white, taste and odorsubfarinaceous. 

The gills are slightly or deeply decurrent, at first whitish or palegray, then flesh-colored. Spores irregular, 7. 5-10×6. 5µ. 

The stem is nearly equal, solid, minutely flocculose, sometimes fibrous, striate, paler than the pileus. _Peck_, 42d Report N. Y. 

There are often three forms of this plant; a perfect form, an imperfectform, and an abortive form as will be seen in Figure 203. The abortiveforms seem to be more common, especially in this locality. They will betaken at first to be some form of puff-ball. They are found in openwoods and in ravines. I found some very fine specimens under beech treeson Cemetery Hill. They are, however, widely distributed over the stateand the United States. The specimens in Figure 203 were collected nearAshville and photographed by Prof. Beardslee. 

[Illustration: Figure 203. --Clitopilus abortivus. Abortive forms. Edible. ]

_Clitopilus subvilis. Pk. _

THE SILKY-CAPPED CLITOPILUS. EDIBLE. 

Subvilis means very cheap, insignificant. 

The pileus is thin, centrally depressed or umbilicate, with the margindecurved, hygrophanus, dark-brown, striate on the margin when moist, taste farinaceous. 

The gills are subdistant, adnate, or slightly decurrent, whitish whenyoung, then flesh-colored. 

The stem is slender, brittle, rather long, stuffed or hollow, glabrous, colored like the pileus or a little paler. 

The spores are angular, 7. 5-10µ. _Peck_, 42d Rept. 

This plant is distinguished from Clitopilus villis by its shiningpileus, widely separated gills, and farinaceous taste. Found onRalston's Run and in Haynes' Hollow, near Chillicothe, from July toOctober. 

_Clitopilus Noveboracensis. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 204. --Clitopilus Noveboracensis. Two-thirdsnatural size. ]

Noveboracensis, the New York Clitopilus. Pileus thin, convex, thenexpanded or slightly depressed; dingy-white, cracked in areas orconcentrically 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, oftenforming white, branching, root-like fibers. Spores globose. 

Prof. Beardslee thinks that this species is doubtless identical with _C. Popinalis_ of Europe. He has submitted specimens and photographs toEuropean mycologists, who hold to this view. 

I found this plant quite abundant on the Huntington Hills after heavyrains in August. Their season is from August to October. The specimensin Figure 204 were found growing among leaves after a heavy rain October10th. The plants have a tendency to turn blackish if they are bruised inhandling them. 

Var. Brevis. This is so called from its short stem. The margin of thepileus is pure white when moist. Gills attached to the stem or slightlydecurrent. 

_Eccilia. Fr. _

Eccilia is from a Greek verb which means "I hollow out"; so calledbecause the hollow cartilaginous stem expands upward into amembranaceous pileus, whose margin at first is incurved. Gillsdecurrent, attenuated behind. 

This genus corresponds with Omphalia and is separated from Clitopilus bythe cartilaginous, smooth stem. 

_Eccilia carneo-grisea. B. & Br. _

THE FLESH-GRAY ECCILIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 205. --Eccilia carneo-grisea. Caps dark-gray orslate color. Gills rosy. ]

Carneo-grisea means fleshy-gray. 

The pileus is one inch or more broad, umbilicate, dark-gray or grayishflesh color, finely striate, margin darkened with micaceous particles. 

The gills are distant, adnate, decurrent, rosy, slightly undulate, margin irregularly darkened. 

The stem is one to two inches long, slender, smooth, hollow, wavy, samecolor as the pileus, white tomentose at the base. 

Spores irregularly oblong, rough, 7×5µ. 

It is found from Nova Scotia through the Middle West. It is commonlyreported in fir and pine woods but I find it on the hillsides aboutChillicothe in mixed woods. It is frequently found here associated withBoletinus porosus. 

Found in July, August, and September. 

_Eccilia polita. Pers. _

[Illustration: Figure 206. --Eccilia polita. Natural size. Capshair-brown to olive, umbilicate. ]

Polita means having been furbished. 

The pileus is one inch or more broad, convex, umbilicate, somewhatmembranaceous, watery, livid or hair-brown to olive, smooth, shiningwhen dry, finely striate on the margin. 

The gills are slightly decurrent, crowded, irregular or uneven, fleshcolor. 

The stem is cartilaginous, stuffed or hollow, lighter in color than thepileus, equal or sometimes slightly enlarged at the base, polished fromwhich the specific name is derived. 

This is a larger plant than E. Carneo-grisea; and it differs materiallyin the character of its spores, which are strongly angled and some ofthem square, 10-12µ in diameter, with a prominent mucro at one angle. It is found in the woods from September to frost. 

_Leptonia. Fr. _

Leptonia means slender, thin. 

The spores are salmon-color and irregular. The pileus is never trulyfleshy, cuticle always torn into scales, disk umbilicate, and oftendarker than the margin which is at first incurved. The gills areattached to the stem and easily separated in old plants. The stem isrigid, with cartilaginous bark, hollow or stuffed, smooth, shining, often dark-blue, confluent with the cap. 

_Leptonia incana. Fr. _

THE HOARY LEPTONIA. 

Incana means hoary or grayish-white. 

The pileus is about one inch broad, somewhat membranaceous, convex, thenplane, depressed in the center, smooth, with a silky lustre, marginstriate. 

The gills are attached to the stem, broad, somewhat distant, white, thengreenish. 

The stem is hollow, shining, smooth, brownish-green. The spores are veryirregular, dull-yellowish, pink, rough, 8-9µ. 

It is frequently found in pastures after warm rains. They grow inclusters, and have the odor of mice to a marked degree. 

_Leptonia serrulata. Pers. _

SAW LEPTONIA. 

[Illustration: Figure 207. --Leptonia serrulata. ]

Serrulata means saw-bearing, so named from the serrulate character ofthe gills. 

The pileus is dark-blue, flesh thin, umbilicate, depressed, withoutstriate, squamulose. 

The gills are attached to the stem, with a dark serrulate edge. 

The stem is thin, cartilaginous, paler than the pileus. 

_Nolanea. Fr. _

Nolanea means a little bell, so called from the shape of the pileus. 

It is rosy-spored. The stem is cartilaginous and hollow. The pileus issubmembranaceous, thin, bell-shaped, papillate, margin straight, pressedclose to the stem. The gills are free and not decurrent. They are foundgrowing on the ground in the woods and pastures. 

_Nolanea pascua. P. _

THE PASTURE NOLANEA. 

Pascua means pasture. 

The pileus is membranaceous, conical, then expanded, slightly umbonate, smooth, striate, watery; when dry, shining like silk. 

The gills are nearly free, ventricose, crowded, dirty-grayish. 

The stem is hollow, fragile, silky-fibrous, striate. The spores areirregular, 9-10. They are found in pastures in summer and fall, aftera rain. 

_Nolanea conica. Pk. _

THE CONE NOLANEA. 

The pileus is thin, membranaceous, conical, with a minute umbo orpapilla, cinnamon-color, striatulate when moist. 

The gills are light flesh-color, nearly free. 

The stem is slender, straight, hollow. 

Found in moist woods. 

_Claudopus. Smith. _

Claudopus is from two Greek words: _claudos_, lame; _pus_, foot. 

The pileus is eccentric or lateral like the Pleuroti. The species wereformerly placed in the Pleuroti and Crepidoti, which they very closelyresemble, save in the color of the spores. This genus formerly includedthose plants which have lilac spores, but Prof. Fries limited it tothose which have pink spores. The spores in some species are even and inothers, rough and angular. The stem is either wanting or very short, hence its name. All are found on decayed wood. 

_Claudopus nidulans. Pers. _

[Illustration: Figure 208. --Claudopus nidulans. One-half natural size. Cap yellow or buff. Gills orange-yellow. ]

Nidulans is from _nidus_, a nest. 

The pileus is sessile, sometimes narrowed behind into a short stem-likebase, caps often overlapping one another, kidney-shaped, quite downy, the margin involute, hairy toward the margin, a rich yellow or buffcolor. 

The gills are broad, moderately close, orange-yellow. 

The spores are even, 3-5×1µ, elongated, somewhat curved, delicate pinkin mass. It is quite common in the woods about Chillicothe. A maple logfrom which I secured the specimen photographed in Figure 208 wascompletely covered and presented a beautiful sight. It has a ratherstrong and disagreeable odor. It is edible, but generally tough, andmust be chopped very fine and cooked well. It is found in woods, on logsand stumps, from August to November. 

_Claudopus variabilis. Pers. _

_Variabilis, variable or changeable. _ The pileus is white, thin, resupinate--that is the plant seems to be on its back, the gills beingturned upward toward the light, quite downy, even, being fastened in thecenter to a short downy stem. 

The gills are at first white, then of the color of the spores. 

It is found on decaying limbs and branches in the woods. It is quitecommon everywhere. 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE RUSTY-SPORED AGARICS. 

The spores are of various shades of ochre yellow, rusty, rusty-brown, brown, yellowish-brown. The hymenophore is never free from the stem inthe rusty-spored series, nor is there a volva. 

_Pholiota. Fr. _

Pholiota, a scale. The members of this genus have rusty spores. Thesemay be sepia-brown, bright yellowish-brown or light red. There is novolva, but there is a ring which is sometimes persistent, friable, andfugacious. In this respect it corresponds with the Armillaria among thewhite spored agarics. The pileus is fleshy. The gills are attached tothe stem and sometimes notched with a decurrent tooth, tawny or rusty incolor on account of the falling of the spores. Many species grow onwood, logs, stumps, and branches of trees, although others grow on theground. 

_Pholiota precox. Pers. _

THE EARLY PHOLIOTA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 209. --Pholiota precox. Two-thirds natural size. Caps whitish, often tinged with yellow. ]

_Precox, early. _ Pileus is fleshy, soft, convex, then expanded, atlength smooth, even, margin at first incurved; moist but not sticky, whitish, often with slight tinge of yellow or tan-color; when the plantis fully matured it is often upturned and fluted. 

The gills are attached to the stem and slightly decurrent by a tooth, moderately broad, crowded, unequal, creamy white, then rusty-brown. Spores brownish, 8-13×6-7µ. 

The stem is stuffed, then hollow, often striate above the ring, ratherslender, sometimes mealy, skin peeling readily, whitish. The spores arerusty-brown and elliptical. The caps are from one to two inches broad, and the stem is from two to three inches long. The veil is stretchedlike a drumhead from the stem to the margin of the cap. It varies inmanner of breaking; sometimes it separates from the margin of the capand forms a ring around the stem; again, but little remains on the stemand much on the rim of the cap. 

It appears every year on the Chillicothe high school lawn. The gills arecreamy-white when the cap first opens, but they soon turn to arusty-brown. It comes in May. I have never found it after June. I amalways delighted to find it for it is always appetizing at that season. Look for them on lawns and pastures and in grain fields. 

_Pholiota dura. Bolt. _

THE HARD PHOLIOTA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 210. --Pholiota dura. One-half natural size. Capstawny tan-color. ]

Dura, hard; so called because the surface of the cap becomes quite hardand cracked. The pileus is from three to four inches or more broad, verycompact, convex, then plane, cuticle often very much cracked, margineven, tawny, tan-color, sometimes quite brown. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, somewhat decurrent with atooth, ventricose, livid, then a brown rusty color. Spores elliptical, 8-9×5-6µ. 

The stem is stuffed, hard, externally fibrous, thickened toward theapex, sometimes ventricose, often irregularly shaped. 

On June 6th, 1904, I found Mr. Dillman's garden on Hickory street, Chillicothe, white with this plant. Some were very large and beautifuland I had an excellent opportunity to observe the irregularity in theform of the stem. Some years previous I found a garden in Sidney, Ohio, equally filled. In the fall of 1905 I was asked to drive out about sevenmiles from Chillicothe to see a wheat-field, the last of October, thatwas white with mushrooms. I found them to be of this species. 

Only the young plants should be used, as the older ones are a bit tough. 

_Pholiota adiposa. Fr. _

THE FAT OR PINEAPPLE PHOLIOTA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 211. --Pholiota adiposa. Two-thirds natural size. Caps saffron-yellow. ]

Adiposa is from _adeps_, fat. The pileus is showy, deep-yellow, compact, convex, obtuse, slightly umbonate, quite viscid when moist, shining whendry; cuticle plain or broken into scales which are dark-brown, themargin incurved; the flesh is saffron-yellow, thick at the center andthinning out toward the margin. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, sometimes slightly notched, close, yellow, then rust-color with age. Spores elliptical, 7×3µ. 

The stem is equal, stuffed, tough, thickening at the base, brown belowand yellow above, quite scaly. 

The beautiful appearance of the tufts or clusters in which the PineapplePholiotas grow will attract the attention of an ordinarily unobservantbeholder. The scales on the cap seem to contract and rise from thesurface and sometimes disappear with age. The caps of mushrooms shouldnot ordinarily be peeled before cooking, but it is better to peel thisone. 

The ring is slight and the specimens represented here were found on astump in Miss Effie Mace's yard, on Paint Street, Chillicothe. 

_Pholiota Caperata. Pers. _

THE WRINKLED PHOLIOTA. EDIBLE. 

Caperata means wrinkled. 

[Illustration: Plate XXXI. Figure 212. --Pholiota caperata. ]

The pileus is three to four inches broad, fleshy, varying from a clay toa yellowish color, at first somewhat egg-shaped, then expanded, obtuse, wrinkled at the sides, the entire cap and especially at the center iscovered with a white superficial flocci. 

The gills are adnate or attached to the stem, rather crowded, this, somewhat toothed on their edges, clay-cinnamon color. Spores elliptical, 12×4. 5µ. 

The stem is four to five inches long, solid, stout, round, somewhatbulbous at the base, white, scaly above the ring, which is often veryslight, often only a trace, as will be seen on the left hand plant inFigure 212. 

The spores are dark ferruginous when caught on white paper, but paler ondark paper. 

The white superficial flocci will mark the plant. It has a widedistribution throughout the states. I found it in a number of places inOhio and it is quite plentiful about Chillicothe. It is a favorite inGermany and it is called by the common people "Zigeuner, " a Gypsy. 

It is found in September and October. 

_Pholiota unicolor. Fl. Dan. _

[Illustration: Figure 213. --Pholiota unicolor. Natural size. ]

Unicolor means of one color. 

The pileus is campanulate to convex, subumbonate, hygrophanous, bay, then ochre, nearly even, never fully expanded. 

The gills are subtriangular, adnate, seceding, broad, ochraceous-cinnamon. Spores 9-10×5µ. 

The stem is stuffed, then hollow, colored as the pileus, nearly smooth, ring thin but entire. 

They are a late grower and found on well-decayed logs. They are quitecommon in our woods. Found in November. The plants in Figure 213 werefound on the 24th of November, in Haynes' Hollow. 

_Pholiota mutablis. Schaff. _

THE CHANGEABLE PHOLIOTA. EDIBLE. 

Mutablis means changeable, variable. The pileus two to three inchesbroad, fleshy; deep cinnamon when moist, paler when dry; margin ratherthin, transparent; convex, then expanded, sometimes obtusely umbonate, and sometimes slightly depressed; even, quite smooth, flesh whitish andtaste mild. 

The gills are broad, adnate, slightly decurrent, close, pale umber, thencinnamon-color. 

The stem is two to three inches long, slender, stuffed, becoming hollow, smooth above or minutely pulverulent, and pale, below slightly scaly upto the ring, and darker at the base, ring membranaceous, externallyscaly. The spores are ellipsoid, 9-11×5-6µ. 

I find this specimen growing in a cæspitose manner on decayed wood. Itis quite common here late in the season. I found some very largespecimens on Thanksgiving day, 1905, in Gallia County, Ohio. It is oneof the latest edible plants. 

_Pholiota heteroclita. Fr. _

BULBOUS-STEMMED PHOLIOTA. 

[Illustration: Figure 214. --Pholiota heteroclita. Natural size. Capswhitish or yellowish. ]

Heteroclitus means leaning to one side, out of the center. 

The pileus is three to six inches broad, compact, convex, expanded, veryobtuse, rather eccentric, marked with scattered, innate, adpressedscales, whitish or yellowish, sometimes smooth when dry, viscid ifmoist. 

The gills are very broad, at first pallid, then ferruginous, rounded, adnexed. 

The stem is three to four inches long, solid, hard, bulbous at the base, fibrillose, white or whitish; veil apical, ring fugacious, appendiculate. The spores are subelliptical, 8-10×5-6µ. 

This species has a strong and pungent odor very much like horse-radish. It grows on wood and its favorite hosts are the poplar and the birch. Itis found at almost any time in the fall. The specimens in the Figure 214were found in Michigan and photographed by Dr. Fischer, of Detroit. 

_Pholiota aurevella. Batsch. _

GOLDEN PHOLIOTA. 

Aurevella is from _auri-vellus_, a golden fleece. 

The pileus is two to three inches in diameter, bell-shaped, convex, gibbous, tawny-yellow, with darker scales, rather viscid. 

The gills are crowded, notched behind, fixed, very broad, plane, pallidolive, at length ferruginous. 

The stem is stuffed, nearly equal, hard, various in length, curved, withrusty adpressed squamules, ring rather distant. On trunks of trees inthe fall, generally solitary. Not very common. 

_Pholiota curvipes. Fr. _

Curvipes, with a curved foot or stem. Pileus is rather fleshy, convex, then expanded, torn into adpressed floccose scales. 

The gills are adnate, broad, white, then yellowish, at length tawny. 

The stem is somewhat hollow, thin, incurved (from which it derives itsname), fibrillose, yellow, as well as is the floccose ring. Spores6-7×3-4. _Cooke. _

I found several specimens of this species at different times on one wellrotted beech log on Ralston's Run, but was unable to find it on anyother log in any woods near Chillicothe. I had trouble to place it tillProf. Atkinson helped me out. I found it from August to November. 

_Pholiota spectabilis. Fr. _

THE SHOWY PHOLIOTA. 

Spectabilis, of notable appearance, worth seeing. The pileus is compact, convex, then plane, dry, torn into silky scales disappearing toward themargin, golden orange color, flesh yellow. 

The gills are adnexed, rounded near the stem, slightly decurrent, crowded, narrow, yellow, then ferruginous. 

The stem is solid, three to four inches high, quite thick, tough, spongy, thickened toward the base, even, bulbous, somewhat rooting. Ringinferior. I found the specimens in October and November. It may growearlier. Found on decayed oak stumps. 

_Pholiota marginata. Batsch. _

THE MARGINATE PHOLIOTA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 215. --Pholiota marginata. Two-thirds natural size. Caps honey-colored and tan-colored. ]

Marginata means edged, margined; so called from the peripheral striæ ofthe pileus. 

The pileus is rather fleshy, convex, then plane, smooth, moist, watery, striate on the margin, honey-colored when moist, tan-colored when dry. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, crowded, unequal; whenmature, of a dark reddish-brown from the shedding of the spores. Spores7-8×4µ. 

The stem is cylindrical, smooth, hollow, of the same color as thepileus, covered with a frost-like bloom above the ring, which is distantfrom the apex of the stem and frequently disappears entirely. 

It is quite common, being found on nearly every rotten log in our woods. It comes early and lasts till late in the fall. The caps are excellentwhen well prepared. 

_Pholiota ægerita. Fr. _

Ægerita is the Greek name for the black poplar; so called because itgrows on decayed poplar logs. The pileus is fleshy, convex, then plane, more or less checked or rivulose, wrinkled, tawny, edge of the caprather pale. 

The gills are adnate, with a decurrent tooth, rather close, pallid, thengrowing darker. 

The stem is stuffed, equal, silky-white, ring superior, fibrillose, tumid. Spores 10×5µ. 

Found in October and November, in the woods wherever there are decayedpoplar logs. 

_Pholiota squarrosoides. Pk. _

LIKE THE SCALY PHOLIOTA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 216. --Pholiota squarrosoides. Two-thirds naturalsize. Caps yellow or yellowish. ]

Squarrosoides means like Squarrosa. The pileus is quite firm, convex, viscid, especially when moist; at first densely covered with erectpapillose or subspinose tawny scales, which soon separate from eachother, revealing the whitish or yellowish color of the cap and itsviscid character. 

The gills are close, emarginate, at first whitish, then pallid or dullcinnamon color. 

The stem is equal, firm, stuffed, rough, with thick squarrose scales, white above the thick floccose annulus, pallid or tawny below. Thespores are minute, elliptical, . 0002 inch long, . 00015 inch broad. 

They grow in tufts on dead trunks and old stumps, especially of thesugar maple. They closely resemble P. Squarrosa. Found late in the fall. Its favorite haunt is the inside of a stump or within the protection ofa log. 

_Pholiota squarrosa. Mull. _

THE SCALY PHOLIOTA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XXXII. Figure 217. --Pholiota squarrosa. ]

Squarrosa means scaly. The pileus is three to four inches broad, fleshy, bell-shaped, convex, then expanded; obtusely umbonate, tawny-yellow, clothed with rich brown scales; flesh yellow near the surface. 

The gills are attached to the stem, with a decurrent tooth, at firstyellowish, then of a pale olive, changing to rusty-brown in color, crowded, and narrow. The spores are elliptical, 8×4µ. 

The stem is three to six inches high, saffron yellow, stuffed, clothedwith small fibers, scaly like the pileus, attenuated at the base fromthe manner of its growth. The ring is close to the apex, downy, richbrown, inclining to orange in color. 

This is quite a common and showy mushroom. It is found on rotten wood, on or near stumps, growing out from a root underground, and is oftenfound at the foot of trees. Only the caps of the young specimens shouldbe eaten. It is found from August to late frost. 

_Inocybe. Fr. _

Inocybe is from two Greek words meaning fiber and head; so called fromthe fibrillose veil, concrete with the cuticle of the pileus, often freeat the margin, in the form of a cortina. The gills are somewhat sinuate, though they are sometimes adnate, and in two species are decurrent;changing color but not powdered with cinnamon. Spores are often roughbut in other specimens are even, more or less brownish rust-color. _Stevenson. _

_Inocybe scaber. Mull. _

ROUGH INOCYBE. NOT EDIBLE. 

Scaber means rough. The pileus is fleshy, conical, convex, obtuselygibbous, sprinkled with fibrous adpressed scales; margin entire, grayish-brown. 

The gills are rounded near the stem, quite crowded, pale dingy-brown. 

The stem is solid, whitish or paler than the pileus, clothed with smallfibers, equal, veiled. The spores are elliptical, smooth, 11×5µ. 

It is found on the ground in damp woods. Not good. 

_Inocybe lacera. Fr. _

THE TORN INOCYBE. 

Lacera means torn. The pileus is somewhat fleshy, convex, then expanded, obtuse, umbonate, clothed with fibrous scales. 

The gills are free, broad, ventricose, white, tinged with red, light-gray. Spores are obliquely elliptical, smooth, 12×6µ. 

The stem is slender, short, stuffed, clothed with small fibers, nakedabove, reddish within. 

Found on the ground where the soil is clayish or poor. Not good. 

_Inocybe subochracea Burtii. Peck. _

[Illustration: Figure 218. --Inocybe subochracea Burtii. Natural size. ]

This is a very interesting species. It is thus described by Dr. Peck:"Veil conspicuous, webby fibrillose, margin of the pileus morefibrillose; stem longer and more conspicuously fibrillose. The welldeveloped veil, and the longer stem, are the distinguishing charactersof this variety. "

The plants are found in mossy patches on the north hillsides aboutChillicothe. The pale ochraceous yellow and the very fibrillose caps andstem will attract the attention of the collector at once. The caps areone to two and a half inches broad and the stem is two to three incheslong. 

_Inocybe subochracea. Peck. _

Pileus thin, conical or convex, sometimes expanded, generally umbonate, fibrillose squamulose, pale ochraceous-yellow. 

The gills are rather broad, attached, emarginate, whitish, becomingbrownish-yellow. 

The stem is equal, whitish, slightly fibrillose, solid. _Peck. _

This is a small plant from one to two inches high whose cap is scarcelyover an inch broad. It grows in open groves where the soil is sandy. Itis found on Cemetery Hill from June to October. 

_Inocybe geophylla, var. Violacea. Pat. _

[Illustration: Figure 219. --Inocybe geophylla, var. Violacea. ]

This is a small plant and has all the characteristics of Inocybegeophylla excepting color of cap and gills. 

The pileus is an inch to an inch and a half broad, hemispherical atfirst, then expanded, umbonate, even, silky-fibrillose, lilac, growingpaler in age. 

The gills are adnexed, lilac at first, then colored by the spores. Spores 10×5. 

The stem equal, firm, hollow, slightly violaceous. 

This plant grows in September in mixed woods among the dead leaves. Itsbright violet color will arrest the attention at once. 

_Inocybe dulcamara. A. & S. _

[Illustration: Figure 220. --Inocybe dulcamara. ]

Dulcamara means bitter-sweet. The pileus is an inch to an inch and ahalf in diameter, rather fleshy, convex, umbonate, pilosely-scaly. 

The gills are arcuate, ventricose, pallid olivaceous. 

The stem is somewhat hollow, fibrillose and squamulose from the veil, farinaceous at the apex. Spores 8-10×5µ. 

Found from July to September, in grassy places. 

_Inocybe cincinnata. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 221. --Inocybe cincinnata. Two-thirds natural size. Caps scaly, dark or grayish-brown. ]

Cincinnata means with curled hair. This is quite an interesting littleplant. It is found on Cemetery Hill, in Chillicothe, under the pinetrees and along the walks where there is but little grass. It isgregarious and quite a hardy plant. 

The pileus is fleshy, convex, then plane, quite squarrosely scaly, somewhat dark or grayish-brown. 

The gills are grayish-brown with a tinge of violet at times; adnexed, rather close, ventricose. 

The stem is solid, slender, scaly, somewhat lighter than the pileus. Thespores are 8-10×5µ. 

This plant seems to be a late grower. I did not find it till about the15th of October and it continued till the last of November. I had foundtwo other species on the same hill earlier in the season. No Inocybesare good to eat. 

_Inocybe pyriodora. Pers. _

Pyriodora, smelling like a pear. The pileus is one to two inches broad, quite strongly umbonate, at first conical, expanded, covered withfibrous adpressed scales, in old plants the margin turned up, smoky orbrown-ochre becoming pale. 

The gills are notched at the stem, not crowded, dingy-white, becomingnearly cinnamon-brown, somewhat ventricose. 

The stem is two to three inches long, stuffed, firm, equal, pale, apexpruinose, veil very fugacious. Flesh tinged with red. 

Common in the woods in September and October. The plant is not edible. 

_Inocybe rimosa. Bull. _

THE CRACKED INOCYBE. 

Rimosa, cracked. The pileus is one to two inches broad, shining, satiny, adpressed fibrillose, brown-yellow, campanulate, then expanded, longitudinally cracked. 

The gills are free, somewhat ventricose, at first white, brownish-claycolor. 

The stem is one to two inches high, distant from the pileus, solid, firm, nearly smooth, bulbous, mealy white above. Spores smooth, 10-11×6µ. 

I. Eutheles differs from this species in being umbonate; I. Pyriodora inits strong smell. Many plants will often be found in one place in openwoods or in cleared places. Their radiately cracked pilei, with theinner substance showing yellow through the cracks, will help todistinguish the species. Found from June to September. 

_Hebeloma. Fr. _

Hebeloma is from two Greek words meaning youth and fringed. Partial veilfibrillose or absent. Pileus is smooth, continuous, somewhat viscid, margin incurved. The gills are notched adnate, edge of different color, whitish. The spores clay-color. All found on the ground. 

_Hebeloma glutinosum. Linn. _

Glutinosum, abounding in glue. The pileus is one to three inches broad, light-yellow, the disk darker, fleshy, convex, then plane, covered witha viscid gluten in wet weather; flesh is white, becoming yellow. 

The gills are attached to the stem, notched, slightly decurrent, crowded, pallid, light yellow, then clay-color. Spores elliptical, 10-12×5µ. 

The stem is stuffed, firm, somewhat bulbous, covered with white scales, and mealy at the top. There is a partial veil in the form of a cortina. 

Found among leaves in the woods. In wet weather the gluten is abundant. While it is not poisonous it is not good. 

_Hebeloma fastibile. Fr. _

OCHREY HEBELOMA. POISONOUS. 

Fastibilis means nauseous, disagreeable; so called from its pungenttaste and smell. 

The pileus is one to three inches across, convex, plane, wavy, viscid, smooth, pale yellowish-tan, margin involute and downy. 

The gills are notched, rather distant, pallid, then cinnamon;lachrymose. 

The stem is two to four inches long, solid, subbulbous, white, fibrousscaly, sometimes twisted, often becoming hollow, veil evident. Thespores are pip-shaped, 10×6µ. 

The odor is much the same as in H. Crustuliniforme but it differs inhaving a manifest veil and more distant gills. Found in woods from Julyto October. 

_Hebeloma crustuliniforme. Bull. _

THE RING HEBELOMA. NOT EDIBLE. 

Crustuliniforme means the form of a cake or bun. 

The pileus is convex, then expanded, smooth, somewhat viscid, oftenwavy, yellowish-red, quite variable in size. 

The gills are notched, thin, narrow, whitish then brown, crowded, edgecrenulate, and with beads of moisture. 

The stem is solid, or stuffed, firm, subbulbous, whitish, with minutewhite recurved flecks. 

It is found in woods or about old sawdust piles. The plants sometimesgrow in rings. September to November. 

_Hebeloma pascuense. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 222. --Hebeloma pascuense. Natural size. Capschestnut-color. ]

Pascuense, pertaining to pastures; referring to its habitat. 

The pileus is convex, becoming nearly plane, viscid when moist, obscurely innately fibrillose; brownish-clay, often darker or rufescentin the center, the margin in the young plant slightly whitened by thethin webby veil; the margin of the cap more or less irregular, fleshwhite, the taste mild, odor weak. 

The gills are close, rounded behind, adnexed, whitish, becoming paleochraceous. 

The stem is short, firm, equal, solid, fibrillose, slightly mealy at thetop, whitish or pallid. 

The spores are pale ochraceous, subelliptical. I found the plants inFigure 222 on Cemetery Hill late in November. It is a very low plant, growing under the pine trees and keeping close to the walks. Thewhitened margin of the young plant is a very good ear-mark by which toknow this species. 

_Pluteolus. Fr. _

Pluteolus means a small shed. It is the diminutive of _pluteus_, a shedor penthouse, from its conical cap. 

The pileus is rather fleshy, viscid, conical or campanulate, thenexpanded; margin at first straight, adpressed to the stem. Stem somewhatcartilaginous, distinct from the hymenophore. Gills free, roundedbehind. 

_Pluteolus reticulatus. Pers. _

Reticulatus means made like a net; from _rete_, a net, so called fromthe net-like appearance of veins on the cap. 

The pileus is slightly fleshy, campanulate, then expanded, rugoso-reticulate, viscid, margin striate, pale violaceous. 

The gills are free, ventricose, crowded, saffron-yellow, to ferruginous. 

The stem is one to two inches long, hollow, fragile, fibrillose, inclined to be mealy at the top, white. 

I have found only a few plants of this species in our state. It seems tobe rare. The anastomosing veins on the cap and its pale violaceous colorwill mark the species. I have always found it on decayed wood. CaptainMcIlvaine speaks of finding it in quantities on the stems of fallenweeds and says it was tender and of fine flavor. September. 

_Galera. Fr. _

Galera means a small cap. The pileus is more or less bell-shaped, marginstraight, at first depressed to the stem, hygrophanous, almost even, atomate when dry, more or less membranaceous. 

The gills are attached to the stem or with a decurrent tooth, as inMycena. 

The stem is cartilaginous, hollow, confluent with, but different intexture from the cap. The veil is often wanting, but when present isfibrous and fugacious. The spores are ochraceous ferruginous. 

_Galera hypnorum. Batsch. _

THE MOSS-LOVING GALERA. 

Hypnorum means of mosses; from _hypna_, moss. 

The pileus is membranaceous, conic, campanulate, smooth, striate, waterywhen moist, pale when dry, cinnamon. 

The gills are attached to the stem, broad, rather distant, cinnamon-colored, whitish on the edge. 

The stem is slender, wavy, same color as the pileus, pruinose at theapex. This plant is very like G. Tenera, only much smaller, and of avery different habitat. Found in mosses from June to October. 

_Galera tenera. Schaeff. _

THE SLENDER GALERA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 223. --Galera tenera. ]

Tenera is the feminine form of _tener_, slender, delicate. 

The pileus is somewhat membranaceous, at first cone-shaped, partiallyexpanded, bell-shaped, hygrophanous, ochraceous when dry. 

The gills are attached to the stem, crowded, rather broad, ascending, cinnamon-brown, the edges whitish, sometimes slightly serrate. 

The stem is straight, hollow, fragile, rather shining; three to fourinches long, equal or sometimes inclined to thicken downward, of nearlythe same color as the pileus. The spores are elliptical and a darkrust-color, 12-13×7µ. 

You will frequently meet a variety whose cap and stem are quitepubescent but whose other characteristics agree with G. Tenera. Prof. Peck calls it G. Tenera var. Pilosella. 

Found in richly manured lawns and pastures. It is quite common. Thecaps, only, are good. 

_Galera lateritia. Fr. _

THE BRICK-RED GALERA. EDIBLE. 

Lateritia means made of brick, from _later_, a brick; so called becausethe caps are brick-colored. 

The pileus is somewhat membranaceous, cone-shaped, then bell-shaped, obtuse, even, hygrophanous, rather pale yellow when wet, ochraceous whendry. 

The gills are almost free, adnexed to the top of the cone, linear, verynarrow, tawny or ferruginous. 

The stem is three to four inches long, hollow, slightly tapering upward, straight, fragile, white pruinose, whitish. Spores are elliptical, 11-12×5-6µ. 

This plant resembles G. Ovalis, from which it can be distinguished byits linear ascending gills and the absence of a veil. 

Found on dung and in richly manured pastures, from July to frost. 

_Galera Kellermani. Pk. Sp. Nov. _

[Illustration: Figure 224. --Galera Kellermani. Showing young plants. ]

[Illustration: Figure 225. --Galera Kellermani. Showing older plants. ]

Kellermani is named in honor of Dr. W. A. Kellerman, Ohio StateUniversity. 

The pileus is very thin, subovate or subconic, soon becoming plane ornearly so; striatulate nearly to the center when moist, more or lesswavy and persistently striate on the margin when dry, minutely granuloseor mealy when young, unpolished when mature, often with a few scatteredfloccose squamules when young, and sometimes with a few slight fragmentsof a veil adhering to the margin which appears as if finely notched bythe projecting ends of the gills; watery-brown when moist, grayish-brownwhen dry, a little darker in the center; taste slight, odor faint, likethat of decaying wood. 

The gills are thin, close, adnate, a delicate cinnamon-brown becomingdarker with age. The stem is two and a half to four cm. Long, slender, equal, or slightly tapering upward; finely striate, minutely scurvy ormealy, at least when young; hollow, white. The spores are brownishferruginous with a faint pinkish tint in mass, elliptic, 8-12×6-7µ. _Peck. _

Dr. Peck says the distinguishing features of this species are itsbroadly expanded or plane grayish-brown pileus, with its granulose ormealy surface, its persistently striate margin, and its very narrowgills becoming brownish with age. I have seen the plant growing in theculture beds in the greenhouse of the Ohio State University. It is abeautiful plant. Plants of all ages are shown in Figures 224 and 225. 

_Galera crispa. Longyear. _

[Illustration: Figure 226. --Galera crispa. Natural size. Capochraceous-brown. ]

Crispa means crisped; the specific name is based on the peculiarcharacter of the gills which are always crisped as soon as the pileus isexpanded. 

The pileus is 1. 5 to 3. 5 cm. Broad, membranaceous, persistentlyconico-campanulate, subacute, uneven and somewhat rivulose, ochraceous-brown on disk, lighter toward the margin which becomescrenulate and upturned in older specimens; slightly pruinose at first, rugulose and a little paler when dry. 

The gills are adnexed, not crowded, rather narrow, interspersed withanastomosing veins; much crisped; at first nearly white, then becomingferruginous from the spores. 

The stem is 7 to 10 cm. Long, tapering from a somewhat bulbous base, yellowish-white, pruinose at base, hollow, fragile. The spores are8-10µ broad, 12-16µ long. _Longyear. _

They are found in grass on lawns and in pastures, June and July. 

Dr. Peck, to whom specimens were referred, suggested that they may be avariety of G. Lateritia, unless the peculiar character of the gillsproved to be constant. Prof. Longyear has found the plant frequently inMichigan and it was found by him in the City Park, Denver, Col. , inJuly, 1905. 

Its distinguishing characteristic is sufficiently constant to make therecognition of the species a matter of ease. The plants in Figure 226were photographed by Prof. B. O. Longyear. 

_Galera ovalis. Fr. _

THE OVAL GALERA. 

The pileus is somewhat membranaceous, oval or bell-shaped, even, watery, dusky-rust color, somewhat larger than G. Tenera. 

The gills are almost free, ventricose, very broad, rust-colored. 

The stem is straight, equal, slightly striate, nearly of the same coloras the cap, about three inches long. Found in pastures where stock hasbeen. I have found it in the Dunn pasture, on the Columbus pike, RossCounty, O. 

_Crepidotus. Fr. _

_Crepidotus_ is from a Greek word meaning a slipper. The spores are darkor yellowish-brown. There is no veil. The pileus is excentric, dimidiateor resupinate. The flesh is soft. The stem is lateral or wanting, whenpresent it is continuous with the cap. They generally grow on wood. 

_Crepidotus versutus. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 227. --Crepidotus versutus. Natural size. Caps purewhite. ]

This is a very modest little plant growing on the underside of rottenlogs or bark, thus, no doubt, escaping the attention of many. Sometimesit may be found growing from the side of a log, in which case it growsin a shelving form. When growing under the log the upper side of thecap is against the wood and it is said to be resupinate. 

The pileus is kidney-form, quite small, thin, pure white, covered with asoft whitish down. 

The gills are radiate from the point of attachment of the cap, notcrowded, whitish, then ferruginous from the spores. 

_Crepidotus mollis. Schaeff. _

SOFT CREPIDOTUS. 

The pileus is between subgelatinous and fleshy; one to two inches broad;sometimes solitary, sometimes imbricated; flaccid, even, smooth, reniform, subsessile, pallid, then grayish. 

The gills are decurrent from base, crowded, linear, whitish then waterycinnamon. The spores are elliptical, ferruginous, 8-9×5-6µ. 

This species is widely distributed and quite common on decayed logs andstumps, from July to October. 

_Naucoria. Fr. _

Naucoria, a nut shell. The pileus is some shade of yellow, convex, inflexed, smooth, flocculent or scaly. The gills are attached to thestem, sometimes nearly free, never decurrent. The stem is cartilaginous, confluent with the cap but of a different texture, hollow or stuffed. The veil is absent or sometimes small traces may be seen attached to therim of the pileus, in young plants in the form of flakes. The spores areof various shades of brown, dull or bright. They grow on the ground onlawns and rich pastures. Some on wood. 

_Naucoria hamadryas. Fr. _

THE NYMPH NAUCORIA. EDIBLE. 

Hamadryas, one of the nymphs whose life depended upon the tree to whichshe was attached. 

The pileus is one to two inches broad, rather fleshy, convex, expanded, gibbous, even, bay-ferruginous when young and moist, pale yellowish whenold. 

The gills are attenuated, adnexed, almost free, rusty, slightlyventricose, somewhat crowded. 

The stem is hollow, equal, fragile, smooth, pallid, two to three incheslong. The spores are elliptical, rust-color, 13-14×7µ. 

This is quite a common species, often growing alone along pavements, under shade trees, and in the woods. The caps only are good. Found fromJune to November. 

_Naucoria pediades. Fr. _

THE TAN-COLORED NAUCORIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 228. --Naucoria pediades. Natural size. ]

Pediades is from a Greek word meaning a plain or a field, referring toits being found on lawns and pastures. 

The pileus is somewhat fleshy, convex, then plane, obtuse or depressed, dry, finally opaque, frequently inclined to be minutely rivulose. 

The gills are attached to the stem but not adnate to it, broad, subdistant, only a few entire brownish, then a dingy cinnamon. 

The stem is pithy or stuffed, rather wavy and silky, yellowish, baseslightly bulbous. The spores are of a brownish-rust color, 10-12×4-5µ. 

If the small bulb at the base of the stem is examined, it will be foundto be formed chiefly of mycelium rolled together around the base. It isfound on lawns and richly manured pastures from May to November. Useonly the caps. This plant is usually known as semiorbicularis. 

_Naucoria paludosella. Atkinson n. Sp. _

[Illustration: Plate XXXIII. Figure 229. --Naucoria paludosella. 

Showing mode of growth, clay-brown scales on the caps. ]

Paludosella is a diminutive of _palus_, gen. Paludis, a swamp or marsh. 

Plants six to eight cm. High; pileus two and a half to three cm. Broad;stem three to four mm. Thick. 

Pileus viscid when moist, convex to expanded, in age somewhat depressed;clay color, darker over center, often with appressed clay brown scaleswith a darker color. 

Gills raw umber to Mars brown (R), emarginate, adnate sometimes with adecurrent tooth, easily becoming free. 

Cystidia on sides of gills none, edge of gills with large, hyaline, thin-walled cells, subventricose, sometimes nearly cylindrical, abruptly narrowed at each end with a slight sinus around the middle. 

Spores subovate to subelliptical, subinequilateral, smooth, 7-9×4-5µ, fuscous ferruginous, dull ochraceous under microscope. 

Stem same color as pileus but paler, cartilaginous; floccose from loosethreads or, in some cases, abundant threads over the surface; becominghollow, base bulbous, the extreme base covered with whitish mycelium. 

Veil rather thick, floccose, disappearing, leaving remnant on stem andmargin of pileus when fresh. _Atkinson. _

Dr. Kellerman and I found this plant growing on living sphagnum, othermosses and on rotten wood on Cranberry Island, in Buckeye Lake, Ohio. Figure 229 will illustrate its mode of growth, and the older plant withupturned cap will show the conspicuous clay-brown scales of the pileus. The plants are found in September and October. 

_Flammula. Fr. _

Flammula means a small flame; so called because many of the species havebright colors. The spores are ferruginous, sometimes light yellow. Thecap is fleshy and at first usually inrolled, bright colored; veilfilamentous, often wanting. The gills are decurrent or attached with atooth. The stem is fleshy, fibrous, and of the same character as thecap. 

The species of the Flammula are mostly found on wood. A few are found onthe ground. 

_Flammula flavida. Schaeff. _

THE YELLOW FLAMMULA. 

Flavida means yellow. 

The pileus is fleshy, convex, expanded, plane, equal smooth, moist, margin at first inrolled. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, yellow, turning slightlyferruginous. 

The stem is stuffed, somewhat hollow, fibrillose, yellow, ferruginous atthe base. 

These plants are of a showy yellow, and are frequently found in ourwoods on decayed logs. They are found in July and August. 

_Flammula carbonaria. Fr. _

THE VISCID FLAMMULA. 

[Illustration: Figure 230. --Flammula carbonaria. ]

Carbonaria is so called because it is found on charcoal or burned earth. 

The pileus is quite fleshy, tawny-yellow, at first convex, then becomingplane, even, thin, viscid, margin of the cap at first inrolled, fleshyellow. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, clay-colored or brown, moderately close. 

The stem is stuffed or nearly hollow, slender, rigid, squamulose, pallid, quite short. 

The spores are ferruginous-brown, elliptical, 7×3. 5µ. 

I have found this species quite frequently where an old stump had beenburned out. It is gregarious. I have only found it from September toNovember but the specimens in Figure 230 were sent to me in May, fromBoston. They were found in great abundance in Purgatory Swamp, where thegrass and vegetation had been burned away. 

_Flammula fusus. Batsch. _

Fusus means a spindle; so called from the spindle-shaped stem. 

The pileus is compact, convex, then expanded, even, rather viscid, reddish-tan, flesh yellowish. 

The gills are somewhat decurrent, pallid yellow, becoming ferruginous. 

The stem is stuffed, firm, colored like the pileus, fibrillose, striate, attenuated and somewhat fusiform, rooting. The spores are broadlyelliptical, 10×4µ. 

Found on well-decayed logs or on ground made up largely of decayed wood. Found from July to October. 

_Flammula fillius. Fr. _

The pileus is two to three inches broad, even, smooth, with ratherviscid cuticle, pale orange-red with the disc reddish. 

The gills are attached to the stem, arcuate, rather crowded, white, thenpallid or tawny-yellow. 

The stem is three to five inches long, hollow, smooth, pallid, reddishwithin. The spores are elliptical, 10×5µ. 

Found on the ground in the woods from July to October. 

_Flammula squalida. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 231. --Flammula squalida. ]

The pileus is one to one and a half inches broad, fleshy, convex, orplane, firm, viscose, glabrous, dingy-yellowish or rufescent, fleshwhitish but in color similar to the pileus under the separate cuticle. 

The gills are rather broad, adnate, pallid, becoming dark ferruginous. 

The stem is one and a half to three inches long, one to two lines thick, slender, generally flexuose, hollow fibrillose, pallid or brownish, pale-yellow at the top when young; spores are brownish-ferruginous, . 0003 inch long, . 00016 broad. _Peck. _

It is found in bushy and swampy places. Dr. Peck says it is closelyrelated to F. Spumosa. Its dingy appearance, slender habit, more uniformand darker color of the pileus, and darker color of the lamellæ. Itgrows in groups. The plant in Figure 231 was found in Purgatory Swamp, by Mrs. Blackford. Found in August and September. 

_Paxillus. Fr. _

Paxillus means a small stake or peg. The spores as well as the entireplant are ferruginous. The pileus, with an involute margin, graduallyunfolds. It may be symmetrical or eccentric. The stem is continuous withthe hymenophore. The gills are tough, soft, persistent, decurrent, branching, membranaceous, usually easily separating from thehymenophore. 

The distinctive features of this genus are the involute margin and thesoft, tough, and decurrent gills which are easily separable from thehymenophore. Some grow on the ground, others grow on stumps and sawdust. 

_Paxillus involutus. Fr. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 232. --Paxillus involutus. ]

Involutus means rolled inward. The pileus is two to four inches broad, fleshy, compact, convex, plane, then depressed; viscid when moist, thecap being covered with a fine downy substance, so that when the marginof the cap unrolls the marks of the gills are quite prominent; yellowishor tawny-ochraceous, spotting when bruised. 

The gills are decurrent, branched; anastomosing behind, near the stem;easily separating from the hymenophore. 

The stem is paler than the pileus, fleshy, solid, firm, thickenedupward, brown spotted. 

The flesh is yellowish, changing to reddish or brownish when bruised. The spores are rust-colored and elliptical, 8-10µ. It is found on theground and decayed stumps. When found on the side of a decayed stump ora moss-covered log the stem is usually eccentric, but in other cases itis generally central. 

It will be found around swampy places in an open woods. I found quitelarge specimens around a swamp in Mr. Shriver's woods near Chillicothe, but they were too far gone to photograph. It is edible but coarse. Itappears from August to November. Some authors call it the BrownChantarelle. 

_Paxillus atrotomentosus. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 233. --Paxillus atrotomentosus. ]

Atrotomentosus is from _ater_, black, and _tomentum_, woolly or downy. 

The pileus is three to six inches broad, rust-color or reddish-brown, compactly fleshy, eccentric, convex then plane or depressed, marginthin, frequently minutely rivulose, sometimes tomentose in the center, flesh white, tinged with brown under the cuticle. 

The gills are attached to the stem, slightly decurrent, crowded, branched at the base, yellowish-tawny, interspaces venose. 

The stem is two to three inches long, stout, solid, elastic, eccentricor lateral, rooting, covered except at the apex with a dark-brownvelvety down. The spores are elliptical, 5-6×3-4µ. 

I found the specimen in Figure 233 at the foot of an old pine tree onhillside at Sugar Grove, Ohio. I found the plant frequently at Salem, Ohio. It grows where the pine tree is a native. It is not poisonous. Ido not regard it as very good. Found during August and September. 

_Paxillus rhodoxanthus. Schw. _

THE YELLOW PAXILLUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 234. --Paxillus rhodoxanthus. Two-thirds naturalsize. Cap reddish-yellow or chestnut-brown. Gills yellow. ]

Rhodoxanthus means a yellow rose. The pileus is one to two inches broad, convex, then expanded, cushion-shaped, the epidermis of the cap oftencracked showing the yellow flesh, resembling very much Boletussubtomentosus; reddish-yellow or chestnut-brown. The flesh is yellow andthe cap dry. 

The gills are decurrent, somewhat distant, stout, chrome yellow, occasionally forked at the base; anastomosing veins quite prominent, thecystidia being very noticeable. 

The stem is firm, stout, of the same color as the cap, perhaps paler andmore yellow at the base. The spores are oblong, yellow, 8-12×3-5µ. 

This is one of the most troublesome plants whose genus we have tosettle. One of my mycological friends advised me to omit it from thegenus altogether. It has been placed in various genera, but I havefollowed Prof. Atkinson and classed it under Paxillus. The plant iswidely distributed. I find it frequently about Chillicothe. It isedible. Found in August, September and October. A full discussion of theplant will be found in Prof. Atkinson's book. 

_Cortinarius. Fr. _

Cortinarius is from _cortina_, a curtain, alluding to a cobwebby veilseen only in the comparatively young plants. Sometimes, parts of it willseem more substantial, remaining for a time on the margin of the cap oron the stem. The color of the pileus varies and its flesh and that ofthe stem are continuous. The hymenophore and the gills are continuous. The gills are attached to the stem, frequently notched, membranaceous, persistent, changing color, dry, powdery, with rusty-yellow spores whichdrop slowly. The veil and gills are the chief marks of distinction. Theformer is gossamer-like and separate from the cuticle, and the latterare always powdered. It is always essential to note the color of thegills in the young plant, since color is variable and sometimes showsonly the slightest trace on the stem, colored from the falling spores. 

Most authorities divide the genus into six tribes, from the appearanceof the pileus. They are as follows:

I. Phlegmacium, meaning a shiny or clammy moisture. The pileus has acontinuous pellicle, viscid when moist, stem dry, veil spider-webby. 

II. Myxacium, meaning mucus, slime; so called from the glutinous veil. The pileus is fleshy, glutinous, rather thin; the gills are attached tothe stem, slightly decurrent; the stem is viscid, polished when dry, slightly bulbous. 

III. Inoloma, meaning a fibrous fringe; from _is_, genitive _inos_, afibre; and _loma_, a fringe. 

The pileus is fleshy, dry, not hygrophanous or viscid, silky with innatescales; the gills may be violaceous, pinkish-brown, yellow at first, then in all cases cinnamon-color from the spores; the stem is fleshy andsomewhat bulbous; veil simple. 

IV. Dermocybe, meaning a skinhead; from _derma_, skin, and _cybe_, ahead. 

The pileus thin and fleshy, entirely dry, at first clothed with silkydown, becoming smooth in mature plants. The gills are changeable incolor. The stem is equal or tapering downward, stuffed, sometimeshollow, smooth. 

V. Telamonia, meaning a bandage or lint. The pileus is moist, watery, smooth or sprinkled with whitish superficial fibres, the remnants of theweb-like veil. The flesh is thin, somewhat thicker at the center. Thestem is ringed and frequently scaly from the universal veil, slightlyveiled at the apex, hence almost with a double veil. The plants areusually quite large. 

VI. Hydrocybe, meaning water-head or moist head. The pileus is moist, not viscid, smooth or sprinkled with a whitish superficial fibril, fleshchanging color when dry, and rather thin. The stem is somewhat rigid andbare. Veil thin, fibrillose, rarely forming a ring. Gills also thin. 

TRIBE I. PHLEGMACIUM. 

_Cortinarius purpurascens. Fr. _

THE PURPLISH CORTINARIUS. EDIBLE. 

Purpurascens means becoming purple or purplish; so named because theblue gills become purple when bruised. 

The pileus is four to five inches broad, bay-brown, viscid, compact, wavy, spotted when old; often depressed at the margin, sometimes bendingback; the flesh blue. 

The gills are broadly notched, crowded, bluish-tan, then cinnamon-color, becoming purplish when bruised. 

The stem is solid, bulbous, clothed with small fibres, blue, verycompact, juicy; becoming purplish when rubbed. The spores areelliptical, 10-12×5-6µ. 

This is one of the delicious mushrooms to eat, the stem cooking tenderas readily as the caps. I found it in Tolerton's woods, Salem, Ohio, andin Poke Hollow near Chillicothe. September to November. 

_Cortinarius turmalis. Fr. _

THE YELLOW-TAN CORTINARIUS. EDIBLE. 

Turmalis means of or belonging to a troop or a squadron, turma; socalled because occurring in groups, and not solitary. 

The pileus is two to four inches broad, viscid when wet, ochraceous-yellow, smooth, discoid, flesh soft; veil extending from themargin of the cap to the stem in delicate arachnoid threads, best seenin young plants. 

The gills are emarginate, decurrent, depending upon the age of theplant; crowded, somewhat serrated, whitish at first, thenbrownish-ochraceous-yellow. The remnants of the veil will usually showabove the middle of the stem as a zone of minute striæ, darker than thestem. 

I found specimens on Cemetery Hill under pine trees. September toNovember. 

_Cortinarius olivaceo-stramineus. Kauff. N. Sp. _

Olivaceo-stramineus means an olive straw-color. 

Pileus 4-7 cm. Broad, viscid from a glutinous cuticle, broadly convex, slightly depressed in the center when expanded; margin incurved for sometime; pale-yellow with an olivaceous tinge, slightly rufous-tinged whenold; smooth or silky-fibrillose, disk sometimes covered with minutesquamules, shreds of the partial veil attached to the margin whenexpanded. Flesh very thick, becoming abruptly thin toward the margin, white, dingy-yellowish in age, soon soft and spongy. Gills rathernarrow, 7 mm. Broad, sinuate-adnexed, whitish at first, then palecinnamon, crowded, edge serratulate and paler. Stem 6-8 cm. Long, witha slight bulb when young, from whose margin arises the dense partialveil; white and very pruinate above the veil, which remains as dingyfibrils stained by the spores; spongy and soft within, becoming somewhathollow. Veil white with an olive tinge. Spores, 10-12×5. 5-6. 5µ, granular within, almost smooth. Odor agreeable. 

Kauffman says this resembles C. Herpeticus, except that the gills whenyoung are never violet-tinged. 

I found this plant in Poke Hollow, near Chillicothe. It was unknown tome and I sent it to Dr. Kauffman of Michigan University to determine. Ifound it under beech trees, during October and November. 

_Cortinarius varius. Fr. _

THE VARIABLE CORTINARIUS. EDIBLE. 

_Varius--Variable_, so called because it varies in stature, its colorand habit are unchangeable. The pileus is about two inches broad;compact, hemispherical, then expanded; regular, slightly viscid, thinmargin at first incurved, sometimes with fragments of the web-like veiladhering. 

The gills are notched, thin, crowded, quite entire, purplish, at lengthclay-colored or cinnamon. 

The stem is solid, short, covered with threads, whitish, bulbous, fromone and a half to two and a half inches long. 

The plant is quite variable in size but constant in color. It is foundin woods. I found specimens at Salem, Ohio, and at Bowling Green, Ohio. September to November. 

_Cortinarius cærulescens. Fr. _

THE AZURE-BLUE CORTINARIUS. EDIBLE. 

Cærulescens, azure-blue. Pileus fleshy, convex, expanded, even, viscid, azure-blue, flesh soft, not changing color when bruised. 

The gills are attached to the stem, slightly rounded behind, crowded, quite entire, at first of a pure dark blue, then rusty from the spores. 

The stem is solid, attenuated upward, firm, bright violet, becomingpale, whitish, bulb growing less with age, fibrillose from vein. Sporeselliptical. Neither the flesh nor the gills change color when bruised. This fact distinguishes it from C. Purpurascens. When young the entireplant is more or less blue, or bluish-purple, and the color neverentirely leaves the plant. In age it becomes somewhat spotted withyellow. The flesh is a little tough and needs to be stewed for sometime. Found in Whinnery's woods, Salem, Ohio. September to October. 

TRIBE II. MYXACIUM. 

_Cortinarius collinitus. Fr. _

THE SMEARED CORTINARIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 235. --Cortinarius collinitus. One-half naturalsize. Caps purplish-brown, also showing veil. ]

Collinitus means smeared. The pileus is at first hemispherical, convex, then expanded, obtuse; smooth, even, glutinous, shining when dry;purplish when young, later brownish; at first incurved. 

The gills are attached to the stem, rather broad, dingy-white orgrayish-tan when young, then cinnamon. 

The stem is solid, cylindrical, viscid or glutinous when moist, transversely cracking when dry, whitish or paler than the cap. Thespores are elliptical, 12×6µ. I found this species in Tolerton's woods, Salem, Ohio, St. John's woods, Bowling Green, Ohio, also on Ralston'sRun near Chillicothe, where the specimens in Figure 235 were found. Bothcap and stem are covered with a thick gluten. They grow, with us, inwoods among leaves. The young plant has a development peculiar toitself. The cap varies greatly in color. The flesh is white or whitish. The peculiar bluish-white gills of the young plant will attractattention at once. It is found from September to November. 

TRIBE III. INOLOMA. 

_Cortinarius autumnalis. Pk. _

THE FALL CORTINARIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 236. --Cortinarius autumnalis. Two-thirds naturalsize. Cap a dull rusty-yellow, also showing bulbous stem. ]

Autumnalis pertaining to fall. The pileus is fleshy, convex or expanded, dull rusty-yellow, variegated, or streaked with innate rust-coloredfibrils. 

The gills are rather broad, with a wide, shallow emargination. 

The stem is equal, solid, firm, bulbous, a little paler than the pileus. 

The height is three to four inches, breadth of pileus two to fourinches. _Peck. _

The plant was named by Dr. Peck because it was found late in the fall. Ifound the plant on several occasions in September, 1905. It grew verysparingly in a mixed woods on a north hillside. 

_Cortinarius alboviolaceus. Pers. _

THE LIGHT VIOLET CORTINARIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 237. --Cortinarius alboviolaceus. The caps areviolet. ]

Alboviolaceus means whitish-violet. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, fleshy, rather thin, convex, then expanded, sometimes broadly subumbonate; smooth, silky, whitish, tinged with lilac or pale violet. 

The gills are generally serrulate, whitish-violet, then cinnamon-color. 

The stem is three to four inches long, equal or tapering upward, solid, silky, white, stained with violet, especially at the top, slightlybulbous, the bulb gradually tapering into the stem. Spores, 12×5-6µ. _Peck's_ Report. 

Sometimes the stem has a median ring-like zone, being violet above thezone and white below. The spider-like veil shows very plainly in thespecimen on the left in Figure 237. In the plant on the right is shownthe tapering stem from the base to the apex. These plants were found inPoke Hollow, September 21st. They are quite abundant there and elsewhereabout Chillicothe. They are very good but not equal in flavor to C. Violaceus. They are found in mixed woods. September to frost. 

_Cortinarius lilacinus. Pk. _

THE LILAC-COLORED CORTINARIUS. EDIBLE. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, firm, hemispherical, thenconvex, minutely silky, lilac-color. 

The gills are close, lilac, then cinnamon. 

The stem is four to five inches long, stout, bulbous, silky-fibrillose, solid, whitish, tinged with lilac. Spores nucleate, 10×6µ. _Peck. _

I have found this plant in but one place near Chillicothe. In PokeHollow on a north hillside I have found a number of rare specimens. Allwere identified by Dr. Kauffman of Michigan University. All were foundunder beech trees within a very small radius. September and October. 

_Cortinarius bolaris. Fr. _

THE COLLARED CORTINARIUS. 

The pileus is fleshy, obsoletely umbonate, growing pale, variegated withsaffron-red, adpressed, innate, pilose scales. 

The gills are subdecurrent, crowded, watery cinnamon. 

The stem is two to three inches long, at first stuffed, then hollow, nearly equal, squamose. 

Found under beech trees. Only occasionally found here. 

_Cortinarius violaceus. Fr. _

THE VIOLET CORTINARIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 238. --Cortinarius violaceus. Two-thirds naturalsize. Caps dark violet. Stems bulbous. Gills violet. ]

Violaceus, violet color. The pileus is convex, becoming nearly plane, dry, adorned with numerous persistent hairy tufts or scales; darkviolet. 

The gills are rather thick, distant, rounded, or deeply notched at theinner extremity; colored like the pileus in the young plant, brownish-cinnamon in the mature plant. 

The stem is solid, clothed with small fibres; bulbous, colored like thepileus. The spores are slightly elliptical. 

The Violet Cortinarius is a very beautiful mushroom and one easy ofrecognition. At first the whole plant is uniformly colored, but with agethe gills assume a dingy ochraceous or brownish-cinnamon hue. The cap isgenerally well formed and regular, and is beautifully adorned withlittle hairy scales or tufts. These are rarely shown in figures of theEuropean plant, but they are quite noticeable in the American plant, and should not be overlooked. The flesh is more or less tinged withviolet. _Peck. _ 50th Rep. N. Y. State Bot. 

No one can fail to recognize this plant. The web-like veil in the youngplant, the bulbous stem, and the violet tinge throughout will readilydistinguish it. It grows in rich hilly country. It grows solitary, andin open woods. 

TRIBE IV. DERMOCYBE. 

_Cortinarius cinnamoneus. Fr. _

THE CINNAMON CORTINARIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 239. --Cortinarius cinnamoneus. Two-thirds naturalsize. Caps cinnamon-brown. Stems yellow. ]

The pileus is thin, convex, nearly expanded, sometimes nearly plane, sometimes slightly umbonate, sometimes the pileus is abruptly bentdownward; dry, fibrillose at least when young, often with concentricrows of scales on the margin, cinnamon-brown, flesh yellowish. 

The gills are thin, close, firmly attached to the stem, slightlynotched, decurrent with a tooth, becoming easily separated from thestem, shining, yellowish, then tawny-yellow. 

The stem is slender, equal, stuffed or hollow, thin, clothed with smallfibres, yellow, as is also the flesh. The spores are elliptical. Thisplant is so called because of its color, the entire plant being of acinnamon-color. Sometimes there are cinnabar stains on the pileus. Itseems to grow best under pine trees, but I have found it in mixed woods. My attention was called to it by the little Bohemian boys picking itwhen they had been in this country but a few days and could not speak aword of English. It is evidently like the European species. There isalso a Cortinarius that has blood-red gills. It is var. Semi-sanguineus, Fr. July to October. 

The plants in Figure 239 were found on Cemetery Hill, Chillicothe, O. 

_Cortinarius ochroleucus. Fr. _

THE PALLID CORTINARIA. 

[Illustration: Figure 240. --Cortinarius ochroleucus. Two-thirds naturalsize, showing veil and bulbous form of stem. ]

Ochroleucus, meaning yellowish and white, because of the color of thecap. The pileus is an inch to two and a half inches broad, fleshy;convex, sometimes somewhat depressed in the center, often remainingconvex; dry; on the center finely tomentose to minutely scaly, sometimesthe scales are arranged in concentric rows around the cap; quite fleshyat the center, thinning out toward the margin; the color is a creamy toa deep-buff, considerably darker at the center. 

The gills are attached to the stem, clearly notched, somewhatventricose; in mature plants, somewhat crowded, not entire, many shortones, pale first, then clay-colored ochre. 

The stem is three inches long, solid, firm, often bulbous, taperingupward, often becoming hollow, a creamy-buff. 

The veil, quite beautiful and strongly persistent, forms a cortina ofthe same color as the cap but becoming discolored by the falling of thespores. In Figure 240 the cortina and the bulbous form of the stem willbe seen. 

Found along Ralston's Run. In beech woods from September to November. 

[Illustration: Figure 241. --Cortinarius ochroleucus. Two-thirds naturalsize, showing the developed plant. ]

TRIBE V. TELAMONIA. 

_Cortinarius Morrisii. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 242. --Cortinarius Morrisii. ]

Morrisii is named in honor of George E. Morris, Ellis, Mass. 

Pileus fleshy, except the thin and at length reflexed margin; convex, irregular, hygrophanous, ochraceous or tawny-ochraceous; flesh thin, colored like the pileus; odor weak, like that of radishes. 

The gills are broad, subdistant, eroded or uneven on the edge; roundedbehind, adnexed, pale-yellow when young, becoming darker with age. 

The stem is nearly equal, fibrillose, solid, whitish or pale-yellow andsilky at the top, colored like the pileus below and fibrillose;irregularly striate and subreticulate, the double veil whitish oryellowish-white and sometimes forming an imperfect annulus. 

The spores are tawny-ochraceous, subglobose or broadly elliptic, nucleate, 8-10µ long, 6-7µ broad. _Peck. _

Pileus 3-10 cm. Broad; stem 7-10 cm. Long, 1-2 cm. Thick. 

They require moist and shady places and the presence of hemlock trees. They are found from August to October. The plants in Figure 242 werefound near Boston by Mrs. E. B. Blackford. 

_Cortinarius armillatus. Fr. _

THE RED-ZONED CORTINARIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 243. --Cortinarius armillatus. Two-thirds naturalsize, showing the rings on the stem. ]

Armillatus means ringed; so called because the stem is banded with oneor more rings, or red bands. The pileus is two to four inches broad, fleshy, not compact, bell-shaped, then expanded, soon innatelyfibrillose and torn into scales, smooth when young, reddish-brick-color, margin thin, flesh dingy-pallid. 

The gills are very broad, distant, adnate, slightly rounded, pallid, then dark-cinnamon. 

The stem is fairly long, solid, bulbous, whitish, with two or three redzones, somewhat fibrillose. The spores 10×6µ. 

This is a very large and beautiful Cortinarius and it has such a numberof striking ear marks that it can be easily recognized. The thin andgenerally uneven margin of the pileus and the one to four red bandsaround the stem, the upper one being the brightest, will distinguishthis species from all others. It is found in the woods in September andOctober. In quite young specimens the collector will notice two welldefined arachnoid veils, the lower one being much more dense. Prof. Fries speaks of them as follows: "Exterior veil woven, red, arranged in2-4 distant cinnabar zones encircling the stem; partial veil continuouswith the upper zone, arachnoid, reddish-white. " The specimens in Figure243 were collected in Michigan and photographed by Dr. Fischer ofDetroit. A number of this species form a prize for the table. 

_Cortinarius Atkinsonianus. Kauff. _

[Illustration: Figure 244. --Cortinarius Atkinsonianus. Caps waxy-yellow, bulbous stem, spider-like veil. ]

Atkinsonianus is named in honor of Prof. Geo. F. Atkinson. 

The pileus is 8 cm. Broad, expanded, _wax-yellow_ or _gallstone-yellow_to _clay-colored and tawny_ (Ridg. ), colors very striking and sometimesseveral present at once; viscid, smooth, even, somewhat shining whendry. Flesh thick, except at margin, bluish-white like the stem, orpaler, scarcely or not at all changing when bruised. 

The gills are comparatively narrow, 6-8 mm. , width uniform except nearouter end, adnate, becoming slightly sinuate, _purplish_ to yellow, thencinnamon. 

The stem is _violaceus-blue_, 8 cm. Long, 12-15 mm. Thick, equal orslightly tapering upward, bulbous by a rather thick, marginate bulb 3cm. Thick, hung with fibrillose threads of the universal veil, which isa beautiful pale-yellow and clothes the bulb even at maturity;violaceous-blue within, solid. Spores 13-15µ×7-8. 5µ, _verytubercular_. _Kauff. _

The specimens in Figure 244 were found in Poke Hollow near Chillicothe. I have found them on several occasions. They are edible and of very goodflavor. Found from September to frost. The specimens illustrate thespider-like veil that gives rise to the genus. 

_Cortinarius umidicola. Kauff. _

[Illustration: Figure 245. --Cortinarius umidicola. One-half naturalsize. Caps pinkish-buff. ]

Umidicola means dwelling in moist places. Pileus as much as 16 cm. Broad(generally 6-7 cm. When expanded), hemispherical, then convex andexpanded, with the margin for a long time markedly incurved; young capheliotrope-purplish with umber on disk, or somewhat fawn-colored, fadingvery quickly to pinkish-buff, in which condition it is usually found;margin when young with narrow strips of silky fibrils from theuniversal veil; pileus when old covered with innate, whitish, silkyfibrils, hygrophanous; surface punctuate, even when young. Flesh of stemand pileus lavender when young but soon fading to a sordid white, thickon disk, abruptly thin towards margin, soon cavernous from grubs. Thegills are very broad, as much as 2 cm. ; at first lavender, soon verypale-tan to cinnamon; rather distant, thick, emarginate with a tooth; atfirst plane, then ventricose; edge slightly serratulate, concolorous. Stem as much as 13 cm. Long (usually 8 to 10 cm. ), 1-2 cm. Thick, usually thickened below and tapering slightly upwards, mostly thickeralso at apex, rarely attenuate at the base, sometimes curved, alwaysstout, solid, lavender above the woven, sordid white, universal veil, which at first covers the lower part as a sheath, but soon breaks up soas to leave a band-like annulus half way or lower down on the stem. Theannulus is soon rubbed off, leaving a bare stem. Cortinaviolaceous-white. Spores 7-9×5-6, almost smooth. _Kauffman. _

The specimens in Figure 245 were gathered at Detroit, Michigan, andphotographed by Dr. Fischer. They grow in groups in damp places, preferring hemlock trees. 

_Cortinarius croceocolor. Kauff. Sp. Nov. _

SAFFRON-COLORED CORTINARIUS. (TELAMONIA. )

Croceocolor means saffron-colored. 

Pileus 3-7 cm. Broad, convex then expanded, saffron-yellow, with dense, dark-brown, erect squamules on disk; whole surface has a velvetyappearance and feel, scarcely hygrophanous, even; flesh of pileusyellowish-white, rather thin except on disk, slightly hygrophanous, scissile. 

Gills cadmium-yellow (Ridg. ), moderately distant, rather thick, emarginate, rather broad, 8-9 mm. , width uniform except in front wherethey taper quickly to a point. 

Stem 4-8 cm. Long, tapering upwards from a thickened base, _i. E. _, clavate-bulbous, 9-15 mm. Thick below, peronate three-fourths of itslength by the crome-yellow to saffron veil, paler above the veil, solid, saffron-colored within, hygrophanous, soon dingy; attached to strands ofyellowish mycelium. Spores subspheroid to short elliptical, 6. 5-8×5. 5-6. 5µ, echinulate when mature. 

Found under beech trees in Poke Hollow near Chillicothe. Found inOctober. 

_Cortinarius evernius. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 246. --Cortinarius evernius. ]

Evernius comes from a Greek word meaning sprouting well, flourishing. 

The pileus is one to three inches broad, rather thin, betweenmembranaceous and fleshy, at first conical, becoming bell-shaped, andfinally expanded, very slightly umbonate, everywhere covered with silky, adpressed veil, usually purplish-bay when smooth, brick-red when dry, then pale ochraceous when old, at length cracked and torn into fibrils, very fragile, flesh thin and colored like the pileus. 

The gills are attached to the stem, quite broad, ventricose, somewhatdistant, purplish-violet, becoming pale, finally cinnamon. 

The stem is three to five inches long, equal or attenuated downwards, often slightly striate, soft, violaceous, scaly from the remains of thewhite veil. The spores are elliptical, granular, 10×7µ. 

They grow in damp pine woods. The specimens in the photograph weregathered in Purgatory Swamp near Boston, and sent to me by Mrs. Blackford. They are found in August and September. 

TRIBE VI. HYDROCYBE. 

_Cortinarius castaneus. Bull. _

THE CHESTNUT-COLORED CORTINARIUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 247. --Cortinarius castaneus. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

Castaneus, a chestnut. The pileus one inch or more broad, at first quitesmall and globose, with a delicate fibrillose veil, which makes themargin appear silvery; dark-bay or dirty-violet, often with a tawnytint; soon expanded, broadly umbonate, pileus often cracked on themargin and slightly upturned. 

The gills are fixed, rather broad, somewhat crowded, violet-tinged, thencinnamon-brown, ventricose. Spores, 8×5µ. 

The stem is one to three inches high, inclined to be cartilaginous, stuffed, then hollow, even, lilac-tinged at the top, white or whitishbelow the veil, the whole stem beautifully fibrillose, veil white. 

This plant is very abundant on Cemetery Hill, growing under pine trees. The caps are small, but they grow in such profusion that it would not bedifficult to secure enough for a meal. They compare very favorably withthe Fairy Ring mushroom in flavor. They have little or no odor. Found inOctober and November. 

CHAPTER V. 

PURPLE-BROWN SPORED AGARICS. 

_Agaricus. Linn. _ (_Psalliota. Fr. _)

The pileus is fleshy, but the flesh of the stem is of different texturefrom that of the pileus, veil universal, concrete with the cuticle ofthe pileus, and fixed to the stem, forming a ring which soon disappearsin some species; the stem is readily separated from the cap and thegills are free from the stem or slightly adnexed, white at first, thenpink, afterwards purple-brown. 

All the species grow in rich ground, and it includes many of ourvaluable food mushrooms. 

_Agaricus campestris. Linn. _

THE MEADOW MUSHROOM. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 248. --Agaricus campestris. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

_Campestris, from campus, a field. _ This is perhaps the widest known ofall mushrooms, familiarly known as the "Pink-gilled mushroom. " It is thespecies found in the markets. It is the only species which is sure torespond to the methods of cultivation. 

It is the same species which is bought in cans at the store. 

In very young plants the pileus is somewhat globular, as will be seen inthe small plants in the front row in Figure 248. The edge is connectedwith the stem by the veil; then round convex, then expanding, becomingalmost flat; surface dry, downy, even, quite scaly, varying in colorfrom creamy-white to a light-brown; margin extending beyond the gills, as will be seen in Figure 249 in the one on the extreme right. 

The gills, when first revealed by the separation of the veil, are of adelicate pink hue, but with advancing age this generally deepens to adark-brown or blackish-brown color. 

The stem is rather short, nearly equal, white or whitish; the substancein the center is more spongy than the exterior, hence it is said to bestuffed. Sometimes the collar shrivels so much that it is scarcelyperceptible, and may disappear altogether in old plants. The spores arebrown in mass. The cap of this mushroom is from three to four inches indiameter and the stem from one to three inches long. 

This is the first mushroom that yielded to cultivation. It is raised inlarge quantities, not only in this country, but especially in France, Japan, and China. No doubt other species and genera will be produced intime. 

This species grows in grassy places, in pastures, and richly manuredgrounds, never in the woods. I found it in great abundance in WoodCounty, in fields which had never been plowed and where the ground wasunusually rich. There it seemed to grow in groups or large clusters. Usually it is found singly. Found from August to October. The plantsfigured here were found near Chillicothe. 

[Illustration: Figure 249. --Agaricus campestris. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

_Agaricus Rodmani. Pk. _

RODMAN'S MUSHROOM. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 250. --Agaricus rodmani. Two-thirds natural size. ]

The pileus is creamy, with brownish spots, firm, surface dry. The maturespecimens frequently have the surface of the cap broken into large, brownish scales. 

The gills are whitish, then pink, becoming dark-brown; narrow, close andunequal. 

The stem is fleshy, solid, short, thick, about two inches long. Thecollar when well developed exhibits a striking characteristic. Itappears as if there were two collars with a space between them. Itsspores are broadly elliptical, . 0002 to . 00025 inch long. 

It may be easily distinguished from the common Agaric by the time whenfound, its thick firm flesh, its narrow gills, which are almost white atfirst, and its double collar. I have found people eating it, supposingthey were eating the common mushroom. 

It is found in grassy places and especially between the cobble stonesalong the gutters in the cities. The specimens in Figure 250 were foundin Chillicothe in the gutters. It is a meaty plant and one can soon tellit from its weight alone. It is found through May and June. It is fullyas good to eat as the common mushroom. Macadam speaks of finding it inthe fall, but I have never succeeded in finding it later than June. 

_Agaricus silvicola. Vitt. _

THE SILVAN AGARIC. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 251. --Agaricus silvicola. One-half natural size. ]

Silvicola, from silva, woods and colo, to inhabit. The pileus is convex, sometimes expanded or nearly plane, smooth, shining, white or yellowish. 

The gills are crowded, thin, free, rounded behind, generally narrowedtoward each end, at first white, then pinkish, finally blackish-brown. 

The stem is long, cylindrical, stuffed or hollow, white, bulbous; ringeither thick or thin, entire or lacerated. Spores elliptical, 6-8×4-5. The plant is four to six inches high. Pileus three to sixinches broad. _Peck. _ 36th N. Y. State Bot. 

A. Silvicola is very closely related to the common mushroom. Its chiefdifferences are in its place of growth, its being slender, and itshollow stem somewhat bulbous at the base. I have found it many times inthe woods about Chillicothe, although I have never succeeded in findingmore than one or two at a time. I have always put them with ediblespecies and have eaten them when thus cooked with others. 

Because of the resemblance which it bears, in its earlier stages, to thedeadly Amanita, one can not exercise too great care in identifying it. It grows in the woods and is found from July to October. 

_Agaricus arvensis. Schaeff. _

THE FIELD OR HORSE MUSHROOM. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 252. --Agaricus arvensis. Two-thirds natural size, showing veil. ]

_Arvensis, pertaining to a field. _ Pileus is smooth, white or yellowish, convex or conical, bell-shaped, then expanded, more or less mealy. Thegills are crowded, free, generally broader toward the stem; at firstwhitish, then pinkish, finally black-brown. 

The stem is stout, equal, slightly thickened at the base, smooth, hollowor stuffed, ring rather large and thick, the upper part membranaceousand white, while the lower or exterior surface is thicker, downy, radically split and yellowish. 

The spores are elliptical, . 0003 to . 0004 inch long. 

This plant grows much larger than the common mushroom, and may bedistinguished by the collar being composed of two parts closely alliedto each other making a double membrane, the lower part being muchthicker, softer in texture and split in a stellate manner into broad andyellow rays, as will be seen in Figure 252. 

I found it very plentiful in Wood County, Ohio, and in quantities in Dr. Manville's yard in Bowling Green, Ohio. I ate them frequently and gavethem to my friends, who all voted them delicious. 

When the stem is first cut there exudes from the wound a yellowishliquid which is quite a sure ear mark of this species. 

There is a tradition that the spores will not germinate unless they passthrough the alimentary canal of the horse or some animal. However thismay be, it is found frequently where no trace of the horse can be found. It appears from July to September. I have found it in Fayette County, Ohio, in large rings, resembling the Fairy-Ring Mushroom, only the ringis very large, as well as the mushrooms. 

[Illustration: Plate XXXIV. Figure 253. --Agaricus arvensis. ]

_Agaricus abruptus. Pk. _

EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 254. --Agaricus abruptus. ]

Abruptus means to break away, referring to the breaking of the veil fromthe margin of the cap. 

The pileus is creamy-white, dry and silky, quite irregular in shape whenyoung, turning yellow when bruised or when the stem is cut. 

The gills are slightly pinkish when the veil first breaks, graduallygrowing a deeper pink, in mature specimens becoming brownish, soft, freefrom the stem, quite close, unequal. 

The stem is creamy-white, much darker toward the base, hollow, ratherstiff, quite brittle, frequently found to be split lengthwise, ventricose, tapering toward the cap. 

The veil is rather frail, one portion of it often adhering to the capand another portion forming a ring on the stem. 

Through the courtesy of Captain McIlvaine I am able to present anexcellent picture of this species. The beginner will have some troubleto distinguish it from A. Silvicola. This species, like the A. Silvicola, is closely related to the meadow mushroom, but can be readilyseparated from it. This, too, like the A. Silvicola, when seen in thewoods at a distance, resembles the Amanita, but a careful glance at thegills will detect the difference. 

The gills of the very young plant may appear white, but they will soondevelop a pinkish tinge which will distinguish it from the Amanita. Itis found in thin woods from July to October. 

_Agaricus comptulus. Fr. _

Comptulus means beautified or luxuriously decked; so called from thesilky lustre of its cap. 

The pileus is at first convex, then expanded, rather fleshy, thinner atthe margin and incurved, usually with an adpressed silky finish to thesurface of the cap which gives rise to its specific name. 

The gills are free, much rounded toward the margin and the stem, whiteat first, then grayish, pinkish, purple-brown in old plants. 

The stem is hollow, tapering from the base to the cap, slight bulbous, white, then yellowish, fleshy, fibrous. The veil is more delicate thanin A. Silvaticus, parts of it often found in young plants on the marginof the cap, forming a ring on the stem which soon almost disappears. Spores small, 4-5×2-3µ. 

The surface of the cap, the rounding of the gills both in front andbehind, also the tendency to turn white paper blue or bluish when theflesh of the cap comes in contact with it, will assist in determiningthis species. 

It is found in grassy places in open woods, especially in the vicinityof pine trees, October and November. 

_Agaricus placomyces. Pk. _

THE FLAT-CAP MUSHROOM. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Plate XXXV. Figure 255. --Agaricus placomyces. ]

[Illustration: Figure 256. --Agaricus placomyces. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

[Illustration: Figure 257. --Agaricus placomyces. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

Placomyces means a flat mushroom. This is one of our prettiest plants. 

The pileus is broadly ovate, rather thin, at first convex, but when itis fully expanded it is quite flat, whitish, brown in the center, aswill be seen in Figure 256, but it is covered with a persistent brownscale. 

The gills are white at first, then pink, turning blackish brown, quitecrowded. 

The stem is rather long, and slender, cylindrical stuffed, somewhatbulbous at the base, commonly whitish but at times bears yellow stainstoward the base, tapering toward the cap. The veil is quite interesting. It is broad and double, loosely joined together by threads, the lower orouter veil breaking first into regular radiating portions. The sporesare elliptical, 5-6. 5µ long. The caps are two to four inches broad andthe stem is three to five inches long. 

They are found in lawns or in thin woods. They are much more abundant inhemlock woods though they are frequently found in mixed woods in whichthere are hemlock trees. The behavior of the veil is very similar to A. Arvensis and A. Silvicola and indeed this plant seems to be veryclosely related to these species. It is found from July to September. 

_Agaricus cretaceus. Fr. _

THE CHALK AGARIC. EDIBLE. 

Cretaceus, relating to chalk. 

The pileus is entirely white, fleshy, obtuse, dry; sometimes even, sometimes marked with fine lines around the margin. 

The gills are free, remote, quite ventricose, narrowed toward the stem, crowded, white, and only in mature plants do they become brownish. Spores, 5-6×3. 5µ. 

The stem is two to three inches long, even, smooth, firm, taperingtoward the cap, hollow, or stuffed with a fine pith, white. 

It is found on lawns and in rich places. I find it more frequently inrich stubble fields. It makes a rare dish. Found in August andSeptember. 

_Agaricus subrufescens. Pk. _

THE SLIGHTLY RED MUSHROOM. EDIBLE. 

Subrufescens, sub, under; rufescens, becoming red. The pileus is atfirst inclined to be hemispherical, becoming convex or broadly expanded;silky fibrillose and minutely or obscurely scaly, whitish, grayish, ordull reddish-brown, usually smooth and darker on the disk. Flesh whiteand unchangeable. 

The gills are at first white or whitish, then pink, finallyblackish-brown. 

The stem is rather long, often somewhat thickened or bulbous at thebase, at first stuffed, then hollow, white, the ring is scaly on theunder side, mycelium whitish, forming slender branching root-likestrings. The spores are elliptical. _Peck_, 48th Rep. N. Y. State Bot. 

The reddish-brown color is due to the coating of fibrils that covers thecap. In the center it does not separate into scales, hence it issmoother and more distinctly reddish-brown than the rest. Its veilresembles that of the A. Placomyces, but instead of the lower surfacebreaking into radial portions it breaks into small floccose flakes orscales. 

This species is found about greenhouses, and is frequently found inlarge clusters. 

Dr. McIlvaine says: "This species is now cultivated and has manifestadvantages over the market species--it is easier to cultivate, veryproductive, produces in less time after planting the spawn, is free fromattacks of insects, carries better and keeps longer. "

Mushroom beds in cellars are becoming quite popular and many are havingvery good results. 

_Agaricus halophilus. Pk. _

SEA-LOVING AGARICUS EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Plate XXXVI. Figure 258. --Agaricus halophilus. 

Showing the globose caps, narrow gills, solid stem, and the peculiarincurved margin. Natural size. ]

Halophilus is from two Greek words meaning sea and loving, or fond of. 

This is a large fleshy plant and does not readily decay. At first it isquite round, then becomes broadly convex. All specimens that I haveexamined were covered with adpressed scales of a reddish-brown color, becoming grayish-brown when old. The flesh is white, becoming pink orreddish when cut. The margin has a peculiar angular turn, oftenretaining portions of the rather fragile veil. 

The taste is pleasant, and the odor is distinctly that of the seashore. 

The gills are quite narrow, as will be seen in Figure 258, much crowded, free, pinkish at first, becoming purplish-brown as the plant matures. The edge of the gills is whitish. 

The stem is short, stout, solid, firm, equal, or occasionally slightlybulbous. The ring is rather delicate and in older specimens it isfrequently wanting. The spores are broadly elliptical andpurplish-brown, 7-8×5-6µ. 

The specimens in figure 258 were sent to me from Boston, Mass. , byMrs. Blackford, and on opening the box the odor of the seashore wasplainly noticed. The flesh when cut quickly turned to a pinkish orreddish hue and the water in which the plants were prepared for cookingwas changed to a faintly pink tinge. These plants were sent me the firstof June, but the stems were free from worms and were as easily cooked asthe caps. I regard it as one of the very best mushrooms for table use, while also easy to distinguish. 

It seems to delight in sandy soil near salt water. This was formerlycalled Agaricus maritimus. 

_Pilosace. Fr. _

Pilosace is from two Greek words, _pilos_, felt; _sakos_, garment. 

Hymenophore is distinct from the stem. Gills are free, and at firstremote, from the stem. The general and partial veil are both absent, hence it is without ring or volva. This genus seems to have the habit ofAgaricus but no ring. 

_Pilosace eximia. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 259. --Pilosace eximia. ]

Eximia means choice, distinguished. 

The pileus is fleshy, thin, convex or broadly campanulate, at lengthexpanded and subumbonate, smooth, dark sooty-brown. 

The gills are close, broad, ventricose, rounded behind, free, dull-red, or brownish-pink, then brown. 

The stem is slender, hollow, a little thicker at the base, dull-red. Thespores are elliptical, . 004 inch long. 

These plants are small and quite rare, yet I have found the plants inHaynes' Hollow on three different occasions. Dr. Peck writes that it isa very rare plant. It grows on old stumps and decayed logs. The plantsin figure [259?] were found in Haynes' Hollow and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Stropharia. Fr. _

Stropharia is from the Greek, strophos, a sword belt. The spores arebright purple-brown, brown or slate color. The flesh of the stem and thepileus is continuous. The veil, when ruptured, forms a ring on the stem. The gills are rounded and are not free. 

The genus can be distinguished from all the genera of the purple-sporedplants except the Agarics by the presence of a ring and by the unitedflesh of the stem and the cap and by the attachment of the gills. Theygrow on the ground or are elliptical. 

_Stropharia semiglobata. Batsch. _

THE SEMIGLOBOSE STROPHARIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 260. --Stropharia semiglobata. ]

Semiglobata--semi, half; globus, a ball. The pileus is somewhat fleshyat the center, thin at the margin, hemispherical, not expanded, even, viscid when moist. 

The stem is hollow, slender, straight, smooth, glutinous, yellowish, veil abrupt. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, broad, plane, sometimesinclined to be ventricose, clouded with black. 

This plant is very common on the Dunn farm on the Columbus Pike, northof Chillicothe, but is found everywhere in grassy places recentlymanured, or on dung. 

This plant has been under the ban for a number of years, but like manyothers its bad reputation has been outlived. Found from May to November. 

_Stropharia Hardii. Atkinson n. Sp. _

[Illustration: Figure 261. --Stropharia Hardii. ]

Hardii is named for the collector and author of this book. 

Plant 10 cm. High; pileus 9 cm. Broad; stem 1œ cm. Thick. 

Pileus pale bright ochraceous; gills brownish, near Prout's brown (R);stem pale-yellow tinge. 

Pileus convex to expanded, thick at the center, thin toward the margin, smooth; flesh tinged yellow. 

Gills subelliptical to subventricose behind, broadly emarginate, adnexed. Basidia 4-spored. Spores suboblong, smooth, 5-9×3-5µ, purple-brown under the microscope. 

Cystidia not very numerous on side of gills, varying from clavate tosubventricose and sublanceolate, the free end more or less irregularwhen narrow, rarely branching below the apex, and usually with aprominent broad apiculus or with two or several short processes. Similarcells on edge of gills, but somewhat smaller and more regular. 

Stem even at the base, tapering to a short root, transversely floccose, scaly both above and below the ring. The ring membranaceous, notprominent but still evident, about 2 cm. From the apex. _Atkinson. _

The specimens in Figure 261 are very old plants. While the plant was inseason I did not photograph it, but when Prof. Atkinson named it Ihastened to find some good specimens but only two had survivedsufficiently to photograph. They were found October 15, 1906, on Mr. Miller's farm in Poke Hollow near Chillicothe. 

_Stropharia stercoraria. Fr. _

THE DUNG STROPHARIA. EDIBLE. 

Stercoraria is from stercus, dung. The pileus is slightly fleshy at thecenter but thin at the margin; hemispherical, then expanded, even, smooth, discoid, slightly striate on the margin. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, slightly crowded, broad, white, umber, then olive-black. 

The stem is three inches or more long, stuffed with a fibrous pith, equal, ring close to cap, flocculose below the ring, viscid when moist, yellowish. 

This species is distinguished from the S. Semiglobata by the distinctpithy substance with which the stem is stuffed, also by the fact thatthe cap is never fully expanded. It is found on dung and manure piles, in richly manured fields, and sometimes in woods. 

_Stropharia æruginosa. Curt. _

THE GREEN STROPHARIA. 

Æruginosa is from ærugo, verdigris. The pileus is fleshy, plano-convex, subumbonate, clothed with a green evanescent slime, becoming paler asthe slime disappears. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, soft, brown, tinged withpurple, slightly ventricose, not crowded. 

The stem is hollow, equal, fibrillose or squamose below the ring, tingedwith blue. 

This species is quite variable in form and color. The most typical formsare found in the fall, in very wet weather and in shady woods. This isone of the species from which the ban has not been removed but itsappearance will lead no one to care to cultivate its acquaintancefurther than name it. It is claimed by most writers that it ispoisonous. Found in meadows and woods, from July to November. 

_Hypholoma. Fr. _

Hypholoma is from two Greek words, meaning a web and a fringe, referringto the web-like veil which frequently adheres to the margin of the cap, not forming a ring on the stem and not always apparent on old specimens. 

The pileus is fleshy, margin at first incurved. The gills are attachedto the stem, sometimes notched at the stem. The stem is fleshy, similarin substance to the cap. 

They grow mostly in thick clusters on wood either above or under theground. The spores are brown-purple, almost black. 

This genus differs from the genus Agaricus from the fact that its gillsare attached to the stem and its stem is destitute of a ring. 

_Hypholoma incertum. Pk. _

THE UNCERTAIN HYPHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _By the courtesy of Captain McIlvaine. _

Plate XXXVII. Figure 262. --Hypholoma incertum. ]

Incertum, uncertain. Prof. Peck, who named this species, was uncertainwhether it was not a form of H. Candolleanum, to which it seemed to bevery closely related; but as the gills of that plant are at firstviolaceous and of this one white at first, he concluded to risk theuncertainty on a new species. 

The pileus is thin, ovate, broadly spreading, fragile, whitish, marginoften wavy and often adorned with fragments of the woolly white veil, opaque when dry, transparent when moist. 

The gills are thin, narrow, close, fastened to the stem at their innerextremity, white at first, then purplish-brown, edges often uneven. 

The stem is equal, straight, hollow, white, slender, at least one tothree inches long. The spores are purplish-brown and elliptical. It isfound in lawns, gardens, pastures, and thin woods. It is small but growsin such profusion that one can obtain quantities of it. The caps arevery tender and delicious. It appears as early as May. 

_Hypholoma appendiculatum. Bull. _

THE APPENDICULATE HYPHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

Appendiculatum, a small appendage. This is so called from the fragmentsof the veil adhering to the margin of the cap. 

The pileus is thin, ovate, expanded, watery, when dry, covered with dryatoms; margin thin and often split, with a white veil; the color whenmoist dark-brown, when dry nearly white, often with floccose scales onthe cap. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, crowded, white, thenrosy-brown, and at length dingy-brown. 

The stem is hollow, smooth, equal, white, fibrous, mealy at the apex. The veil is very delicate and only seen in quite young plants. 

The plant grows in the spring and the summer and is found on stumps andsometimes on lawns. It is a favorite mushroom with those who know it. The plant can be dried for winter use and retains its flavor to aremarkable degree. 

Hypholoma candolleanum, Fr. , resembles the H. Appendiculatum in manyfeatures, but the gills are violaceous, becoming cinnamon-brown and inold plants nearly free from the stem. It has more substance. The caps, however, are very tender and delicious. Found in clusters. 

_Hypholoma lachrymabundum. Fr. _

THE WEEPING HYPHOLOMA. 

[Illustration: Figure 263. --Hypholoma lachrymabundum. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

[Illustration: Figure 264. --Hypholoma lachrymabundum. ]

Lachrymabundum--full of tears. This plant is so called because in themorning or in damp weather the edge of the gills retain very minutedrops of water. The plant in Figure 263 was photographed in theafternoon yet there can be seen a number of these minute drops. 

The pileus is fleshy, campanulate, then convex, sometimes broadlyumbonate, spotted with hairy scales; flesh white. 

The gills are closely attached to the stem, notched, crowded, somewhatventricose, unequal, whitish, then brown-purple, distilling minute dropsof dew in wet weather or in the morning. 

The stem is hollow, somewhat thickened at the base, quite scaly withfibrils, often becoming brownish-red, two to three inches long. Thespores are brownish-purple. 

I have never found the plant elsewhere than on the Chillicothe highschool lawn, and then not in sufficient numbers to test its ediblequalities. When I do, I shall try it cautiously, but with full faiththat I shall be permitted to try others. Found on the ground and ondecayed wood. It often grows in clusters. September to October. 

_Hypholoma sublateritium. Schaeff. _

THE BRICK-RED HYPHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 265. --Hypholoma sublateritium. Natural size. ]

_Sublateritium is from sub, under, and later, a brick. _ The pileus isbrick-red, with pale yellowish border; the surface is covered with finesilky fibres; fleshy, moist, and firm; the cap is from two to fourinches broad; remnants of the veil are often seen on the margin; fleshcreamy, firm, and bitter. 

The gills are creamy when young, olive when old; attached to the stem atinner extremity, rather narrow, crowded, and unequal. 

The stem is creamy when young, lower part slightly tinged with red, hollow or stuffed, having silky fibres on the surface, two to fourinches long, often incurved because of position. The spores aresooty-brown and elliptical. 

It grows in large clusters around old stumps. It is especially plentifulabout Chillicothe. It is not equal to many others of the Hypholomas asan esculent. Sometimes it is bitter even after it is cooked. CaptainMcIlvaine gives a plausible reason when he says it may be due to thepassage of larvæ through the flesh of the plant. It is found fromSeptember to early winter. 

_Hypholoma perplexum. Pk. _

THE PERPLEXING HYPHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 266. --Hypholoma perplexum. One-half natural size. Caps brown, with a pale yellow margin. ]

Perplexum means perplexing; so called because it is quite difficult todistinguish it from H. Sublateritium, also from H. Fascicularis. Fromthe latter it may be known by its redder cap, its whitish flesh, purple-brown tint of the mature gills and mild flavor. Its smaller size, the greenish and purplish tint of the gills, and the slender hollow stemwill aid in distinguishing it from H. Perplexum. 

The pileus is complex, fleshy, expanded, smooth, sometimes broadly andslightly umbonate, brown with a pale-yellow margin, disk sometimesreddish. 

The gills are rounded, notched, easily separating from the stem, pale-yellow, greenish ash-color, finally purplish-brown, thin, quiteclose. 

The stem is nearly equal, firm, hollow, slightly fibrillose, yellowishor whitish above and reddish-brown below. The spores are elliptical andpurplish brown. 

This plant is very abundant in Ohio. It grows about old stumps, but afavorite habitat seems to be upon old sawdust piles. I have found itafter we have had considerable freezing weather. The plants in thefigure were frozen when I found them, the 27th of November. Dr. McIlvaine says in his book, "If the collector gets puzzled, as he will, over one or all of these species, because no description fits, he canwhet his patience and his appetite by calling it H. Perplexum andgraciously eating it. "

_Psilocybe. Pers. _

_Psilocybe is from two Greek words, naked and head. _ The spores arepurple-brown or slate color. The pileus is smooth, at first incurved, brownish or purple. The stem is cartilaginous, ringless, tough, hollow, or stuffed, often rooting. Generally growing on the ground. 

_Psilocybe foenisecii. Pers. _

THE BROWN PSILOCYBE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 267. --Psilocybe foenisecii. One-half natural size. ]

Foenisecii means mown hay. 

The pileus is somewhat fleshy, smoky-brown or brownish, convex, campanulate at first, then expanded; obtuse, dry, smooth. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, ventricose, not crowded, brownish-umber. 

The stem is hollow, straight, even, smooth, not rooting, white, coveredwith dust, then brownish. 

Quite common in grassy lawns and fields after summer rains. I have nevereaten it, but I have no doubt of its esculent qualities. 

_Psilocybe spadicea. Schaeff. _

THE BAY PSILOCYBE. EDIBLE. 

Spadicea means bay or date-brown. 

The pileus is fleshy, convex-plane, obtuse, even, moist, hygrophanous, bright bay-brown, paler when dry. 

The gills are rounded behind, attached to stem, easily separating fromit, narrow, dry, crowded, white, then rosy-brown or flesh-color. 

The stem is hollow, tough, pallid, equal, smooth, one to two incheslong. They grow in dense clusters where old stumps have been or wherewood has decayed. The caps are small but very good. They are found fromSeptember to frost or freezing weather. 

_Psilocybe ammophila. Mont. _

[Illustration: Figure 268. --Psilocybe ammophila. Two-thirds naturalsize, showing the sand on the base. ]

Ammophila is from two Greek words; ammos, sand, and philos, loving; socalled because the plants seem to delight to grow in sandy soil. 

The pileus is small, convex, expanded, umbilicate, at firsthemispherical, rather fleshy, yellow, tinged with red, fibrillose. 

The gills are smoky in color, with a decurrent tooth, powdered with theblackish spores. 

The stem is soft, rather short, hollow, lower half clavate and sunk intothe sand, striate. The spores are 12×8. 

They are found in August and September. They delight in sandy soil, asthe specific name indicates. The plants in the photograph were foundnear Columbus and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. It is quite common insandy soil. I do not think it is edible. I should advise great cautionin its use. 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE BLACK-SPORED AGARICS. 

The genera belonging to this series have black spores. There is anentire absence of purple or brown shades. The genus Gomphidius, placedin this series for other reasons, has dingy-olivaceous spores. 

_Coprinus. Pers. _

Coprinus is from a Greek word meaning dung. This genus can be readilyrecognized from the black spores and from the deliquescence of the gillsand cap into an inky substance. Many of the species grow in dung, as thename implies, or on recently manured ground. Some grow in flat richground, or where there has been a fill, or on dumping grounds; some growon wood and around old stumps. 

The pileus separates easily from the stem. The gills are membranaceous, closely pressed together. The spores, with few exceptions, are black. Most of the species are edible, but many are of such small size thatthey are easily overlooked. 

_Coprinus comatus. Fr. _

THE SHAGGY MANE COPRINUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by Prof Shaftner. _

Figure 269. --Coprinus comatus. ]

[Illustration: Figure 270. --Coprinus comatus. One-half natural size. ]

Comatus is from coma, having long hair, shaggy. It is so called from afancied resemblance to a wig on a barber's block. A description ishardly necessary with a photograph before us. They always remind us of acongregation of goose eggs standing on end. This plant cannot beconfounded with any other, and the finder is the happy possessor of arich, savory morsel that cannot be duplicated in any market. 

The pileus is fleshy, moist, at first egg-shaped, cylindrical, becomingbell-shaped, seldom expanded, splitting at the margin along the line ofthe gills, adorned with scattered yellowish scales, tinged withpurplish-black, yet sometimes entirely white; surface shaggy. 

The gills are free, crowded, equal, creamy white, becoming pink, brown, then black, and dripping an inky fluid. 

The stem is three to eight inches long, hollow, smooth, or slightlyfibrillose, tapering upward, creamy-white, brittle, easily separatingfrom the cap, slightly bulbous at the base. The ring is rarely adherentor movable in young plants, later lying on the ground at the base of thestem or disappearing altogether. The spores are black and elliptical, and are shed in liquid drops. 

Found in damp rich ground, gardens, rich lawns, barnyards, and dumpinggrounds. They often grow in large clusters. They are found everywhere ingreat abundance, from May till late frost. A weak stomach can digest anyof the Coprini when almost any other food will give it trouble. I amalways pleased to give a dish of any Coprini to an invalid. 

_Coprinus atramentarius. Fr. _

THE INKY COPRINUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 271. --Coprinus atramentarius. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

Atramentarius means black ink. The pileus is at first egg-shaped, grayor grayish-brown, smooth, except that there is a slight scalyappearance; often covered with a marked bloom, margin ribbed, oftennotched, soft, tender, becoming expanded, when it melts away in inkyfluid. 

The gills are broad, close, ventricose, creamy-white in young specimens, becoming pinkish-gray, then black, moist, melting away in inky drops. 

The stem is slender, two to four inches in length, hollow, smooth, tapering upward, easily separating from the cap, with slight vestige ofa collar near the base when young but soon disappearing. The sporesare elliptical, 12×6µ. , and black, falling away in drops. 

I have found it abundantly all over the state, from May till late frost. In Figure 271 the one in the center will show the spot-like scales; onthe others the bloom referred to is quite apparent; the section to theright shows the broad, ventricose gills--cream-white though slightlytinged with pink--also the shape of the stem. The plant at the extremeright has expanded and begun to deliquesce. C. Atramentarius is veryabundant, growing in rich soil, lawns, filled places, and gardens. 

[Illustration: Plate XXXVIII. Figure 272. --Coprinus atramentarius. ]

_Coprinus micaceus. Fr. _

THE GLISTENING COPRINUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 273. --Coprinus micaceus. Two-thirds natural size. ]

Micaceus is from _micare_, to glisten, and refers to the small scales onthe pileus which resemble mica scales. The pileus is tawny-yellow, tanor light buff, ovate, bell-shaped; having striations radiating from nearthe center of the disk to the margin; glistening mica-like scalescovering undisturbed young specimens; the margin somewhat revolute orwavy. 

The gills are crowded, rather narrow, whitish, then tinged with pinkishor purplish-brown then black. 

The stem is slender, fragile, hollow, silky, even, whitish, oftentwisted, one to three inches long. The spores are blackish, sometimesbrown, elliptical, 10×5µ. 

The Glistening Coprinus is a small but common and beautiful species. Onecannot fail to recognize a Coprinus from a photograph. It is somewhatbell-shaped and marked with impressed lines or striations from themargin to or beyond the center of the disk and sprinkled with fugaciousmicaceous granules all of which show in Figure 273. For eating, this iswithout doubt the best mushroom that grows. The specimens in Figure 273grew around an old peach stump in Dr. Miesse's yard, in Chillicothe. Youwill find them around any stump, especially just before a rain. If yousecure a good supply and wish to keep them, partially cook them and warmthem for use. 

_Coprinus ebulbosus. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 274. --Coprinus ebulbosus. One-half natural size. ]

_Ebulbosus_, without being bulbous. This seems to be the differencebetween the American and the European plants, the latter being bulbous. 

The pileus is membranaceous, at first ovate, bell-shaped, striate, variegated with broad white scales, or white patches; one to two inchesbroad. 

The gills are free, broad, ventricose, grayish-black, soon deliquescing. 

The stem is hollow, equal, fragile, smooth, four to five inches long. 

Usually found where old stumps have been cut off under the ground, leaving the roots in the ground. It is very abundant. The collector willhave no trouble to recognize it from Figure 274. They are found fromJune to October. Edible, but not as good as C. Atramentarius. 

_Coprinus ephemerus. Fr. _

THE EPHEMERAL COPRINUS. EDIBLE. 

Ephemerus, lasting for a day. This plant lasts only for a short time. Itcomes up in the early morning or at night and as soon as the sun's raystouch it it deliquesces into an inky fluid. 

The pileus is membranaceous, very thin, oval, slightly covered withbran-like scales, disk elevated, even. 

Gills are adnexed, distant, whitish, brown, then black. The stem isslender, equal, pellucid, smooth, from one to two inches high. 

When this plant is fully developed it is quite a beautiful specimen, striated from margin to center. Found on dung and dung heaps and in wellmanured grass plots from May to October. It must be cooked at once. Itschief value is its excellent mushroom flavor. 

_Coprinus ovatus. Fr. _

THE OVATE COPRINUS. EDIBLE. 

_Ovatus is from ovum_, an egg. It is so called from the shape of thepileus, which is somewhat membranaceous, ovate, then expanded, striate;at first woven into densely imbricated, thick, concentric scales; isbulbous, rooting, flocculose, hollow above, the ring deciduous; gillsfree, remote, slightly ventricose, for sometime white, thenumber-blackish. 

This plant is much smaller and less striking than the C. Comatus, yetits edible qualities are the same. I have eaten it and found itdelicious. It is found in about the same locality in which you wouldexpect to find the C. Comatus. 

_Coprinus fimetarius. Fr. _

THE SHAGGY DUNG COPRINUS. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XXXIX. Figure 275. --Coprinus fimetarius. ]

_Fimetarius is from fimetum, a dunghill. _ The pileus is somewhatmembranaceous, clavate, then conical, at length torn and revolute; atfirst rough with floccose scales, then naked; longitudinally cracked andfurrowed, even at the apex. The stem is inclined to be scaly, thickenedat the base, solid. The gills are free, reaching the stem, at firstventricose, then linear, brownish-black. _Fries. _

This is quite a variable plant. There are a number of varieties classedunder this species. It is said to be of excellent flavor. I have nevereaten it. 

_Panæolus. Fr. _

Panæolus is from two Greek words, all; variegated. This genus is socalled from the mottled appearance of the gills. The pileus is somewhatfleshy, margin even, but never striate. The margin always extends beyondthe gills and the gills are not uniform in color. The mottled appearanceof the gills is due to the falling of the black spores. The gills do notdeliquesce. 

The stem is smooth, sometimes scaly, at times quite long, hollow. Theveil, when present, is interwoven. 

This plant is found on rich lawns recently manured, but principally ondung. 

There are only two edible species, P. Retirugis and P. Solidipes. Theother species would not be likely to attract the attention of theordinary collector. 

_Panæolus retirugis. Fr. _

THE RIBBED PANAEOLUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XL. Figure 276. --Panaeolus retirugis. Natural size, showingportions of the veil on the margin. ]

Retirugis is from rete, a net; ruga, a wrinkle. The pileus is about oneinch in diameter, inclined to be globose, then hemispherical, slightlyumbonate, center darker, with united raised ribs, sometimes sprinkledwith opaque atoms; veil torn, appendiculate. 

The gills are fixed, ascending, broad in middle; and in the expandedforms the gills are separated more and more from the stem and finallyappear more or less triangular; cinereous-black, frequently somewhatclouded. 

The stem is equal, covered with a frost-like bloom, cylindrical, sometimes tortuous, cartilaginous, becoming hollow, pinkish-purple, always darker below and paler above, bulbous. 

The veil in young and unexpanded plants is quite strong and prominent;as the stem elongates it loosens from the stem, and as the cap expandsit breaks into segments, frequently hanging to the margin of the cap. By close observation one will sometimes detect a black band on the stem, caused by the falling of the black spores, when the plant is damp, before the pileus has separated from the stem. The spores are black andelliptical. 

I have found it a number of times on the Chillicothe high school lawn, especially after it was fertilized in the winter. It is found mostly ondung from June to October. I do not recommend it as a delicacy. 

_Panæolus epimyces. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 277. --Panæolus epimyces. Note black spores incentral foreground. Note also huge masses of abortive stuff upon whichit grows. ]

Epimyces is from _epi_, upon; _myces_, a mushroom; so called because itis parasitic on fungi. There are a number of species of mushrooms whosehabitat is on other mushrooms or fungus growths; such as Collybiacirrhata, C. Racemosa, C. Tuberosa, Volvaria loveiana and the species ofNyctalis. 

The pileus is fleshy, at first subglobose, then convex, white, silky, fibrillose, flesh white or whitish, soft. 

The gills are rather broad, somewhat close, rounded behind, adnexed, dingy-white, becoming brown or blackish, with a white edge. 

The stem is short, stout, tapering upwards, strongly striate andminutely mealy or pruinose; solid in the young plant, hollow in themature, but with the cavity small; hairy, or substrigose at the base. The spores elliptical and black, . 0003 to . 00035 of an inch long, . 0002to . 00025 broad. _Peck. _

The plants are small, about two thirds to an inch broad and from an inchto an inch and a half high. It is referred to this genus because of itsblack spores. It has other characteristics which would seem to place itbetter among Hypholomas. It is not common. Found in October andNovember. The specimens in Figure 277 were found in Michigan andphotographed by Dr. Fisher. 

_Panæolus campanulatus. Linn. _

BELL-SHAPED PANAEOLUS. 

Campanulatus is from _campanula_, a little bell. 

The pileus is an inch to an inch and a quarter broad, oval orbell-shaped, sometimes slightly umbonate, smooth, somewhat shining, grayish-brown, sometimes becoming reddish-tinted, the margin oftenfringed with fragments of the veil. 

The gills are attached, not broad, ascending, variegated with gray andblack. 

The stem is three to five inches long, hollow, slender, firm, straight, often covered with frost-like bloom and often striate at the top, theveil remaining only a short time. The spores are subellipsoid, 8-9×6µ. 

The gills do not deliquesce. It is widely distributed and is found inalmost any horse pasture. 

Captain McIlvaine says in his book that he has eaten it in smallquantities, because larger could not be obtained, and with no other thanpleasant effect. I have found it about Chillicothe quite frequently buthave never eaten it. It is found from June to August. 

_Panæolus fimicolus. Fr. _

THE DUNG PANAEOLUS. 

Fimicolus is from fimus, dung; colo, to inhabit. The pileus somewhatfleshy, convex-bell-shaped, obtuse, smooth, opaque; marked near themargin with a narrow brown zone; the stem is fragile, elongated, equal, pallid, covered with frost-like bloom above; the gills are firmlyattached to the stem, broad, variegated with gray and brown. _Fries. _

The plant is very small and unimportant. It is found on dung, as itsname indicates, from June to September. The caps appear lighter in colorwhen dry than when wet. 

_Panæolus solidipes. Pk. _

THE SOLID FOOT PANAEOLUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XLI. Figure 278. --Panaeolus solidipes. ]

Solidipes is from solidus, solid; pes, foot; and is so called becausethe stem of the plant is solid. The pileus is two to three inchesacross; firm; at first hemispherical, then subcampanulate or convex;smooth; white; the cuticle at length breaking up into dingy-yellowish, rather large, angular scales. The gills are broad, slightly attached, whitish, becoming black. The stem is five to eight inches long and twoto four lines thick, firm, smooth, white, solid, slightly striate at thetop. The spores are very black with a bluish tint. _Peck. _ 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot. 

This is a large and beautiful plant and easily distinguished because ofits solid stem, growing on dung. Sometimes minute drops of moisture willbe seen on the upper part of the stem. The plant is said to be one ofthe best of mushrooms to eat. 

_Panæolus papilionaceus. Fr. _

THE BUTTERFLY PANAEOLUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 279. --Panæolus papilionaceus. Natural size. ]

Papilionaceus is from _papilio_, a butterfly. 

The pileus is about an inch broad, somewhat fleshy, at firsthemispherical, sometimes subumbonate, the cuticle breaking up intoscales when dry, as will be seen in the photograph, pale-gray with atinge of reddish-yellow especially on the disk, sometimes smooth. 

The gills are broadly attached to the stem, quite wide, at length plane, blackish or with varying tints of black. 

The stem is three to four inches long, slender, firm, equal, hollow, powdered above, whitish, sometimes tinged with red or yellow, slightlystriate at the top, as will be seen in the photograph with a glass, generally stained with the spores. 

The specimens in Figure 279 were found in a garden that had beenstrongly manured. It is usually found on dung and on grassy lawns duringMay and June. Captain McIlvaine in his book speaks of this mushroomproducing hilarity or a mild form of intoxication. I should adviseagainst its use. 

_Anellaria. Karst. _

Anellaria is from _anellus_, a little ring. This genus is so calledbecause of the presence of a ring on the stem. 

The pileus is somewhat fleshy, smooth, and even. The gills are adnexed, dark slate-colored, variegated with black spores. The stem is central, smooth, firm, shining, ring persistent or forming a zone around thestem. 

_Anellaria separata. Karst. _

Separata means separate or distinct. 

The pileus is somewhat fleshy, bell-shaped, obtuse, even, viscid, atfirst ochraceous, then dingy-white, shining, smooth, wrinkled when old. 

The gills are firmly attached to the stem, broad, ventricose, thin, crowded, clouded, cinereous, margin nearly white, slightly deliquescent. 

The stem is long, straight, shining, white, thickened downward, ringdistant, top somewhat striate, bulbous at the base. The spores arebroadly elliptic-fusiform, black, opaque, 10×7µ. 

It is found on dung from May to October. It is not poisonous. 

_Bolbitius. Fr. _

Bolbitius is from a Greek word meaning cow-dung, referring to its placeof growth. 

The pileus is membranaceous, yellow, becoming moist; gills moist but notdeliquescing, finally losing their color and becoming powdery; stemhollow and confluent with the hymenophore. As the generic name impliesthe plant usually grows on dung, but sometimes it is found growing onleaves and where the ground had been manured the year before. The sporesare of a rusty-red color. 

_Bolbitius fragilis. (L. ) Fr. _

Fragilis means fragile. 

The pileus is membranaceous, yellow, then whitish, viscid, marginstriate, disk somewhat umbonate. 

The gills are attenuated, adnexed, nearly free, ventricose, yellowish, then pale cinnamon. 

The stem is two to three inches long, naked, smooth, yellow. The sporesare rust-colored, 7×3. 5, Massee. 14-15×8-9µ. Saccardo. 

This species is much more delicate and fragile than B. Boltoni. I findit often in dairy pastures. It is well flavored and cooks readily. Foundfrom June to October. 

_Bolbitius Boltoni. Fr. _

BOLTON'S BOLBITIUS. EDIBLE. 

The pileus is somewhat fleshy, viscid, at first smooth, then the marginsulcate, disk darker and slightly depressed. 

The gills are nearly adnate, yellowish, then livid-brown. 

The stem is attenuated, yellowish, ring fugacious. This is rather commonin dairy pastures and is found from May to September. 

_Psathyrella. Fr. _

Psathyrella is from a Greek word meaning fragile. The members of thisgenus are mebranaceous, striated, margin straight, at first pressed tothe stem, not extending beyond the gills. Gills adnate or free, sooty-black, not variegated. The stem is confluent with, but differentin character from, the spore-bearing surface. Veil inconspicuous andgenerally absent. 

_Psathyrella disseminata. Pers. _

THE CLUSTERED PSATHYRELLA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 280. --Psathyrella disseminata. Natural size. ]

Disseminata is from _dissemino_, to scatter. Pileus is about a half inchacross, membranaceous, ovate, bell-shaped, at first scurvy, then naked;coarsely striated, margin entire; yellowish then gray. Gills adnate, narrow, whitish, then gray, finally blackish. Stem one to one and a halfinches long, rather curved, mealy then smooth, fragile, hollow. _Massee. _

This is a very small plant, growing on grassy lawns, and very common onold trunks, and about decaying stumps. 

A cluster about two yards square shows itself at intervals all summer onthe Chillicothe High School lawn. The grass shows itself to be greenerand thriftier there on account of fertilization by the mushroom. Theentire plant is very fragile and soon melts away. I have eaten the capsraw many times and they have a rich flavor. They are found from May tillfrost. 

_Psathyrella hirta. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 281. --Psathyrella hirta. ]

Hirta means hairy, rough or shaggy. 

Pileus thin, hemispherical or convex, adorned when young with erect orspreading tufts of white, easily determined and quickly evanescenthairs; hygrophanous, brown or reddish-brown and slightly striatulatewhen moist, pale grayish-brown or dingy-whitish when dry, fleshsubconcolorous; lamellæ broad, moderately close, adnate and oftenfurnished with a decurrent tooth, at first pallid, becomingblackish-brown or black; stem flexuose, squamose, hollow, shining, white; spores elliptical, black, . 0005 to . 00055 inch long, . 00025 to. 0003 broad. 

Subcæspitose; pileus 4 to 6 lines broad; stem 1 to 2 inches long to1 1-5 lines thick. The specimens in Figure 281 were found in thegreenhouse at the State University. When quite young tufts of white hairwere very conspicuous. They are scarcely observed in mature specimens. The plants were photographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Gomphidius. Fr. _

Gomphidius is from a Greek word meaning a wooden bolt or peg. 

The hymenophore is decurrent on the stem. The gills are decurrent, distant, soft, somewhat mucilaginous; edge acute, pruinate with theblackish fusiform spores; veil viscoso-floccose, forming an imperfectring around the stem. 

A small, but distinct, genus, with great difference among species;intermediate by its habits between Cortinarius and Hygrophorus. 

_Gomphidius viscidus. Fr. _

VISCID GOMPHIDIUS. 

The pileus is two to three inches broad, viscid, convex, then depressedround the disk, obtusely umbonate, margin acute, reddish-brown toyellowish-brown in the center, the margin liver-color, fleshyellowish-brown. 

The gills are decurrent, distant, somewhat branched, firm, elastic, rather thick, purple-brown with an olive tinge. 

The stem is two to three inches high, subequal or slightly ventricose;pale yellowish-brown, fibrillose, firm, solid, slimy from the remains ofthe veil, which form an obsolete filamentose ring. 

The spores are elongato-fusiform, 18-20×6µ. 

Its favorite habitat is under pine and fir trees. Its taste is sweet andit has the mushroom smell. It is edible, but not first-class. 

Found in September and October. 

CHAPTER VII. 

POLYPORACEAE. TUBE-BEARING FUNGI. 

In this family the cap has no gills on the upper surface, but, instead, there are small tubes or pores. This class of plants may be naturallydivided into two groups: The perishable fungi with the pores easilyseparating from the cap and from each other, which may be calledBoletaceæ; and the leathery, corky, and woody fungi, with porespermanently united to the cap and with each other, making the familyPolyporaceæ. 

In each group the spores are borne on the lining of the pore. A sporeprint may be made in the same manner as from mushrooms having gills. Thecolor of the spores does not enter into the classification as in thecase of the Agaricini. 

The distinctive characteristics of these genera may be stated asfollows:

 Pores compacted together and forming a continuous stratum 1 Pores each a distinct tube, standing closely side by side Fistulina 1. Stem central, and stratum of spores easily separable from the cap Boletus 1. Stratum of tubes not separating easily, cap covered with coarse scales Strobilomyces Stratum of tubes separating, but not easily; tubes arranged in distinct, radiating lines. In Boletinus porosus the tubes do not separate from the cap Boletinus Stratum of pores not separable from cap; plant soft when young, but becoming hard, corky, stipitate, shelving Polyporus

_Boletus. Dill. _

_Boletus, a clod_. There are very many species under this genus and thebeginner will experience much trouble in separating the species with anydegree of assurance. The Boletus is distinguished from the otherpore-bearing fungi by the fact that the stratum of tubes is easilyseparable from the cap. In the Polyporus the stratum of tubes cannot beseparated. 

Nearly all Boleti are terrestrial and have central stems. They grow inwarm and rainy weather. Many are very large and ponderous; fleshy andputrescent, decaying soon after maturity. It is important to notewhether the flesh changes color when bruised and whether the taste ispleasant or otherwise. When I first began to study the Boleti there werebut few species that were thought to be edible, but the ban has beenremoved from very many, even from the most wicked, Boletus Satanus. 

_Boletus scaber. Fr. _

THE ROUGH-STEMMED BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 282. --Boletus scaber. Two-thirds natural size. ]

The pileus is from two to five inches in diameter, rounded convex, smooth, viscid when moist, minutely woolly, velvety or scaly, color fromnearly white to almost black, the flesh white. 

The tubes are free from the stem, white, long, mouths minute and round. 

The stem is solid, tapering slightly upward, long, dingy-white;roughened with blackish-brown or reddish dots or scales, this being themost pronounced characteristic by which to distinguish the species;three to five inches long. The spores are oblong fusiform and brown. 

Prof. Peck has described a number of varieties under this species, mostof which depend on the color of the cap. All are edible and good. 

This is a common plant, usually found in woods and shady waste places, from June to October. Photographed by Prof. H. C. Beardslee. 

_Boletus granulatus. L. _

THE GRANULATED BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 283. --Boletus granulatus. One-half natural size. ]

The pileus is two to three inches broad, hemispherical, then convex; atfirst covered with a brownish gluten, then turning yellowish; fleshthick, yellowish, does not turn blue; margin involute at first. 

The tubes are adnate; at first white, then light yellow; the margindistilling a pale watery fluid which when dry gives the granulatedappearance. 

The stem is short, one to two inches high, thick, solid, pale yellowabove, white below, granulated. The spores are spindle-shaped, rusty-yellow. 

This plant grows abundantly in pine regions, but I have found it whereonly a part of the trees were pine. The brownish gluten, always constanton the pileus, and the gummy juice drying upon the stem, like granulesof sugar, will be strong features by which to identify the species. 

They are found from July to October. 

_Boletus bicolor. Pk. _

THE TWO-COLORED BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

The pileus is convex, smooth or merely downy, dark red, fading when old, often marked with yellow; flesh yellow, slowly changing to blue whenbruised. 

The tubes are bright yellow, attached to the stem, the color changing toblue when bruised. 

The stem is solid, red, generally red at the top, one to three incheslong. 

The spores are pale, rusty-brown color. 

Found in woods and open places, from July to October. 

_Boletus subtomentosus. L. _

THE YELLOW-CRACKED BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 284. --Boletus subtomentosus. One-half naturalsize. ]

Subtomentosus, slightly downy. The pileus is from three to six inchesbroad, convex, plane; yellowish-brown, olive or subdued tan color;cuticle soft and dry, with a fine pubescence; the cracks in the surfacebecome yellow. The flesh is creamy white in mature specimens, changingto blue, and at length leaden, on being bruised. 

The tube surface is yellow or yellowish green, becoming bluish whenbruised; opening of tubes large and angular. 

The stem is stout, yellowish, minutely roughened with scurvy dots orfaintly striped with brown. The spores are a rusty-brown. 

The cracks in the cap become yellow, on which account this species iscalled the Yellow-cracked Boletus. The taste of the flesh is sweet andagreeable. Palmer compares it with the taste of a walnut. The plantshould not be feared because the flesh turns blue when bruised. I firstfound this species in Whinnery's woods, Salem, Ohio. The specimens inFigure 284 grew near Chillicothe and was photographed by Dr. Kellerman. July to August. 

_Boletus chrysenteron. Fr. _

THE RED-CRACKED BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 285. --Boletus chrysenteron. One-half natural size. Caps yellowish to red. Flesh yellow. ]

Chrysenteron means gold or golden within. The pileus is two to fourinches broad, convex, becoming more flattened, soft to the touch, varying from light to yellowish-brown or bright brick-red, more or lessfissured with red cracks; the flesh yellow, changing to blue whenbruised or cut, red immediately beneath the cuticle. 

The tube surface is olive-yellow, becoming bluish when bruised, tube-openings rather large, angled and unequal in size. 

The stem is generally stout, straight, yellowish, and more or lessstreaked or spotted with the color of the cap. The spores are lightbrown and spindle-shaped. This species will be easily distinguished fromB. Subtomentosus because of its bright color and the cracks in the capturning red, whence the name of the "Red-cracked Boletus. "

The cap of this species strongly resembles Boletus alveolatus, but thelatter has rose-colored spores and a red pore surface, while the formerhas light brown spores and an olive-yellow pore surface. Tolerton's andBower's woods, Salem, Ohio, July to October. 

_Boletus edulis. Bull. _

THE EDIBLE BOLETUS. 

[Illustration: Plate XLII. Figure 286. --Boletus edulis. 

Pileus light brown, tubes yellowish or greenish-yellow. Stem bulbous andfaintly reticulate. Natural size. ]

This is quite a large and handsome plant and one rather easilyrecognized. The firm caps of the young plant and the white tubes withtheir very indistinct mouths, and the mature plants with the tubeschanging to a greenish yellow with their mouths quite distinct, areenough to identify the plant at once. 

The pileus is convex or nearly plane; variable in color, light brown todark brownish-red, surface smooth but dull, cap from three to eightinches broad. The flesh is white or yellowish, not changing color onbeing bruised or broken. 

The tube-surface is whitish in very young plants, at length becomingyellow and yellowish-green. Pore openings angled. The tubes depressedaround the stem, which is stout, bulbous, often disproportionatelyelongated; pale-brown; straight or flexuous, generally with a fineraised net-work of pink lines near junction of cap, sometimes extendingto the base. The taste is agreeable and nutty, especially when young. Woods and open places. July and August. Common about Salem andChillicothe, Ohio. 

It is one of our best mushrooms. Captain McIlvaine says: "Carefullysliced, dried, and kept where safe from mold, it may be prepared for thetable at any season. "

_Boletus speciosus. Frost. _

THE HANDSOME BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 287. --Boletus speciosus. Natural size. Cap red ordeep scarlet. Tubes bright lemon-yellow. ]

Speciosus means handsome. 

The pileus is three to six inches broad, at first very thick, subglobose, compact, then softer, convex, glabrous or nearly so, red ordeep scarlet. The flesh is pale yellow or bright lemon-yellow, changingto blue where wounded. 

The tubes are adnate, small, subrotund, plane, or slightly depressedaround the stem; bright lemon-yellow, becoming dingy-yellow with age, changing to blue where bruised. 

The stem is two to four inches long, stout, subequal or bulbous, reticulated, bright lemon-yellow without and within, sometimes reddishat the base. The spores are oblong-fusiform, pale, ochraceous-brown, 10-12. 5×4-5µ. 

The young specimen can be recognized by the whole plant's being of avivid lemon-yellow except the surface of the cap. The plant quicklyturns to green, then blue, wherever touched. It has a wide distributionin the Eastern and Middle states. The plant in Figure 287 was found inHaynes' Hollow by Dr. Chas. Miesse and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

As an edible it is among the best. Found from August to October. 

_Boletus cyanescens. Bull. _

[Illustration: Figure 288. --Boletus cyanescens. ]

Cyanescens is from _cyaneus_, deep blue, so called the moment you touchit, it turns a deep blue. 

Pileus is two to four inches across, convex, then expanded, sometimesnearly plane, frequently wavy, covered with an appressed tomentum;opaque, pale-buff, grayish-yellow, or yellowish, flesh thick, white, quickly changing to a beautiful azure-blue where cut or wounded. 

The tubes are quite free, openings small, white, then pale-yellow, round, changing color the same as the flesh. 

The stem is two to three inches long, ventricose, hoary with fine hair, stuffed at first, then becoming hollow, colored like the pileus. 

The spores are subelliptical, 10-12. 5×6-7. 5µ. 

The specimens in Figure 288 were found on rather steep wooded hillsides, Sugar Grove, Ohio. They were all solitary. I have found a few specimensabout Chillicothe. They are widely distributed in the Eastern states. 

Captain McIlvaine says in his book the caps make an excellent dishcooked in any way. I have never tried them. Found on hilly ground inAugust and September. 

_Boletus indecisus. Pk. _

THE UNDECIDED BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 289. --Boletus indecisus. One-half natural size. ]

Indecisus means undecided; so called because it favors very closelyBoletus felleus. There is a difference in the style of the two plants bywhich, after continued tasting, the student can readily separate them. 

The pileus is three to four inches broad, dry, slightly downy, convex, ochraceous-brown, plane, often irregular on the margin, sometimes wavy, flesh white, and unchangeable, taste mild or sweet. 

The tube surface is nearly plane and firmly set against the stem, grayish, becoming tinged with flesh color in age, changing to a brownwhen bruised; the mouths small and nearly round. The stem is coveredwith a fine mealy substance, straight or flexuous, sometimes reticulatedabove. The spores are oblong, brownish flesh color, 12. 5-15×4µ. 

The B. Indecisus can be readily told from B. Felleus by its sweet tasteand brownish spores. It is my favorite of all the Boleti, indeed I thinkit equals the best of mushrooms. Its favorite habitat is under beechtrees in the open. It is widely distributed from Massachusetts to thewest. Found in July and August. 

_Boletus edulis. Bull. --Var. Clavipes. Pk. _

CLUB-FOOTED BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 290. --Boletus edulis, var. Clavipes. Two-thirdsnatural size. Note confluent caps on right. ]

Clavipes means club-footed. Pileus fleshy, convex, glabrous, grayish-redor chestnut-color. Flesh white, unchangeable. The tubes at first concaveor nearly plane, white and stuffed, then convex, slightly depressedaround the stem, ochraceous-yellow. Stem mostly obclavate, inverselyclub-shaped, and reticulate to the base. The spores oblong-fusiform, 12-15×4-5µ. _Peck. _ 51st Rep. 

The club-footed Boletus is very closely related to B. Edulis. Itdiffers, perhaps, in a more uniform color of the cap, and in havingtubes less depressed around the stem, and less tinted with green whenmature. The stem is more club-shaped and more completely reticulated. 

The pileus in the young plant is much more highly colored and fades outin age, but the margin does not become paler than the disk as is oftenthe case with B. Edulis. The specimens in Figure 290 were found inMichigan and photographed by Dr. Fischer. They are quite as good as B. Edulis. 

_Boletus Sullivantii. B. & M. _

[Illustration: Figure 291. --Boletus sullivantii. ]

Sullivantii is named in honor of Professor Sullivant, an early Ohiobotanist. 

The pileus is three to four inches broad, hemispherical at first, glabrous, reddish-tawny or brown, brownish when dry, cracked in squares. 

The tubes are free, convex, medium size, angular, longer toward themargin, their mouths reddish. 

The stem is solid, violaceous at the thickened base, red-reticulated atthe apex, expanded into the pileus. 

The spores are pallid to ochraceous, oblong-fusiform, 10-20µ long. _Peck's_ Boleti in U. S. 

This species is very close to Boletus scaber and Boletus edulis. Itdiffers from B. Scaber in its reticulated stem and from B. Edulis in itslarger tubes. The specimens in Figure 291 were found by Hambleton Youngnear Columbus, and were photographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Boletus parvus. Pk. _

Parvus means small; so named from the smallness of the plant. 

The pileus is one to two inches broad, convex, becoming plane, oftenslightly umbonate, subtomentose, reddish. Flesh yellowish-white, slowlychanging to pinkish when bruised. 

The tubes are nearly plane, adnate, their mouths rather large, angular, at first bright-red, becoming reddish-brown. 

The stem is equal or slightly thickened below, red, from one to twoinches long. The spores are oblong, 12. 5×4µ. 

They are found in thin woods, July and August. 

_Boletus eximius. Pk. _

THE SELECT BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 292. --Boletus eximius. Two-thirds natural size. ]

Eximius means select. 

The pileus at first is very compact, nearly round, somewhat covered witha mealy substance, purplish-brown, or chocolate color, sometimes with afaint tinge of lilac, becoming convex, soft, smoky red, orpale-chestnut, flesh grayish or reddish-white. 

The tube surface is at first concave or nearly plane, stuffed, colorednearly like the pileus, becoming paler with age and depressed around thestem, the mouths minute, round. 

The stem is stout, generally short, equal or tapering upward, abruptlynarrowed at the base, minutely branny, colored like or a little palerthan the cap, purplish-gray within. 

The spores are subferruginous, 12. 5-15×5-6µ. This plant is found inopen woods where there are beech trees. I found it frequently onCemetery Hill, Chillicothe. It is widely distributed, being found fromthe east to the west. July and August. 

_Boletus pallidus. Frost. _

THE PALLID BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

Pallidus, pale. The pileus is convex, becoming plane or centrallydepressed, soft, smooth, pallid or brownish-white, sometimes tinged withred. Flesh is 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. The stem is equal orslightly thickened toward the base, rather long, smooth, often flexuous;whitish, sometimes streaked with brown, often tinged with red within. Spores pale ochraceous-brown. Pileus two to four inches broad. Stemthree to five inches long. _Peck_, Boleti of the U. S. 

This species is very good, tender, and appetizing. I found it quiteabundant in the woods of Gallia County and near Chillicothe, Ohio. 

_Boletus alveolatus. B. And C. _

THE ALVEOLATE BOLETUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 293. --Boletus alveolatus. ]

Alveolatus is from _alveolus_, a small hollow, referring to the pittedform of the pore-surface, which is one of the characters of thisspecies. The pileus is convex, smooth, polished, usually rich crimson ormaroon, sometimes varied with paler yellowish tints; substance solid, changing to blue on being fractured or bruised, three to six inchesbroad. 

The tube-surface reaches the stem proper, undulate with uneven hollows, maroon, the tubes in section being yellow beyond their dark red mouths. 

The stem is usually quite long, covered with depressions or pitteddentations, with intermediate coarse net-work of raised ridges, red andyellow. The spores are yellowish-brown. I found this species in thewoods near Gallipolis, Ohio, also near Salem, Ohio. The bright color ofits cap will command the attention of any one passing near it. It hasbeen branded as a reprobate, but Captain McIlvaine gives it a goodreputation. Found in the woods, especially along streams, August andSeptember. Photographed by Prof. H. C. Beardslee. 

_Boletus felleus. Bull. _

THE BITTER BOLETUS. 

[Illustration: _Photo by Prof. Atkinson. _

Figure 294. --Boletus felleus. Natural size. ]

Felleus is from _fel_, gall, bitter. The pileus is convex, nearly plane, at first rather firm in substance, then becoming soft and cushion-like, smooth, without polish, varying in color from pale ochre to yellowish orreddish-brown or chestnut, flesh white, changing to flesh-color whenbruised, taste exceedingly bitter, cap three to eight inches indiameter. 

The tube-surface is white at first, becoming dull pinkish with age orupon being cut or broken; rounded upward as it reaches the stem, attached to the stem, mouths angular. 

The stem is variable, tapering upward, rather stout, quite as smooth asthe cap and a shade paler in color, toward the apex covered with anet-work which extends to the base, often bulbous. 

The flesh is not poisonous but intensely bitter. No amount of cookingwill destroy its bitterness. I gave it a thorough trial, but it was asbitter after cooking as before. It is a common Boletus about Salem, Ohio. I have seen plants there eight to ten inches in diameter and veryheavy. They grow in woods and wood margins, usually about decayingstumps and logs, sometimes in the open fields. July to September. 

_Boletus versipellis. Fr. _

THE ORANGE-CAP BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 295. --Boletus versipellis. Natural size. ]

Versipellis is from _verto_, to change, and _pellis_, a skin. The pileusis two to six inches in diameter, convex, orange-red, dry, minutelywoolly or downy, then scaly or smooth, margin containing fragments ofthe veil, flesh white or grayish. 

The tube-surface is grayish-white, tubes long, free, mouths minute andgray. 

The stem is equal or tapering upward; solid, white with scaly wrinkles;three to five inches long; and is frequently covered with small reddishor blackish dots or scales. The spores are oblong spindle-shaped. 

This plant can be easily distinguished by the remnant of the veil whichadheres to the margin of the cap and is of the same color. It isfrequently turned under the margin adhering to the tubes. It is a largeand imposing plant found in sandy soil and especially among the pines. Ifound it in J. Thwing Brooke's woods, Salem, Ohio. August to October. 

_Boletus gracilis. Pk. _

THE SLENDER-STEMMED BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 296. --Boletus gracilis. Two-thirds natural size. ]

Gracilis means slender, referring to the stem. 

The pileus is one to two inches broad, convex, smooth or minutelytomentose, the epidermis frequently cracked as in the illustration;ochraceous-brown, tawny, or reddish brown; flesh white. 

The tube surface is convex to plane, depressed around the stem, nearlyfree, whitish, becoming flesh-colored. 

The stem is long and slender, equal or slightly tapering upward, usuallycurved; pruinose or mealy. The spores are subferruginous, . 0005 to . 0007inch long, . 0002 to . 00025 inch broad. 

This is quite a pretty plant, but at first sight it will not be takenfor a Boletus. They are not plentiful in our woods. I find them onlyoccasionally and then sparsely. They are found in July and August, themonths for the Boleti. They grow in leaf mold in mixed woods, especiallyamong beech timber. 

_Boletus striæpes. Secr. _

Striæpes means striate stem. 

The pileus is convex or plane, soft, silky, olivaceous, the cuticlerust-color within, flesh white, yellow next the tubes, sparinglychanging to blue. 

The tubes are adnate, greenish, their mouths minute, angular, yellow. 

The stem is firm, curved, marked with brownish-black striations, yellow, and brownish-rufescent at the base. 

The spores are 10-13×4µ. _Peck_, Boleti of the U. S. 

I found some beautiful specimens in a mixed woods on the Edingerhillside, near Chillicothe. I located them here, but observing that thisspecies was not common I sent some to Prof. Atkinson, who placed themunder this species. August. 

_Boletus radicans. Pers. _

The pileus is convex, dry, subtomentose, olivaceous-cinereus, becomingpale-yellowish, the margin thin, involute. Flesh pale-yellow, tastebitterish. 

The tubes are adnate, their mouths large, unequal; lemon-yellow. 

The stem is two to three inches long, even, tapering downward andradiating, flocculose with a reddish bloom, pale-yellow, becoming nakedand dark with a touch. 

The spores are fusiform, olive, 10-12. 5×5µ. _Peck_, Boleti of the U. S. 

I found these specimens in the same locality with the B. Striæpes. 

The olivaceous cap with its peculiar involute margin and its radiatingstem will greatly assist in its determination. August. 

_Boletus subluteus. Pk. _

THE YELLOW BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 297. --Boletus subluteus. Natural size. ]

Subluteus is from _sub_, under, nearly; _luteus_, yellow. 

Pileus is two to three inches broad, convex, becoming plane, quiteviscid when moist, dull yellowish to reddish brown, frequently more orless streaked. The flesh is whitish or dull yellow. 

The tube surface is plane or convex, the tubes set squarely against thestem, being small, nearly round, yellowish or ochraceous, becomingdarker in age. 

The stem is rather long, nearly equal, about the color of the cap, dotted both above the ring and below it; the ring is membranaceous, quite variable and persistent, usually collapsing as a narrow ring onthe stem. The spores are ochraceous-brown, oblong or elliptical, 8-10×4-5. 

Prof. Atkinson has made a careful study of both the American and theEuropean plants called in this country B. Luteus and B. Subluteus, andhas come to the conclusion that they should all be called B. Luteus. Indistinguishing the two we usually say those having much gluten anddotted above the ring are B. Luteus, and those dotted both above andbelow the ring are B. Subluteus. The specimens in Figure 297 werecollected at the State Farm at Lancaster, Ohio, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. They are found in July and August. 

_Boletus parasiticus. Bull. _

[Illustration: Figure 298. --Boletus parasiticus. ]

Parasiticus means a parasite; so called because it grows on aScleroderma. It is a small plant and quite rare. 

The pileus is one to two inches broad, convex, or nearly plane, dry, silky, becoming glabrous, soon tessellately cracked, grayish or dingyyellow. Tubes decurrent, medium size, golden yellow. 

The stem is equal, rigid, incurved, yellow within and without. Thespores are oblong-fusiform, pale-brown, 12. 5-15×4µ. _Peck. _

The tubes are rather large and unequal, and inclined to run down uponthe stem. 

This plant was found near Boston, Mass. , by Mrs. E. B. Blackford andphotographed by Dr. Kellerman. Captain McIlvaine says it is edible butnot of good flavor. It is found in July and August. 

_Boletus separans. Pk. _

THE SEPARATING BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 299. --Boletus separans. One-half natural size. ]

Separans, separating, alluding to the tubes sometimes separating fromthe stem by the expansion of the pileus. 

The pileus is convex, thick, smooth, subshining, often pitted orcorrugated; brownish-red or dull-lilac, sometimes fading to yellowish onthe margin; flesh white and unchangeable. 

Tubes at first are nearly plane, adnate, white and stuffed, then convex, depressed around the stem, ochraceous-yellow or brownish-yellow andsometimes separating from the stem by the expansion of the pileus. 

The stem is equal or slightly tapering upward; reticulated, eitherwholly or in upper part only; colored like the pileus or a littlepaler, sometimes slightly furfuraceous. Spores subfusiform, brownish-ochraceous. _Peck_, Boleti of U. S. 

The specimens in Figure 299 were found at Londonderry, about fifteenmiles east of Chillicothe, in a grassy woods near a stream. The taste isagreeable when raw and quite good when cooked. This might appropriatelyhave been called the lilac Boletus, for that shade of color is usuallypresent in it, somewhere. August to October. 

_Boletus auripes. Pk. _

YELLOW-STEMMED BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 300. --Boletus auripes. One-half natural size. Capsyellowish-brown. Tube surface and stem yellow. ]

Auripes is from _aureus_, yellow or golden; _pes_, foot; so called fromits yellow stem. 

The pileus is three to four inches broad, convex, nearly smooth, yellowish-brown, the flesh often cracking in areas in old plants; fleshyellow at first, fading to a lighter color, in age. 

The tubes are nearly plane, their mouths small, nearly round, at firststuffed, yellow. 

The stem is two to four inches long, nearly equal, often reticulated, solid, a bright yellow on the surface and a light yellow within. Thespores are ochraceous-brown, tinged with green, 12×5µ. 

The whole plant, except the upper surface of the cap, is a goldenyellow, and even the surface of the cap is more or less yellow. Itfavors one form of the B. Edulis. It is sometimes found in mixed woods, especially if there are mountain laurels in the woods (_Kalmialatifolia_). It is found in July and August. 

_Boletus retipes. B. And C. _

THE BEAUTIFUL-STEMMED BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 301. --Boletus retipes. Natural size. ]

Retipes is from _rete_, a net; _pes_, a foot; so called from thedelicate net-work seen on the stem. 

The pileus is convex, dry, powdered with yellow, sometimes rivulose orcracked in areas. The tubes are adnate, yellow. 

The stem is subequal, cespitose, reticulate to the base, pulverulentbelow. The spores are greenish-ochraceous, 12-15×4-5µ. _Peck_, Boleti. 

B. Retipes is very close to B. Ornatipes, but its manner of growth, itspulverulent cap, and its greenish-ochraceous spores will at oncedistinguish it. I have found them on Ralston's Run, a number from thesame mycelial cluster, as in Figure 301. The caps only are good. Thespecimens in the figure were found near Ashville, N. C. , andphotographed by Prof. H. C. Beardslee. 

_Boletus griseus. Frost. _

THE GRAY BOLETUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 302. --Boletus griseus. Two-thirds natural size. ]

Griseus means gray. The pileus is broadly convex, firm, dry, almostsmooth, gray or grayish black. The flesh is whitish or gray. 

The tubes are attached to the stem and slightly depressed around thestem, nearly plane, their mouths being small, nearly round, white orwhitish. 

The stem is slightly unequal, tapering downward, distinctly reticulated, whitish or yellowish, sometimes reddish toward the base. The spores areochraceous-brown, 10-14×4-5µ. _Peck. _

This plant, with us, grows singly and it is infrequently found. I havefound it always in beech woods along Ralston's Run. It is found inAugust and September. 

_Boletus nigrellus. Pk. _

THE BLACKISH BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 303. --Boletus nigrellus. Two-thirds natural size. ]

Nigrellus is a diminutive of _niger_, black. The entire plant isblackish except the pore surface. 

The pileus is three to six inches broad, rather broadly convex or nearlyplane, dry, blackish. The flesh is soft and unchangeable. 

The tube-surface is rather plane, adhering to the stem, sometimesslightly depressed around the stem, the mouths being small, nearlyround; whitish, becoming flesh-colored, changing to black or brown whenwounded. 

The stem is equal, short, even, black or blackish. The spores are dullflesh-color, 10-12×5-6µ. 

When I first found this specimen I was inclined to call it B. Alboater, but its flesh-colored tubes served to distinguish it. I found thespecimens in Figure 303 on Edinger's Hill, near Chillicothe. The tasteis mild and fairly good. August and September. 

_Boletus Americanus. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 304. --Boletus Americanus. One-half natural size. ]

This species will attract the attention of the collector because of itsvery viscid cap. I found the specimens in Figure 304 growing on CemeteryHill, near Chillicothe, in company with Lactarius deliciosus. They weregrowing near and under pine trees, both in dense groups and separately. The caps were very viscid, yellow with a slight tinge of red. The stemis covered with numerous reddish-brown dots. 

The pileus is one to three inches broad, thin; at first rather globose, convex, then expanded, sometimes broadly umbonate; very viscid whenmoist, especially on the margin; yellow or becoming dingy or streakedwith red in age. 

The tube-surface is nearly plane and the tubes join squarely against thestem; quite large, angular, pale yellow, becoming a dull ochraceous. 

The stem is slender, equal or tapering upward, firm, with no trace of aring; yellow, often brownish toward the base, covered with numerousbrown or reddish-brown quite persistent granular dots; yellow within. The spores are oblong, ochraceous-ferruginous, 9-11×4-5µ. 

The veil is only observed in the very young specimens. Only caps aregood to eat. The specimens were photographed for me by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Boletus Morgani. Pk. _

MORGAN'S BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 305. --Boletus Morgani. One-half natural size. ]

Morgani is named in honor of Prof. Morgan. 

The pileus is one and a half to two inches broad, convex, soft, glabrous, viscid; red, yellow, or red fading to yellow on the margin;flesh white, tinged with red and yellow, unchangeable. 

The tube-surface convex, depressed around the stem, tubes rather longand large, bright yellow, becoming greenish-yellow. 

The stem is elongated, tapering upward, pitted with long and narrowdepressions, yellow, red in the depressions, colored within like theflesh of the pileus. The spores are olive-brown, 18-22µ, about half asbroad. _Peck. _

This plant is found in company with B. Russelli, which it resembles veryclosely. Its smooth, viscid cap and white flesh will distinguish it. Itsstem is much more rough in wet weather than in dry. The peculiar colorof the stem will help to identify the species. I found it frequently onRalston's Run, near Chillicothe. It is found in many of the states ofthe Union. July and August. 

_Boletus Russelli. Frost. _

RUSSELL'S BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 306. --Boletus Russelli. One-half natural size. ]

The cap is thick, hemispherical or convex, dry, covered with downyscales or bundles of red hairs, yellowish beneath the tomentum, oftencracked in areas. The flesh is yellow and unchangeable. 

The tubes are subadnate, often depressed around the stem, rather large, dingy-yellow, or yellowish-green. 

The stem is very long, equal or tapering upward, roughened by thelacerated margins of the reticular depressions, red or brownish red. Thespores are olive-brown, 18-22×8-10µ. 

The pileus is one and a half to four inches broad, the stem is three toseven inches long, and three to six lines thick. This is distinguishedfrom the other species by the dry squamulose pileus and the color of thestem. The latter is sometimes curved at the base. _Peck. _

I have found this species frequently in the woods and open places aboutChillicothe. It is one of the easiest of the Boleti to determine. Theplants here have a bright brownish-red pileus, with a shade lightercolor on the stem; the latter quite rough and tapering toward the cap. They are usually solitary. The plants in Figure 306 were collected inMichigan and photographed by Dr. Fischer. 

_Boletus vermiculosus. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 307. --Boletus vermiculosus. One-half naturalsize. ]

Vermiculosus means full of small worms. The pileus is broadly convex, thick, firm, dry; smooth, or very minutely tomentose; brown, yellowish-brown or grayish-brown, sometimes tinged with red. The fleshis white or whitish, quickly changing to blue where wounded. The tubesare plane or slightly convex, nearly free, yellow; their mouths small, round, brownish-orange, becoming darker or blackish with age, changingpromptly to blue where wounded. 

The stem is nearly equal, firm, even, paler than the pileus. The sporesare ochraceous-brown, 10-12×4-5µ. _Peck. _

The plant represented in Figure 307 grew under the beech trees onCemetery Hill. I found it frequently in the woods, from July toSeptember. 

_Boletus Frostii. Russell. _

[Illustration: Figure 308. --Boletus Frostii. Caps blood-red and shining. Natural size. ]

Frostii is named in honor of Mr. Frost, a noted mycologist. 

The pileus is three to four inches broad; convex, polished, shining, blood-red; the margin is thin, the flesh scarcely changing to blue. 

The tubes are nearly free, greenish-yellow, becoming yellowish-brownwith age, their mouths blood-red or cinnabar-red. 

The stem is two to four inches long, three to six lines thick, equal ortapering upward, distinctly reticulated, firm, blood-red. The spores are12. 5-15×5µ. _Peck_, Boleti of U. S. 

This is a beautiful plant. It is not plentiful, yet it is foundfrequently on some of our hillsides. The plants in Figure 308 were foundin Hayne's Hollow near Chillicothe, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. The plant is found in New England and through the Middle West. I havehad beautiful plants sent me from Vermont. It is not edible, so far as Iknow. Found in August and September. 

_Boletus luridus. Schaeff. _

THE LURID BOLETUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 309. --Boletus luridus. One-half natural size. ]

Luridus means pale-yellow, sallow. The pileus is convex, tomentose, brown-olivaceous, then somewhat viscous, sooty. The flesh is yellow, changing to blue when wounded. Tubes free, yellow, becoming greenish, their mouths round, vermilion, becoming orange. The stem is stout, vermilion, somewhat orange at the top, reticulate or punctuate. Thespores are greenish-gray, 15×9µ. 

The lurid Boletus, though pleasant to the taste, is reputed verypoisonous. Boletus rubeolarius, Pers. , having a short, bulbous, scarcelyreticulated stem, is regarded as a variety of this species. Thered-stemmed Boletus, B. Erythropus, Pers. , is also indicated by Fries asa variety of luridus. It will be seen on the right in Figure 309. It issmaller than B. Luridus, has a brown or reddish-brown pileus and aslender cylindrical stem, not reticulated but dotted with squamules. _Peck_, Boleti of the U. S. The plant is quite abundant in our woods. Found in July and August. 

_Boletus castaneus. Bull. _

THE CHESTNUT BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 310. --Boletus castaneus. One-half natural size. ]

[Illustration: Figure 311. --Boletus castaneus. ]

Castaneus, pertaining to a chestnut. The pileus is dry, convex, thenexpanded, minutely velvety; cinnamon or reddish-brown, from one to threeinches in diameter; the flesh white, not changing when bruised, capfrequently turned upward. 

The tube-surface is white, becoming yellow, tubes small and short, freefrom the stem. 

The stem is equal or tapering upward, colored and clothed like the cap, short and not always straight; when young it is spongy in the center butbecomes hollow with age. The spores are pale-yellow, oval or broadlyelliptical, which is a feature to distinguish the species. 

I found a number of specimens in James Dunlap's woods, near Chillicothe, Ohio. A great majority seemed to be attacked by the parasitic fungi, Sepedonium chrysospermum. 

The caps are very fine eating. Care should be taken to use only youngspecimens. Found in open woods from June to September. 

_Boletus satanus. Lenz. _

SATANIC BOLETUS. 

Pileus convex, smooth, somewhat gluey, brownish-yellow or whitish; fleshwhitish, becoming reddish or violaceous where wounded. Tubes free, yellow, their mouths bright red, becoming orange-colored with age. Thestem thick, ovate-ventricose, marked above with red reticulations. _Peck_, Boleti of U. S. 

Hamilton Gibson and Captain McIlvaine seem to give his Satanic majesty agood reputation, but I would say "Be cautious. " His looks alwaysdeterred me. Found in woods from June to September. 

_Strobilomyces. Berk. _

Strobilomyces is from two Greek words meaning a pine-cone and a fungus. The hymenophore is even, tubes not easily separable from it, large andequal. It is of a brownish-gray color, its shaggy surface more or lessstudded with deep-brown or black woolly points, each at the center of ascale-like segment. The tubes beneath are covered at first with a veilwhich breaks and is often found on the rim of the cap. It is a plantthat will quickly attract attention. 

_Strobilomyces strobilaceus. Berk. _

THE CONE-LIKE BOLETUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 312. --Strobilomyces strobilaceus. Two-thirdsnatural size. ]

Strobilaceus, cone-like. This is especially emphasized from the factthat both the genus and the species are named from the fanciedresemblance of the cap to a pine cone. It is ever readily recognizedbecause of this character of the cap. 

The pileus is convex, rough with dark umber scales drawn into regularcone-like points tipped with dark-brown; margin veiled, fleshgrayish-white, turning red when bruised, and finally black. 

Pore-surface grayish-white in young specimens, and usually covered withthe veil; tubes attached to the stem, angular, turning red when bruised. 

The stem is equal or tapering upward, furrowed at the top, covered witha woolly down. Spores dark-brown, 12-13×9µ. Found at Londonderry. Common in woods. August to September. 

_Boletinus. Kalchb. _

Boletinus is a diminutive of Boletus. 

Hymenium composed of broad radiating lamellæ, connected by very numerousand narrow anastomosing branches or partitions, forming large angularpores. Tubes somewhat tenacious, not easily separable from thehymenophore and from each other, adnate or subdecurrent, yellowish. _Peck. _

_Boletinus pictus. Pk. _

THE PAINTED BOLETINUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 313. --Boletinus pictus. ]

Pictus, painted. This plant seems to delight in damp pine woods, but Ihave found it only occasionally about Chillicothe, under beech trees. Itis readily recognized by the red fibrillose tomentum which covers theentire plant when young. As the plant expands the reddish tomentum isbroken into scales of the same color, revealing the yellowish color ofthe pileus beneath. The flesh is compact, yellow, often changing to adull pinkish or reddish tint where wounded. 

The tube-surface is at first pale yellow, but becomes darker with age, often changing to pinkish, with a brown tinge where bruised. 

The stem is solid, equal, and covered with a cottony layer ofmycelium-threads like the pileus, though often paler. The spores areochraceous, 15-18×6-8µ. The plants are two to four inches broad, andone and a half to three inches high. Found from July to October. 

_Boletinus cavipes. Kalchb. _

HOLLOW-STEMMED BOLETINUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 314. --Boletinus cavipes. ]

Cavipes is from two Latin words meaning a hollow stem. 

The pileus is broadly convex, rather tough, flexible, soft, subumbonate, fibrillose-scaly, tawny-brown, sometimes tinged with reddish orpurplish, flesh yellowish. The tubes are slightly decurrent, at firstpale-yellow, then darker and tinged with green, becomingdingy-ochraceous with age. The stem is equal or slightly taperingupward, somewhat fibrillose or floccose, slightly ringed, hollow, tawny-brown or yellowish-brown, yellowish at the top and marked by thedecurrent dissepiments of the tubes, white within. Veil whitish, partlyadhering to the margin of the pileus, soon disappearing. The spores are8-10×4µ. _Peck_, in Boleti of the U. S. 

This plant grows in New York and the New England states, under pine andtamarack trees. The caps are convex, covered with a tawny-brownfibrillose tomentum. The stems of those I have seen are hollow from thefirst. The plants in Figure 314 were sent me from Massachusetts by Mrs. Blackford. 

_Boletinus porosus. _ (_Berk. _) _Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 315. --Boletinus porosus. Two-thirds natural size. Caps nut-brown, yellowish-brown or olivaceous. ]

These form a small but interesting species, not usually exceeding threeand a half inches in diameter nor more than two inches in height. 

The cap is somewhat fleshy, nut-brown, or yellowish-brown, shading toolivaceous in color in most of the specimens which I have found; whenfresh and moist, somewhat sticky and shining. The margins are thin, rather even, and inclined to be involute; the shape of the cap is moreor less irregular, in many cases almost kidney-shaped. 

The stem is laterally attached, tough, and gradually expands into thepileus which it resembles in color; it is markedly reticulated at thetop by the decurrent walls of the spore-tubes. The spore-surface isyellow, the tubes arranged in radiating rows, some being more prominentthan others, the partitions often assuming the form of gills whichbranch and are connected by cross partitions of less prominence. Thestratum of tubes, while soft, is very tenacious, not separating from theflesh of the pileus. 

The odor and taste of all the specimens found were pleasant. Found indamp woods in July and August. When a sufficient number can be foundthey make an excellent dish. 

It is found in abundance about Chillicothe. 

_Fistulina. Bull. _

Fistulina means a small pipe; so called because the tubes stand closetogether and separate easily one from another. 

The hymenophore is fleshy and hymenium inferior. When first seenspringing from a stump or root it looks like a large strawberry. It soondevelops into the appearance of a big red tongue. When young the upperside is quite velvety and peach-colored, later it becomes a livid redand loses its velvety appearance. The under surface is flesh-colored andis rough like the surface of a tongue, owing to the fact that the tubesare free from one another. When it is moist it is very viscid, makingyour hands quite blood-stained in appearance. 

_Fistulina hepatica. Fr. _

THE LIVER FUNGUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XLIII. Figure 316. --Fistulina hepatica. 

Beefsteak mushroom. ]

This is a beautiful plant, quite common where there are chestnut stumpsand trees. I have found it on chestnut oak, quite large specimens, too. It is one of my favorite mushrooms; one cannot afford to pass it by. Itsbeautiful color will attract attention at once, and having once eaten itwell prepared, one will never pass a chestnut stump without examiningit. 

[Illustration: Figure 317. --Fistulina hepatica. One-half natural size. ]

The pileus is fan-shaped or semicircular, red-juicy, flesh when cutsomewhat mottled like beet-root and giving forth a very appetizing odor;the cap is moist and somewhat viscid, the color varying from a red(somewhat beefy) to a reddish-brown in older plants; while the sporesurface varies from strawberry-pink through a light-and dark-tan to analmost chestnut-brown. 

In young plants the color is much richer and more vivid than in those ofgreater maturity. The spore surface resembles nothing so much as a veryfine sponge, the spore-tubes being short, crowded, yet distinct. 

The marked peculiarity of its mode of growth is in the attachment of thestem; somewhat thick, fleshy, and juicy, coming from the side of thepileus like the handle of a fan, it looks as if some one had taken holdof the cap and given it a partial twist to the right or to the left, asmay be seen in Figure 317. Another peculiarity I have noticed in thisspecies consists of the nerve-like lines, or veinlets, radiating fromthe stem and streaking the upper surface of the cap. The taste, whenraw, is slightly but pleasantly acid. Its favorite habitat seems to beinjured places on chestnut trees, and about chestnut stumps. It is knownas Liver Fungus, Beefsteak Fungus, Oak-Tongue, Chestnut-Tongue, etc. Itis found from July to October. 

I have found it plentiful about Chillicothe on chestnut stumps, andquite generally over the state. I found some very fine specimens on thechestnut oaks, about Bowling Green, Ohio. 

When properly prepared it is equal to any kind of meat. It is one of ourbest mushrooms. 

_Fistulina pallida. B. And Rav. _

[Illustration: Figure 318. --Fistulina pallida. Natural size. ]

Pallida means pale. Pileus kidney-shaped, pallid-red, fawn orclay-color, thick at the base and thinning toward the margin, which isoften crenate and inflexed; pulverulent, firm, flexible, tough; fleshwhite. 

The tubes are long and slender, mouths somewhat enlarged, whitish, thetube surface a pale cream-color and minutely mealy, pores not decurrentbut ending with the beginning of the stem. 

The stem is uniformly attached to the concave margin of the cap;attenuated downward; whitish below, but near the cap it changes to thesame tint. The peculiar manner of attachment of the stem will serve toidentify the species, which I have found several times near Chillicothe. The specimen in the illustration was found on the State farm, andphotographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Polyporus. Fr. _

Polyporus is from two Greek words meaning many and pores. In this genusthe stratum of the pores is not easily separated from the cap. Most ofthe species under this genus are tough and corky. Many grow on decayedwood, a few on the ground, but even these are inclined to be tough. Veryfew of those growing on wood have a central stem and many haveapparently no stem at all. 

_Polyporus picipes. Fr. _

THE BLACK-FOOTED POLYPORUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 319. --Polyporus picipes. Two-thirds natural size. Note the black stem, which gives name to the species. ]

Picipes is from _pix_, pitch or black, and _pes_, foot. 

The pileus is fleshy, rigid, coriaceous, tough, even, smooth, depressedeither behind or in the center; livid with a chestnut-colored disk. 

The pores are decurrent, rounded, small, tender, white, finallyreddish-gray. 

The stem is eccentric and lateral, equal, firm; at first velvety, thennaked; punctate with black dots, becoming black. 

The stem at the base is pitch-black, as will be seen in Figure 319. Themargin of the cap is very thin and the caps are irregularly funnel-form. This plant is widely distributed over the United States and is quitecommon about Chillicothe. Found in damp woods on decayed logs from Julyto November. When very young and tender it can be eaten. 

_Polyporus umbellatus. Fr. _

THE SUN-SHADE POLYPORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XLIV. Figure 320. --Polyporus umbellatus. ]

Umbellatus is from _umbella_, a sun-shade. Very much branched, fibrous-fleshy, toughish. The pileoli are very numerous, one-half to oneand a half inches broad, sooty, dull-red, united at the base. Pores areminute and white. White pileoli have sometimes occurred. _Fries. _

The tufts, as will be observed from Figure 320, are very dense, andthere seems to be no limit to their branching. Notice that every cap isdepressed or umbilicate. The specimen in Figure 320 was collected nearMammoth Cave, Kentucky, by Mr. C. G. Lloyd, Cincinnati, and through hiscourtesy I have used his print. I have found the plant about Chillicotheand Sidney, Ohio. It is found on decayed roots on the ground, or onstumps. When the caps are fresh they are quite good. 

May to November. 

_Polyporus frondosus. Fr. _

THE BRANCHED POLYPORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 321. --Polyporus frondosus. One-fifth naturalsize. ]

Frondosus, full of leafy branches. The tufts are from six inches to overa foot broad, very much branched, fibrous-fleshy, toughish. 

The pileoli are very numerous, one-half to two inches broad, sooty-gray, dimidiate, wrinkled, lobed, intricately recurved. Flesh white. Stems, growing into each other, white. 

The pores are rather tender, very small, acute, white, commonly round, but in oblique position, gaping open and torn. _Fries. _

The specimen in Figure 321 was found near Chillicothe. When tender it isvery good. Found on stumps and roots from September till the coming offrost. 

We are told that in the Roman markets this mushroom is frequently soldas an article of food. 

_Polyporus leucomelas. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 322. --Polyporus leucomelas. ]

Leucomelas is from two Greek words, _leucos_, white, and _melas_, black. 

The pileus is two to four inches broad, fleshy, somewhat fragile, irregularly shaped, silky, sooty-black; flesh soft, reddish when broken. 

The pores are rather large, unequal, ashy or whitish, becoming blackwhen drying. 

The stem is one to three inches long, stout, unequal, somewhattomentose, sooty-black, becoming black internally. The pileus and stembecome black in places. 

The spores are cylindric-fusoid, pale-brown, 10-12×4-5µ. 

They are usually found in pine woods. The caps are often deformed andare easily broken. The pores resemble those of a Boletus. The plant isquite widely distributed. The one in Figure 322 was found inMassachusetts by Mrs. Blackford, and I photographed it after it waspartially dry. It is probably the same as P. Griseus, P. 

_Polyporus Berkeleyi. Fr. _

BERKELEY'S POLYPORUS. EDIBLE. 

The pileoli are fleshy, tough, becoming hard and corky, many timesimbricated, sometimes growing very large, with many in a head;subzonate, finally tomentose; the plant very much branched, alutaceous. 

The stem is short or entirely wanting, arising from a long and thickcaudex. 

The pore surface is very large, the pores are large and irregular, angular, pale-yellowish. 

I have seen some very large specimens of this species. The natural sizeof the specimen in Figure 323 is two and one-fourth feet across. Whenyoung it is edible, but not equal to P. Sulphureus. It is found growingon the ground near trees and stumps, and is a widely distributed plant. 

[Illustration: Figure 323. --Polyporus Berkeleyi. One-fifth naturalsize. ]

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XLV. Figure 324. --Polyporus Berkeleyi. 

Reduced. Natural size being 2œ feet across. ]

_Polyporus giganteus. Fr. _

THE GIANT POLYPORUS. EDIBLE. 

Giganteus is from _gigas_, a giant. The pileoli are very numerous, imbricated, fleshy, tough, somewhat coriaceous, flaccid, somewhat zoned;color a grayish-brown in young specimens, the deep cream pore surfacestipping the pileoli, rendering it a very attractive plant; thiscream-color is quickly changed to black or deep-brown by touching it. 

The pores are minute, shallow, round, pallid, at length torn. 

The stem is branched, connate from a common tuber. 

This is a large and certainly a very attractive plant, being very oftentwo to three feet across. When young and tender it is edible. Foundgrowing on decayed stumps and roots, it is somewhat common in our state. I have found some quite large specimens about Chillicothe. It is easilydistinguished by its pore surface turning black or dark-brown to thetouch. When young and tender it makes a good stew, but it must be wellcooked. 

_Polyporus squamosus. Fr. _

THE SCALY POLYPORUS. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 325. --Polyporus squamosus. Natural size. ]

Squamosus means abounding in scales. The pileus is from three toeighteen inches broad, fleshy, fan-shaped, expanded, flattened, somewhatochraceous, variegated, with scattered, brown, adpressed scales. 

The stem is eccentric and lateral, blunt, reticulated at apex, blackishat the base. 

The pores are thin, variable; at first minute, then broad, angular andtorn; pallid. Spores are white and elliptical, 14×6µ. 

It is found from Massachusetts to Iowa, and grows very large. Specimenshave been reported seven feet in circumference and attaining a weight of40 pounds. 

The specimen in Figure 325 was found by Mr. C. G. Lloyd in the woods atRed Bank, near Cincinnati. It is quite a common plant in Europe. 

It is tough, but it is prepared for eating by being cut fine and stewedfor a half hour or more. 

In Figure 325 the angular and torn pores are obvious, as well as thescales which give rise to its name. Found on trunks and stumps from Mayto November. 

_Polyporus sulphureus. Fr. _

THE SULPHUR-COLORED POLYPORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XLVI. Figure 326. --Polyporus sulphureus. ]

Sulphureus, pertaining to sulphur, so called from the color of thetube-bearing surface. In mature specimens the growth is horizontal, spreading fan-like from the stem, undulating with radiating flutings. The upper surface is salmon, orange, or orange-red; flesh cheesy, light-yellow, the edge being smooth and unevenly thickened withnodule-like prominences. In young specimens the ascending, under yellowsurface outwardly exposed. 

The pore surface is a bright sulphur-yellow, which is more persistentthan the color of the cap; pores very minute, short, often formed ofinflexed masses. 

The stem is short, a mere close attachment for the spreading growth. Thetaste is slightly acid and mucilaginous when raw. The spores areelliptical and white, 7-8×4-5µ. 

It grows on decayed logs, on stumps, and on decayed places in livingtrees. The mycelium of this species will frequently be found in thehearts of trees and remain there for years before the tree is injuredsufficiently for the mycelium to come to the surface. It may takemonths, or a century, to accomplish this. 

When this plant is young and tender it is a prime favorite with all whoknow it. It is found from August to November. Its favorite host is anoak stump or log. 

_Polyporus flavovirens. B. & Rav. _

[Illustration: Figure 327. --Polyporus flavovirens. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

Flavovirens means yellowish-green or olivaceous. 

The pileus is quite large, three to six inches broad, convex, expandedfunnel-form or repand, fleshy, tomentose, yellowish-green or olivaceous;frequently the pileus is cracked when old; flesh white. 

The pores are not large, toothed, white or whitish, decurrent upon thestem which is tapering. 

This plant is very common on the oak hillsides about Chillicothe. Theplants in Figure 327 were found by Miss Margaret Mace on the GovernorTiffin farm, about twelve miles north of Chillicothe, growing in largegroups under oak trees. It is edible though often tough. It is found inAugust and September. It is very abundant in this region. 

_Polyporus heteroclitus. Fr. _

THE BOUQUET POLYPORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 328. --Polyporus heteroclitus. One-fourth naturalsize. The Pileoli bright orange. ]

Heteroclitus is from two Greek words; one of two and to lean, referringto its habit of growth, leaning apparently upon the ground or the baseof a tree or stump. It is cæspitose and coriaceous. The pileoli are twoand a half inches broad, orange and sessile, expanded on all sides fromthe radical tubercle, lobed, villous, zoneless. 

The pores are irregularly shaped and elongated, golden yellow. _Fries. _

The specimen in Figure 328 was found by Mr. Beyerly at Richmond Dale, Ohio. It was over a foot in diameter and eight inches high, growing inmany cæspitose layers, on the ground under an oak tree, from a radicaltubercle. The flesh was juicy and tender, breaking easily. The radicaltubercle from which it grew was filled with a milky juice. The flesh wassomewhat lighter in color than the outside pilei, which extendedhorizontally from the tubercle. It is a very showy and attractive plant, and as Captain McIlvaine remarks, it looks like a "mammoth dahlia" inbloom. When young and tender it is good, but in age it becomes rank. This plant was found July 1st. It grows in the months of June and July. 

_Polyporus radicatus. Schw. _

[Illustration: Figure 329. --Polyporus radicatus. One-third naturalsize. ]

Radicatus, from the long root the plant has. The pileus is fleshy, quitetough, cushion-shaped, slightly depressed, pale sooty, somewhat downy. 

The pores are decurrent, quite large, obtuse, equal, white. 

The stem is very long, often eccentric, tapering downward, sometimesventricose as in Figure 329, rooting quite deep, black below. 

It is found on the ground in the woods and in old clearings beside oldtrees and stumps. 

The blackish or brown pileus, which is more or less tomentose, with ablack stem more or less deformed, will serve to distinguish the species. Found from September to November. 

_Polyporus perplexus. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 330. --Polyporus perplexus. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

The pileus is spongy-fleshy, fibrous, sessile, commonly imbricated, andsomewhat confluent, irregular, hairy-tomentose to setose-hispid, grayish-tawny, or ferruginous, the margin subacute, sterile, thesubstance within tawny-ferruginous, somewhat zonate. 

The pores are two to three lines long, unequal, angular, thedissepiments becoming brownish-ferruginous with age or where bruised. The spores are ferruginous, broadly elliptical, . 00024 to . 0003 inchlong and about . 0002 broad. _Peck. _

This is very abundant on beech logs, growing quite large, massive, imbricated, and confluent, the pileoli being often two to four inchesbroad. It is very closely related to P. Cuticularis and P. Hispidus. Itcan be easily distinguished from P. Cuticularis by means of its straightmargin, and from P. Hispidus by its small size and smaller pores. Foundfrom September to November. 

_Polyporus hispidus. Fr. _

Pileus is very large, eight to ten inches broad and three to four inchesthick, compact, spongy, fleshy but fibrous, dimidiate, with occasionallya very short stem; generally very hairy, but sometimes smooth; thepileus is often marked with concentric lines which seem to indicatearrested vegetation; brown, blackish, yellowish or reddish brown, belowpale-yellow or rich sienna-brown, margin paler. 

The pores are minute, round, inclined to separate, fringed, paler. Thespores are yellowish, apiculate, 10×7µ. Often found on living trees, theplant gains entrance to the living stem through the bark, by means of awound made by some agency, as a bird or a boring insect; soon a mass ofmycelium is formed, and from this the fruiting body is produced. 

_Polyporus cuticularis. Fr. _

Pileus is quite thin, spongy, fleshy, then dry; plane, hairy-tomentose, ferruginous, then blackish-brown; margin fibrous, fimbriate, internallyloose and parallel, fibrous. 

The pores are long, quite small, pale, then ochraceous; pores longerthan the thickness of the flesh. The spores are yellow or ochraceous, very abundant, 7×4-5µ. The hairs on the pileus are three-cleft. 

This is very frequent in beech woods about Chillicothe. Found inSeptember and October. 

_Polyporus circinatus. Fr. _

THE ROUND POLYPORUS. EDIBLE. 

Circinatus is from _circinus_, a pair of compasses, hence means roundedlike a circle. 

The pileus is three to four inches across, with a double cap, one capwithin another, both being compact, thick, round, plane, zoneless, velvety, rusty-yellow to reddish-brown, the flesh being of the samecolor. The upper cap is pliable, compact, soft, and covered with a softtomentum, the lower cap, contiguous with the stem, is woody and corky. 

The pores are decurrent, extending down the stem, entire, rather small, dusky-gray. 

The stem is short and rather thick, often swollen, covered with areddish-brown tomentum. 

This is an odd but handsome species and easily determined because of itsdouble cap. It is said to prefer fir woods, but I have frequently foundit in oak woods. It grows on the ground, and when young and fresh thepilei are said to be good. I have never found more than one specimen ata time and never in a condition to eat, though good authorities say itis edible when young and tender. Found in September and October. 

_Polyporus adustus. Fr. _

Adustus means scorched, so called from the blackish color of margin. 

The pileus is often imbricated; fleshy, tough, firm, thin, villous, ash-color; margin straight, blackish. 

The pores are minute, round, obtuse, whitish, soon ashy-brown. 

It is abundant everywhere on fallen beech or on beech stumps. It is veryclose to P. Fumosus if it is not identical with it. It is found fromAugust to late fall. 

_Polyporus resinosus. _

[Illustration: Figure 331. --Polyporus resinosus. One-fourth naturalsize. ]

Pileus from three to six, and frequently eight, inches long; rich-brown, varying from bright cinnamon to red, handsomely marked with delicatepencilings radiating from the axis of growth; the color of the pileusseems to form a binding about the edge of the light-gray pore surface, which is closely punctured with minute elliptical pores. 

The color of the pore surface readily changes to brown upon slightpressure. The whole plant is full of a brownish juice which exudesfreely upon pressure. The plant is shelving and imbricated upon the sideof a log, without any apparent stem. 

Taken altogether the Polyporus resinosus presents one of the handsomestspecimens of fungus growth that one will be likely to find in a longday's tramp. When fresh and growing it has rather a pleasant taste. 

It is found during October and November, growing on decayed logs, beingpartial to the beech. Its abundance is equal to its beauty. 

_Polyporus lucidus. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 332. --Polyporus lucidus. One-third natural size. ]

The pileus is two to three or more inches broad, usually very irregular, brownish-maroon, with a distinct double zone of duller dark-brown andtan. Cap glazed especially in the center, wrinkled. 

The spore surface is a very light grayish-brown in the young plant, changing to almost a tan in older ones, pores labyrinthiform. 

The stem is irregular, knotted and swollen with protuberances somewhatresembling buds, from which develop the caps which in some cases appearas if stuck on the stem like barnacles on a stick. Contrary to mostmushrooms the upper surface of the cap and the stem are of nearly thesame color, the stem being usually of a more brilliant red. The stem hasa distinct root extending into the ground several inches. The wholeplant is almost indescribably irregular. It is quite an attractive plantwhen seen growing among the weeds and beside stumps. The plants inFigure 332 I found growing among Datura stramonium beside old stumps ina pasture. I have found the same species growing on oak stumps. It isknown as Ganoderma Curtisii, Berk. , G. Pseudo-boletus, Merrill. It isfound from August till late fall. 

_Polyporus obliquus. Pers. _

[Illustration: Figure 333. --Polyporus obliquus. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

Obliquus means slanting, oblique. This species is widely circumfused, usually hard, quite thick, uneven, pallid, elegant chocolate-brown, thenblackish; conversely encircled crested border. 

The pores are long, very minute, obtuse, slightly angular. It grows ondead branches of iron-wood and wild cherry. The deep chocolate-brown andthe oblique form of its pores will serve to identify the species. 

It grows, with us, in the spring. I gathered this specimen in June. Inthe fall I visited the same trunk, but found they had begun to decay. Itis sometimes called Poria obliqua. 

_Polyporus graveolens. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 334. --Polyporus graveolens. ]

Graveolens means strong scented. Corky or woody and extremely hard, veryclosely imbricated and connate, forming a subglobose polycephalous mass, Figure 334. Pileoli innumerable, inflexed and appressed, plicate, brown. 

Pores concealed, very minute, round, pale-brown, the dissepiments thickand obtuse. _Morgan. _

This is a very interesting plant because of its peculiar mode of growth. It is found in woods or clearings on dead logs or on standing deadtrees. In some parts of the state it is quite common. From theillustration, Figure 334, it will be seen that the plant consists of aninnumerable number of pileoli forming a subglobose or elongated mass. They are frequently three to six inches in diameter and several incheslong. I have seen them very much elongated on standing trees. When it isyoung and growing it is shiny in appearance and has a reddish andsometimes a purplish tint. The inner substance is ferruginous butcovered with a hard brown crust. The pores are brown, and when examinedwith the glass are seen to be lined with a very fine pubescence. Theimbricated form of the pileoli show very plainly in the illustration. 

_Polyporus brumalis. Fr. _

THE WINTER POLYPORUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 335. --Polyporus brumalis. ]

Brumalis is from _bruma_, which means winter; so called because itappears late, in cold weather. The specimens in Figure 335 were found inDecember. 

The pileus is from one to three inches broad, nearly plane, slightlydepressed in the center; somewhat fleshy and tough; dingy-brown, clothedwith minute scales, becoming smooth, pallid. 

The pores are oval, slightly angular, slender, acute, denticulate, white, 5-6×2µ. 

The stem is short, thin, slightly bulbous at the base, hirsute orsquamulose, pale, central. 

It usually occurs singly but frequently you will find several in agroup. Found on sticks and logs, they are quite hard to detach fromtheir hosts. Too tough to eat. It equals Polyporus polyporus. (Retz)Merrill. 

_Polyporus rufescens. Fr. _

THE RUFESCENT POLYPORUS. 

Rufescens, becoming red. The pileus is flesh-colored, spongy, soft, unequal, hairy or woolly. 

The pores are large, sinuose and torn, white or flesh-colored. 

The stem is short, irregular, tuberous at the base. Spores elliptical, 6×4-5µ. 

Rather common about Chillicothe on the ground about old stumps. 

_Polyporus arcularius. Batsch. _

[Illustration: Figure 336. --Polyporus arcularius. Two-thirds naturalsize, showing dark brown and depressed center; also dark brown stems. ]

The pileus is dark-brown, minutely scaly, depressed in the center, margin covered with stiff hairs. 

The tube surface is of a dingy cream color, openings oblong, almostdiamond-shaped, resembling the meshes of a net, the meshes being smalleron the margin, shallow, simply marked out at the top of the stem. 

The stem is dark-brown, minutely scaly, mottled, with a ground work ofcream-color; hollow. Common in the spring of the year on sticks anddecayed wood in fields or in old clearings. It is quite generallydistributed. Edible but tough. 

_Polyporus elegans. Fr. _

The pileus is fleshy, soon becoming woody; expanded, even, smooth, pallid. 

Pores are plane, minute, nearly round, pallid, yellowish-white. 

The stem is eccentric, even, smooth, pallid; base from the firstabruptly black. This is quite common on rotten wood in the forests. Itresembles P. Picipes both in appearance and habitat. 

_Polyporus medulla-panis. Fr. _

Effused, determinate, subundulate, firm, smooth, white, circumferencenaked, submarginate, wholly composed of middle sized, rather long, entire pores, the whole becoming yellowish in age. 

I found this species on an elm log along Ralston's Run. 

_Polyporus albellus. Pk. _

The pileus is thick, sessile, convex or subungulate, subsolitary, two tofour inches broad, one to one and a half thick, fleshy, rather soft; theadnate cuticle rather thin, smooth or sometimes slightly roughened by aslight strigose tomentum, especially toward the margin; whitish, tingedmore or less with fuscus; flesh pure white, odor acidulous. 

The pores are nearly plane, minute, subrotund, about two lines long;white, inclining to yellowish, the dissepiments thin, acute. 

The spores are minute, cylindrical, curved, white, . 00016 to . 0002 inchlong. _Peck. _

This species is quite common here and is very widely distributed in theUnited States. 

_Polyporus epileucus. Fr. _

This is quite a large and beautiful plant. It apparently grows without astem, its color being an unequal gray. The pileus is somewhatcoriaceous, firm, pulvinate, villous. 

The pores are round, elongated, obtuse, entire, white. 

This is not common with us, but I have met it a few times and always onelm logs or stumps. 

_Polyporus betulinus. Fr. _

THE BIRCH POLYPORUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 337. --Polyporus betulinus. ]

Betulinus is from _betulina_, birch. 

The pileus is from four to ten inches across, fleshy, soon corky, ungulate, obtuse, smooth, pale reddish-brown when mature, often mottled, roundish, or somewhat reniform, zoneless, the oblique vertex in theform of an umbo; pellicle thin, separating; flesh white, very thick. 

The pores are short, round, minute, unequal, separable from the pileuswhen fresh, but really concrete with it; white or tinged with brown, developing slowly; when mature there are peculiar hair-like scalesattached to the pore-surface, making the plant look like a Hydnum whenviewed from the side. It is found wherever the birch tree grows. Whenyoung and fresh it is edible, but with a strong flavor unpleasant tomany. In this state the deer eat it. The specimen in Figure 337 wasfound in Wisconsin, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. This species isthe Piptoporus suberosus (L. ) of Merrill. 

_Polyporus cinnabarinus. Schw. _

CINNABAR POLYPORUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 338. --Polyporus cinnabarinus. One-third naturalsize. ]

Cinnabarinus like cinnabar (vermilion). The pileus is dry, more or lessspongy, pliant, rather thick, fibrous on top; flesh light oryellowish-red, shelving. 

The pores are carmine, quite small, round, entire. 

This species is quite common in the woods about Chillicothe. It iseasily identified by the beautiful carmine color of the pileus and thepore surface, the latter being a shade darker than the former, as willbe seen in Figure 338. 

The specimens photographed were found in December. They grow on deadlogs and branches, commonly on the oak and wild cherry, sometimes onmaple. It is called by some authors Trametes cinnabarina. 

_Polyporus vulgaris. Fr. _

COMMON EFFUSED POLYPORUS. 

Vulgaris, common. Quite broadly effused, very thin, adheres closely toits host; even, white, dry. Circumference soon smooth and the wholesurface composed of firm, crowded, small, round, nearly equal pores. 

Effused on dead wood, fallen branches, and frequently on moist boards. 

_Polyporus lacteus. Fr. _

The pileus is white, or whitish, fleshy, somewhat fibrous, fragile, triangular in form, pubescent, azonate, margin somewhat inflexed, acute. 

The pores are thin, acute, dentate, finally lacerate and labyrinthiform. 

This species is found in the woods, on beech logs. It is small and thin, not much more than an inch in width but sometimes elongated. Steep andgibbous behind, becoming at length smooth and equal. It is not abundantin our woods, but I have found it often. August and September. 

_Polyporus cæsius. Schrad. _

The pileus is white, with a bluish tinge occasionally upon its surface, soft, tenacious, unequal, silky. 

The pores are small, unequal, long, flexuous, dentate, lacerate. 

It is found in woods on partially decayed sticks. I have onlyoccasionally found a specimen in our woods. 

_Polyporus pubescens. Schw. _

[Illustration: Figure 339. --Polyporus pubescens. White without andwithin, pubescent and shiny. ]

Pubescens means downy; so called from the satiny finish of its pileus, which is fleshy, quite tough and corky, soft, convex, subzonate, pubescent and shiny; white without and within; the margin acute, becoming at length yellowish and hard, with a shiny lustre. 

The pores are short, minute, nearly round and plane. 

The pileus is from one to two inches in width, laterally confluent andusually very much imbricated. Quite plentiful in woods on beech logs. July to November. 

_Polyporus volvatus. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 340. --Polyporus volvatus. Natural size. ]

Volvatus, bearing a volva. This is a most interesting species. Thepileus seems to be prolonged, making a volva-like protection of thespore surface. When this volva is ruptured small heaps of spores willoften be seen on the volva, having been protected from the wind. 

The plant is small, somewhat round, and before the volva is ruptured itis very like a puffball; fleshy, smooth, attached by a small point, whitish, slightly tinged with yellow, red or reddish-brown; the cuticleof the pileus enveloping the entire pore-surface, thick and firm. Thepores are rather long, small, the mouths yellowish, with a tinge ofbrown. The spores are elliptical and flesh-colored, . 0003 to . 00035 inchlong and about . 0002 broad. 

This plant has a wide distribution, being found in the New England andEastern States, and the States of the Pacific slope. I presume it willbe found wherever the spruce tree is a native. 

The specimens in Figure 340 were found near Boston and were sent meabout the first of May by Mrs. Blackford. The first package I took, before examining them, to be a new puffball, which they seemed toresemble in their undeveloped state. 

_Polystictus biformis. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 341. --Polystictus biformis. Natural size. Frequently covered with green lichen. ]

Biformis means two shapes or appearances; referring to the condition ofthe pores in the young and the old plant. 

The pileus is two to three inches wide, projecting from one to threeinches, often imbricated so as to cover a large surface; laterallyconfluent, coriaceous, flexible, tough, subzonate, with innate radiatingfibres, the cortex fibrillose, concolorous. 

The pores at first very large, simple, compound, or confluent, round, elongated, flexuous; the dissepiments dentate, then lacerate, thehymenium finally resolved into teeth. 

When I first found this plant the hymenium had resolved into teeth, andI supposed that I had found an Irpex. It is found in woods on logs andstumps. Very common with us. Frequently covered with a green lichen. July to November. 

_Polystictus hirsutus. Fr. _

THE BRISTLY POLYSTICTUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 342. --Polystictus hirsutus. Natural size. ]

Hirsutus means hairy or bristly. The pileus is corky, coriaceous, convex, then plane, hairy with rigid bristles, zoned with concentricfurrows; of one color, whitish, sometimes these zones are quite markedas in Figure 342. 

The pore surface is at first white, or whitish, becoming dark orbrownish in age. The pores are round, the walls rather thick. It isfound on logs and stumps in the woods. It is a very common plant andwidely distributed. 

_Polystictus versicolor. Fr. _

THE COMMON ZONED POLYSTICTUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 343. --Polystictus versicolor. One-half naturalsize. ]

Versicolor means varying colors. The pileus is coriaceous, thin, rigid, plane, depressed behind; quite velvety, nearly even and shining, variegated with colored zones, sometimes entirely white orgrayish-white, not unfrequently the whole surface is villous or woolly, and the zones mere depressions. 

The pores are minute, round, acute, lacerated, white or cream-color. 

It is very common, as well as very variable in form and color. It isfrequently found on logs and is then densely imbricated. On ourhillsides it frequently grows on a small bush as in Figure 343. It isone of the most beautiful plants in the woods. 

_Polyporus gilvus. Schw. _

Gilvus means pale-yellow or deep-reddish flesh-color. 

The pileus is corky, woody, hard, effuso-reflexed, imbricate, concrescent, subtomentose, then scabrous, uneven, reddish-yellow, thensubferruginous, the margin acute. 

The pores are minute, round, entire, brownish-ferruginous. _Morgan. _

It is very abundant throughout the state, being found on all kinds oflogs and stumps. 

_Polystictus cinnamoneus. Jacq. _

[Illustration: Figure 344. --Polystictus cinnamoneus. ]

The pileus is an inch and a half, or less, broad, coriaceous, slightlydepressed in the center; rather rough on the surface, but with abeautiful satiny lustre, and more or less zoned; caps often growingtogether, but with separate stems; shining, a light cinnamon-brown. 

The spores are rather large, angular, torn with age; cinnamon-brown, growing darker in older plants. 

The stem is one to two inches long, equal, or slightly tapering upward, cinnamon-brown, hollow or stuffed, tough, frequently sending forthbranches from the side and base of the stem. 

This is quite a beautiful plant, growing usually in patches of moss. Thecaps have quite a glossy cinnamon-brown surface, which will attract theattention of any one. They are very small and easily overlooked. Foundin August and September. 

This plant is called P. Subsericeus by Dr. Peck. 

_Polystictus perennis. Fr. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate XLVII. Figure 346. --Polystictus perennis. ]

The pileus is thin, pliant when fresh but somewhat brittle when dry. Itis minutely velvety on the upper surface, reddish-brown or cinnamon incolor; expanded or umbilicate to nearly funnel-shaped. The surface isbeautifully marked by radiations and fine concentric zones. 

The stem is also velvety. The spore-tubes are minute, the walls thin andacute, and the mouths angular, and at last more or less torn. The marginof the cap is finely fimbriate, but in old specimens those hairs are aptto become rubbed off. _Atkinson. _

I found specimens by the roadside near Lone Tree Hill, near Chillicothe. It is the only place in which I have found this plant. I have foundPolystictus subsericeus, or, as Prof. Atkinson calls it, P. Cinnamomeus, in a number of localities. 

_Polystictus pergamenus. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 345. --Polystictus pergamenus. ]

Pergamenus means parchment. 

The pileus is coriaceous, thin, effused, reflexed, villous, zoned, cinereous-white, with colored zone; pliant when fresh. 

The pores are unequal, torn, violaceous, then pallid. It is very commonhere on beech, maple, and wild cherry. The pores become torn so thatthey resemble the teeth of the Hydnum. This is one of the most commonfungi in our woods. 

The photograph is by Prof. J. D. Smith, of Akron, O. 

_Fomes leucophæus. Mont. _

This has been called by many authors in America Fomes applanatus orPolyporus applanatus. It is very common in this country but very rare inEurope, while Fomes applanatus, which is common in Europe, is veryscarce in the United States. In general appearance they are much alike, the applanatus having a softer tissue and echinulate spores, but ourcommon species, leucophæus, has smooth spores. 

The pileus is expanded, tuberculose, obsoletely zoned, pulverulent, orsmooth; cinnamon, becoming whitish; cuticle crustaceous, rigid, atlength fragile, very soft within; loosely floccose, margin tumid; white, then cinnamon. The pores are very small, slightly ferruginous, orificewhitish, brownish when bruised. The spore surface when fresh is soft andwhite. 

This attractive plant is very common in our woods and furnishes anexcellent stencil surface for drawing. Found all the year round. 

_Fomes fomentarius. Fr. _

THE BRACKET FOMES. 

This species is very common in our woods. The brackets resemble ahorse's hoof in shape. They are smoky, gray, and of various shades ofbrown. The upper surface of the bracket is quite strongly zoned andfurrowed, so as to show each year's growth. The margin is thick andblunt, and the tube surface is concave; the openings of the tubes quitelarge, so that they can be readily seen by the naked eye. The tubesurface is reddish-brown when mature. The inside was formerly used inmaking tinder-sticks, which were made by rolling the fungus wood untilit was perfectly flexible and then dipping it into saltpetre. 

_Fomes rimosus. Berkeley. _

CRACKED FOMES. 

[Illustration: Figure 347. --Fomes rimosus. ]

Rimosus means cracked. The fine checks in the pileus are clearly seen inthe halftone. 

The pileus is pulvinate-ungulate, much dilated, deeply sulcate;cinnamon, then brown or blackish; very much cracked or rimose. It isvery hard, fibrous, tawny-ferruginous; the margin broad, pruinate-velvety, rather acute. 

The pores are minute, indistinctly stratified, tawny-ferruginous, themouths rhubarb-color. _Morgan. _

This plant is very common on the locust trees about Chillicothe. I havenever found it on other wood. 

_Fomes pinicola. (Swartz. ) Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 348. --Fomes pinicola. ]

Pinicola means dwelling on pine. It is found on dead pine, spruce, balsam, and other conifers. It resembles Fomes leucophæus but issomewhat stouter and does not have as hard and firm a crust. The younggrowth is at the margin, and is whitish or tinged with yellow, while theold zones are reddish. The tube surface is whitish-yellow or yellowish. This is frequently called Polyporus pinicolus. (Swartz. ) Fr. 

_Fomes igniarius. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 349. --Fomes igniarius. ]

This is rather a common species in our state; black or brownish-black incolor, somewhat triangular in shape, and frequently hoof-shaped. Thezones indicating the yearly growth are plainly marked, and the tubes arequite long and of a dark brown color. Their growth is rather slow, andit requires years to produce some of the moderate sized specimens. Prof. Atkinson of Cornell University found a specimen which he believed to beover 80 years old. 

This is called by many authors Polyporus igniarius (L. ), Fr. Murrillcalls it Pyropolyporus igniarius. This plant is widely distributed overthe United States, and is met frequently in every wood in Ohio. 

_Fomes fraxinophilus. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 350. --Fomes fraxinophilus. ]

Fraxinophilus means ash-loving; rather common in this country, but doesnot grow in Europe. 

The pileus is between corky and woody, smooth, somewhat flattened, atfirst zoneless; white when young, then reddish-brown, white around themargin; at first even, then concentrically sulcate, pale within. 

The tubes are short, pores minute, rusty-red but covered from the firstwith a white pubescence and continuous with the margin; the sporesnearly round, 6-7µ. 

The specimens in Figure 350 were found in Haynes' Hollow on a livingash, growing at intervals of five or six feet, one above another, to aheight of thirty feet. 

_Trametes. Fr. _

In case of the genus Trametes the hymenophorum descends into the tramaof the pores without any change, and is permanently concrete with thepileus. The pores are entire. There are, however, a few of the Polyporiwhich are quite thin that have the trama of the same structure with thehymenophorum. These have been separated by Fries and have been called_Polystictus_. They are distinguished by the fact that the pores developfrom the center out and are perpendicular to the fibrillose stratumabove the hymenophorum while in the genus _Trametes_ the hymenophorum isnot distant from the rest of the pileus. 

_Trametes rubescens. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 351. --Trametes rubescens. ]

[Illustration: Figure 352. --Trametes rubescens. ]

This is one of the neatest plants of this structure in our woods. Itgrows on the small branches and many times covers them quite well. It isresupinate, the cap being beautifully zoned as you see in Figure 351. Frequently they grow from the side of a small tree that has fallen tothe ground and in this case they are shelving. 

The pore surface is usually reddish or flesh-color, the pores being longand irregular and inclined to be labyrinthiform in older specimens aswill be seen in Figure 352. 

The whole plant is reddish or pale flesh-color. No one will fail torecognize it from these cuts. 

_Trametes scutellata. Schw. _

Scutellata means shield-bearing. It is frequently quite small, an inchor less; coriaceous, dimidiate, orbiculate or ungulate, fixed by theapex; the pilei quite hard: white, then brownish and blackish, becomingrugged and uneven, with white margin; hymenium disk-shaped, concave, white-pulverulent becoming dark; pores minute, long, with thick obtusedissepiments. This is found on fence posts. 

_Trametes Ohiensis. Berk. _

The pilei are pulvinate, narrow, zoned, often laterally confluent;ochraceous-white, tomentose, then smooth, laccate. This plant resemblesT. Scutellata in many points, both in habit and in form. 

_Trametes suaveolens. (L. ) Fr. _

Soft at first, pulvinate, white, villous, zoneless; pores rotund, ratherlarge, obtuse, white, then darker; anise-scented. Found on willows. 

_Merulius. Fr. _

Merulius means a blackbird; from the color of the fungus. 

Hymenophore covered with the soft waxy hymenium, which is incompletelyporus, or arranged in reticulate, sinuous, dentate folds. This genusgrows on wood, at first resupinate, expanded; the hymenophore springingfrom a mucous mycelium. 

_Merulius rubellus. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 353. --Merulius rubellus. Natural size. ]

Rubellus is the diminutive of _ruber_, reddish. The pileus grows intufts, sessile, confluent and imbricated, repand, thin, convex, soft, dimidiate, quite tenacious; tomentose, evenly red, margin mostlyundulately inflexed, growing pale in age. Hymenium whitish or reddish, folds much branched, forming anastomosing pores. The spores areelliptical, hyaline, minute, 4-5×2. 5-3µ. The pileus is two to threeinches long and an inch and a half broad. 

It is found very frequently on decayed beech and sugar trees and I havefound it growing on a live oak. The specimens in Figure 353 werecollected near Columbus and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. It isprobably the same as M. Incarnati, Schw. 

_Merulius tremellosus. Schrad. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 354. --Merulius tremellosus]

Tremellosus, trembling. Resupinate; margin becoming free and more orless reflexed, usually radiately-toothed, fleshy, tremelloid, tomentose, white; hymenium variously wrinkled and porus, whitish andsubtranslucent-looking, becoming tinged with brown in the center. Thespores are cylindrical, curved, about 4×1µ. From one to three inchesacross, remaining pale when growing in dark places. The margin issometimes tinged with a rose-color, radiating when it is well developed. _Massee. _

This plant grows in woods on wood and is quite common in our woods--boththe rose-colored and the translucent-brown. Captain McIlvaine callsMerulius tremellosus and M. Rubellus emergency species. He says they arerather tasteless, tough, slightly woody in flavor. They are found inOctober and November. 

_Merulius corium. Fr. _

Resupinate, effused, soft, papery, circumference at length free, reflexed, white, villous below. Hymenium netted, porus, pallid, tan-color. 

Found on decaying-branches. Quite common. 

_Merulius lacrymans. Fr. _

Resupinate, fleshy, spongy, moist, tender, at first very light, cottonyand white; when the veins appear they are of a fine yellow, orange orreddish-brown, forming irregular folds, so arranged to have theappearance of pores (but never anything like tubes), distilling whenperfect drops of water which give rise to the specific name "weeping. "

Dr. Charles W. Hoyt of Chillicothe, brought to my office two or threeplants of this species that had grown on the under side of the floor inhis wash-house. When he took up the floor the workmen discovered anumber of pendant processes, some oval, some cone-shaped. Some wereeight inches long, very white and beautiful but clearly illustrating theweeping process. The doctor called them white rats suspended by theirtails. 

_Dædalea. Pers. _

Dædalea is used with reference to the labyrinthiform pores; so namedafter Dædalos, the builder of the labyrinth of Crete. 

The hymenophore descends into the trama without any change, pores firm, when fully grown sinuous and labyrinthiform, lacerated, and toothed. Thehabits of Dædalea are very much the same as Trametes, but they areinodorous. Care should be taken not to confound them with the species ofPolyporus that have elongated curved pores. 

_Dædalea ambigua. Berk. _

[Illustration: Figure 355. --Dædalea ambigua. One-third natural size, showing upper surface. ]

[Illustration: Figure 356. --Dædalea ambigua. One-third natural size, showing the pore surface. ]

The pileus is white, corky, horizontal, explanate, reniform, subsessile, azonate, finely pubescent, becoming smooth. 

Pores from round to linear and labyrinthiform, the dissepiments alwaysobtuse and never lamellate. 

It is a very common growth in Ohio, found on old logs of the sugarmaple. You will see the beginning of the growth in the spring as a roundwhite nodule which develops slowly. If the same plant is observed inthe summer it will be found to be gibbous or convex in form. It finishesits growth in the fall when it has become explanate and horizontal, depressed above and with a thin margin. When fresh and growing it is ofa rich cream-color and has a soft and velvety touch and a pleasantfragrance. In Figure 355, showing the surface of the cap, the growth ofthe plant shows in the form of the zones. Figure 356 shows the form ofthe dissepiments. In younger specimens these are frequently round, muchlike a Polyporus. There is one locality in Poke Hollow where the maplelogs are white with this species, appearing, in the distance, to beoyster mushrooms. 

_Dædalea quercina. Pk. _

THE OAK DÆDALEA. 

[Illustration: Figure 357. --Dædalea quercina. ]

The pileus is a pallid wood color, corky, rugulose, uneven, withoutzones, becoming smooth; of the same color within as without; the marginin full-grown specimens thin, but in imperfectly developed specimensswollen and blunt. 

The pores are at first round, then broken into contorted or gill-likelabyrinthiform sinuses, with obtuse edges of the same color as thepileus, sometimes with a slight shade of pink. 

They grow to be very large, from six to eight inches broad, being foundon oak stumps and logs, though not as common in Ohio as D. Ambigua. Thespecimen in Figure 357 were found in Massachusetts by Mrs. Blackford andphotographed here. 

_Dædalea unicolor. Fr. _

Villose-strigose, cinereous with concolorous zones; hymenium withflexuous, winding, intricate, acute dissepiments, at length torn andtoothed. The pores are whitish cinereous, sometimes fuscous; variable inthickness, color, and character of hymenium; sometimes with whitemargin; often imbricated and fuliginous when moist. Widely distributedover the states and found on nearly all deciduous trees. 

_Dædalea confragosa. Boton. _

THE WILLOW DÆDALEA. 

[Illustration: Figure 358. --Dædalea confragosa. ]

Confragosa means broken, rough. The pileus is rather convex, corky, rough, slightly zonate, reddish-brown, unicolorous, somewhat of arust-red within. 

The pores are frequently round, like those of the Polyporus, butsometimes they are elongated into gills like the Lenzites;reddish-brown. 

I have seen quite old specimens that were very difficult to distinguishfrom some of the forms of Lenzites. The young plants resemble veryclosely Trametes rubescens. It grows on Cratægus, willow and sometimeson other trees, and is widely distributed. The specimen in Figure 358was found in Massachusetts by Mrs. Blackford, and photographed in mystudy. 

_Favolus. Fr. _

Favolus is a diminutive of _favus_, honey-comb. 

The hymenium is alveolate, radiating, formed of the densely irregularlyuniting gills; elongated, diamond-shaped. Spores white. Semicircular inoutline, somewhat stipitate. 

_Favolus canadensis. Klotsch. _

[Illustration: Figure 359. --Favolus Canadensis. ]

The pileus is fleshy, tough, thin, kidney-form, fibrillose, scaly, tawny, becoming pale and smooth. 

The pores or alveoli are angular elongated, white at first, thenstraw-color. 

The stem is eccentric, lateral, very short or lacking altogether. 

This plant is very common around Chillicothe on fallen branches in thewoods, especially on hickory. Found from September to frost. Notpoisonous but too tough to eat. I do not believe there is any differencebetween F. Canadensis and Favolus Europeus. I notice that our plantassumes different colors in different stages of its growth, and the formof the pores also changes. 

_Cyclomyces. Kunz & Fr. _

Cyclomyces is from two Greek words, meaning a circle and fungus. Thisgenus is very distinct from other tube-bearing genera. The pileus isfleshy, leathery or membranaceous, and usually cushion-formed. Upon thelower surface are the plate-like bodies resembling the gills of Agaricsbut which are composed of minute pores. These pore bodies are arrangedin concentric circles around the stem. 

_Cyclomyces Greenii. Berk. _

[Illustration: Figure 360. --Cyclomyces Greenii]

[Illustration: Figure 361. --Cyclomyces Greenii. Old specimens. ]

The pileus is two to three inches broad, globose at first, convex, sometimes undulate, somewhat zoned, tomentose, dry, cushion-formed, cinnamon-brown, rather showy. 

The gills are in concentric circles around the stem, growing larger andlarger as they reach the margin of the cap. In the young plant the gillsare divided into long divisions but in the older plant these divisionlines disappear as will be seen in Figure 361. The edges of the gillsare white at first, as will be seen in Figure 361, but finally becomingcinnamon-brown. 

The stem is central, tapering upward, quite large and swollen at timesvery much like Hydnum spongiosipes; the color is the same as the pileus. 

This is a very interesting plant and quite rare in Ohio, however, Ifound several plants in the fall of 1905, on Ralston's Run. In the samelocality I found Boletus badius, and when I first saw C. Greenii I camenear mistaking it for the same plant and so neglecting it, the capsbeing at first glance so much alike. 

_Gloeoporus. Mont. _

Gloeoporus is from two Greek words, meaning gluten and pore. Theplants of this genus resemble the polyporus and are frequently placedunder that genus. 

_Gloeoporus conchoides. Mont. _

Conchoides means like a shell. 

The pileus is leathery or woody, at first fleshy, soft, effused, withupper margin reflexed; thin, silky, whitish, with edge of the marginoften reddish. It has a trembling, gelatinous, spore-bearing surface, often somewhat elastic. 

The pores are short, very small, round, cinnamon-brown. 

There are several synonyms. Polyporus dichrous, Fr. , and P. Nigropurpurascens, Schw. Montgomery places it in the above genus becauseof its gelatinous hymenium. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

HYDNACEAE--FUNGI WITH TEETH. 

There is, perhaps, no family in mycology that has a greater variety inform, size, and consistency than this. Some species are very large, someare small, some fleshy, and some are corky or woody. The fruitingsurface is the special characteristic marking the family. This surfaceis covered with spines or teeth which nearly always point to the earth. 

Many of the Hydnaceæ are shelving, growing on trees or logs; some growon the ground on central, but usually eccentric, stems. The genera ofHydnaceæ are distinguished by the size, shape, and attachment of theteeth. The following genera are included:

 Hydnum--Spines discrete at the base. Irpex--Resupinate; with gill-like teeth concrete with the pileus. Mucronella--Plants with teeth only and no basal membrane. Radulum--Hymenium with thick, blunt, irregular spines. Sistotrema--Fleshy plants with caps and flattened teeth, on ground. Phlebia--Plants spread over the host with crowded folds or wrinkles. Grandinia--Covered with granules, more or less smooth, and excavated. Odontium--Covered with crested granules. 

_Hydnum. Linn. _

Hydnum is from a Greek word meaning an eatable fungus. The genus ischaracterized by awl-shaped spines which are distant at the base. Thesespines are at first papilliform, then elongated and round. They form thefruiting surface and take the place of the gills in the familyAgaricaceæ and of the pores in the family of Polyporaceæ. The spines aresimple or in some cases the tips are more or less branched. 

This is the greatest genus in the family and it includes many importantedible species. It may be divided into two groups: one, those specieshaving a cap and a central or lateral stem; the other, the speciesgrowing with or without a distinct cap, in large imbricated masses. Someimitate coral in structure and some seem to be a mass of spines. Many ofthese plants grow to be very large and massive, frequently weighing overten pounds. 

_Hydnum repandum. Linn. _

THE SPREADING HYDNUM. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 362. --Hydnum repandum. Two-thirds natural size. ]

Repandum, bent backward, referring to the position of the stem and thecap. The pileus is two to four inches broad, generally irregular, withthe stem eccentric; fleshy, brittle, convex or nearly plane, compact, more or less repand, nearly smooth; color varying from a pale buff--thetypical hue--to a distinct brick-red; flesh creamy-white, inclining toturn brown when bruised; taste slightly aromatic, margin often wavy. 

The spines are beneath the cap, one-quarter to one-third of an inchlong, irregular, entire, pointed, rather easily detached, leaving smallcavities in the fleshy cap, soft, creamy, becoming darker in olderspecimens. 

The stem is short, thick, solid in young specimens, hollow in olderspecimens; paler than the pileus, rather rough, often set eccentricallyinto the cap; one to three inches long, sometimes thickened at the base, sometimes at the top. The spores are globose or a broad oval, with asmall papilla at one end. 

The usual color of the cap is buff, sometimes very pale, almost white. The color and smoothness of the cap have given rise to the name of"doe-skin mushroom. " I found this plant occasionally in the woods aboutSalem, Ohio. It is very variable in size and color, and is quitefragile, growing alone or in clusters. It is one of our best mushroomsif properly cooked, and may be dried and kept for winter use. Found inwoods and open places from July to October, sometimes earlier. Specimensin Figure 362 were found in Poke Hollow. 

_Hydnum imbricatum. Linn. _

THE IMBRICATED HYDNUM. EDIBLE. 

Imbricatum is from _imbrex_, a tile, referring to the surface of the capbeing torn into triangular scales, seeming to overlap one another likeshingles on a roof. 

The pileus is fleshy, plane, slightly depressed, tessellated scaly, downy, not zoned, umber in color or brownish as if scorched, fleshdingy-white, taste slightly bitter when raw, margin round. 

The spines are decurrent, entire, numerous, short, ashy-white, generallyequal in length. 

The stem is firm, short, thick, even, whitish. The spores are paleyellow-brown, rough. 

The bitter taste entirely leaves the plant when well cooked. It seems todelight in pine or chestnut woods. I found it in Emmanuel Thomas' woods, east of Salem, Ohio. It is found from September to November. 

_Hydnum erinaceum. Bull. _

THE HEDGEHOG HYDNUM. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Plate XLVIII. Figure 363. --Hydnum Erinaceum. 

Two-thirds natural size. The plant is entirely white when fresh. ]

Erinaceum, a hedgehog. Two to eight inches or more across. Tuftspendulous. White and yellowish-white becoming yellowish-brown; fleshy, elastic, tough, sometimes emarginate (broadly attached as if tuft werecut in two or sliced off where attached), a mass of latticed branchesand fibrils. Spines one and a half inches to four inches long, crowded, straight, equal, pendulous. The stem is sometimes rudimentary. Thespores are subglobose, white, plain, 5-6µ. _Peck_, 22 N. Y. Report. 

The spines when just starting are like small papillæ, as will be seen inFigure 364. Figure 363 represents a very fine specimen found on the endof a beech log, on the Huntington Hills, near Chillicothe. It made ameal for three families. I have found several basketfuls of this specieson this same log, within the past few years. I have also found on thesame log large specimens of Hydnum corralloides. 

The photograph at the beginning of the book represents the largestspecimen I ever saw of this species. It measured eighteen inches one wayand thirteen the other, and was found on a maple tree on top of MountLogan. It grew from a central stem, while the one in Figure 363 grewfrom a crack in a log, apparently without a stem. Plate I, Figure 1 wasphotographed after it was dried. The specimen can be seen in the LloydLibrary in Cincinnati. Found from July to October. 

[Illustration: Figure 364. --Hydnum erinaceum. Young state. ]

_Hydnum caput-ursi. Fr. _

THE BEAR'S HEAD HYDNUM. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 365. --Hydnum caput-ursi. ]

Caput-ursi means the head of a bear. 

This is a very beautiful plant but not as common as some other speciesof Hydnum. It grows in very large pendulous tufts, as Figure 365 willindicate. It is found frequently on standing oak and maple trees, sometimes quite high up in the trees. It is more frequently found onlogs and stumps, as are its kindred species. The plant arises out of thewood by a single stout stem which branches into many divisions, all ofwhich are covered by long pendant spines. When it grows on top of a logor stump the spines are frequently erect. It is white, becoming in ageyellow and brownish. It has a wide distribution through the states. Asan esculent it is fine. The specimen in Figure 365 was found near Akron, Ohio, and was photographed by Mr. G. D. Smith. It is found from July toOctober. 

_Hydnum caput-Medusæ. Bull. _

THE MEDUSA'S HEAD HYDNUM. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 366. --Hydnum caput-Medusæ. One-third naturalsize. ]

Caput-Medusæ, head of Medusa. This is a very striking plant when seen inthe woods. The tufts are pendulous. The long wavy spines resemble thewavy locks of Medusa, hence the name. The long soft spines cover theentire surface of the fungus, which is divided into fleshy branches ordivisions, each terminating in a crown of shorter drooping teeth. 

The color at first is white, changing in age to a buff or a dark cream, which distinguishes it from H. Caput-ursi. The taste is sweet andaromatic, sometimes slightly pungent. The stem is short and concealedbeneath the growth. 

I found this plant growing on a hickory log, on Lee's hill, nearChillicothe, from which came the specimen in Figure 366. I have alsofound it on elm and beech. Found from July to October. 

It is both attractive and palatable. 

_Hydnum coralloides. Scop. _

THE CORAL-LIKE HYDNUM. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 367. --Hydnum coralloides. One-fourth natural size. Entire plant white. ]

This species grows in large, beautiful tufts on decaying logs, in dampwoods. It grows from a common stem, dividing into many branches and thensub-dividing into many long and coral-like shoots, composed wholly ofattenuated interlacing branches tapering to a point. The spines growfrom one side of the flattened branches. It only needs to be seen onceto be recognized as a coral-like mushroom. It is pure white at first, becoming creamy or dingy-white with age. It seems to delight in damp, hilly places, yet I found it to be abundant at Sidney, and to someextent about Bowling Green, Ohio, where it was very level. It isplentiful around Chillicothe. One hickory log, from which the specimenin the figure was taken, furnished me several basketfuls of this plantduring three seasons, but at the end of the third season the logcrumbled away, mycelium having literally consumed it. It is one of themost beautiful fungi that Dame Nature has been able to fashion. It issaid that Elias Fries, when a mere boy, was so impressed with the sightof this beautiful fungus, which grew abundantly in his native woods inSweden, that he resolved when he grew up to pursue the study ofMycology, which he did; and became one of the greatest authorities ofthe world in that part of Botany. In fact, he laid the foundation forthe study of Basidiomycetes, and this beautiful little coral-like funguswas his inspiration. 

It is found principally on beech, maple and hickory in damp woods, fromJuly to frost. I have eaten it for years and esteem it among the best. 

_Hydnum septentrionale. Fr. _

THE NORTHERN HYDNUM. 

[Illustration: Plate XLIX. Figure 368. --Hydnum septentrionale. 

Grew from a small opening in a living beech tree. ]

Septentrionale, northern. This is a very large, fleshy, fibrous plant, growing usually upon logs and stumps. 

There are many pilei growing one above the other, plane, marginstraight, whole. The spines are crowded, slender and equal. 

I have found a number of specimens about Chillicothe that would weighfrom eight to ten pounds each. The plant is too woody to eat. Besides, it seems to have but little flavor. I have always found it on beechlogs, from September to October. 

A very large plant grows every year on a living beech tree on CemeteryHill. 

_Hydnum spongiosipes. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 369. --Hydnum spongiosipes. One-third naturalsize. ]

Spongiosipes means a sponge-like foot. Pileus convex, soft, spongy-tomentose, but tough in texture, rusty-brown, the lower stratumfirmer and more fibrous, but concolorous. 

The spines are slender, one to two lines long, rusty-brown, becomingdarker with age. 

The stem is hard and corky within, externally spongy-tomentose; coloredlike the pileus, the central substance often transversely zoned, especially near the top. Spores globose, nodulose, purplish-brown, 4-6broad. Pileus one and a half to four inches broad. Stem one and a halfto three inches long, and four to eight lines thick. _Peck_, 50th Rep. 

It is found in the woods, quite plentifully, about Chillicothe. Ireferred it to H. Ferrugineum for a long time, but not being satisfied, sent some specimens to Dr. Peck, who classified it as H. Spongiosipes. It is edible but very tough. Found from July to October. 

_Hydnum zonatum. Batsch. _

THE ZONED HYDNUM. 

[Illustration: Figure 370. --Hydnum zonatum. ]

Zonatum, zoned. Ferruginous; pileus equally coriaceous, thin, expanded, subinfundibuliform, zoned, becoming smooth; tough, almost leathery intexture, having a surface of beautiful brown, silky lustre, and withradiating striæ; margin paler; sterile. 

The stem is slender, nearly equal, floccose, bulbous at the base. 

The spines are slender, pallid, then of the same color as the pileus, equal. The spores are rough, globose, pale, 4µ. 

The spore-bearing spines are shown in the upper plants in Figure 370. Two of them show coalesced caps, though the stems are separate. This isthe case with H. Scrobiculatum and H. Spongiosipes. The plants in Figure370 were collected by the roadside in woods on the State Farm, nearLancaster, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Hydnum scrobiculatum. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 371. --Hydnum scrobiculatum. Two-thirdsnatural-size. ]

Scrobiculatum means marked with a ditch or trench; so called from therough condition of the cap. The pileus is from one to three inchesbroad, corky, convex, then plane, sometimes slightly depressed; tough intexture, rusty-brown; the surface of the cap usually quite rough, markedwith ridges or trenches, flesh ferruginous. 

The spines are short, rusty-brown, becoming dark with age. 

The stem is firm, one to two inches long, unequal, rusty-brown, oftencovered with a dense tomentum. 

This species is very plentiful in our woods, among the leaves underbeech trees. They grow in lines for some distance, the caps so closetogether that they are very frequently confluent. I found the plant atSalem, and in several other localities in the state, although I havenever seen a description of it. Any one will be able to recognize itfrom Figure 371. It grows in the woods in August and September. 

_Hydnum Blackfordæ. Pk. _

The pileus is fleshy, convex, glabrous, grayish or greenish-gray, fleshwhitish with reddish stains, slowly becoming darker on exposure; aculeisubulate, 2-5 mm. Long, yellowish-gray, becoming brown with age ordrying; stem equal or stuffed, becoming hollow in drying; glabrous, colored like the pileus; spores brown, globose, verrucose, 8-10µ broad. 

The pileus is 2. 5-6 cm. Broad; stem 2. 5-4 cm. Long, 3-4 mm. Thick. 

Mossy ground in low springy places in damp mixed woods. August. _Peck. _

This species was found at Ellis, Mass. , and was sent to me throughcourtesy of the collector, Mrs. E. B. Blackford, Boston, for whom it wasnamed. 

_Hydnum fennicum. Karst. _

[Illustration: Figure 372. --Hydnum fennicum. Natural size, showing theteeth. ]

[Illustration: Figure 373. --Hydnum fennicum. Natural size, showing thescaly cap. ]

Pileus fleshy, fragile, unequal; at first scaly, at length breaking up;reddish-brick color becoming darker; margin undulately lobed, two tofour inches broad. Flesh white. 

The teeth decurrent, equal, pointed, from white to dusky, about 4 mm. Long. 

The stem is sufficiently stout, unequal below, attenuated, flexuous orcurved, smooth, of the same color as the cap, base acute, white tomentumoutside, inside light pale-blue, or dark-gray. 

The spores are ellipso-spheroidical or subspheroidical, rough, dusky, 4-6µ long, 3-5µ broad. 

The plants in Figures 372 and 373 were found in Haynes' Hollow. 

The plant is quite bitter and no amount of cooking will make it edible. 

Found in woods from August to September. 

_Hydnum adustum. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 374. --Hydnum adustum. Natural size. ]

Adustum means scorched, burned. The pileus is two to three inches broad, yellowish-white, blackish around the margin, coriaceous, slightly zoned;plane at first, then slightly depressed; tomentose, thin; frequently aplant will be found growing on the top of another plant. The spines areat first white, adnate, short, turning flesh-color and when dried almostblack. 

The stem is short, solid, tapering upward. 

The plant is found growing in the woods on trunks and sticks after arain in July, August, and September. It is not as plentiful as Hydnumspongiosipes and H. Scrobiculatum. It is an attractive plant when seenin the woods. 

_Hydnum ochraceum. P. _

OCHREY HYDNUM. 

Small, at first entirely resupinate, gradually reflexed, and somewhatrepand, at first sparingly clothed with dirty-white down, at lengthrugose; one to three inches broad. The spines are short, entire, becoming pale. _Fries. _

It is occasionally found on decayed sticks in the woods. 

_Hydnum pulcherrimum. B. & C. _

MOST BEAUTIFUL HYDNUM. 

[Illustration: Figure 375. --Hydnum pulcherrimum. Showing the under sideof one of the pileoli. ]

Pulcherrimum is the superlative of _pulcher_, beautiful. 

The pileus is fleshy, somewhat fibrous, alutaceus, hirsute; the marginthin, entire, incurved. 

The aculei short, crowded, equal. 

It is found on beech wood, frequently imbricated and laterallyconfluent; a single pileus two to five inches in breadth and projectingtwo to four inches. The spines are rather short, not exceeding a quarterof an inch. 

The entire plant is quite fibrous and has a hirsute surface. The colorvaries from whitish to alutaceous and yellowish. It is not common withus. Figure 375 represents one of the pilei showing the spines. 

_Hydnum graveolens. Del. _

FRAGRANT HYDNUM. 

Graveolens means sweet-scented. 

The pileus is coriaceous, thin, soft, not zoned, rugose, dark-brown, brown within, margin becoming whitish. The stem is slender and thespines are decurrent. The spines are short, gray. 

The whole plant smells of melilot; even after it has been dried and keptfor years it does not lose this scent. 

I found two specimens in Haynes's Hollow. 

_Irpex. Fr. _

Irpex, a harrow, so called from a fancied resemblance of its teeth tothe teeth of a harrow. It grows on wood; toothed from the first, theteeth are connected at the base, firm, somewhat coriaceous, concretewith the pileus, arranged in rows or like net-work. Irpex differs fromHydnum in having the spines connected at the base and more blunt. 

_Irpex carneus. Fr. _

This plant, as its specific name indicates, resembles thecolor of flesh. Reddish, effused, one to three inches long, cartilaginous-gelatinous, membranaceous, adnate. Teeth obtuseand awl-shaped, entire, united at the base. _Fries. _

Found on the tulip-tree, hickory, and elm. September and October. 

_Irpex lacteus. Fr. _

Growing on wood, membranaceous, clothed with stiff hair, more or lessfurrowed, milk-white, as its specific name indicates. 

The spines are compressed, radiate, margin porus. Found on hickory andbeech logs and stumps. 

_Irpex tulipifera. Schw. _

[Illustration: Figure 376. --Irpex tulipifera. ]

Coriaceous-membranaceous, effused; hymenium inferior, at first toothed, teeth springing from a porus base, somewhat coriaceous, entirelyconcrete with the pileus, netted and connected at the base, white orwhitish, turning yellowish with age. 

This plant is very abundant here on fallen tulip trees. I have seenentire tree tops and trunks covered with this plant. The branches afterthey have been penetrated with the mycelial threads become very lightand brittle. 

_Phlebia. Fr. _

Lignatile, resupinate, hymenium soft and waxy, covered with folds orwrinkles, edges entire or corrugated. 

_Phlebia radiata. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 377. --Phlebia radiata. ]

Somewhat round, then dilated, confluent, fleshy and membranaceous, reddish or flesh-red, the circumference peculiarly radiately marked. Thefolds in rows radiating from the center. 

The spores are cylindric-oblong, curved, 4-5×1-1. 5µ. 

This is quite common on beech bark in the woods. Its bright color andmode of growth will attract attention. 

_Grandinia. Fr. _

Lignatile, effused, waxy, granulated, granules globular, entire, permanent. 

_Grandinia granulosa. Fr. _

Effused, rather thin, waxy, somewhat ochraceous, circumferencedeterminate, granules globular, equal, crowded. 

Found on decayed wood. Quite common in our woods. 

CHAPTER IX. 

THELEPHORACEAE. 

Thelephoraceæ is from two Greek words, a teat and to bear. The hymeniumis even, coriaceous, or waxy, costate, or papillose. There are a numberof genera under this family but I am acquainted with only the genusCraterellus. 

_Craterellus. Fr. _

Craterellus means a small bowl. Hymenium waxy-membranaceous, distinctbut adnate to the hymenophore, inferior, continuous, smooth, even orwrinkled. Spores white. _Fries. _

_Craterellus cantharellus. _ (_Schw. _) _Fr. _

YELLOW CRATERELLUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 378. --Craterellus cantharellus. Caps and stemsyellow. ]

Cantharellus is a diminutive from a Greek word meaning a sort ofdrinking-cup. 

The pileus is one to three inches broad, convex, often becomingdepressed and funnel-shaped, glabrous, yellowish, or pinkish. Fleshwhite, tough, elastic. 

Hymenium slightly wrinkled, yellow or faint salmon color. 

The stem is one to three inches high, tapering downward, smooth, solid, yellow. The spores are yellowish or salmon color when caught on whitepaper, 7. 5-10×5-6µ. _Peck. _

This plant resembles Cantharellus cibarius very closely. The color, formof growth, and the odor are very similar to the latter. It may bereadily distinguished from C. Cibarius by the absence of folds on theunder or fruiting surface. The caps are often large and wavy, resemblingyellow cauliflower. It is quite abundant about Chillicothe during themonths of July and August. I have frequently gathered bushels of it formy mushroom-friends. It will be easily recognized from Figure 378, bearing in mind that the caps and stems are yellow. 

_Craterellus cornucopioides Fr. _

THE HORN OF PLENTY CRATERELLUS. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 379. --Craterellus cornucopioides. One-thirdnatural size. ]

Cornucopioides is from _cornu_, a horn, and _copia_, plenty. 

The pileus is thin, flexible, tubiform, hollow to the base, blackish-brown, sometimes a little scaly, the hymenium even or somewhatwrinkled, cinereous. 

The stem is hollow, smooth, black, short, almost wanting. The spores areelliptical, whitish, 11-12×7-8µ. 

No one will have any trouble in recognizing this species, having onceseen its picture and read its description. Its elongated ortrumpet-shaped cap, and its dingy-gray or sooty-brown hue, will at oncedistinguish it. The spore-bearing surface is often a little paler thanthe upper surface. The cup is often three to four inches long. I havefound it in quite large clusters in the woods near Bowling Green, andLondonderry, though it is found rather sparingly on the hillsides aboutChillicothe. It has a wide distribution in other states. It does notlook inviting, on account of its color, but it proves a favoritewhenever tested, and may be dried and kept for future use. It is foundfrom July to September. 

_Craterellus dubius. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 380. --Craterellus dubius. Natural size. ]

Dubius means uncertain, from its close resemblance to C. Cornucopoides. 

The pileus is one to two inches broad, infundibuliform, subfibrillose, lurid-brown, pervious to the base, the margin generally wavy, lobed. Hymenium dark cinereous, rugose when moist, the minute crowded irregularfolds abundantly anastomosing; nearly even when dry. The stem is short. The spores are broadly elliptical or subglobose, 6-7. 5µ long. _Peck. _

It differs from C. Cornucopioides in manner of growth, paler color, andsmaller spores. 

It is distinguished from Craterellus sinuosus by its pervious stem, while very similar in color to Cantharellus cinereus. 

This plant, like C. Cornucopoides, dries readily, and when moistenedexpands and becomes quite as good as when fresh. It needs to be stewedslowly till tender, when it makes a delightful dish. 

The plants in Figure 380 were collected near Columbus by R. H. Young andphotographed by Dr. Kellerman. They are found from July to October. 

_Corticium. Fr. _

Entirely resupinate, hymenium soft and fleshy when moist, collapsingwhen dry, often cracked. 

_Corticium lacteum. Fr. _

This is a very small plant, resupinate, membranaceous, and it is sonamed because of the milk-white color underneath. The hymenium is waxywhen moist, cracked when dry. 

_Corticium oakesii. B. & C. _

The plant is small, waxy-pliant, somewhat coriaceous, cup-shaped, thenexplanate, confluent, marginate, externally white-tomentose. 

The hymenium is even, contiguous, becoming pallid. Spores elliptical, appendiculate. 

I found very fine specimens of this plant on the Iron-wood, OstryaVirginica, which grows on the high school lawn in Chillicothe. In rainyweather in October and November the bark would be white with the plant. It resembles a small Peziza at first. 

_Corticium incarnatum. Fr. _

Waxy when moist, becoming rigid when dry, confluent, agglutinate, radiating. Hymenium red or flesh-color, covered with a delicateflesh-colored bloom. Some fine specimens were found on dead chestnuttrees in Poke Hollow. 

_Corticium sambucum. Pk. _

Effused on elder bark, white, continuous when growing, when dry crackedor flocculose and collapsing. It grows on the bark or the wood of theelder. 

_Corticium cinereum. Fr. _

Waxy when moist, rigid when dry, agglutinate, lurid. The hymenium iscinereous, with a very delicate bloom. Common on sticks in the woods. 

_Thelephora. Fr. _

The pileus is without a cuticle, consisting of interwoven fibres. Hymenium ribbed, of a tough, fleshy substance, rather rigid, thencollapsing and flocculent. 

_Thelephora Schweinitzii. _

[Illustration: Figure 381. --Thelephora Schweinitzii. ]

Schweinitzii is named in honor of the Rev. David Lewis de Schweinitz. Cæspitose, white or pallid. Pilei soft-corinaceous, much branched; thebranches flattened, furrowed and somewhat dilated at the apex. 

The stems are variable in length, often connate or fused together into asolid base. 

The hymenium is even, becoming darker colored when older. _Morgan. _

This plant is known as T. Pallida. It is very abundant on our hillsidesin Ross County, and in fact throughout the state. 

_Thelephora laciniata. P. _

The pileus is soft, somewhat coriaceous, incrusting, ferruginous-brown. The pilei are imbricated, fibrous, scaly, margin fimbriated, at firstdirty white. The hymenium is inferior and papillose. 

_Thelephora palmata. Fr. _

The pileus is coriaceous, soft, erect, palmately branched from a commonstalk; pubescent, purplish-brown; branches flat, even, tips fimbriated, whitish. The scent is very noticeable soon after it is picked. They growon the ground in July and August. 

_Thelephora cristata. Fr. _

The pileus is incrusting, rather tough, pallid, passing into branches, the apices compressed, expanded, and beautifully fringed. The plant iswhitish, grayish, or purplish-brown. It is found on moss or stems ofweeds. I found beautiful specimens at Bainbridge Caves. 

_Thelephora sebacea. Fr. _

The pileus is effused, fleshy, waxy, becoming hard, incrusting, variable, tuberculose or stalactitic, whitish, circumference similar;hymenium flocculose, pruinose, or evanescent. 

It is found effused over grass. One meets with it often. 

_Stereum. Fr. _

The hymenium is coriaceous, even, rather thick, concrete with theintermediate stratum of the pileus, which has a cuticle even andveinless, remaining unchanged and smooth. 

_Stereum versicolor. _

[Illustration: Figure 382. --Stereum versicolor. ]

Versicolor means changing color, referring to the different bands ofcolor. The pileus is effused, reflexed, having a number of differentzones; in some plants the zones are more marked than in others, thezones appearing very much like those in Polyporus versicolor. 

The hymenium is even, smooth and brown. 

This is a very common plant, found everywhere on old logs and stumps. Itis widely diffused and can be found at any time of the year. 

_Stereum spadiceum. Fr. _

Pilei coriaceous and spreading, reflexed, villous, somewhat ferruginous;margin rather obtuse, whitish, even beneath; smooth, brownish, andbleeding when scratched or bruised. 

_Stereum hirsutum. Fr. _

Hirsutum means shaggy, hairy. The pilei are coriaceous and spreading, quite hairy, imbricated, more or less zoned, quite tough, often having agreenish tinge from the presence of a minute algæ; naked, juiceless, yellowish, unchanged when bruised or scratched. The hymenium ispale-yellow, smooth, margin entire, often lobed. I find it usually onhickory logs. 

_Stereum fasciatum. Schw. _

Fasciatum means bands or fillets. Pileus is coriaceous, plane, villous, zonate, grayish; hymenium, smooth, pale-red. Growing on decayed trunks. Common in all of our woods. 

_Stereum sericeum. Schw. _

[Illustration: Figure 383. --Stereum sericeum. ]

Sericeum means silky or satiny; so called from its satin lustre. Theplant is very small and easily overlooked, usually growing in aresupinate form; sessile, orbiculate, free, papyraceous, with a brightsatin lustre, shining, smooth, pale-grayish color. 

The plant grows on both sides of small twigs as is shown in thephotograph. I do not find it on large trunks but it is quite common onbranches. No one will fail to recognize it from its specific name. 

When I first observed it I named it S. Sericeum, not knowing that therewas a species by that name. I afterwards sent it to Prof. Atkinson andwas surprised to find that I had correctly named it. 

_Stereum rugosum. Fr. _

Rugosum means full of wrinkles. 

Broadly effused, sometimes shortly reflexed; coriaceous, at length thickand rigid; pileus at length smooth, brownish. 

The hymenium is a pale grayish-yellow, changing slightly to a red whenbruised, pruinose. The spores are cylindrico-elliptical, straight, 11-12×4-5µ. _Massee. _

This is quite variable in form, and agrees with S. Sanguinolentum inbecoming red when bruised; but it is thicker and more rigid insubstance, its pores are straighter and larger. 

_Stereum purpureum. Pers. _

Purpureum means purple, from the color of the plant. 

Coriaceous but pliant, effuso-reflexed, more or less imbricated, tomentose, zoned, whitish or pallid. 

The hymenium is naked, smooth, even; in color a pale clear purple, becoming dingy ochraceous, with only a tinge of purple, when dry. Thespores are elliptical, 7-8×4µ. 

I found the plant to be very abundant in December and January, in1906-7, on soft wood corded up at the paper mill in Chillicothe, theweather being mild and damp. 

_Stereum compactum. _

Broadly effused, coriaceous, often imbricated and often laterallyjoined, pileus thin, zoned, finely strigose, the zones grayish-white andcinnamon-brown. 

The hymenium is smooth, cream-white. 

This species is found on decayed limbs and trunks of trees. 

_Hymenochæte. Lev. _

Hymenochæte is from two Greek words, _hymen_, a membrane; _chæte_, abristle. 

In this genus the cap or pileus may be attached to the host by a centralstem, or at one side, but most frequently upon its back. The genus isknown by the velvety or bristly appearance of the fruiting surface, dueto smooth, projecting, thick-walled cells. I have found several speciesbut have only been sure of three. 

_Hymenochæte rubiginosa. (Schr. ) Lev. _

Rubiginosa means full of rust, so called from the color of the plant. 

The pileus is rigid, coriaceous, resupinate, effused, reflexed, thelower margin generally adhering firmly, somewhat fasciated; velvety, rubiginous or rusty in color, then becoming smooth and bright brown, theintermediate stratum tawny-ferruginous. The hymenium ferruginous andvelvety. It is found here upon soft woods such as chestnut stumps andwillow. 

_Hymenochæte Curtisii. Berk. _

Curtisii is named in honor of Mr. Curtis. 

The pileus is coriaceous, firm, resupinate, effused, reflexed, brown, slightly sulcate; the hymenium velvety with brown bristles. This iscommon on partially decayed oak branches in the woods. 

_Hymenochæte corrugata. Berk. _

Corrugata means bearing wrinkles or folds. 

The pileus is coriaceous, effused, closely adnate, indeterminate, cinnamon colored, cracked and corrugated when dry, which gives rise toits name. The bristles are seen, under the microscope, to be joined. Found in the woods on partially decayed branches. 

CHAPTER X. 

CLAVARIACEAE--CORAL FUNGI. 

Hymenium not distinct from the hymenophore, covering entire outersurface, somewhat fleshy, not coriaceous; vertical, simple or branched. _Fries. _

Most of the species grow on the ground or on well rotted logs. Thefollowing genera are included here:

 Sparassis--Fleshy, much branched, branches compressed, plate-like. Clavaria--Fleshy, simple or branched, typically round. Calocera--Gelatinous, then horn-like. Typhula--Simple or club-shaped, rigid when dry, usually small. 

_Sparassis. Fr. _

Sparassis, to tear in pieces. The species are fleshy, branched withplate-like branches, composed of two plates, fertile on both sides. 

_Sparassis Herbstii. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 384. --Sparassis Herbstii. ]

This is a plant very much branched, forming tufts four to five incheshigh, and five to six inches broad; whitish, inclining to creamy-yellow;tough, moist; the branches numerous, thin, flattened, concrescent, dilated above, spathulate or fan-shaped, often somewhat longitudinallycurved or wavy; mostly uniformly colored, rarely with a few indistinct, nearly concolorous, transverse zones near the broad, entire apices. 

The spores are globose, or broadly elliptical, . 0002 to . 00025 inchlong, . 00016 to . 0002 broad. 

This species was first found by the late Dr. William Herbst ofTrexlertown, Pa. , and was named by Dr. Peck in his honor. The specimenin Figure 384 was found at Trexlertown, Pa. , and photographed by Mr. C. G. Lloyd. The plant delights in open oak woods, and is found throughAugust and September. It is edible and quite good. 

_Sparassis crispa. Fr. _

_Crispus_, curly. This is a beautiful rosette-like plant, growing quitelarge at times, very much branched, whitish, oyster-colored, or paleyellow; branches intricate, flat and leaf-like, having a spore surfaceon both sides. The entire plant forms a large round mass with itsleaf-like surface variously curled, folded, and lobed, with a crest-likemargin, and springing from a well-marked root, most of which is buriedin the ground. 

No one will have any trouble to recognize it, having once seen itsphotograph. I found the plant quite frequently, in the woods aboutBowling Green. It is not simply good, but very good. 

_Clavaria. Linn. _

Clavaria is from _clavus_, a club. This is by far the largest genus inthis family, and contains very many edible species, some of which areexcellent. 

The entire genus is fleshy, either branched or simple; graduallythickening toward the top, resembling a club. 

In collecting clavaria special attention should be given to thecharacter of the apices of the branches, color of the branches, color ofspores, the taste of the plant, and the character of the place of itsgrowth. This genus is readily recognized, and no one need to hesitate toeat any of the branching forms. 

_Clavaria flava. Schaeff. _

PALE-YELLOW CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 385. --Clavaria flava. Natural size. ]

Flava is from _flavus_, yellow. The plant is rather fragile, white andyellow, two to five inches high, the mass of branches from two to fiveinches wide, the trunk thick, much branched. The branches are round, even, smooth, crowded, nearly parallel, pointing upward, whitish oryellowish, with pale yellow tips of tooth-like points. When the plant isold, the yellow tips are likely to be faded, and the whole plant whitishin color. The flesh and the spores are white, and the taste isagreeable. 

I have eaten this species since 1890, and I regard it as very good. Itis found in woods and grassy open places. I have found it as early asJune and as late as October. 

_Clavaria aurea. Pers. _

THE GOLDEN CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

This plant grows from three to four inches high. Its trunk is thick, elastic, and its branches are uniformly a deep golden yellow, oftenlongitudinally wrinkled. The branches straight, regularly forked andround. 

The stem is stout but thinner than in C. Flava. The spores are yellowishand elliptical. It is found in woods during August and September. 

_Clavaria botrytes. Pers. _

THE RED-TIPPED CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 386. --Clavaria botrytes. One-half natural size. ]

Botrytes is from a Greek word meaning a cluster of grapes. This plantdiffers little from C. Flava in size and structure, but it is easilyrecognized from the red tips of its branches. It is whitish, oryellowish, or pinkish, with its branches red-tipped. 

The stem is short, thick, fleshy, whitish, unequal. The branches areoften somewhat wrinkled, crowded, repeatedly branched. In olderspecimens the red tips will be somewhat faded. The spores are white andoblong-elliptical. It is found in woods and open places, during wetweather. I found this plant occasionally near Salem, from July toOctober, but it is not a common plant in Ohio. 

_Clavaria muscoides. Linn. _

FORKED YELLOW CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

Muscoides means moss-like. This plant is inclined to be tough, thoughgraceful in growth; slender-stemmed, two or three time forked; smooth;base downy, bright yellow. The branchlets are thin, crescent-shape, acute. The spores are white and nearly round. The plant is usuallysolitary, not branching as much as some other species; quite dry, verysmooth, except at the base, which is downy, in color resembling the yolkof an egg. It is frequently found in damp pastures, especially thoseskirting a wood. 

_Clavaria amethystina. Bull. _

THE AMETHYSTINE CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 387. --Clavaria amethystina. ]

Amethystina means amethyst in color. This is a remarkably attractiveplant and easily recognized by its color. It is sometimes quite smallyet often grows from three to five inches high. The color of the entireplant is violet; it is very much branched or almost simple; branchesround, even, fragile, smooth, obtuse. The spores are elliptical, pale-ochraceous, sub-transparent, 10-12×6-7µ. 

This plant is quite common around Chillicothe, and it has a widedistribution over the United States. The specimens in Figure 387 werefound in Poke Hollow. 

_Clavaria stricta. Pers. _

THE STRAIGHT CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 388. --Clavaria stricta. ]

Stricta is a participle from _stringo_, to draw together. The plant isvery much branched, pale, dull-yellow, becoming brownish when bruised;the stem somewhat thickened; branches very numerous and forked, straight, even, densely pressed, tips pointed. The spores are darkcinnamon. It is found on the Huntington hills near Chillicothe. Look forit in August and September. 

_Clavaria pyxidata. Pers. _

THE CUP CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 389. --Clavaria pyxidata. Natural size. ]

Pyxidata is from _pyxis_, a small box. This plant is quite fragile, waxy, light-tan in color, with a thin main stem, whitish, smooth, variable in length, branching and rebranching, the branches ending in acup. The spores are white. 

It is found on rotten wood and is readily recognized by the cup-liketips. The specimen in Figure 389 was found near Columbus andphotographed by Dr. Kellerman. Found from June to October. 

_Clavaria abietina. Schum. _

THE FIR-WOOD CLAVARIA. 

[Illustration: Figure 390. --Clavaria abietina. ]

Abietina means fir-wood. 

This plant grows in dense tufts, very much branched, ochraceous, trunksomewhat thickened, short, clothed with a white down; branches straight, crowded, longitudinally wrinkled when dry, branchlets straight. 

The spores are oval and ochraceous. 

It can be readily identified by its changing to green when bruised. 

It is very common on our wooded hillsides. It is found from August toOctober. 

_Clavaria spinulosa. Pers. _

[Illustration: Figure 391. --Clavaria spinulosa. ]

Spinulosa means spiny or full of spines. 

The trunk of this plant is rather short and thick, at least one-half toone inch thick, whitish. The branches are elongated, crowded, tense andstraight; attenuated, tapering upward; color somewhat cinnamon-brownthroughout. 

The spores are elliptical, yellowish-brown, 11-13×5µ. 

It is usually given as found under pine trees, but I find it aboutChillicothe in mixed woods, in which there are no pine trees at all. Itis found after frequent rains, from August to October. As an edible, itis fairly good. 

_Clavaria formosa. Pers. _

BEAUTIFUL CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 392. --Clavaria formosa. Three-fourths its naturalsize. ]

Formosa is from _formosus_, meaning finely formed. 

This plant is two to six inches high, trunk rather thick, often over aninch in thickness; whitish, or yellowish, elastic, the branchesnumerous, crowded, elongated, divided at the ends into yellowbranchlets, which are thin, straight, obtuse or toothed. 

The spores are elongated-oval, rough, buff-colored, 16×8µ. 

This is an extremely beautiful plant, very tender or brittle. When theplant is quite young, just coming through the ground, the tips of thebranches are often of a bright red or pink. This bright color soonfades, leaving the entire plant a light yellow in color. 

The plant has a wide distribution, and is found on the ground in thewoods, frequently growing in rows. While the handsomest of theClavarias, it is not the best, and only the tender parts of the plantshould be used. It is found from July to October. The specimen in Figure392 was found in Poke Hollow. 

_Clavaria cristata. Pers. _

THE CRESTED CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 393. --Clavaria cristata. ]

Cristata is from _cristatus_, crested. This is a smaller plant than theC. Flava or C. Botrytes. It is usually two to three inches high, whiteor whitish, the tufts of broad flattened branches, sometimes tinged witha dull pink or creamy-yellow. The branches are numerous, widened andflattened above, deeply cut into several finger-like points, sometimesso numerous as to give it a crested appearance. This peculiarcharacteristic distinguishes it from C. Coralloides. When the plant isold the tips usually turn brown. 

Sometimes a form will be found in which the crested appearance iswanting, and in that case the branches terminate in blunt points. Thestem is short and inclined to be spongy. 

It is found in the woods, in cool, moist, shady places. While it istougher than some of the other species, if cut fine and well cooked itis very good. I have eaten it for years. It is found from June toOctober. 

_Clavaria coronata. Schw. _

THE CROWNED CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 394. --Clavaria coronata. ]

Pale yellow, then fawn color; divided immediately from the base and verymuch branched; the branches divergent and compressed or angulate, thefinal branchlets truncate-obtuse at apex and there encircled with acrown of minute processes. _Morgan_. 

This plant is found on decayed wood. It is repeatedly branched in twosand forms clusters sometimes several inches in height. It resembles inform C. Pyxidata, but it is quite a distinct species. In some localitiesit is found quite frequently. It is plentiful about Chillicothe. Foundfrom July to October. 

_Clavaria vermicularis. Scop. _

WHITE-TUFTED CLAVARIA. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 395. --Clavaria vermicularis. ]

Small, two to three inches high; cæspitose, fragile, white, club-shaped;clubs stuffed, simple, cylindrical, subulate. 

Found on lawns, short pastures or in paths in woods. Someone has saidthey "look like a little bundle of candles. " Edible, but too small togather. June and July. 

_Clavaria crispula. Fr. _

FLEXUOUS CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

Very much branched, tan-colored, then ochraceous; trunk slender, villous, rooting; branches flexuous, having many divisions, branches ofthe same color, divaricating, fragile. 

The spores are creamy-yellow, slightly elliptical. This plant isslightly acrid to the taste and retains a faint trace of acridity evenafter it is cooked. It is very plentiful in our woods. Found from Julyto October. 

_Clavaria Kunzei. Fr. _

KUNZE'S CLAVARIA. 

Rather fragile, very much branched from the slender cæspitose base;white; branches elongated, crowded, repeatedly forked, subfastigiate, even, equal; axils compressed. Specimens were found on Cemetery Hillunder beech trees, and identified by Dr. Herbst. The spores areyellowish. 

_Clavaria cinerea. Bull. _

ASH-COLORED CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

Cinerea, pertaining to ashes. This is a small plant, growing in groups, frequently in rows, under beech trees. The color is gray or ashy; it isquite fragile; stem thick, short, very much branched, with the branchesthickened, somewhat wrinkled, rather obtuse. Its gray color willdistinguish it from the other Clavaria. 

_Clavaria pistillaris. L. _

INDIAN-CLUB CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 396. --Clavaria pistillaris. One-half naturalsize. ]

Pistillaris is from _pistillum_, a pestle. 

They are simple, large, stuffed, fleshy, everywhere smooth, three to teninches high, attaining to one inch in thickness; light yellow, ochraceous, brownish, chocolate, club-shaped, ovate-rounded, puckered atthe top; flesh white, spongy. The spores are white, 10×5µ. 

They are found in the leaf-mold of mixed woods, and you will sometimesfind several growing together. They are found from July to frost. 

The dark variety, which is frequently vertically wrinkled, is slightlyacrid when raw, but this disappears upon cooking. The plant is widelydistributed but abundant nowhere in our state. I found it occasionallyin the woods near Chillicothe. The plants in Figure 396 were found nearColumbus, and were photographed by Dr. Kellerman of Ohio StateUniversity. 

_Clavaria fusiformis. Sow. _

SPINDLE-SHAPED CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 397. --Clavaria fusiformis. Natural size. ]

Fusiformis is from _fusus_, a spindle, and _forma_, a form. 

The plant is yellow, smooth, rather firm, soon hollow, cæspitose; nearlyerect, rather brittle, attenuated at each end; clubs somewhatspindle-shaped, simple, toothed, the apex somewhat darker; even, slightly firm, usually with several united at the base. 

The spores are pale yellow, globose, 4-5µ. 

They are found in woods and pastures. The plants in the figure were inthe woods beside an untraveled road, on Ralston's Run. 

They strongly resemble C. Inæqualis. When found in sufficient quantitiesthey are very tender and have an excellent flavor. 

_Clavaria inæqualis. Mull. _

THE UNEQUAL CLAVARIA. EDIBLE. 

Inæqualis means unequal. 

Somewhat tufted, quite fragile, from one to three inches high, oftencompressed, angular, often forked, ventricose; yellow, occasionallywhitish, sometimes variously cut at the tip. The spores are colorless, elliptical, 9-10×5µ. 

One can readily distinguish it from C. Fusiformis by the tips, these notbeing sharp pointed. It is found in clusters in woods and pastures fromAugust to October. As delicious as C. Fusiformis. 

_Clavaria mucida. Pers. _

[Illustration: Figure 398. --Clavaria mucida. ]

Mucida means slimy, so named from the soft and watery condition of theplants. 

The plants are quite small, usually simple yet sometimes branched, club-shaped, one-eighth to an inch high, white, sometimes yellowish, frequently pinkish or rose-tinted. 

These plants are very small and easily overlooked. It is found ondecayed wood. I have found it late in the fall and early in the spring. You can look for it at any time of the year after warm rains or in dampplaces, on well decayed wood. The specimens in Figure 398 werephotographed by Prof. G. D. Smith, Akron, Ohio. 

_Calocera. Fr. _

This plant is gelatinous, somewhat cartilaginous when moist, horny whendry, vertical, simple or branched, cæspitose or solitary. 

The hymenium is universal; the basidia round and two-lobed, each lobebearing a single one-spored sterigma. The spores are inclined to beoblong and curved. 

This genus resembles Clavaria, but is identified by being somewhatgelatinous and viscid when moist and rather horn-like when dry, butespecially by its two-lobed basidia. 

_Calocera cornea. Fr. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 399. --Calocera cornea. ]

This is unbranched, cæspitose, rooting, even, viscid, orange-yellow orpale yellow; clubs short, subulate, connate at the base. The spores areround and oblong, 7-8×5µ. 

Found upon stumps and logs, especially upon oak where the timber iscracked, the plants springing from the cracks. When dry they are quitestiff and rigid. 

_Calocera stricta. Fr. _

These plants are unbranched, solitary, about one inch high, elongated, base somewhat blunt, even when dry, yellow. 

Its habitat is very similar to C. Cornea but more scattered. C. Striata, Fr. , is very similar to C. Cornea, but is distinguished by its beingsolitary, and striate or rugose when dry. 

_Typhula. Fr. _

Epiphytal. Stem filiform, flaccid; clubs cylindrical, perfectly distinctfrom hymenium, sometimes springing from a sclerotium; hymenium thin andwaxy. 

This is distinguished from Clavaria and Pistillaria by having its stemdistinct from the hymenium. It is a small plant resembling, inminiature, Typha, hence its generic name. 

_Typhula erythropus. Fr. _

Simple; club cylindrical, slender, smooth, white; stem nearly straight, dark red, inclining to be black, springing usually from a blackish andsomewhat wrinkled sclerotium. The spores are oblong, 5-6×2-2. 5µ. 

This plant has a wide distribution, and is found in damp places upon thestems of herbaceous plants. 

_Typhula incarnata. Fr. _

Simple; club cylindrical, elongated, smooth; whitish, more or lesstinged with pink above; one to two-inches high, base minutely strigose, springing from a compressed brownish sclerotium. The spores are nearlyround, 5×4µ. 

This is a common and beautiful little plant and easily distinguishedboth by its color and the size and form of its spores. If the collectorwill watch the dead herbaceous stems in damp places, he will not onlyfind the two just described, but another, differing in color, size, andform of spores, called T. Phacorrhiza, Fr. It has a brownish color andits spores are quite oblong, 8-9×4-5µ. 

_Lachnocladium. Lev. _

Lachnocladium is from two Greek words meaning a fleece and a branch. 

Pileus coriaceous, tough, repeatedly branched; the branches slender orfiliform, tomentose. Hymenium amphigenous. Fungi slender and muchbranched, terrestrial, but sometimes growing on wood. 

_Lachnocladium semivestitum. B. & C. _

[Illustration: Figure 400. --Lachnocladium semivestitum. ]

Pileus, much branched from a slender stem of variable length, expandedat the angles; the branches filiform, straight, somewhat fasciculate, smooth at the tips and paler in color. 

This is quite a common specimen on our north hillsides. It is white andquite fragile. Found in damp places in August and September. 

_Lachnocladium Micheneri. B. & C. _

[Illustration: Figure 401. --Lachnocladium Micheneri. ]

Coriaceous, tough, pale or whitish; stem well marked, branching from apoint, branches numerous, tips pointed; white tomentum at the base ofthe stem. 

This plant is very abundant here and is found very generally over theUnited States. It grows on fallen leaves in woods, after a rain, beingfound from July to October. 

CHAPTER XI. 

TREMELLINI FR. 

Tremellini is from _tremo_, to tremble. The whole plant is gelatinous, with the exception, occasionally, of the nucleus. The sporophores arelarge, simple or divided. Spicules elongated into threads. _Berk. _

The following genera are included:

 Tremella--Immarginate. Hymenium universal. Exidia--Margined. Hymenium superior. Hirneola--Cartilaginous, ear-shaped, attached by a point. 

_Tremella. Fr. _

This plant is so called because the entire plant is gelatinous, tremulous, and without a definite margin, and also without nipple-likeelevations. 

_Tremella lutescens. Fr. _

YELLOWISH TREMELLA. EDIBLE. 

This is a small gelatinous cluster, tremulous, convoluted, in wavyfolds, pallid, then yellowish, with its lobes crowded and entire. Quitecommon over the state. It is found on decaying limbs and stumps fromJuly to winter. It dries during absence of rain but revives and becomestremulous during wet weather. It is called lutescens because of itsyellowish color. 

_Tremella mesenterica. Retz. _

Mesenterica is from two Greek words meaning the mesentery. The plantvaries in size and form, sometimes quite flat and thin but generallyascending and strongly lobed; plicated, and convoluted; gelatinous butfirm; lobes short, smooth, covered with a frost-like bloom by the whitespores at maturity. The spores are broadly elliptical. Common in thewoods on decaying sticks and branches. 

_Tremella albida. Hud. _

THE WHITISH TREMELLA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 402. --Tremella albida. Natural size. ]

Albida, whitish. This plant is very common in the woods aboutChillicothe, and everywhere in the state where beech, sugar-maple, andhickory prevail. 

It is whitish, becoming dingy-brown when dry; expanded, tough, undulated, even, more or less gyrose, pruinose. It breaks the bark andspreads in irregular and scalloped masses; when moist it has agelatinous consistency, a soft and clammy touch, yielding like a mass ofgelatine. Its spores are oblong, obtuse, curved, marked with tear-likespots, almost transparent, 12-14×4-5µ. The specimen represented inFigure 402 was found near Sandusky and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Tremella mycetophila. Pk. _

[Illustration: Figure 403. --Tremella mycetophila. ]

Mycetophila is from two Greek words, _mycetes_, fungi; _phila_, fond of. The plant is so called because it is found growing upon other fungi. 

Often nearly round, somewhat depressed, circling in folds, sometimes inquite large masses about the stems of the plant, as will be seen inFigure 403, tremelloid-fleshy, slightly pruinose, a dirty white oryellowish. 

I have found it frequently growing on Collybia drophila, as is the casein Figure 403. Captain McIlvaine speaks in his book of finding thisplant parasitic on Marasmius oreades in quite a large mass for thisplant. I can verify the statement for I have found it on M. Oreadesduring damp weather in August and September. It has a pleasant taste. 

_Tremella fimbriata. Pers. _

Fimbriata is from _frimbriæ_, a fringe. 

It is very soft and gelatinous, olivaceous inclining to black, tufted, two to three inches high, and quite as broad, erect, lobes flaccid, corrugated, cut at the margin, which gives rise to the name of species;spores are nearly pear shaped. Found on dead branches, stumps, and onfence-rails in damp weather. Easily known by its dark color. 

_Tremellodon. Pers. _

Tremellodon means trembling tooth. 

These plants are gelatinous, with a cap or pileus; the hymenium coveredwith acute gelatinous spines, awl-shaped and equal. The basidia arenearly round with four rather stout, elongated sterigmata, spores verynearly round. 

_Tremellodon gelatinosum. Pers. _

[Illustration: Figure 405. --Tremellodon gelatinosum. ]

Gelatinosum means full of jelly or jelly-like, from _gelatina_, jelly. 

The pileus is dimidiate, gelatinous, tremelloid, one to three inchesbroad, rather thick, extended behind into a lateral thick, stem-likebase, pileus covered with a greenish-brown bloom, very minutelygranular. 

The hymenium is watery-gray, covered with hydnum-like teeth, stout, acute, equal, one to two inches long, whitish, soft, inclined to beglaucous. The spores are nearly round, 7-8µ. 

These plants are found on pine and fir trunks and on sawdust heaps. Theygrow in groups and are very variable in form and size but easilydetermined, being the only tremelloid fungus with true spines. Theplants in Figure 405 were photographed by Prof. G. D. Smith of Akron, Ohio. They are edible. Found from September to cold weather. 

_Exidia. Fr. _

Gelatinous, marginal, fertile above, barren below. Exidia may be knownby its minute nipple-like elevations. 

_Exidia grandulosa. Fr. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate L. Figure 404. --Excidia glandulosa. ]

This plant is called "Witches' Butter. " It varies in color, from whitishto brown and deep cinereous, at length blackish; flattened, undulated, much wrinkled above, slightly plicated below; soft at first and whenmoist, becoming film-like when dry. Found on dead branches of oak. 

_Hirneola. Fr. _

Hirneola is the diminutive of _hirnea_, a jug. Gelatinous, cup-shaped, horny when dry. Hymenium wrinkled, becoming cartilaginous whenmoistened. The hymenium is in the form of a hard skin which covers thecup-shaped cavities, and which can be peeled off after soaking in water, the interstices are without papillæ and the outer surface is velvety. 

_Hirneola auricula-Judæ. Berk. _

THE JEW'S EAR HIRNEOLA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 406. --Hirneola auricula-Judæ. ]

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate LI. Figure 407. --Hirneola auricula-judae. ]

Auricula-Judæ, the ear of the Jew. The plant is gelatinous; one to fourinches across; thin, concave, wavy, flexible when moist, hard when dry;blackish, fuzzy, hairy beneath; when covered with white spores it iscinereous. The hymenium by its corrugations forms depressions such asare found in the human ear. One will not fail to recognize it afterseeing it once. It is not common in our woods, yet I have found it onseveral occasions. It is found on almost any timber but most frequentlyon the elm and elder. The plant in Figure 406 was found nearChillicothe. Its distribution is general. 

_Guepinia. Fr. _

Gelatinous, inclining to cartilaginous, free, different on the twosides, variable in form, substipitate. Hymenium confined to one side. 

_Guepinia spathularia. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 408. --Guepinia spathularia. Entire plant a light yellow. ]

Yellow, cartilaginous, especially when dry, spathulate, expanded above, hymenium slightly ribbed, contracted where it issues from a log. 

It is quite common on beech and maple logs. I have seen beech logs, somewhat decayed, quite yellow with this interesting plant. 

_Hymenula. Fr. _

Effused, very thin, maculæform, agglutinate, between wavy or gelatinous. _Berk. _

_Hymenula punctiformis. B. & Br. _

POINT-LIKE HYMENULA. 

Dirty white, quite pallid, gelatinous, punctiform, slightly undulated;consisting of erect simple threads; frequently there is a slight tingeof yellow. The spores are very minute. It looked very much like anundeveloped Peziza when I found it, in fact I thought it P. Vulgarisuntil I had submitted a specimen to Prof. Atkinson. 

CHAPTER XII. 

ASCOMYCETES--SPORE-SAC FUNGI. 

Ascomycetes is from two Greek words: _ascos_, a sack; _mycetes_, afungus or mushroom. All the fungi which belong to this class developtheir spores in small membranous sacs. These asci are crowded togetherside by side, and with them are slender empty asci called paraphyses. The spores are inclosed in these sacs, usually eight in a sac. They arecalled sporidia to separate them from the Basidiomycetes. These sacsarise from a naked or inclosed stratum of fructifying cells, forming ahymenium or nucleus. 

FAMILY--HELVELLACEAE. 

Hymenium at length more or less exposed, the substance soft. The generaare distinguished from the earth-tongues by the cup-like forms of thespore body, but especially by the character of the spore sacs which openby a small lid, instead of spores. The following are some of the genera:

 Morchella Pileus deeply folded and pitted. Gyromitra Pileus covered with rounded and variously contorted folds. Helvella Pileus drooping, irregularly waved and lobed. 

_Morchella. Dill. _

Morchella is from a Greek word meaning a mushroom. This genus is easilyrecognized. It may be known by the deeply pitted, and often elongated, naked head, the depressions being usually regular but sometimesresembling mere furrows with wrinkled interspaces. The cap or headvaries in form from rounded to ovate or cone shape. They are all markedby deep pits, covering the entire surface, separated by ridges forming anet-work. The spore-sacs are developed in both ridges and depressions. All the species when young are of a buff-yellow tinged with brown. Thestems are stout and hollow, white, or whitish in color. 

The common name is Morel, and they appear during wet weather early inthe spring. 

_Morchella esculenta. Pers. _

THE COMMON MOREL. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 409. --Morchella esculenta. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

The Common Morel has a cap a little longer than broad, so that it isalmost oval in outline. Sometimes it is nearly round but again it isoften slightly narrowed in its upper half, though not pointed orcone-like. The pits in its surface are more nearly round than in theother species. In this species the pits are irregularly arranged so thatthey do not form rows, as will be observed in Figure 409. 

It grows from two to four inches high and is known by most people as theSponge mushroom. It grows in woods and wood borders, especially besidewood streams. Old apple and peach orchards are favorite places forMorels. It makes no difference if the beginner cannot identify thespecies, as they are all equally good. I have seen collectors have forsale a bushel basketful, in which half a dozen species were represented. They dry very easily and can be kept for winter use. It is said to growin great profusion over burnt districts. The German peasants werereputed to have burned forest tracts to insure an abundant crop. I findthat more people know the Morels than any other mushroom. They are foundthrough April and May, after warm rains. 

_Morchella deliciosa. Fr. _

THE DELICIOUS MOREL. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 410. --Morchella deliciosa. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

This and the preceding species would indicate by their names that theyhave been held in high esteem for a long time, as Profs. Persoon andFries, who named them, lived more than a hundred years ago. TheDelicious Morel is recognized by the shape of its cap, which isgenerally cylindrical, sometimes pointed, and slightly curved. The stemis rather short and, like the stem of all Morels, is hollow from the topto the bottom. 

It is found associated with other species of Morels, in woods and woodborders, also in old apple and peach orchards. They need to be cookedslowly and long. Coming early in the spring, they are not likely to beinfested with worms. The flesh is rather fragile and not very watery. They are easily dried. Found through April and May. 

_Morchella esculenta var. Conica. Pers. _

THE CONICAL MOREL. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate LII. Figure 411. --Morchella esculenta var. Conica. ]

The Conical Morel is very closely related to M. Esculenta and M. Deliciosa, from which it differs in having the cap longer than it iswide, and more pointed, so that it is conical or oblong-conical. Theplant, as a general thing, grows to be larger than the other species. It is, however, pretty hard to distinguish these three species. TheConical Morel is quite abundant about Chillicothe. I have found Morelsespecially plentiful about the reservoirs in Mercer County, and inAuglaize, Allen, Harden, Hancock, Wood and Henry Counties. I have knownlovers of Morels to go on camping tours in the woods about thereservoirs for the purpose of hunting them, and to bring home largequantities of them. 

[Illustration: Figure 412. --Morchella esculenta var. Conica. Two-thirdsnatural size. ]

_Morchella angusticeps. Pk. _

THE NARROW-CAP MOREL. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 413. --Morchella angusticeps. ]

Angusticeps is from two Latin words: _angustus_, narrow; _caput_, head. This species and M. Conica are so nearly alike that it is very difficultto identify them with any degree of satisfaction. In both species thecap is considerably longer than broad, but in angusticeps the cap isslimmer and more pointed. The pits, as a general thing are longer thanin the other species. They are often found in orchards but are alsofrequently found in low woods under black ash trees. I have found sometypical specimens about the reservoirs. The specimens in Figure 413were collected in Michigan, and photographed by Prof. B. O. Longyear. They appear very early in the spring, even while we are still havingfrosts. 

_Morchella semilibera. D. C. _

THE HYBRID MOREL. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 414. --Morchella semilibera. One-half naturalsize. ]

Semilibera means half free, and it is so called because the cap isbell-shaped and the lower half is free from the stem. The cap is rarelymore than one inch long, and is usually much shorter than the stem, asis indicated in Figure 414. The pits on the cap are longer than broad. The stem is white or whitish and somewhat mealy or scurvy, hollow, andoften swollen at the base. I found the specimens in Figure 414 about thelast of May under elm trees, in James Dunlap's woods. They are quiteplentiful there. I do not detect any difference in the flavor of theseand other species. 

_Morchella bispora. Sor. _

THE TWO-SPORED MOREL. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 415. --Morchella bispora. One-half natural size. ]

[Illustration: Plate LIII. Figure 416. --Morchella bispora. 

The two-spored Morel. Edible. Showing the cap free from the stem quiteto the top. ]

Bispora, two-spored, differs from the other species in the fact that thecap is free from the stem quite to the top. The distinguishingcharacteristic, which gives name to the species, can be seen only by theaid of a strong microscope. In this species there are only two spores ineach ascus or sac, and these are much larger than in the other species, which have eight spores in a sac or ascus. The ridges, as will be seenin Figure 415, run from the top to the bottom. The stem is much longerthan the cap, hollow, and sometimes swollen at the base. The whole plantis fragile and very tender. The plants in Figure 415 were collected inMichigan by Prof. Longyear. Those in the full page display were foundnear Columbus and were photographed by Dr. Kellerman. It seems to have awide range, but is nowhere very plentiful. 

The spores can be readily obtained from morels by taking a maturespecimen and placing it on white paper under a glass for a few hours. 

The beginner will find much difficulty in identifying the species ofMorels; but if he is collecting them for food he need not give thematter any thought, since none need be avoided, and they are socharacteristic that no one need be afraid to gather them. 

_Morchella crassipes. Pers. _

THE GIGANTIC MOREL. EDIBLE. 

Crassipes is from _crassus_, thick; _pes_, foot. 

The cap resembles the cap of M. Esculenta in its form and irregularpitting, but it is quite a little larger. The stem is very stout, muchlonger than the pileus, often very much wrinkled and folded. I havefound only a few specimens of this species. Found in April and May. 

_Verpa. Swartz. _

Verpa means a rod. Ascospore smooth or slightly wrinkled, free from thesides of the stem, attached at the tip of the stem, bell-shaped, thin;hymenium covering the entire surface of the ascospore; asci cylindrical, 8-spored. The spores are elliptical, hyaline; paraphyses septate. 

The stem is inflated, stuffed, rather long, tapering downward. 

_Verpa digitaliformis. Pers. _

[Illustration: Figure 417. --Verpa digitaliformis. ]

Digitaliformis is from _digitus_, a finger, and _forma_, a form. 

The pileus is bell-shaped, attached to the tip of the stem, butotherwise free from it; olive-umber in color; smooth, thin, closelypressed to the stem, but always free; the edge sometimes inflexed. 

The stem is three inches high, tapering downward, furnished at the basewith reddish radicels; white, with a reddish tinge; apparently smooth, but under the glass quite scaly; loosely stuffed. The asci are large, 8-spored, the spores being elliptical. The paraphyses are slender andseptate. 

Figure 417 represents several plants, natural size. The one in therighthand corner is old, with a ragged pileus; the vertical sectionshows the pithy contents of the stem. The plants are found in cool, moist, and shady ravines from May to August. Edible, but not very good. 

_Gyromitra. Fr. _

Gyromitra is from _gyro_, to turn; _mitra_, a hat or bonnet. This genusis so called because the plants look like a hood that is much wrinkledor plaited. 

Ascophore stipitate; hymenophore subglobose, inflated and more or lesshollow or cavernous, variously gyrose and convolute at the surface, which is everywhere covered with the hymenium; substance fleshy; ascicylindrical, 8-spored; spores uniseriate, elongated, hyaline or nearlyso, continuous; paraphyses present. _Massee. _

_Gyromitra esculenta. Fr. _

[Illustration: Plate LIV. Figure 418. --Gyromitra esculenta. ]

Esculenta means edible. This is the largest spore-sac fungus. Theoriginal name was Helvella esculenta. It is bay-red, round, wrinkled orconvoluted, attached to the stem, irregular, with brain-likeconvolutions. 

The stem is hollow when mature, often very much deformed, whitish, scurvy, frequently enlarged or swollen at the base, sometimes lacunose, frequently attenuated upward, at first stuffed; asci cylindrical, apexobtuse, base attenuated, 8-spored; spores obliquely uniseriate, hyaline, smooth, continuous, elliptical, 17-25×9-11µ; paraphases numerous. 

This plant will be readily recognized from Figure 418, and its bay-redor chestnut-red cap with its brain-like convolutions. The books speak ofits being found in pine regions, but I have found it frequently in thewoods near Bowling Green, Sidney, and Chillicothe. Many authors givethis plant a bad reputation, yet I have eaten it often and when it iswell prepared it is good. I should advise caution in its use. It isfound in damp sandy woods during May and June. The plant in Figure 418was found near Chillicothe. 

_Gyromitra brunnea. Underwood. _

THE BROWN GYROMITRA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 419. --Gyromitra brunnea. ]

Brunnea is from _brunneus_, brown. A stout, fleshy plant, stipitate, three to five inches high, bearing a broad, much contorted, brownascoma. Stem is Ÿ to 1. 5 inch thick, more or less enlarged and spongy, solid at the base, hollow below, rarely slightly fluted, clear white;receptacle two to four inches across in the widest direction, the twodiameters usually more or less unequal, irregularly lobed and plicate;in places faintly marked into areas by indistinct anastomosing ridges;closely cohering with the stem in the various parts; color a richchocolate-brown or somewhat lighter if much covered with the leavesamong which it grows; whitish underneath; asci 8-spored. Spores oval. This plant is found quite frequently about Bowling Green. The land isvery rich there and produced both G. Esculenta and G. Brunnea in greaterabundance than I have found elsewhere in the state. It is quite tenderand fragile. The specimen in Figure 419 was found near Cincinnati andphotographed by Mr. C. G. Lloyd. 

_Helvella elastica. Bull. _

THE PEZIZA-LIKE HELVELLA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 420. --Helvella elastica. ]

Elastica means elastic, referring to its stem. The pileus is free fromthe stem, drooping, two to three lobed, center depressed, even, whitish, brownish, or sooty, almost smooth underneath, about 2 cm. Broad. 

The stem is two to three and a half inches high, and three to five linesthick at the inflated base; tapering upward, elastic, smooth, or oftenmore or less pitted; colored like the pileus, minutely velvety orfurfuraceous; at first solid, then hollow. Spores hyaline, continuous, elliptical, ends obtuse, often 1-guttulate, 18-20×10-11; 1-serrate;paraphyses septate, clavate. _Massee. _

The plants in the figure were found near Columbus and photographed byDr. Kellerman. I have not found the plant as far south as Chillicothe, though I found it frequently in the northern part of the state. It growsin the woods on leaf-mould. 

_Helvella lacunosa. Afz. _

THE CINEREOUS HELVELLA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 421. --Helvella lacunosa. ]

Lacunosa, full of pits or pitted. This is a beautiful plant, veryclosely related to the Morchellas. 

The pileus is inflated, lobed, cinereous black, lobes deflected, adnate. 

The stem is hollow, white or dusky, exterior ribbed, forming interveningcavities. 

The asci are cylindrical, and stemmed. The sporidia are ovate andhyaline. 

The deep longitudinal grooves in the stem are characteristic of thisspecies. The plants from which the halftone was made were collected nearSandusky and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. They grow in moist woods. Ifound the plants frequently in the woods near Bowling Green andoccasionally about Chillicothe, growing about well-decayed stumps. 

_Hypomyces. Tul. _

Hypomyces means upon a mushroom. It is parasitic on fungi. Myceliumbyssoid; perithecia small; asci 8-spored. 

_Hypomyces lactifluorum. Schw. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 422. --Hypomyces lactifluorum. The entire plant is a brightyellow. Natural size. ]

Lactifluorum means milk-flowing. It is parasitic on Lactarius, probablypiperatus, as this species surrounded it. It seems to have the power tochange the color into an orange-red mass, in many cases entirelyobliterating the gills of the host-species, as will be seen in Figure422. 

The asci are long and slender. The sporidia are in one row, spindle-shaped, straight or slightly curved, rough, hyaline, uniseptic, cuspidate, pointed at the ends, 30-38×6-8µ. 

This very closely resembles Hypomyces aurantius, but the sporidia arelarger, rough and warted and the felt-like mycelium at the base iswanting. 

It occurs in various colors, orange, red, white, and purple. It is notplentiful, occurring only occasionally. Capt. McIlvaine says, "When itis well cooked in small pieces it is among the best. " It is found fromJuly to October. 

_Leptoglossum luteum. (Pk. ) Sac. _

[Illustration: Figure 423. --Leptoglossum luteum. ]

Leptoglossum is from two Greek words, meaning thin, delicate, andtongue; luteum means yellowish. 

The club is distinct from the stem, smooth, compressed, generally with agroove on one side; luteous, often becoming brown at the tip or apex. 

The stem is equal or slightly enlarged above, stuffed, luteous, minutelyscaly. 

The spores are oblong, slightly curved, in a double row, 1-1000 to 1-800inch long. _Peck. _

These are found quite frequently among moss, or where an old log hasrotted down, on the north hillsides about Chillicothe. The plants werefirst described by Dr. Peck as "Geoglossum luteum, " but afterwardscalled by Saccardo "Leptoglossum luteum. " The plants in Figure 423 werefound in August or September, on Ralston's Run, near Chillicothe, andwere photographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Spathularia. Pers. _

This is a very interesting genus, and one that will attract theattention of any one at first sight. It grows in the form of a spathula, from which it receives its generic name. The spore-body is flattened andgrows down on both sides of the stem, tapering downward. 

_Spathularia flavida. Pers. _

THE YELLOW SPATHULARIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 424. --Spathularia flavida. ]

The spore body is a clear yellow, sometimes tinged with red, shaped likea spathula, the apex blunt, sometimes slightly cleft, the surface wavy, somewhat crisp, growing down the stem on opposite sides further than V. Velutipes. 

The stem is thick, hollow, white, then tinged with yellow, slightlycompressed; asci clavate, apex somewhat pointed, 8-spored; sporesarranged in parallel fascicles, hyaline, linear-clavate, usually veryslightly bent, 50-60×3. 5-4µ; paraphyses filiform, septate, oftenbranched, tips not thickened, wavy. While this is a beautiful plant itis not common. Found in August and September. 

_Spathularia velutipes. C. & F. _

VELVET-FOOT SPATHULARIA. EDIBLE. 

Velutipes is from _velutum_, velvet; _pes_, foot. 

The spore body is flattened, shaped like a spathula, spore surface wavy, growing on the opposite sides of the upper part of the stem, tawny-yellow. The stem is hollow, minutely downy or velvety, dark browntinged with yellow. It will dry quite as well as Morchella. It is foundin damp woods on mossy logs. It is not a common plant. Found in Augustand September. 

_Leotia. Hill. _

Receptacle pileate. Pileus orbicular, margin involute, free from thestem, smooth, hymenium covering upper surface. 

The stem is hollow, central, rather long, continuous with pileus; thewhole plant greenish-yellow. 

Asci club-shaped, pointed, 8-spored. The spores are elliptical andhyaline. The paraphyses are present, usually slender and round. 

_Leotia lubrica. Pers. _

[Illustration: Figure 425. --Leotia lubrica. ]

Lubrica means slippery; so called because the plants are usually slimy. 

The pileus is irregularly hemispherical, somewhat wrinkled, inflated, wavy, margin obtuse, free from the stem, yellowish olive-green, tremelloid. 

The stem is one to three inches long, nearly equal, hollow, andcontinuous with the cap; greenish-yellow, covered with small whitegranules. 

The asci are cylindrical, slightly pointed at the apex, 8-spored. Thespores are oblong, hyaline, smooth, sometimes slightly curved, 22-25×5µ. The paraphyses are slender, round, hyaline. 

The plants are gregarious and grow among moss or among leaves in thewoods. This species is quite plentiful about Chillicothe. It isdistinguished from Leotia chlorocephala by the color of its stem andcap. The color of the latter is green or dark green. They are found fromJuly to frost. They are edible but not choice. 

_Leotia chlorocephala. Schw. _

[Illustration: Figure 426. --Leotia chlorocephala. ]

Chlorocephala means green head. However, the entire plant is green. 

They grow in clusters, pileus round, depressed, somewhat translucent, more or less waxy, margin incurved, dark-verdigris-green, sometimesrather dark-green. 

The stem is rather short, almost equal; green, but often paler than thecap, covered with fine powdery dust, often twisted. 

Asci cylindric-clavate, apex rather narrowed, 8-spored, spores smooth, hyaline, ends acute, often slightly curved, 17-20×5µ. 

The specimens in Figure 426 were found in Purgatory Swamp, near Boston, by Mrs. Blackford. Both cap and stem were a deep verdigris-green. Theywere sent to me during the warm weather of August. 

_Peziza. Linn. _

Peziza means stalkless mushroom. This is a large genus of discomycetousfungi in which the hymenium lines the cavity of a fleshy membranous orwaxy cup. They are attached to the ground, decaying wood, or othersubstances, by the center, though sometimes they are distinctly stalked. They are often beautifully colored and are called fairy cups, bloodcups, and cup fungi. They are all cup-or saucer-shaped; externallywarted, scurvy or smooth; asci cylindrical, 8-spored. The genus islarge. Prof. Peck reports 150 species. Found early in spring till earlywinter. 

_Peziza acetabulum. Linn. _

RETICULATED PEZIZA. EDIBLE. 

Acetabulum, a small cup or vinegar cup. The spore-bearing bodystipitate, cup-shaped, dingy, ribbed externally with branching veins, which run up from the short, pitted and hollow stem; mouth somewhatcontracted; light umber without and darker within. Found on the groundin the spring. 

_Peziza badia. Pers. _

LARGE BROWN PEZIZA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 427. --Peziza badia. ]

Gregarious in its habits; sessile, or narrowed into a very short stoutstem, more or less pitted; nearly round and closed at first, thenexpanded until cup-shaped; margin at first involute; externally coveredwith a frost-like bloom; disk darker than the external surface, verychangeable in color; lobes more or less split and wavy, somewhat thick;spore-sacs cylindrical, apex truncante, sporidia oblong-ovate, episporerough, 8-spored. Found on the ground in the grass or by the roadside inopen woods. I found my first specimens in a clearing at Salem, but Ihave since found it at several points in the state. It should be freshwhen eaten. 

_Peziza coccinea. Jacq. _

THE CARMINE PEZIZA. 

[Illustration: Figure 428. --Peziza coccinea. One-third natural size. ]

Coccinea means scarlet or crimson. Usually growing two or three on thesame stick, the color is a very pure and beautiful scarlet, attractiveto children; school children frequently bring me specimens, curious toknow what they are. Specimens not large, disk clear and pure carminewithin, externally white, as is the stem; tomentose, with short, adpressed down; sporidia oblong, 8-spored. It is readily recognized bythe pure carmine disk and whitish tomentose exterior. It is found indamp woods on decayed sticks, being very common all over the state. 

_Peziza odorata. Pk. _

THE ODOROUS PEZIZA. EDIBLE. 

Gregarious in its habits. Cup yellowish, sessile, translucent, becomingdull brown when old, brittle when fresh, flesh moist and watery; theframe of the cup is separable into two layers; the outer one is rough, while the inner one is smooth. The disk is yellowish-brown. The asci arecylindrical, opening by a lid. On ground in cellars, about barns andoutbuildings. A very beautiful cluster grew upon a water-bucket in mystable. The cups were quite large, two and a half to three inchesacross. Its odor is distinctive. It is very similar to Peziza Petersiifrom which it is distinguished by its larger spores and peculiar odor. Found in May and June. 

_Peziza Stevensoni. _

[Illustration: Figure 429. --Peziza Stevensoni. ]

This plant is sessile or nearly so, growing on the ground in denseclusters. The specimens in Figure 429 grew in Dr. Chas. Miesse's cellar, in Chillicothe. They grow quite large at times; are ovate, externallygrayish-white, covered with a minute down or tomentum, internallyreddish-brown, the rim of the cup finely serrated, as will be seen inthe figure below. They are found from May to July. 

_Peziza semitosta. _

[Illustration: Figure 430. --Peziza semitosta. ]

Semitosta, from its scorched appearance, or umber-like color. 

The cup is one to one and a half inches across, hemispherical, hirsute-velvety without, date-brown within; margin indexed. 

The stem is ribbed or wrinkled. Sporidia are subfusiform, . 00117 inchlong. 

These plants are found on the ground in damp places. It was formerlycalled Peziza semitosta or Sarcoscypha semitosta. The plants in Figure430 were found in August or September on the north side of the EdingerHill, near Chillicothe, and were photographed by Dr. Kellerman. No doubtedible, but the writer has not tried them. This is called Macropodiasemitosta. 

_Peziza aurantia. Fr. _

ORANGE-GROUND PEZIZA. EDIBLE. 

Aurantia means orange color. 

Subsessile, irregular, oblique, externally somewhat pruinose, whitish. The sporidia are elliptic, rough. 

Found on the ground in damp woods. The cups are often quite large andvery irregular. Found in August and September. 

_Peziza repanda. Wahl. _

[Illustration: Figure 431. --Peziza repanda. ]

Repanda means bent backward. These plants are found in dark moist woods, growing on old, wet logs, or in well wooded earth. The cups areclustered or scattered, subsessile, contracted into a short, stout, stem-like base. When very small they appear like a tiny white knot onthe surface of the log. This grows, so that soon a hollow sphere with anopening at the top is produced. The plant now begins to expand andflatten, producing an irregular, flattened disk with small upturnededges. The margin often becomes split and wavy, sometimes drooping andrevolute; disk pale or dark brown, more or less wrinkled toward thecenter; externally the cup is a scurvy-white. The asci are 8-spored, quite large. The paraphyses are few, short, separate, clavate, andbrownish at the tips. The spores are elliptical, thin-walled, hyaline, non-nucleate, 14×9µ. 

Found from May to October. Edible. 

_Peziza vesiculosa. Bull. _

THE BLADDERY PEZIZA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 432. --Peziza vesiculosa. ]

Often in thick clusters. Those in the center are frequently distorted bymutual pressure; large, entire, sessile, at first globose; closed atfirst, then expanding; the margin of the cup more or less incurved, sometimes slightly notched; disk pallid-brown, externally; surface iscovered with a coarsely granular or warty substance which plainly showsin the photograph. The hymenium is generally separable from thesubstance of the cap. The spores are smooth, transparent, continuous, elliptical, ends obtuse. 

They are found on dung-hills, hot-beds or wherever the ground has beenstrongly fertilized and contains the necessary moisture. This is aninteresting plant and often found in large numbers. Vesicolosa meansfull of bladders, as the picture will suggest. 

I found a very nice cluster on the 25th of April, 1904, in my stable. 

_Peziza scutellata. Linn. _

THE SHIELD-LIKE PEZIZA. 

[Illustration: Figure 433. --Peziza scutellata. Very small but will showform under the glass. ]

Becoming plane, vermillion-red, externally paler, hispid towards themargin with straight black hairs. Spores ellipsoid. Found on damp rottenlogs from July to October. Very plentiful and very pretty under themagnifying glass. 

_Peziza tuberosa. Bull. _

THE TUBEROUS PEZIZA. 

[Illustration: Figure 434. --Peziza tuberosa. Natural size. ]

Tuberosa, furnished with a tuber or sclerotium. The cup is thin, infundibuliform, bright brown, turning pale. 

The stem is elongated, springing from an irregular black tuber, calledsclerotium. The stems run deep into the earth and are attached to asclerotium, which will be seen in the halftone. Many fungus plants havelearned to store up fungus starch for the new plant. 

The sporidia are oblong-ellipsoid, simple. It is called by some authorsSclerotinia tuberosa. It grows on the ground in the spring and may beknown by its bright brown color and its stem running deep into the earthand attached to a tuber. 

_Peziza hemispherica. Wigg. _

Sessile, hemispherical, waxy, externally brownish, clothed with dense, fasciculate hairs; disk glaucous-white. This is called by Gillet Lachneahemispherica. The cups are small, varying much in color and the sporidiaare ellipsoidal. They are found on the ground in September and October. Found in Poke Hollow. 

_Peziza leporina. Batsch. _

Substipitate, elongated on one side, ear-shaped, subferruginousexternally, farinose internally; base even. It is sometimes cinereous oryellowish. Sporidia ellipsoidal. This is called frequently Otidealeporina, (Batsch. ) Fckl. It is found on the ground in the woods duringSeptember and October. Found in Poke Hollow. 

_Peziza venosa. P. _

This plant is saucer-shaped, sometimes many inches broad; sessile, somewhat twisted, dark umber, white beneath, wrinkled with rib-likeveins. Odor often strong. Found growing on the ground in leaf mold. Found in the spring, about the last of April, in James Dunlap's woods, near Chillicothe. This is also called Discina venosa, Suec. 

_Peziza floccosa. Schw. _

[Illustration: Figure 435. --Peziza floccosa. Natural size. ]

This is a beautiful plant growing upon partially decayed logs. I havealways found it upon hickory logs. The cap is cup-shaped, very much likea beaker. The stem is long and slender, rather woolly; the rim of thecap is fringed with long, strigose hairs. The inner surface of the cuprepresents the spore-bearing portion. 

The inside and the rim of the cup are very beautiful, being variegatedwith deep scarlet and white. Also called Sarcoscypha floccosa. 

The plant is found from June to September. 

_Peziza occidentalis. _

[Illustration: Figure 436. --Peziza occidentalis. Natural size. ]

This is another very showy plant, quite equal in attractiveness to P. Floccosa and P. Coccinea. 

The cup is infundibuliform, the outside as well as the stem whitish, anddowny, the bowl or disk is reddish-orange. This is known by some authorsas Sarcoscypha occidentalis. It grows on rotten sticks upon the ground. May and June. 

_Peziza nebulosa. Cooke. _

[Illustration: Figure 437. --Peziza nebulosa. ]

Nebulosa means cloudy or dark, from _nebula_, a cloud; from its color. 

Ascophore stipitate, rather fleshy, closed at first, then cup-shaped, becoming somewhat plane, the margin slightly incurved, externally piloseor downy, pale gray or sometimes quite dark. 

Asci are cylindrical; spores spindle-shaped, straight or bow-shaped, rough, 35-8; paraphyses thread-shaped. 

These plants are found on decayed stumps or logs in the wood. The woodswhere I have found them have been rather dense and damp. The plants inFigure 437 were found in Haynes' Hollow and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Urnula craterium. (Schw. ) Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 438. --Urnula craterium. Two-thirds natural size. ]

Urnula means burned; craterium means a small crater; hence thetranslation is a burned-out crater, which will appear to the student asa very appropriate name. It is a very common and conspicuousAscomycetous, or cup fungus, growing in clusters on rotten sticks thatlie in moist places. When the plants first appear they are small, blackstems with scarcely any evidence of a cup. In a short time the end ofthe stem shows evidence of enlargement, showing lines of separation onthe top. It soon opens and we have the cup as you see it in Figure 438. The hymenium, or spore bearing surface, is the interior wall of the cup. The cup is lined inside with a palisade of long cylindrical sacs, eachcontaining eight spores with a small amount of liquid. These sacs are atright angles to the inner surface, and are provided with lids similar tothat of a coffee-pot; at maturity the lid is forced open and the sporesare shot out of these sacs, and, by jarring the fungus when it is readyto make the discharge, they can be seen as a little cloud an inch or twoabove the cup. Place a small slip of glass over the cup and you will seespores in groups of eight in very small drops of liquid on the glass. This species appears in April and May, and is certainly a veryinteresting plant. It is called by some Peziza craterium, Schw. 

_Helotium. Fr. _

Disc always open, at first punctiform, then dilated, convex or concave, naked. Excipulum waxy, free, marginate, externally naked. 

_Helotium citrinum. Fr. _

LEMON-COLORED HELOTIUM. 

[Illustration: Figure 439. --Helotium citrinum. Disc-fungus, yellowgrowing on rotten logs. Slightly magnified. ]

This is a beautiful little Disc-fungus, yellow, growing upon rotten logsin damp woods. They often grow in dense clusters; a beautifullemon-yellow, the head being plane or concave, with a short, thick, paler stem, forming an inverted cone. Asci elongated, narrowlycylindrical, attenuated at the base into a long, slender, crookedpedicel, 8-spored. 

Sporidia oblong, elliptical, with two or three minute nuclei. 

This is quite a common plant in our woods during wet weather or in dampplaces, growing upon old logs and stumps, in woods, in the fall. Figure439 will give an idea of their appearance when in dense clusters. Theplants photographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Helotium lutescens. Fr. _

YELLOWISH HELOTIUM. 

Lutescens means yellowish. The plants are small, sessile, or attached bya very short stem; closed at first, then expanding until nearly plane;disk yellow, smooth; asci clavate, 8 spored; spores hyaline, smooth. 

Gregarious or scattered. Found on half-decayed branches. 

_Helotium æruginosum. Fr. _

THE GREEN HELOTIUM. 

Æruginosum means verdigris-green. Gregarious or scattered, staining thewood on which they grow to a deep verdigris-green; ascophore at firstturbinate and closed, then expanding, the margin usually wavy and moreor less irregular; flexible, glabrous, even, somewhat contracted, andminutely wrinkled when dry; every part a deep verdigris-green, the discoften becoming paler with a tinge of tan color; 1-4 mm. Across;stem 1-3 mm. Long, expanding into the ascophore; hypotheciumand excipulum formed of interlaced, hyaline hyphæ, 3-4µ. Thick, these becoming stouter and colored green in the cortex; asci narrowlycylindric-clavate, apex slightly narrowed, 8-spored; spores irregularly2-seriate, hyaline or with a slight tinge of green, very narrowlycylindric-fusiform, straight or curved, 10-14×2. 5-3. 5µ. 2-gutullate, or with several minute green oil globules; paraphyses slender, with atinge of green at the tip. _Massee. _

Massee calls this Chlorosplenium æruginosum, De Not. It is quite commonon oak branches, staining to a deep green the wood upon which it grows. It is widely distributed, specimens having been sent me from as far eastas Massachusetts. The mycelium-stains in the wood are met morefrequently than the fruit. 

_Bulgaria. Fr. _

Bulgaria--probably first found in that principality. 

Receptacle orbicular, then truncate, glutinous within, at first closed;hymenium even, persistent, smooth. 

_Bulgaria inquinans. Fr. _

THE BLACKISH BULGARIA. 

[Illustration: Figure 440. --Bulgaria inquinans. Two-thirds naturalsize. ]

Inquinans means befouling or polluting; so called because of theblackish, gelatinous coating of the cap. 

Receptacle orbicular, closed at first, then opening, forming a cup, asshown on the right in Figure 440; disk or cup becoming plane; black, sometimes becoming lacunose; tough, elastic, gelatinous, dark-brown, orchocolate, almost black, wrinkled, and rough externally; stem veryshort, almost obsolete; cup light umber; sporidia large, elliptical, brown. 

This plant is quite plentiful in some localities near Chillicothe. It isfound in woods, on oak trunks or limbs partially decayed. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

NIDULARIACEAE--BIRD'S NEST FUNGI. 

Spores produced on sporophores, compacted into one or more globose ordisciform bodies, contained within a distinct peridium. _Berkeley. _

There are four genera included in this order. 

 Cyathus--Peridium cup-shaped, composed of three different membranes. Crucibulum--Peridium of a uniform spongy membrane. Nidularia--Peridium globose, sporangia enveloped in mucus. Sphærobolus--Peridium double, sporangia ejected singly. 

_Cyathus. Pers. _

Cyathus is from a Greek word meaning a cup. 

The peridium is composed of three membranes very closely related, closedat first by a white membrane, but finally bursting at the top. Sporangiaplane, umbilicate, attached to the wall by an elastic cord. 

_Cyathus striatus. Hoffm. _

STRIATE CYATHUS. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 441. --Cyathus striatus. ]

The plants are small, obconic, truncate, broadly open; externallyferruginous, with a hairy tomentum, internally lead-color, smooth, striated. 

The sporangia are somewhat trigonous, whitish, broadly umbilicate;covering of the cup thin, evanescent, somewhat thicker underneath, andcottony, often covered with down-like meal. 

The spores are thick and oblong. 

This is a very interesting little plant. It is quite widely distributed. I have had it from several states, including New England. It is easilyidentified by the striations, or lines, on the inside of the cup, beingthe only species thus marked by internal striæ. The peridioles of thespecies fill only the lower part of the cup, below the striations. 

_Cyathus vernicosus. D. C. _

VARNISHED CYATHUS. 

[Illustration: Figure 442. --Cyathus vernicosus. ]

Vernicosus means varnished. It is bell-shaped, base narrowly subsessile, broadly open above, somewhat wavy; externally rusty-brown, silkytomentose, finally becoming smooth, internally lead-colored. 

The sporangia are blackish, frequently somewhat pale, even; coveringrather thick, sprinkled with a grayish meal. Spores elliptical, colorless, 12-14×10µ. I have frequently seen the ground in gardens andstubble-fields covered with these beautiful little plants. The quitefirm, thick, and flaring cup will easily distinguish the species. Theeggs or peridioles are black and quite large, appearing white becausecovered with a thin white membrane. Found in late summer and fall. Theplants in Figure 442 were photographed by Prof. G. D. Smith. 

_Cyathus stercoreus. _

[Illustration: Figure 443. --Cyathus stercoreus. ]

Stercoreus is from _stercus_, dung. This species, as the name suggests, is found on manure or manured grounds. Mr. Lloyd gives the followingdescription: "The cups are even inside, and with shaggy hairs outside. When old they become smoother, and are sometimes mistaken for Cyathusvernicosus. However when once learned, the plants can be readilydistinguished by the cups. Cyathus stercoreus varies considerably, however, as to shape and size of cups, according to habitat. If growingon a cake of manure, they are shorter and more cylindrical; if in loosemanured ground, especially in grass, they are more slender and inclinedto a stalk at the base. " The peridioles or eggs are blacker than otherspecies. They are found in late summer and fall. 

_Crucibulum. Tul. _

The peridium consists of a uniform, spongy, fibrous felt, closed by aflat scale-like covering of the same color. 

The sporangia are plane, attached by a cord, springing from a smallnipple-like tubercle. 

This genus is distinguished from Cyathus, its nearest ally, by theperidial wall, consisting of two layers only. 

_Crucibulum vulgare. Tul. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 444. --Crucibulum vulgare. ]

The peridium is tan-colored, thick externally nearly even, internallyquite even, smooth, shining; mouths of young plants are covered with athin yellowish membrane called the epiphragm. When old the cups bleachout and lose their yellow color. The peridioles or eggs are white, thatis they are covered with a white membrane. Their yellowish color andwhite eggs will readily distinguish this species. 

They are found on decayed weeds, sticks, and pieces of wood. Thespecimens in the halftone grew on an old mat and were photographed byMr. C. G. Lloyd. 

_Nidularia. Tul. _

The peridium is uniform, consisting of a single membrane; globose, atfirst closed, finally ruptured or opening with a circular mouth. 

The sporangia are quite small and numerous, not attached by a funiculusto the peridium, enveloped in mucus. 

_Nidularia pisiformis. Tul. _

PEA-SHAPED NIDULARIA. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 445. --Nidularia pisiformis. ]

Pisiformis is from two Latin words meaning _pea_ and _form_. 

The plant is gregarious, nearly round, sessile, rootless, hairy, brownor brownish, splitting irregularly. 

The sporangia are subrotund or discoidal in form, dark brown, smooth, shining. 

The spores are colorless, round or elliptical or pear-shaped, producedon sterigmata, 7-8×8-9µ. Sometimes found on the ground and on leaves, but their favorite home is an old log. Found from July to September. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

SUB-CLASS BASIDIOMYCETES. 

GROUP GASTROMYCETES. 

Gastromycetes is from two Greek words: _gaster_, stomach; _mycetes_, fungus. We have already seen that, in the group, Hymenomycetes, thespore-bearing surface is exposed as in the common mushroom or in thepore-bearing varieties, but in the Gastromycetes the hymenium isinclosed in the rind or peridium. The word peridium comes from _peridio_(I wrap around); because the peridium entirely envelops thespore-bearing portion, which, in due time, sheds the inclosed sporesthat have been formed inside the basidia and spicules, as will be seenin Figure 2. The cavity within the peridium consists of two parts: thethreaded part, called the capillitium, which can be seen in any driedpuffball, and a cellular part, called the gleba, which is thespore-bearing tissue, composed of minute chambers lined with thehymenium. The peridium breaks in various ways to permit the spores toescape. When children pinch a puffball to "see the smoke, " as they say, issue from it, little do they know that they are doing just what thepuffball would have them do, in order that its seeds may be scattered tothe winds. 

In case of the Phalloides, the hymenium deliquesces, instead of dryingup. 

Berkeley, in his "Outlines, " gives the following characterization ofthis family: "Hymenium more or less permanently concealed, consisting inmost cases of closely packed cells, of which the fertile ones bear nakedspores in distinct spicules, exposed only by the rupture or decay of theinvesting coat or peridium. "

The following families will be treated here:

 I. Phalloideæ--Terrestrial. Hymenium deliquescent. II. Lycoperdaceæ--Cellular at first. Hymenium drying up in a mass of threads and spores. III. Sclerodermaceæ--Peridium inclosing sporangia. 

_Phalloideæ. Fr. _

Volva universal, the intermediate stratum gelatinous. Hymeniumdeliquescent. _Berkeley's Outlines. _

The following genera will be represented:

 I. Phallus--Pileus free around the stem. II. Mutinus--Pileus attached to the stem. 

_Phallus duplicatus. Bosc. _

LACED STINKHORN. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate LV. Figure 446. --Phallus duplicatus. 

Natural size, showing veil. ]

Volva egg-shaped, thick, whitish, frequently having a pinkish tinge. 

The stem is cylindrical, cellulose, tapering upward. The veil isreticulate, frequently surrounding the whole of the stem from the pileusto the volva, often torn. The pileus is pitted, deliquescent, six toeight inches high, apex acute. Spores elliptic-oblong. 

I am sure I never saw finer lace-work than I have seen on this plant. Afew years ago one of these plants insisted upon growing near my house, where a fence post had formerly been, with the effect of almost drivingthe family from home. One can hardly imagine so beautiful a plant givingoff such an odor. It is not a common plant in our state. 

_Phallus Ravenelii. B. & C. _

[Illustration: Figure 447. --Phallus Ravenelii. Natural size, showingvolva at base, receptacle and cap. ]

This plant is extremely abundant about Chillicothe. I have seen hundredsof fully developed plants on a few square yards of old sawdust; and onemight easily think that all the bad smells in the world had been turnedloose at that place. The eggs in the sawdust can be gathered by thebushel. In Figure 449 is represented a cluster, of these eggs. Thesection of an egg in the center of the cluster shows the outline of thevolva, the pileus, and the embryo stem. Inside of the volva, in themiddle, is the short undeveloped stem; covering the upper part and sidesof the stem is the pileus; the fruit-bearing part, which is divided intosmall chambers, lies on the outside of the pileus. The spores are borneon club-shaped basidia as shown in Figure 448, within the chamber of thefruit-bearing part, and when the spores mature, the stem begins toelongate and force the gleba and pileus through the volva, leaving it atthe base of the stem, as will be seen in Figure 448. The large egg onthe left in the background of Figure 449 is nearly ready to break thevolva. I brought in a large egg one evening and placed it on the mantle. Later in the evening, the room being warm, while we were reading my wifenoticed this egg beginning to move and it developed in a few minutes tothe shape you see in Figure 447. The development was so rapid that themotion was very perceptible. The pileus is conical in shape, and afterthe disappearance of the gleba the surface of the pileus is merelygranular. The plants are four to six inches high. The stem is hollow andtapers from the middle to each end. This plant is also known asDictyophora Ravenelii, Burt. 

[Illustration: Figure 448. --Phallus Ravenelii. Two-thirds natural size. ]

[Illustration: Figure 449. --Phallus Ravenelii. Two-thirds natural size, showing the egg stage. ]

_Lysurus borealis. Burt. _

[Illustration: Figure 450. --Lysurus borealis. ]

The receptacle is borne on a stalk, hollow, attenuated toward the base, divided above into arms, which do not join at their apices, and whichbear the spore mass in their inner surfaces and sides, inclosing thespore mass when young, but later diverging. 

The stem of the phalloid is white, hollow, attenuated downward; the armsare narrow, lance-shaped, with pale flesh-colored backs, traversed theirentire length by a shallow furrow. 

The egg in the center is about ready to break the volva and develop to afull grown plant. The plants in Figure 450 were found near Akron, Ohio, and photographed by G. D. Smith. 

_Mutinus. Fr. _

The gleba is borne directly on the upper portion of the stem, which ishollow and composed of a single layer of tissue; and the plant has noseparate pileus, by which characteristic the genus differs fromPhallus. 

_Mutinus caninus. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 451. --Mutinus caninus. ]

The gleba-bearing portion is short, red or flesh-colored, subacute, wrinkled, the cap or gleba forming the spore-bearing mass which isusually conical, sometimes oblong or ovoid, covering one-fourth toone-sixth the total length of the stem. 

The stem is elongated, spindle-shaped, hollow, cylindrical, cellular, white, sometimes rosy. The spores are elliptical, involved in a greenmucus, 6×4µ. The plant comes from an egg, which is about the size of aquail's egg. You can find them in the ground if you will mark the placewhere you have seen them growing. They are found in gardens and in oldwoods and thickets. I have found this species in several localitiesabout Chillicothe, but always in damp thickets. Mr. Lloyd thought thismore nearly resembled the European species than any he had seen in thiscountry. Found in July, August, and September. 

_Mutinus elegans. Montagne. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate LVI. Figure 452. --Mutinus elegans. 

Natural size, showing an egg and a section of an egg. ]

[Illustration: Figure 453. --Mutinus elegans. One-third natural size, showing volva, white receptacle and red cap. ]

The pileus is acuminate, perforated at apex. The stem is cylindrical, tapering gradually to the apex, whitish or pinkish below, pileus brightred. 

The volva is oblong-ovoid, pinkish, segments two or three. The sporesare elliptical-oblong. _Morgan. _

The odor of this plant is not as strong as in some of the Phalloids. Theeggs of Phallus and Mutinus are said to be very good when friedproperly, but my recollection of the odor of the plant has been toovivid for me to try them. It is usually found in mixed woods, butsometimes in richly cultivated fields. I have found them frequentlyabout Chillicothe six to seven inches high. In Figure 452 on the rightis shown an egg and above it is a section of an egg containing theembryonic plant. This plant is called by Prof. Morgan Mutinus bovinus. After seeing this picture the collector will not fail to recognize it. It is one of the curious growths in nature. Found in July and August. 

CHAPTER XV. 

LYCOPERDACEAE--PUFF-BALLS. 

This family includes all fungi which have their spores in closedchambers until maturity. The chambers are called the gleba and this issurrounded by the peridium or rind, which in different puffballsexhibits various characteristic ways of opening to let the sporesescape. The peridium is composed of two distinct layers, one called thecortex, the other the peridium proper. The plant is generally sessile, sometimes more or less stemmed, at maturity filled with a dusty mass ofspores and thread. 

It affords many of our most delicious fungus food products. Thefollowing genera are considered here:

 I. Calvatia--The large puffball. II. Lycoperdon--The small puffball. III. Bovista--The tumbling puffball. IV. Geaster--Earth Star. V. Scleroderma--The hard puffball. 

_Calvatia. Fr. _

This genus represents the largest sized puffballs. They have a thickcord-like mycelium rooting from the base. The peridium is very large, breaking away in fragments when ripe and exposing the gleba. The cortexis thin, adherent, often soft and smooth like kid leather, sometimescovered with minute squamules; the inner peridium is thin and fragile, at maturity cracking into areas. The capillitium is a net-work of finethreads through the tissues of spore-bearing portion; tissue, snow whiteat first, turning greenish-yellow, then brown; the mass of spores andthe dense net-work of threads (capillitium) attached to the peridium andto the subgleba or sterile base which is cellulose; limited and concaveabove. Spores small, round, usually sessile. 

_Calvatia gigantea. Batsch. _

THE GIANT PUFFBALL. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Plate LVII. Figure 454. --Calvatia gigantea. ]

This species grows to an immense size (often twenty inches in diameter);round or obovoid, with a thick mycelial cord rooting it to the ground, sessile, cortex white and glossy, sometimes slightly roughened by minutefloccose warts, becoming yellowish or brown. The inner peridium isthin and fragile, after maturity breaking up into fragments, apparentlywithout any subgleba; capillitium and spores yellowish-green todingy-olive. The spores are round, sometimes minutely warted. 

Not common about Chillicothe, but in the northwestern part of the statethey are very plentiful in their season, and very large. Standing in Mr. Joseph's wood-pasture, east of Bowling Green, I have counted fifteengiant puffballs whose diameters would average ten inches, and whosecortex was as white and glossy as a new kid glove. A friend of mine, living in Bowling Green, and driving home from Deshler, saw in awood-pasture twenty-five of these giant puffballs. Being impressed withthe sight and having some grain sacks in his wagon he filled them andbrought them home. He at once telephoned for me to come to his house, asthe mountain was too big to take to Mohammed. He was surprised to learnthat he had found that proverbial calf which is all sweet-breads. Thatevening we supplied twenty-five families with slices of these puffballs. 

They can be kept for two or three days on ice. The photograph, taken byProf. Shaffner of Ohio State University, will show how they look growingin the grass. They seem to delight to nestle in the tall bluegrass. Thisspecies has been classed heretofore as Lycoperdon giganteum. Found fromAugust to October. 

[Illustration: Figure 455. --Calvatia gigantia. One-fifth natural size, showing how they grow in the grass. ]

_Calvatia lilacina. Berk. _

LILAC PUFFBALL. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Plate LVIII. Figure 456. --Calvatia lilacina. 

Natural size in a growing state. ]

The peridium is three to six inches in diameter; globose or depressedglobose; smooth or minutely floccose or scaly; whitish, cinereous-brownor pinkish-brown, often cracking into areas in the upper part; commonlywith a short, thick, stemless base; capillitium and spores purple-brown, these and the upper part of the peridium falling away and disappearingwhen old, leaving a cup-shaped base with a ragged margin. Sporesglobose, rough, purple-brown, 5-6. 5 broad. _Peck_, 48th Rep. N. Y. State Bot. 

It is very common all over the state. I have seen pastures in Shelby andDefiance counties dotted all over with this species. When the inside iswhite, they are very good and meaty. No puffball is poisonous, so far asis known, but if the inside has turned yellowish at all it is apt to bequite bitter. It will often be seen in pastures and open woods in theform of a cup, the upper portion having broken away and the wind havingscooped out the purple spore-mass, leaving only the cup-shaped base. Thespecimens in Figure 457 are just beginning to crack open and to showpurplish stains. They represent less than one-fourth of the naturalsize. They look very much like the smaller sized C. Gigantea, but thepurple spores and the subgleba at once distinguish the species. Thisspecies, found from July to October, is sometimes classed as Lycoperdoncyathiforme. The photograph was taken by Prof. Longyear. 

[Illustration: Figure 457. --Calvatia lilacina. ]

_Calvatia cælata. Bull. _

THE CARVED PUFFBALL. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate LIX. Figure 458. --Calvatia caelata. ]

[Illustration: Figure 459. --Calvatia cælata. ]

Cælata, carved. Peridium large, obovoid or top-shaped, depressed above, with a stout thick base and a cord-like root. Cortex a thickish floccoselayer, with coarse warts or spines above, whitish then ochraceous orfinally brown, at length breaking up into areola which are more or lesspersistent; inner peridium thick but fragile, thinner about the apex, where it finally ruptures, forming a large, irregular, torn opening. Subgleba occupying nearly half the peridium, cup-shaped above and for along time persistent; the mass of spores and capillitium compact, farinaceous greenish-yellow or olivaceous, becoming pale to dark-brown;the threads are very much branched, the primary branches two or threetimes as thick as the spores, very brittle, soon breaking up intofragments. Spores globose, even, 4-4. 5 in diameter, sessile orsometimes with a short or minute pedicel. Peridium is three to fiveinches in diameter. _Morgan. _

This species is much like the preceding but can be easily distinguishedby the larger size and the yellowish-olive color of the maturespore-mass. The sterile base is often the larger part of the fungus and, as will be seen in Figure 459, it is anchored by a heavy root-likegrowth. It is found growing on the ground in fields and thin woods. Whenwhite through and through, sliced, rolled in egg and cracker crumbs, andnicely fried, you are glad you know a puffball. Found from August toOctober. 

_Calvatia craniiformis. Schw. _

THE BRAIN-SHAPED CALVATIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Plate LX. Figure 460. --Calvatia craniiformis. ]

[Illustration: Figure 461. --The sterile part of C. Craniiformis. ]

Craniiformis is from _Cranion_, a skull; _forma_, a form. 

The peridium is very large, obovoid or top-shaped, depressed above, thebase thick and stout, with a cord-like root. The cortex is a smoothcontinuous layer, very thin and fragile, easily peeling off, pallid orgrayish, sometimes with a reddish tinge, often becoming folded in areas;the inner peridium is thin, ochraceous to bright-brown, extremelyfragile, the upper part, after maturity, breaking into fragments andfalling away. 

The subgleba occupies about one-half of the peridium, is cup-shapedabove and for a long time persistent; the mass of spores and capillitiumis greenish-yellow, then ochraceous or dirty olivaceous; the threads arevery long, about as thick as the spores, branched. The spores areglobose, even, 3-3. 5µ in diameter, with minute pedicels. _Morgan. _

It is difficult to distinguish this from C. Lilacina when fresh, butwhen ripe the color will tell the species. Figure 460 shows the plant asit appears on the ground, and figure 461 shows the subgleba or sterilebase, which is frequently found on the ground after weathering thewinter. This plant is very common on the hillsides under small oakshrubbery. I have gathered a basketful within a few feet. They grow verylarge, often five to six inches in diameter, seeming to delight inrather poor soil. When the spore-mass is white this is an excellentfungus, but exceedingly bitter after it has turned yellow. Found duringOctober and November. 

_Calvatia elata. Massee. _

THE STEMMED CALVATIA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 462. --Calvatia elata. ]

Elata means tall; so called from its long stem. 

The peridium is round, often slightly depressed above, plicate below, where it is abruptly contracted into a long stem-like base. The base isslender, round, and frequently pitted; mycelium rather plentiful, fibrous and thread-like. When in good condition it is a rich creamcolor. The cortex consists of a coat of minute persistent granules orspinules. The inner peridium is white or cream-colored, becoming brownor olivaceous, quite thin and fragile, the upper part at maturitybreaking up and falling away. The subgleba occupies the stem. The massof spores and capillitium is usually brown or greenish-brown. Thethreads are very long, branched, branches slender. Spores round, even, sometimes slightly warted, 4-5µ, with a slight pedicel. 

The plant grows on low mossy grounds among bushes, especially where itis inclined to be swampy. The plant in Figure 462 was found in asphagnum swamp near Akron and was photographed by Prof. G. D. Smith. Iam inclined to think it the same as Calvatia saccata, Fr. 

_Lycoperdon. Tourn. _

Mycelium fibrous, rooting from the base. Peridium small, globose, obovoid or turbinate, with a more or less thickened base; cortex asubpersistent coat of soft spines, scales, warts or granules; innerperidium thin, membranaceous, becoming papyraceous, dehiscent by aregular apical mouth. _Morgan. _

This genus includes puffballs with apical openings and is divided intotwo series, a purple-spored and an olive-spored series. The microscopeshows that the gleba is composed of a great number of spores mixed withsimple or branched threads. There are two sets of threads; one setarises from the peridial wall and the other from the subgleba orcolumella. 

PURPLE-SPORED SERIES. 

_Lycoperdon pulcherrimum. B. & C. _

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PUFFBALL. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Specimen from A. P. Morgan. _

_Photo by C. G. Lloyd_

Figure 463. --Lycoperdon pulcherrimum. ]

[Illustration: Figure 464. --Lycoperdon pulcherrimum. ]

Pulcherrimum, most beautiful. The peridium is obovoid, with a shortbase, the mycelium forming a cord like a root. The cortex is coveredwith long white spines, converging at the apex, as will be seen inFigure 463. The spines soon fall from the upper part of the peridium, leaving the inner peridium with a smooth purplish-brown surface, oftenslightly scarred by the base of the spine. The subgleba occupies atleast a third of the peridium. The spores and the capillitium are atfirst olivaceous, then brownish-purple, the spores rough and minutelywarted. The plant is one to two inches in diameter. It is found in low, rich ground, in fields and wood margins. Only young and fresh plants aregood. 

The lower plant in Figure 463 shows where the spines have begun to fall, also the strong mycelial cord referred to in the description. I amindebted to Mr. Lloyd for the photograph. Found in September andOctober. 

_Lycoperdon umbrinum. Pers. _

THE SMOOTH PUFFBALL. EDIBLE. 

Umbrinum, dingy umber. Peridium obovate, nearly sub-turbinate, with asoft, delicate, velvety bark; yellowish; inner peridium smooth andglossy, opening by a small aperture. The spores and capillitium, olivaceous, then purplish-brown. The capillitium with a centralcolumella. A very attractive little plant, not frequently found. Thisplant is also called L. Glabellum. In woods, September and October. 

OLIVE-SPORED SERIES. 

_Lycoperdon gemmatum. Batsch. _

THE GEMMED PUFFBALL. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate LXI. Figure 465. --Lycoperdon gemmatum. 

Natural size. Entirely white when young. From the young to the matureddehiscing plant. ]

The peridium is turbinate, depressed above; the base short and obconic, or more elongated and tapering, or subcylindric, arising from a fibrousmycelium. The cortex consists of long, thick, erect spines or warts ofirregular shape, with intervening smaller ones, whitish or gray incolor, sometimes with a tinge of red or brown; the larger spines firstfall away, leaving pale spots on the surface, and giving it a reticulateappearance. The subgleba is variable in amount, usually more than halfthe peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, thenpale-brown; threads simple or scarcely branched, about as thick as thespores. Spores globose, even, or very minutely warted. _Morgan. _

The species is readily recognized by the large erect spines which, because of their peculiar form and color, have given the notion of gems, whence the name of the species. These and the reticulations can be seenin Figure 465 by the aid of a glass. They are frequently found aboutChillicothe. 

_Lycoperdon subincarnatum. Pk. _

THE PINKISH PUFFBALL. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 466. --Lycoperdon subincarnatum. ]

Subincarnatum means pale flesh-color. The peridium is globe-shaped, sessile, without a stem-like base. Not large, rarely over one inch indiameter. The subgleba is present but small. The outer peridium ispinkish-brown, with minute short, stout spinules, which fall away atmaturity, leaving the inner ash-colored peridium neatly pitted by thefalling off of the spinules of the outer coat, the pits not beingsurrounded by dotted lines. The capillitium and spores are firstgreenish-yellow, then brownish-olive. The threads are long, simple, andtransparent. The columella is present and the spores are round andminutely warted. 

They are often found in abundance on decayed logs, old stumps, and onthe ground about stumps where the ground is especially full of decayedwood. They are found from August to October. 

_Lycoperdon cruciatum. Roth. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 467. --Lycoperdon cruciatum. ]

Peridium broadly ovate, often much depressed, plicate underneath, with acord-like root; cortex a dense white coat of convergent spines, which atmaturity peel off in flakes, as can be seen in the photograph, revealinga thin furfuraceous layer of minute yellowish scales covering the innerperidium. The subgleba broad, occupying about one-third of the cavity. The spores and capillitium are dark-brown. This species is very hard todistinguish from Wrightii. It was once called _separans_ because of thefact that the outer coat separates, or peels off, so readily from theinner peridium. Found in open woods, or along paths in open woods orpastures. 

From July to October. 

_Lycoperdon Wrightii. B. & C. _

EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 468. --Lycoperdon Wrightii. Natural size. ]

The specific name is in honor of Charles Wright. The peridium isglobe-like, sessile, white, minutely spinulose, often converging at theapex; when denuded, smooth or minutely velvety. 

The spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brown-olive; thecolumella present, but very small. Spores small, smooth, 3-4µ. 

The plants are very small, scarcely more than two cm. In diameter. Theyare generally cæspitose in short grass, along paths, and in sandyplaces. 

I have frequently seen the ground white with them on Cemetery Hill wherethe specimens in Figure 468 were found. They were photographed by Dr. Kellerman. Found from July to the last of October. 

_Lycoperdon pyriforme. Schaeff. _

THE PEAR-SHAPED PUFFBALL. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Plate LXII. Figure 469. --Lycoperdon pyriforme. 

Natural size when young as seen growing on decayed wood. The sectionsshow they are in the edible state. ]

Pyriforme means pear-shaped. The peridium is ovate or pear-shaped, witha profusion of mycelial threads, as will be seen in Figure 470. 

The cortex is covered with a thin coat of minute brownish scales orgranules, which are quite persistent. These can be seen in thephotograph by the aid of a glass. They are sessile or have a shortstem-like base; the subgleba is small and compact; the capillitium andspores are first white, then greenish-yellow, then dingy olivaceous; theinner coat is smooth, papery, whitish-gray or brownish, opening by anapical mouth; the spores are round, even, greenish-yellow tobrownish-olive. 

They grow in dense clusters, as will be seen in Figure 470. An entirelog and stump, about four feet high, and the roots around it, werecovered, as shown in Plate LXII. I gathered about three pecks, at thisone place, to divide with my friends. It is one of the most commonpuffballs, and you may usually be sure of getting some, if you go intothe woods where there are decayed logs and stumps. A friend of mine, whogoes hunting with me occasionally, eats them as one would eat cherries. 

Found from July to November. 

[Illustration: Figure 470. --Lycoperdon pyriforme. Natural size. ]

_Lycoperdon pusillum. Pr. _

THE SMALL LYCOPERDON. EDIBLE. 

Pusillum means small. 

Peridium is one-fourth to one inch broad, globose, scattered orcespitose, sessile, radicating, with but little cellular tissue at thebase, white, or whitish, brownish when old, rimose-squamulose orslightly roughened with minute floccose or furfuraceous persistentwarts; capillitium and spores greenish-yellow, then dingy olivaceous. Spores smooth 4µ in diameter. _Peck. _

These are found from June to cool weather in the fall, in pastures wherethe grass is eaten short. When mature they dehisce by a small opening, and when broken open will disclose the olive or greenish-yellowcapillitium. The spores are of the same color, smooth and round. 

_Lycoperdon acuminatum. Bosc. _

THE POINTED LYCOPERDON. EDIBLE. 

Acuminatum means pointed. 

The peridium is small, round, then egg-shaped; with a plentiful mass ofmycelium in the moss in which the plants seem to delight. The plant iswhite and the outer rind is soft and delicate. There is no subgleba; thespores and capillitium are pale-greenish-yellow, then a dirty gray. Thethreads are simple, transparent, much thicker than the spores. Thespores are round, smooth, 3µ in diameter. 

I have found the plants frequently about Chillicothe on damp, moss-covered logs and sometimes at the base of beech trees, when coveredwith moss. They are very small, not exceeding one-half inch in diameter. The small ovoid form, with the white, soft, delicate cortex, will serveto distinguish the species. Found from September to October. 

_Bovista. Dill. _

The genus Bovista differs from Lycoperdon in several ways. When theBovista ripens it breaks from its moorings and is blown about by thewind. It opens by an apical mouth, as does the genus Lycoperdon, but thespecies of Bovista have no sterile base. They are puffballs of smallsize. The outer coat is thin and fragile and at maturity peels off, leaving an inner coat firm, papery, and elastic, just such a coat as issuitable for the dispersion of its spores. Leaving its moorings atmaturity, it is blown about the fields and woods, and with every tumbleit makes it scatters some of its spores. It may take years to accomplishthis perfectly. The species of the Lycoperdon do not leave theirmoorings naturally; their spores are dispersed through an apical mouthby a collapse of the walls of the peridium, after the fashion of abellows, by which spores are driven out to the pleasure of the wind. InBovista the threads are free or separate from the peridium, but inLycoperdon they arise from the peridium and also from the columella. 

_Bovista pila. B. & C. _

THE BALL-LIKE BOVISTA. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate LXIII. Figure 471. --Bovista pila. 

Natural size of matured specimens. ]

Pila means a round ball. The peridium is globe-like, sessile, with astout mycelium, a cortex thin, white at first, then brown, forming asmooth continuous coat, breaking up at maturity and rapidlydisappearing. 

The inner peridium is tough, parchment-like, elastic, smooth, persistent, purplish-brown, fading to gray. The dispersion of sporestakes place through an apical mouth. The capillitium is firm, compact, persistent, at first clay-colored, then purple-brown; threadssmall-branched, the ends being rigid, straight, pointed. There issomething so noticeable about this little tumbler that you will know itwhen you see it, and if you often ramble over the fields you will soonmeet it. However, I have as yet seen only the matured specimens. 

_Bovista plumbea. Pers. _

LEAD-COLORED BOVISTA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 472. --Bovista plumbea. Natural size. White whenyoung. ]

The plant is small, never growing to more than an inch and a fourth indiameter. The peridium is depressed globose, with a fibrous mycelium. The outer peridium is rather thick and when the plant is nearingmaturity it breaks up readily unless handled very carefully; at maturityit scales off, except a small portion about the base. The outer peridiumis white and comparatively smooth, the inner is thin, tough, smooth, lead-colored, dehiscent at the apex by a round or oblong mouth. Mass ofspores and capillitium not solid or hard; yellowish-brown, orolivaceous, then purplish-brown; the threads three to five timesbranched, the ends of the branches slender and tapering to a point. Thespores are oval and smooth, with long transparent pedicels. 

This species grows on the ground in old pastures, being quite plentifulafter warm rains, from the first of May till fall. It is one of the bestof the puffballs, but should be eaten before the inner peridium beginsto assume the tough form. 

_Bovistella. Morgan. _

Bovistella, a diminutive of Bovista, though the plants are usuallylarger than the Bovistas. 

The mycelium is cord-like; peridium nearly round, cortex a densefloccose coat; inner peridium thin, strong, elastic, opening by anapical mouth; subgleba present, cup-shaped; threads free and separate, branched; spores white. The genus Bovistella has the internal characterof Bovista, and the habits of Lycoperdon. 

_Bovistella Ohiensis. Morgan. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 473. --Bovistella Ohiensis. Natural size. ]

Peridium globe-like or broadly obovoid, sometimes much depressed, withsmall plications or wrinkles underneath, and a thick cord-like base orroot, as will be seen in Figure 473. The outer coat is dense, floccose, or with soft warts or spines, white or grayish, drying to a buff color, and in time falling away; the inner coat is smooth, shining, with a palebrown or yellowish surface. The subgleba is large, occupying half of theperidium, extending up on the walls of the peridium, making itcup-shaped, and quite persistent. The spores and capillitium are ratherloose, friable, clay-color to pale-brown. The threads, originatingwithin the spore mass, and having no connection with the inner coat, arefree, short, three to five times branching; branches tapering to theend. The spores are round to oval, with long translucent pedicels. 

This can be readily distinguished from the species of Bovista because ithas a sterile base; and from Lycoperdon because its threads are separateand free, while those of the Lycoperdon are attached both to the tissuesof the inner peridium and to the columella or sterile base. 

They are found growing on the ground in old pastures, or in open woods. 

_Scleroderma. Pers. _

Scleroderma is from two Greek words: _scleros_, hard; _derma_, skin. 

The peridium is firm, single, generally thick, usually burstingirregularly, and exposing the gleba, which is of uniform texture andconsistency. There is no capillitium, but yellow flocci are foundinterspersed with the spores. The spores are globose, rough, usuallymixed with the hyphæ tissue. 

_Scleroderma aurantium. Pers. _

THE COMMON SCLERODERMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate LXIV. Figure 474. --Scleroderma aurantium. 

Natural size, showing a section of a young specimen. ]

[Illustration: Figure 475. --Scleroderma aurantium. ]

Aurantium means colored like an orange. This is usually called S. Vulgare. The peridium is rough, warty, depressed, globose, corky andhard, yellowish, opening by irregular fissures to scatter the spores;inner mass bluish-black, spores dingy. The plant remains solid until itis quite old. It is sessile, with a rooting base which is never sterile. 

I have followed Mr. Lloyd's classification in separating the species, calling the rough-surfaced one S. Aurantium, and the smooth-surfaced S. Cepa. 

In labeling it edible I wish only to indicate that it is not poisonous, as it is generally thought to be; however, it cannot be claimed as avery good article of food. 

It has a wide distribution over the states. The plants in Figure 475were found on Cemetery Hill, Chillicothe, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. Found from August to November. 

_Scleroderma tenerum. Berk. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 476. --Scleroderma tenerum. ]

This species is often regarded as a small form of S. Verrucosum, but italways seemed strange to me that this rather smooth plant should becalled "verrucosum" when its frequently near neighbor, S. Aurantium, isvery verrucose. 

S. Tenerum is a very widely distributed species in the United States, somewhat constant as to form and quite frequent in occurrence. Mr. Lloyd, in his Mycological Notes, gives a very clear photograph of aplant that is quite local in this country and which he thinks should becalled S. Verrucosum of Europe. 

The plant differs very widely from the one we find so commonly which bymany authors has been called S. Verrucosum. Some have even called itScleroderma bovista. 

The plant is nearly sessile, somewhat irregular, peridium thin, soft, yellowish, densely marked with small scales, dehiscence irregular, flocci yellow and spores dingy olive. 

The species may be known by the thin and comparatively smooth peridiumand yellow flocci. It is quite common in the United States, while thetypical plant, S. Verrucosum, is confined to a few localities along theAtlantic coast. 

_Scleroderma Cepa. Pers. _

Cepa meaning an onion; having very much the appearance of an onion. 

The peridium is thick, smooth, reddish-yellow to reddish-brown, openingby an irregular mouth. The plant is sessile and quite strongly rootedwith fine rootlets. Its habitat, with us, is along the banks of smallbrooks in the woods. It has been classed heretofore as S. Vulgare, smooth variety. I sent some to Prof. Peck, who quite agrees that theyshould be separated from S. Vulgare. Found from August to November. 

_Scleroderma geaster. Fr. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Plate LXV. Figure 477. --Scleroderma geaster. ]

Geaster, so called because it has a star-like opening somewhat similarto the genus Geaster. 

Peridium subglobose, thick, with a very short stem, or almost--sometimesentirely--sessile; hard, rough, splitting into irregular stellate limbs;frequently well buried in the ground. Inner mass dark-brown or blackish, sometimes with rather a purplish tinge. Some grow quite large with theperidium very thick. My attention was first attracted by some of theperidium shells upon the ground on Cemetery Hill. The plant is quiteabundant there from September to December. 

_Catastoma. Morgan. _

This is a small puffball-like plant, growing just beneath the ground andattached to its bed by very small threads which issue from every part ofthe cortex, which is quite thick. Breaking away at maturity in acircumscissile manner, the lower part is held fast to the ground, whilethe upper part remains attached to the inner peridium as a kind of cup. The inner peridium, with the top part of the outer peridium attached, becomes loose and tumbles over the ground, the mouth being in the baseof the plant as it grew. 

_Catastoma circumscissum. B. & C. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 478. --Catastoma circumscissum. ]

Circumscissum means divided into halves. 

The peridium is usually round, more or less depressed, commonly roughbecause of the soil attached; the larger part of the plant remaining inthe soil as a cup; the upper part with the inner peridium, depressed-globose, thin, pallid, becoming gray, with branny scales, witha small basal mouth. A thin spongy layer will frequently be seen betweenthe outer and inner peridium. The mass of the spores is olivaceous, changing to pale-brown. The spores are round, minutely warted, 4-5µ. Indiameter, often with very short pedicels. 

The plants are usually found in pastures along paths. I have seen themin several parts of Ohio. They are found from Maine to the westernmountains. This is called Bovista circumscissa by Berkeley. 

There is a species of a western range called C. Subterraneum. Thisdiffers mainly in having larger spores. It seems to be confined to themiddle west. However, it does not grow under the ground, as its namewould suggest. 

There is also another species called C. Pedicellatum. This species seemsto be confined to the southern states and differs mainly in the sporeshaving marked pedicels and closely warted. 

_Podaxineæ. _

This tribe is characterized by having a stalk continuous with the apexof the peridium, forming an axis. Some of the plants are short stalked, some long stalked. The tribe forms a natural connecting link between theGastromycetes and the Agarics. Thus: Podaxon is a true Gastromycetes, with capillitia mixed with spores; Caulogossum, with its permanent glebachambers, is close to the Hymenogasters; Secotium is only a step fromCaulogossum, the tramal plates being more sinuate-lamellate; andMontagnites, which is usually placed with the Agarics, is only aGyrophragmium with the plates truly lamellate. 

KEY TO THE GENERA. 

 Gleba with irregular, persistent chambers-- Peridium, elongated club-shaped Cauloglossum. Peridium, round or conical, and dehiscing by breaking away at the base Secotium. Gleba with sinuate-lamellate plates Gyrophragmium. Walls of gleba chambers not persistent Podaxon. 

 --_Lloyd. _

_Secotium. Kunz. _

This is a very interesting genus. When I found my first specimen I wasmuch in doubt whether it was an Agaric or a puffball, as it seemed to bea sort of connecting link between the two classes. The genus is dividedinto smooth-spored and rough-spored species, both having a stalkcontinuing, as an axis, to the apex of the plant. The peridium is roundor conical and it dehisces by breaking away at the base. Secotium isfrom a Greek word meaning chamber. 

_Secotium acuminatum. Montagne. _

[Illustration: Figure 479. --Secotium acuminatum. Life size of smallspecimens. ]

This is an exceedingly variable species, as found about Chillicothe, yetthe variability extends only to the outward appearance of the plant;some are almost round, slightly depressed, some (and a large majority)are inclined to be irregularly cone-shaped. 

The peridium is light-colored, of a soft texture, not brittle; it slowlyexpels its spores by breaking away at the base; the stalk is usuallyshort, but distinct and prolonged to the apex of the peridium, formingan axis for the gleba. The surface of the peridium is smooth, dingy-white or ash-colored, with minute white spots, due to scales. Itis of various shapes; acute-ovate, sometimes obtuse, nearly spherical, sometimes slightly depressed and irregular cone-shaped. The gleba iscomposed of semi-persistent cells, plainly seen with a glass or evenwith the naked eye. It has no capillitium. The spores are globose andsmooth, often apiculate. This plant is quite abundant about Chillicothe, and I have found it from the first of May to the last of October. 

This species is widely distributed in America, and occurs in NorthernAfrica and Eastern Europe. 

_Polysaccum. DeC. _

Polysaccum is from _polus_, many, and _saccus_, a sack. Peridiumirregularly globose, thick, attenuated downward into a stem-like base, opening by disintegration of its upper portion; internal mass or glebadivided into distinct sac-like cells. 

Allied to Scleroderma and distinguished by the cavities of the glebacontaining distinct peridioles. _Massee. _

_Polysaccum pisocarpium. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 480. --Polysaccum pisocarpium. ]

Pisocarpium is from two Greek words meaning pea and fruited. 

Peridium irregularly globose, indistinctly nodulose, passing downwardinto a stout stem-like base, peridioles irregularly angular, 4-5×3µ, yellow. Spores globose, warted, coffee-color, 9-13µ. _Massee. _

I have found this plant only a few times about Chillicothe. Mr. Lloydidentified it for me. It has very much the shape of a pear. The skin isquite hard, smooth, olivaceous-black with yellow mottling patches notunlike the skin of a rattlesnake. The peridioles, which are small ovatesacs bearing the spores within, are very distinct. The interior of theplant when mature is dark, and it breaks and disintegrates from theupper part very like C. Cyathiformis. This is a very interesting plantwhose ovate sac-like cells will easily distinguish it. Found from Augustto October, it delights in sandy soil, in pine or mixed woods. 

_Mitremyces. Nees. _

Mitremyces is made up of two words: _mitre_, a cap; _myces_, a mushroom. It is a small genus, there being but three species found in thiscountry. The spore-mass or gleba, in its young state, is surrounded byfour layers. The outer layer is gelatinous and behaves itself somewhatdifferently in each species. This outer layer is known as the volva orvolva-like peridium, which soon disappears. The next layer is calledthe exoperidium and is composed of two layers, the inner one quite thinand cartilaginous--in M. Cinnabarinus it is a bright red; this isattached to a rather thick, gelatinous, outer layer which soon fallsaway, exposing the endoperidium, which is the layer seen in olderspecimens. Within the endoperidium are the spores, which are paleochraceous or sulphur color, globose or elliptical in shape. They arecontained in a separate membrane or sac; when they mature the saccontracts and forces the spores out into the air. The mycelium of thisplant is especially peculiar, being composed of a bundle of root-likestrands, translucent and jelly-like when young and fresh, but becomingtough and hard. This genus is called by some authors Calostoma, meaninga beautiful mouth, a very appropriate name, as the mouths of allAmerican species are red and quite beautiful. 

_Mitremyces cinnabarinus. Desv. _

[Illustration: Figure 481. --Mitremyces cinnabarinus. Natural size. ]

The rooting strands are long, compact, dark when dry. Exporidium brightred, smooth internally; the outer layer thick, gelatinous when fresh, finally breaking into areas and curling inward. The separation is causedby the fact that the cells of the thick gelatinous portion expand by theabsorption of water, while those of the inner layer do not, hence therupture occurs. The endoperidium and rayed mouth are bright red whenfresh, partially fading in old specimens. 

The spores are elliptical-oblong, punctate-sculptured, varying much asto size in specimens from different localities; 6-8×10-14 in WestVirginia specimens. Massachusetts specimens, 6-8×12-20. _Lloyd. _

I have seen these specimens growing in the mountains in West Virginia. They quickly arrest the attention because of their bright red caps. Theyseem not, as yet, to have crossed the Alleghenies--at least I have notfound it in Ohio. It has a number of synonyms: Scleroderma calostoma, Calostoma cinnabarinum, Lycoperdon heterogeneum, L. Calostoma. 

The plants in Figure 481 were photographed by Dr. Kellerman. Mr. Geo. E. Morris of Waltham, Mass. , sent me some specimens early in August, 1907. 

_Geaster. Mich. _

Geaster, an earth-star; so called because at maturity the outer coatbreaks its connection with the mycelium in the ground and bursts openlike the petals of a flower; then, becoming reflexed, those petals liftthe inner ball from the ground and it remains in the center of theexpanded, star-like coat. The coat of the inner ball is thin and papery, and opens by an apical mouth. The threads, or capillitium, which bearthe spores proceed from the walls of the peridium and form the centralcolumella. The threads are simple, long, slender, thickest in the middleand tapering towards the ends, fixed at one end and free at the other. 

The Geaster is a picturesque little plant which will arrest theattention of the most careless observer. It is abundant and isfrequently found in the late summer and fall in woods and pastures. 

_Geaster minimus. Schw. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 482. --Geaster minimus. Natural size. ]

The outer coat or exoperidium recurved, segments acute at the apex, eight to twelve segments divided to about the middle. Mycelial layerusually attached, generally shaggy with fragments of leaves or grass, sometimes partly or entirely separating. Fleshy layer closely attached, very light in color, usually smooth on the limb of the exoperidium butcracked on the segments. Pedicel short but distinct. The inner peridiumovoid, one-fourth to one-half inch in diameter; white to pale-brown, sometimes almost black. Mouth lifted on a slight cone, lip bordered witha hair-like fringe; columella slender, as are also the threads. Sporesbrown, globe-shaped, and minutely warted. Found in the summer and earlyfall. 

Nature seems to give it the power to lift up the spore-bearing body, thebetter to eject its spores to the wind. It is very frequently found inpastures all over the state. I have found it in many localities aboutChillicothe. It is called "minimus" because it is the smallestEarth-star. 

_Geaster hygrometricus. Pers. _

WATER-MEASURING EARTH-STAR. 

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 483. --Geaster hygrometricus. Natural size. ]

The unexpanded plant is nearly spherical. The mycelial layer is thin, tearing away as the plant expands, the bark or skin falling with themycelium. The outer coat is deeply parted, the segments, acute at theapex, four to twenty; strongly hygrometric, becoming reflexed when theplant is moist, strongly incurved when the plant is dry. The innercoating is nearly spherical, thin, sessile, opening by simply a tornaperture. There is no columella. The threads are transparent, muchbranched, and interwoven. The spores are large, globose, and rough. 

The plant ripens in the fall and the thick outer peridium divides intosegments, the number varying from four to twenty. When the weather iswet the lining of the points of the segments become gelatinous andrecurve, and the points rest upon the ground, holding the inner ballfrom the ground. In dry weather the soft gelatinous lining becomes hardand the segments curve in and clasp the inner ball. Hence its name, "hygrometricus, " a measurer of moisture. The plant is quite general. 

_Geaster Archeri. Berk. _

[Illustration: Figure 484. --Geaster Archeri. ]

Young plant acute. Exoperidium cut beyond the middle into seven to nineacute segments. In herbarium specimens usually saccate but sometimesrevolute. Mycelial layer closely adherent, compared to previous speciesrelatively smooth. As in the previous species the mycelium covers theyoung plant but is not so strongly developed, so that the adhering dirtis not so evident on the mature plant. Fleshy layer when dry, thin andclosely adherent. Endoperidium globose, sessile. Mouth sulcate, indefinite. Columella globose-clavate. Capillitium thicker than thespores. Spores small, 4 mc. Almost smooth. _Lloyd. _

I first found the plant in the young state. The acute point, which willbe seen in the photograph, puzzled me. I marked the place where it grewand in a few days found the developed Geaster. The plant isreddish-brown and it differs from other species "with sulcate mouths, inits closely sessile endoperidium. " I have found the plant several timesin Hayne's Hollow, near Chillicothe. I found it in the tracks of decayedlogs. 

The plant has been called Geaster Morganii in this country but hadpreviously been named from Australia. 

_Geaster asper. Michelius. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 485. --Geaster asper. Natural size. ]

Exoperidium revolute, cut to about the middle in eight to ten segments. Both mycelial and fleshy layers are more closely adherent than in mostspecies. Pedicel _short_ and _thick_. Inner peridium subglobose, _verrucose_. Mouth conical, beaked, strongly sulcate, seated on adepressed zone. Columella prominent, persistent. Capillitium threadssimple, long tapering. Spores globose, rough. 

The characteristic of this plant is the verrucose inner peridium. Undera glass of low power it appears as though the peridium were denselycovered with grains of sharp sand. This plant alone has thischaracteristic, to our knowledge; and although it is indicated in thefigures of G. Cornatus of both Schaeffer and Schmidel, we think thatthere it is only an exaggeration of the very _minute_ granularappearance cornatus has. The word "asper" is the first descriptiveadjective applied by Michelius. Fries included it in his complexstriatus. _Lloyd. _

I have found the plant frequently about Chillicothe. The plantsrepresented were photographed by Mr. Lloyd. 

_Geaster triplex. Jung. _

[Illustration: Plate LXVI. Figure 486. --Geaster triplex. ]

The unexpanded plant acute. Exoperidium recurved (or, when not fullyexpanded, somewhat saccate at base), cut to the middle (or usuallytwo-thirds) in five to eight segments. Mycelial layer adnate. Fleshylayer generally peeling off from the segments of the fibrillose layerbut usually remaining partially free, as a cup at base of innerperidium. Inner peridium subglobose, closely sessile. Mouth definite, fibrillose, broadly conical. Columella prominent, elongated. Threadsthicker than spores. Spores globose, roughened, 3-6 mc. _Lloyd_, inMycological Notes. 

The color of Geaster triplex is reddish-brown. Notice the remains of afleshy layer forming a cup at base of inner peridium, a point whichdistinguishes this species and which gives name to the species--triplex, three folds or apparently three layers. The photograph was made by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Geaster saccatus. Fr. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 487. --Geaster saccatus. Natural size. ]

The unexpanded plant is globose. Mycelium is universal. Exoperidium cutin six to ten segments about half way, the limb deeply saccate. Myceliallayer adnate to fibrillose. Fleshy layer, when dry, thin, adnate. Innerperidium sessile, globose, with a determinate fibrillose mouth. 

The spores are globose, almost smooth. _Lloyd. _

Mr. Lloyd thinks this plant is practically the same as the G. Fimbriatusof Europe, differing from it in being more deeply saccate and having adeterminate mouth. This plant is very common on all the wooded hillsidesabout Chillicothe. I have seen the ground on the top of Mt. Logan almostcompletely covered with them. They are identified by Mr. Lloyd, Prof. Atkinson, and Dr. Peck. The plants in Figure 487 were photographed byMr. Lloyd from typical specimens. 

_Geaster mammosus. Chev. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 488. --Geaster mammosus. ]

Exporidium thin, rigid, hygroscopic, smooth, divided almost to the baseinto about ten linear segments, often umbilicate at the base; innerperidium globose, smooth, sessile, furnished with a conical, even, protruding mouth, seated on a definite area. 

Columella short, globose, evident (though distinct in mature plants). 

Capillitium simple, tapering, hyaline, often flattened, slightly thinnerthan the spores. Spores globose, roughened, 3-7 mc. _Lloyd. _

This plant is found in the woods from July till late in the fall. Itdiffers from G. Hygrometricus by its even, conical mouth. I foundspecimens several times in Haynes's Hollow. 

_Geaster velutinus. Morg. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 489. --Geaster velutinus. ]

Unexpanded plants globose, sometimes slightly pointed at apex. Myceliumbasal. Outer layer rigid, membranaceous, firm, light colored in theAmerican plant. The surface is covered with short, dense, appressedvelumen, so that to the eye the surface appears simply dull and rough, but its true nature is readily seen under a glass of low power. 

The outer surface separates from the inner as the plant expands, and inmature specimens is usually partly free. The thickness and texture ofthe two layers are about the same. The fleshy layer is darkreddish-brown when dry, a thin adnate layer. Inner peridium sessile, dark colored, globose, with a broad base and pointed mouth. Mouth even, marked with a definite circular light-colored basal zone. Columellaelongated, clavate. Spores globose, almost smooth, small, 2œ-3œ mc. _Lloyd. _

_Myriostoma coliformis. Dick. _

[Illustration: Figure 490. --Myriostoma coliformis. Natural size. ]

Exporidium usually recurved, cut to about the middle into six to tenlobes; if collected and dried when first open, rather firm and rigid;when exposed to weather becoming like parchment paper by the peeling offof the inner and outer layers. Inner peridium, subglobose, supported onseveral more or less confluent pedicels. Surface minutely roughened;mouths several, appressed fibrillose, round, plain or slightly elevated;columellæ several, filiform, probably the same in number as thepedicels; spores globose, roughened, 3-6 mc. ; capillitium simple, unbranched, long, tapering, about half diameter of spores. 

The inner peridium with its several mouths can be, not inaptly, comparedto a "pepper-box. " The specific name is derived from the Latin _colum_, a strainer, and the old English name we find in Berkeley "Cullenderpuffball" refers to a cullender (or colander more modern form) nowalmost obsolete in English, but meaning a kind of strainer. _Lloyd. _

Found in sandy soil. It is quite rare. Both the generic and specificnames refer to its many mouths. The specimens in Figure 490 were foundon Green Island, Lake Erie, one of the points where this rare species isfound. It is found at Cedar Point, Ohio, also. The plant wasphotographed by Prof. Schaffner of the Ohio State University. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

FAMILY--SPHAERIACEAE. 

Perithecia carbonaceous or membranaceous, sometimes confluent with thestroma, pierced at the apex, and mostly papillate; hymeniumdiffluent. --_Berkeley Outlines. _

There are four tribes in this family, viz:

 Nectriæi. Xylariæi. Valsei. Sphæriei. 

Under Nectriæi we have the following genera:

 Stipitate-- Clavate or capitate Cordyceps. Head globose, base sclerotioid Claviceps. Parasitic on grass-- Stroma myceloid Epichloe. Variable-- Sporidia double, finally separating Hypocrea. Sporidia double, ejected in tendrils, parasitic on fungi Hypomyces. Stroma definite, perithecia free, clustered or scattered Nectria. Perithecia erect, in a polished and colored sac Oomyces. Under Xylariæi we have: Stipitate-- Stroma corky, subelavate Xylaria. Stroma somewhat corky, discoid Poronia. 

_Cordyceps. Fr. _

Cordyceps is from a Greek word meaning a club and a Latin word meaning ahead. It is a genus of Pyrenomycetous fungi of which a few grow uponother fungi, but by far the greater number are parasitic upon insects ortheir larva, as will be seen in Figure 491. 

The spores enter the breathing openings along the sides of the larva andthe mycelium grows until it fills the interior of the larva and killsit. 

In fructification a stalk rises from the body of the insect or larva andin the enlarged extremity of this the perithecia are grouped. The stromais vertical and fleshy, head distinct, hyaline or colored; sporidiarepeatedly divided and sub-moniliform. 

_Cordyceps Herculea. _ (_Schw. _) _Sacc. _

[Illustration: Figure 491. --Cordyceps herculea. Showing the grub uponwhich this species grows. ]

Herculea is so called from its large size. The halftone will readilyidentify this species. The plant is quite large, clavate in form, thehead oblong, round, slightly tapering upward with a decided protuberanceat the apex, as will be seen in Figure 491. The head is a light yellowin all specimens I found, not alutaceous as Schw. States, nor is thehead obtuse. I found several specimens on a sidehill in Haynes's Hollowin August and September, all growing from bodies of the large whitegrubs which are found about rotten wood. They were found during wetweather. They were identified by both Dr. Peck and Dr. Herbst. 

_Cordyceps militaris. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 492. --Cordyceps militaris. ]

This is much smaller and more common than C. Herculea. Conidia--Subcæspitose, white; stem distinct, simple, becoming smooth;clubs incrassated, mealy; Conidia globose. Ascophore--Fleshy, orange-red; head clavate, tuberculose; stem equal; sporidia long, breaking up into joints. This is frequently called Torrubia militaris. 

It is known as the caterpillar fungus. Its spores are cylindrical andare produced upon orange-red fruiting bodies in the fall. As soon as thespore falls on the caterpillar it sends out germ-threads which penetratethe caterpillar. Here the threads form long narrow spores which breakoff and form other spores until the body-cavity is entirely filled. Thecaterpillar soon becomes sluggish and dies. The fungus continues to growuntil it has completely appropriated all of the insect's soft parts, externally a perfect caterpillar but internally completely filled withmycelial threads. Under favorable conditions this mycelial caterpillar, which has become a storage organ, will send up an orange-red club-shapedbody, as will be seen in Figure 492, and will produce the kind of sporesdescribed above. Under some conditions this mycelial caterpillar may bemade to produce a dense growth of threads from its entire surface, looking like a small white ball, and from these threads another kind ofspore is formed. These spores are pinched off in great numbers and willgerminate in the larva the same as the sac spore. The specimens werefound by Mrs. E. B. Blackford near Boston, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

_Cordyceps capitata. Fr. _

[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd. _

Figure 493. --Cordyceps capitata. Natural size. ]

This plant is fleshy, capitate, head ovate, bay-brown, stem yellow, thenblackish. 

This plant is parasitic on Elaphomyces granulatus. It is shown at thebase of the stem of the plant. It grows two or three inches under thesurface and somewhat resembles a truffle in appearance. 

Both are very interesting plants. The plant in Figure 493 was found nearBoston, Mass. They are usually found in pine woods, often in tufts. Thestems are from one to four inches long, nearly equal, smooth, lemon-colored, at length fibroso-strigose and blackish. 

It is sometimes called Torrubia capitata. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

MYXOMYCETES. 

The plants under this head belong to the slime-moulds and at first arewholly gelatinous. All the species and genera are small and easilyoverlooked, yet they are intensely interesting when carefully observed. In the morning you may see a mass of gelatinous matter and in theevening a beautiful net work of threads and spores, the transformationbeing so rapid. This gelatinous mass is known as protoplasm orplasmodium, and the motive power of the plasmodium has suggested to manythat they should be placed in the animal kingdom, or called fungusanimals. The same is true of Schizomycetes, to which all the bacteria, bacillus, spirillum, and vibrio, and a number of other groups belong. Ihave only a few Myxomycetes to present. I have watched the developmentof a number of plants of this group, but because of the scarcity ofliterature upon the subject I have been unable to identify themsatisfactorily. 

_Lycogala epidendrum. Fr. _

[Illustration: Figure 494. --Lycogala epidendrum. ]

This is called the Stump Lycogala. It is quite common, seeming in acertain stage to be a small puffball. The peridium has a doublemembrane, papery, persistent, bursting irregularly at the apex;externally minutely warty, nearly round, blood-red or pinkish, thenbrownish; mouth irregular; spores becoming pale, or violet. 

_Reticularia maxima. Fr. _

This is quite common on partially decayed logs. The peridium is verythin, tuberculose, effused, delicate, olivaceous-brown; spores olive, echinulate or spiny. 

_Didymius xanthopus. Fr. _

These are very small yellow-stemmed plants, found on oak leaves in wetweather. The sporangium has an inner membranaceous peridium; the wholeis round, brown, whitish. The stem is elongated, even, yellow. Thecolumella is stipitate into the sporangia. 

_D. Cinereum. Fr. _

Sporangia sessile, round, whitish, covered with an ashy-gray scurf. Spores black. Very small. On fallen oak leaves. Easily overlooked. 

_Xylaria. Schrank. _

Xylaria means pertaining to wood. It is usually vertical, more or lessstipitate. The stroma is between fleshy and corky, covered with a blackor rufous bark. 

_Xylaria polymorpha. Grev. _

[Illustration: Figure 495. --Xylaria polymorpha. Natural size. ]

Polymorpha means many forms. It is nearly fleshy, a number usuallygrowing together, or gregarious; thickened as if swollen, irregular;dirty-white, then black; the receptacle bearing perithecia in everypart. 

This plant is quite common in our woods, growing about old stumps or ondecayed sticks or pieces of wood. The spore-openings can be seen with anordinary hand-glass. 

_Xylaria polymorpha, var. Spathularia. _

[Illustration: Figure 496. --Xylaria polymorpha var. Spathularia. Naturalsize. ]

Spathularia means in the form of a spathula or spatula. It is verticaland stipitate, the stem being more definite than in the X. Polymorpha, the stroma being between fleshy and corky, frequently growing innumbers or gregarious, turgid, fairly regular, dirty-white, thenbrownish-red, finally black. An ordinary hand glass will show how itbears perithecia in all its parts. This will be clearly seen in thesection on the right. 

These plants are not as common as the X. Polymorpha, but are found inhabitats similar to those of the other plant, particularly around maplestumps or upon decayed maple branches. 

_Stemonitis. Gled. _

Stemonitis is from a Greek word which means stamen, one of the essentialorgans of a flower. This is a genus of myxomycetous fungi, giving nameto the family Stemonitaceæ, which has a single sporangium or æthalium;without the peculiar deposits of lime carbonate which characterize thefructification of other orders, and the spores, capillitium, andcolumella are usually uniformly black, or brownish. 

_Stemonitis fusca. Roth. _

[Illustration: Figure 497. --Stemonitis fusca. Natural size. ]

Fusca means dark-brown, smoky. The sporangia are cylindrical and pointedat the apex, peridia fugacious, exposing the beautiful net-work of thecapillitium. The reticulate capillitium springs from the dark, penetrating stem. 

This is a very beautiful plant when studied with an ordinary hand-glass. I have frequently seen an entire log covered with this plant. 

_Stemonitis ferruginea. Ehrb. _

Ferruginea means rust color. The sporangia is very similar to that of S. Fusca, cylindrical, peridium fugacious, exposing the reticulatecapillitium, but instead of being dark-brown it is a yellowish orrusty-brown color. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

RECIPES FOR COOKING MUSHROOMS. 

STEWED MUSHROOMS. NO. 1. 

Choose them as nearly as possible of uniform size and free from insects. Drop them in salt water for five minutes to free them from any insectsthat may be hidden in the gills; drain them and wipe dry and clean witha rather rough cloth; cut off the stems close to the cap. Put them intoa granite or porcelain saucepan, cover closely and stew gently fifteenminutes. Salt to taste. Rub a tablespoonful of butter into about atablespoonful of flour, and stir this into the mushrooms, letting boilthree or four minutes; stir in three tablespoonfuls of cream, mixed witha well-beaten egg, and stir the whole for two minutes without letting itboil, and serve either on toast or as a vegetable. 

STEWED MUSHROOMS. NO. 2. 

Clean mushrooms as directed above and stew in water ten minutes; thendrain off part of the water and put in as much warm milk as you havepoured off water; let this stew for five to ten minutes; then add somedrawn butter, or veal or chicken gravy, and salt and pepper to taste. Thicken with a little corn starch wet in cold milk. Serve hot. 

In cooking mushrooms they should always be kept as closely covered aspossible in order the better to retain the flavor, and they should neverbe subjected to too great heat. 

BAKED MUSHROOMS. 

Be sure your mushrooms are fresh and free from insects; cut off thestems close to the caps and wipe the tops with a wet cloth. Arrange themin a pie dish with the gills uppermost, laying a little bit of butter oneach; sprinkle pepper, salt, and a very little mace upon them. Put theminto a hot oven and bake from fifteen minutes to half an hour, accordingto the tenderness of the mushrooms; if they are in danger of getting toodry baste them occasionally with butter and water. Pour over them some_maitre d'hotel_ sauce and send to the table in the dish in which theywere baked. 

BROILED MUSHROOMS. 

Select the finest and freshest you can get and prepare as for baking;put into a deep dish and pour over them some melted butter, turning themover and over in it. Salt and pepper and let them lie for an hour and ahalf in the butter. Put them, gills uppermost, on an oyster gridironover a clear hot fire, turning them over as one side browns. Put them ona hot dish, having them well seasoned with butter, pepper, and salt andwith a few drops of lemon juice squeezed upon each, if liked. 

MUSHROOM AND VEAL RAGOUT. 

Take equal quantities of cold veal steak or roast veal and smallpuffballs or other mushrooms, and mince all fine; mince a small onionand put with the mushrooms and meat into a pan with some cold vealgravy, if you have it, and water enough to cover the mixture. Add atablespoonful of butter, pepper and salt well, and let the mixture cookuntil it is almost dry, stirring it frequently to keep it fromscorching; it should cook fully half an hour. When almost done, add alarge tablespoonful of good catsup, or Worcestershire sauce ifpreferred. Serve hot. 

MUSHROOM PATÉS. 

Wash mushrooms well, cut them into small pieces and drop them in saltwater for five minutes. Have ready in a pan upon the stove about twoounces of butter to each pint of mushrooms, having pan and butter veryhot but not scorching; dip the mushrooms from the salt water with askimmer and drop them into the hot butter; cover them closely to retainthe flavor, shaking the pan or stirring them over to keep them fromscorching or sticking. Let them cook with moderate heat from fifteen tothirty minutes, according to the tenderness of the mushrooms. Remove thecover from the pan, draw the mushrooms to one side and lift the pan onone side so that the gravy will run down to the opposite side; stir intothe gravy a level tablespoonful of sifted flour, and rub this smoothwith the gravy; then add a half a pint of rich milk or cream; stir themushrooms into this and allow it to boil for a minute. Have ready in theoven some paté shells, fill them with the mushrooms, seasoned to tastewith salt and pepper, and set back in the oven for a few minutes to heatbefore serving. These are especially fine when made of Tricholomapersonatum or Pleurotus ostreatus, but many other varieties will answerwell. 

BAKED BEEFSTEAK WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE. 

Have your sirloin steak cut an inch or more thick, put into anexceedingly hot baking pan on top of the stove, in one minute turn steakover so that both sides will be seared. Put the pan into an exceedinglyhot oven and allow it to remain for twenty minutes. 

Have ready in a saucepan two tablespoonfuls of melted butter, heat welland add two cupfuls of fresh, clean mushrooms which have been allowedto stand in salt water for a period of five minutes; cover closely andcook briskly without burning for ten minutes; set on the back of thestove (after having seasoned them properly with salt and pepper) to keephot until ready to use. Place the steak upon a hot dish, pour themushrooms over it and send to the table at once. It is a dish fit for aking. 

STUFFED MORELS. 

Choose the freshest and best morels; cleanse them thoroughly by allowingthe water from the faucet to run on them; open the stalk at the bottom;fill with veal stuffing, anchovy or any rich forcemeat you choose, securing the ends and dressing between slices of bacon; bake for a halfan hour, basting with butter and water, and serve with the gravy whichcomes from them. 

FRIED MORELS. 

Wash a dozen morels carefully and cut off the ends of the stems. Splitthe mushrooms and put them into a pan in which two tablespoonfuls ofbutter have been melted. Cover closely and cook with a moderate heat forfifteen minutes. Mix two teaspoonfuls of corn starch in a half a pint offresh milk and pour into the pan with the mushrooms, allowing it to boilfor a minute or two; salt and pepper to taste and serve hot, upon toastif liked. 

TO COOK BOLETI. 

Cut off the stems, and remove the spore-tubes, after having wiped thecaps clean with a damp cloth. They may be broiled in a hot buttered pan, turning them frequently until done, which will be about fifteen minutes. Dust with salt and pepper and put bits of butter over them as you wouldon broiled beefsteak. 

They may be stewed in a little water in a covered saucepan, after beingcut into pieces of equal size. Stew for twenty minutes and when done addpepper, salt, butter or cream. 

Or they may be fried, after being sliced as you would egg plant, anddipped in batter or rolled in egg and cracker crumbs. 

In preparing Boleti the spore tube should be removed unless very young, as they will make the dish slimy. 

MUSHROOM CATSUP. 

To two quarts of mushrooms allow a quarter of a pound of salt. The fullgrown mushrooms are better in making this as they afford more juice. Puta layer of mushrooms in the bottom of a stone jar, sprinkle with salt;then another layer of mushrooms till you have used all; let them liethus for six hours, then break them into bits. Set in a cool place forthree days, stirring thoroughly every morning. Strain the juice fromthem, and to every quart allow half an ounce of allspice, the samequantity of ginger, half a teaspoonful of powdered mace and half ateaspoonful of cayenne. Put it into a stone jar, cover it closely, setit in a saucepan of water over the fire, and boil hard for five hours. Take it off, empty it into a porcelain kettle and let it boil slowly forhalf an hour longer. Set it in a cool place and let it stand all nightuntil settled and clear, then pour off carefully from the sediment, intosmall bottles, filling them to the mouth. Cork tightly and sealcarefully. Keep in a dry, cool, dark closet. 

MUSHROOMS WITH BACON. 

Take some full-grown mushrooms, and, having cleaned them, procure a fewrashers of nice streaky bacon and fry it in the usual manner. Whennearly done add a dozen or so of mushrooms and fry them slowly untilthey are cooked. In the cooking they will absorb all the fat of thebacon, and with the addition of a little salt and pepper will form amost appetizing breakfast relish. 

HYDNUM. 

The Hydnums are sometimes slightly bitter and it is well to boil themfor a few minutes and then throw away the water. Drain the mushroomscarefully; add pepper and salt, butter, and milk; cook in a coveredsaucepan slowly for twenty or twenty-five minutes; have ready someslices of toast, pour the mushrooms over these and serve at once. 

OYSTER MUSHROOMS. 

One of the best ways to cook an Oyster mushroom is to fry it as you fryan oyster. Use the tender part of the Oyster mushroom; clean thoroughly;add pepper and salt; dip in beaten egg and then bread crumbs and fry infat or butter. Or parboil them for forty-five minutes, drain, roll inflour and fry. 

The Oyster mushroom is also excellent when stewed. 

LEPIOTA PROCERA. 

Clean the caps with a damp cloth and cut off the stem close to the caps;broil lightly on both sides over a clear fire or in a very hot pan, turning the mushrooms carefully three or four times; have ready somefreshly-made, well-buttered toast; arrange the mushrooms on the toastand put a small piece of butter on each and sprinkle with pepper andsalt; set in the oven or before a brisk fire to melt the butter, thenserve quickly. 

Some persons think that slices of bacon toasted over the mushroomsimprove the flavor. 

BEEFSTEAK SMOTHERED IN MUSHROOMS. 

Have ready a sufficient quantity of full-grown mushrooms, carefullycleaned; cut them in pieces and put into a baking pan with atablespoonful of butter to two cupfuls of mushrooms, sprinkle withpepper and salt, and bake in a moderate oven forty-five minutes. Broilyour steak until it is almost done; then put it into the pan with a partof the mushrooms under and the remainder over the steak; put it into theoven again and allow it to remain for ten minutes; turn out upon a hotdish and serve quickly. 

Agaricus, Lepiota, Coprinus, Lactarius, Tricholoma, and Russula areespecially fine for this method of preparation. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

CULTIVATION OF THE MUSHROOM. 

BY PROF. LAMBERT, The American Spawn Co. , St. Paul, Minn. 

=GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. =--Commercially, and in a restricted sense, theterm "mushroom" is generally used indiscriminately to designate thespecies of fungi which are edible and susceptible of cultivation. Thevarieties which have been successfully cultivated for the market arenearly all derived from _Agaricus campestris_, _Agaricus villaticus_, _and Agaricus Arvensis_. They may be white, cream or creamy-white, orbrown; but the color is not always a permanent characteristic, it isoften influenced by surrounding conditions. 

Mushrooms are grown for the market on a large scale in France and inEngland. It is estimated that nearly twelve million pounds of freshmushrooms are sold every year at the Central Market of Paris. A largequantity of mushrooms are canned and exported from France to everycivilized country. This industry has recently made remarkable progressin the United States, and fresh mushrooms are now regularly quoted onthe markets of our large cities. They are sold at prices ranging fromtwenty-five cents to one dollar and fifty cents per pound, according toseason, demand and supply. 

[Illustration: Figure 498. --Mushroom Beds in a Cellar. ]

=ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS. =--Mushrooms can be grown in any climate and inany season where the essential conditions may be found, obtained orcontrolled. These conditions are, _first_, a temperature ranging from53° to 60° F. , with extremes of 50° to 63°; _second_, an atmospheresaturated (but not dripping) with moisture; _third_, proper ventilation;_fourth_, a suitable medium or bed; _fifth_, good spawn. It may be seenthat in the open air, these conditions are rarely found together for anylength of time. It is therefore necessary, in order to grow mushrooms ona commercial basis, that one or more of these elements be artificiallysupplied or controlled. This is usually done in cellars, caves, mines, greenhouses, or specially constructed mushroom houses. A convenientdisposition of the shelves in a cellar is shown in Figure 498. A largeinstallation for commercial purposes is shown in Figure 500, and aspecially constructed cellar is shown in Figure 499. Where abandonedmines, natural or artificial caves are available, the requiredatmospheric conditions are often found combined and may be uniformlymaintained throughout the year. 

[Illustration: Figure 499. --Specially Constructed Mushroom Houses. ]

[Illustration: Figure 500. --Mushroom Houses, Flat Beds. ]

=TEMPERATURE. =--Within the limits prescribed, the temperature should beuniform throughout the growth of the crop. When too cold, thedevelopment of the spawn will be retarded or arrested. A hightemperature will favor the development of molds and bacteria which willsoon destroy the spawn or the growing crop. The cultivation of themushroom, as a summer crop, is therefore greatly restricted. As a fall, winter or spring crop it may be grown wherever means are at hand toraise the temperature to about 58° F. Many florists are utilizing thewaste space under the benches for that purpose; they have the advantageof being able to use the expended material of mushroom beds in growingflowers. 

=MOISTURE. =--Moisture is an important factor in the cultivation of themushroom, and demands intelligent application. The mushroom requires anatmosphere nearly saturated with moisture, and yet the directapplication of water on the beds is more or less injurious to thegrowing crop. It is therefore essential that the beds, when made, contain the requisite amount of moisture, and that this moisture be notlost by excessive evaporation. They should be protected from a dryatmosphere or strong draughts. Where watering becomes necessary, itshould be applied in a fine spray around the beds with a view ofrestoring the moisture to the atmosphere, and on the beds after themushrooms have been gathered. 

=VENTILATION. =--Pure air is essential to a healthy crop. Provisionshould therefore be made for a gradual renewal of the air in themushroom house. However, draughts must be avoided as tending to a toorapid evaporation and cooling of the beds, an unfortunate conditionwhich cannot thereafter be entirely remedied. 

=THE BEDS. =--The most common type of beds is known as the "flat bed. " Itis made on the floor or on shelves as shown in the illustrations. It isusually about 10 inches deep. Another type, principally used in France, is known as the "ridge bed, " and requires more labor than the flat bed. The mushroom house and shelves, if used, should be frequentlydisinfected and whitewashed in order to avoid danger from insects andbacteria. The preparation of the beds and subsequent operations will beshown in connection with the other subjects. 

=PREPARATION OF THE MANURE. =--The best manure is obtained from horsesfed with an abundance of dry and nitrogenous food. The manure of animalsfed on greens is undesirable. Growers do not all follow the same methodof fermenting or composting the manure. When first unloaded, the manureis left in its original state for a few days. It is then piled in heapsabout three feet deep and well pressed down. In this operation thematerial should be carefully forked and well mixed, and wherever foundtoo dry, it should be lightly sprinkled. It is allowed to remain in thatcondition for about six days when it is again well forked and turned. Inthe latter operation it receives an additional light sprinkling; the dryportions are turned inside in order that the whole mass may behomogenous and uniformly moist, and the heap is again raised to aboutthree feet. About six days later the operation is repeated, and in aboutthree days the manure should be ready for the beds. It is then of a darkbrown color mixed with white, free from objectionable odor. It isunctuous, elastic and moist, though not wet, and should not leave anymoisture in the hand. 

Of course, the above rules are subject to modification according to thecondition of the manure, its age and previous handling. 

=SPAWNING. =--The manure, having been properly composted, is spreadevenly on the floor or shelves and firmly compressed in beds about teninches in depth. The temperature of the bed is then too high forspawning and will usually rise still higher. It should be carefullywatched with the aid of a special or mushroom thermometer. When thetemperature of the beds has fallen to about 75° or 80°, they may bespawned. The beds must be spawned when the temperature falls, never whenit rises. The bricks of spawn are broken into eight or ten pieces, andthese pieces are inserted from one to two inches below the surface, about nine to twelve inches apart. The bed is then firmly compressed. Anadvantage is found in breaking and distributing the spawn over thesurface of the bed a few days before spawning; this allows the myceliumto absorb some moisture and swell to some extent. If the bed is inproper condition it should not require watering for several weeks. 

[Illustration: Figure 501. --Brick Spawn, Pure Culture. ]

=CASING THE BEDS. =--As soon as the spawn is observed to "run, " or fromeight days to two weeks, the beds are "cased" or covered with a layer ofabout one inch of light garden loam, well screened. The loam should beslightly moist, and free from organic matter. The beds should now bewatched and should not be allowed to evaporate or dry out. 

=PICKING. =--Mushrooms should appear in from five to ten weeks afterspawning, and the period of production of a good bed ranges from two tofour months. In picking the mushrooms an intelligent hand will carefullytwist it from the soil and fill the hole left in the bed with freshsoil. Pieces of roots or stems should never be allowed to remain in thebeds, otherwise decay might set in and infect the surrounding plants. Agood mushroom bed will yield a crop of from one-half to two pounds persquare foot. Mushrooms should be picked every day or every other day;they should not be left after the veils begin to break. 

For the market the mushrooms are sorted as to size and color, and packedin one, two or five-pound boxes or baskets. Since they are veryperishable, they must reach the market in the shortest time. 

=OLD BEDS. =--It is not practicable to raise another crop of mushrooms inthe material of an old bed, although this material is still valuable forgarden purposes. The old material should be entirely removed, and themushroom house thoroughly cleaned before the new beds are made. If thisprecaution be omitted the next crop may suffer from the diseases orenemies of the mushrooms. 

[Illustration: Figure 502. --A Cluster of 50 Mushrooms on One Root, Grownfrom "Lambert's Pure Culture Spawn" of the American Spawn Co. , St. Paul, Minn. ]

=SPAWN. =--The cultivated mushroom is propagated from "spawn, " thecommercial name applied to the mycelium; the term "spawn" includes boththe mycelium and the medium in which it is carried and preserved. Spawnmay be procured in the market in two forms, flake spawn and brickspawn. In both forms the mycelium growth is started on a prepared mediummainly consisting of manure and then arrested and dried. The flake spawnis short-lived by reason of its loose form, in which the mycelium iseasily accessible to the air and destructive bacteria. It deterioratesrapidly in transportation and storage and can only be used to advantagewhen fresh. Growers, especially in the United States, have thereforediscarded it in favor of brick spawn, which affords more protection tothe mycelium and can be safely transported and stored for a reasonableperiod. 

Until recently the manufacturer of spawn was compelled to rely entirelyupon the caprice of nature for his supply. The only method knownconsisted in gathering the wild spawn wherever nature had deposited itand running the same into bricks or in loose material, without referenceto variety. Neither the manufacturer nor the grower had any means ofascertaining the probable nature of the crop until the mushroomsappeared. 

[Illustration: Figure 503. --Agaricus villaticus. ]

=PURE CULTURE SPAWN. =--The recent discovery of pure culture spawn inthis country has made possible the selection and improvement ofvarieties of cultivated mushrooms with special reference to theirhardiness, color, size, flavor and prolificness, and the elimination ofinferior or undesirable fungi in the crop. The scope of this articleprecludes a description of the pure culture method of making spawn. Itis now used by the large commercial growers and has in many sectionsentirely superseded the old English spawn and other forms of wild spawn. As now manufactured it resembles much in appearance the old Englishspawn (see Figure 501). Some remarkable results have been obtained bythe use of pure culture spawn. We illustrate a cluster of fiftymushrooms on one root grown by Messrs. Miller & Rogers, of Mortonville, Pa. , from "Lambert's Pure Culture Spawn" produced by the American SpawnCompany, of St. Paul, Minn. (Figure 502). Several promising varietieshave already been developed by the new method, and can now be reproducedat will. Figure 503 is a good illustration of _Agaricus villaticus_, afleshy species in good demand. Figure 504 shows a bed of mushrooms grownfrom pure culture spawn in a sand rock cave, using the flat bed. 

[Illustration: Figure 504. --A Mushroom Cave, Showing One of the TestBeds of the American Spawn Co. , St. Paul, Minn. ]

=HOW TO COOK MUSHROOMS. =--To the true epicure there are but four ways ofcooking mushrooms--broiling, roasting, frying them in sweet butter andstewing them in cream. 

In preparing fresh mushrooms for cooking, wash them as little aspossible, as washing robs them of their delicate flavor. Always bear inmind that the more simply mushrooms are cooked the better they are. Likeall delicately flavored foods, they are spoiled by the addition ofstrongly flavored condiments. 

=Broiled Mushrooms. =--Select fine, large flat mushrooms, and be surethat they are fresh. If they are dusty just dip them in cold salt water. Then lay on cheese cloth and let them drain thoroughly. When they aredry cut off the stem quite close to the comb. Or, what is better, carefully break off the stem. Do not throw away the stems. Save them forstewing, for soup or for mushroom sauce. Having cut or broken off thestems, take a sharp silver knife and skin the mushrooms, commencing atthe edge and finishing at the top. Put them on a gridiron that has beenwell rubbed with sweet butter. Lay the mushrooms on the broiling ironwith the combs upward. Put a small quantity of butter, a little salt andpepper in the center of each comb from where the stem has been removedand let the mushrooms remain over the fire until the butter melts. Thenserve them on thin slices of buttered and well browned toast, whichshould be cut round or diamond shape. 

Serve the mushrooms just as quickly as possible after they are broiled, as they must be eaten when hot. So nourishing are broiled mushrooms thatwith a light salad they form a sufficient luncheon for anyone. 

=Fried Mushrooms. =--Clean and prepare the mushrooms as for broiling. Putsome sweet, unsalted butter in a frying pan--enough to swim themushrooms in. Stand the frying pan on a quick fire, and when the butteris at boiling heat carefully drop the mushrooms in and let them frythree minutes, and serve them on thin slices of buttered toast. 

Serve a sauce of lemon juice, a little melted butter, salt and redpepper with fried mushrooms. 

=Stewed Mushrooms. =--Stewed mushrooms after the following recipe makeone of the most delicious of breakfast dishes: It is not necessary touse large mushrooms for stewing--small button ones will do. Take themushrooms left in the basket after having selected those for broiling, and also use the stems cut from the mushrooms prepared for boiling. After cleaning and skinning them put them in cold water with a littlevinegar, and let them stand half an hour. If you have a quart ofmushrooms, put a tablespoonful of nice fresh butter in a stewpan andstand it on the stove. When the butter begins to bubble drop themushrooms in the pan, and after they have cooked a minute season themwell with salt and black pepper. Now take hold of the handle of thestewpan and, while the mushrooms are gently and slowly cooking, shakethe pan almost constantly to keep the butter from getting brown and themushrooms from sticking. After they have cooked eight minutes pour inenough rich, sweet cream to cover the mushrooms to the depth of half aninch, and let them cook about eight or ten minutes longer. Serve them ina very hot vegetable dish. Do not thicken the cream with flour or withanything. Just cook them in this simple way. You will find themperfect. 

GLOSSARY. 

 Abortive, imperfectly developed. 

 Aberrant, deviating from a type. 

 Acicular, needle-shaped. 

 Aculeate, slender pointed. 

 Acuminate, terminating in a point. 

 Acute, sharp pointed. 

 Adnate, gills squarely and firmly attached to the stem. 

 Adnexed, gills just reaching the stem. 

 Adhesion, union of different organs or tissues. 

 Adpressed, pressed into close contact, as applied to the gills. 

 Agglutinated, glued to the surface. 

 Alveolate, honey-combed. 

 Alutaceous, having the color of tanned leather. 

 Anastomosing, branching, joining of one vein with another. 

 Annual, completing growth in one year. 

 Annular, ring-shaped. 

 Annulate, having a ring. 

 Annulus, the ring around the stem of a mushroom. 

 Apex, in mushrooms the extremity of the stem next to the gills. 

 Apical, close to the apex. 

 Apiculate, terminating in a small point. 

 Appendiculate, hanging in small fragments. 

 Applanate, flattened out or horizontally expanded. 

 Arachnoid, cobweb-like. 

 Arculate, bow-shaped. 

 Areolate, pitted, net-like. 

 Ascus, spore case of certain mushrooms. 

 Ascomycetes, a group of fungi in which the spores are produced in sacs. 

 Ascospore, hymenium or sporophore bearing an ascus or asci. 

 Atomate, sprinkled with atoms or minute particles. 

 Atro (ater, black), in composition "black" or "dark. "

 Atropurpureous, dark purple (purpura, purple). 

 Aurantiaceous, orange-colored (aurantium, an orange). 

 Aureous, golden-yellow. 

 Auriculate, ear-shaped. 

 Azonate, without zones or circular bands. 

 Badious, bay, chestnut-color, or reddish-brown. 

 Basidium (pl. Basidia), an enlarged cell on which spores are borne. 

 Basidiomycetes, the group of fungi that have spores borne on a basidium. 

 Bifid, cleft or divided into two parts. 

 Booted, applied to the stem of mushrooms when inclosed in a volva. 

 Boss, a knob or short rounded protuberance. 

 Bossed, furnished with a boss or knob, bulbate. 

 Byssus, a fine filamentous mass. 

 Cæspitose, growing in tufts. 

 Calyptra, applied to the portion of volva covering the pileus. 

 Campanulate, bell-shaped. 

 Cap, the expanded, umbrella-like receptacle of a common mushroom. 

 Capillitium, spore-bearing threads, often much branched, found in puffballs. 

 Carnose, flesh-color. 

 Cartilaginous, hard and tough. 

 Castaneous, chestnut-color. 

 Ceraceous, wax-like. 

 Cerebriform, brain-shaped. 

 Cespitose, growing in tufts. 

 Cilia, marginal hair-like processes. 

 Ciliate, fringed with hair-like processes. 

 Cinereous, light bluish gray or ash gray. 

 Circumscissile, breaking at or near the middle on equatorial line. 

 Circinate, rounded. 

 Clavate, club-shaped, gradually thickened upward. 

 Columella, a sterile tissue rising column-like in the midst of the Capillitium. 

 Concrete, grown together. 

 Continuous, without a break, one part running into another. 

 Cordate, heart-shaped. 

 Coriaceous, of a leathery or a cork-like texture. 

 Cortex, outer or rind-like layer. 

 Cortina, the web-like veil of the genus Cortinarius. 

 Cortinate, with a cortina. 

 Costate, with a ridge or ridges. 

 Crenate, notched, indented or escalloped at the edge. 

 Cryptogamia, applied to the division of non-flowering plants. 

 Cyathiform, cup-shaped. 

 Cyst, a bladder-like cell or cavity. 

 Cystidium (pl. Cystidia), sterile cells of the hymenium, bladder-like. 

 Deciduous, of leaves falling off. 

 Decurrent, as when the gills of a mushroom are prolonged down the stem. 

 Dehiscent, a closed organ opening of itself at maturity. 

 Deliquescent, melting down, becoming liquid. 

 Dendroid, shaped like a tree. 

 Dentate, toothed. 

 Denticulate, with small teeth. 

 Dichotomous, paired, regularly forked. 

 Dimidiate, halved, applied to gills not entire. 

 Disc (disk), the hymenial surface, usually cup-shaped. 

 Discomycetes, Ascomycetes with the hymenium exposed. 

 Dissepiments, dividing walls. 

 Distant, applied to gills which are not close. 

 Discrete, distinct, not divided. 

 Echinate, furnished with stiff bristles. 

 Effused, spread over without regular form. 

 Emarginate, when the gills are notched or scooped out at junction with stem. 

 Ephemeral, lasting but a short time. 

 Epidermis, the external or outer layer of the plant. 

 Epiphytal, growing upon another plant. 

 Eccentric, out of the center; stem not attached to center of pileus. 

 Exoperidium, outer layer of the peridium. 

 Exotic, foreign. 

 Explanate, flattened or expanded. 

 Farinaceous, mealy. 

 Farinose, covered with a mealy powder. 

 Falcate, hooked or curved like a scythe. 

 Fasciculate, growing in bundles. 

 Fastigiate, bundled together with a sheath. 

 Ferruginous, rust-colored. 

 Fibrillose, clothed with small fibers. 

 Fibrous, composed of fibers. 

 Filiform, thread-like. 

 Fimbriated, fringed. 

 Fissile, capable of being split. 

 Fistular, fistulose, with the stem hollow or becoming hollow. 

 Flabelliform, fan-shaped. 

 Flaccid, soft and flabby. 

 Flavescent, turning yellow. 

 Flexuose, wavy. 

 Flocci, threads as of mold. 

 Floccose, downy. 

 Flocculose, covered with flocci. 

 Free, said of gills not attached to the stem. 

 Friable, easily crumbling. 

 Fugacious, disappearing quickly. 

 Fuliginous, sooty-brown or dark smoke-color. 

 Furcate, forked. 

 Furfuraceous, with bran-like scales or scurf. 

 Fuscous, dingy, brownish or brown tinged with gray. 

 Fusiform, spindle-shaped. 

 Gasteromyces, Basidiomycetes, in which the hymenium is inclosed. 

 Gelatinous, jelly-like. 

 Genus, a group of closely related species. 

 Gibbous, swollen at one point. 

 Gills, plates radiating from the stem on which the basidia are borne. 

 Glabrous, smooth. 

 Glaucous, with a white bloom. 

 Gleba, the spore-bearing tissue, as in puffballs and phalloids. 

 Globose, nearly round. 

 Granular, with a roughened surface. 

 Gregarious, growing in numbers in the same vicinity. 

 Habitat, the natural place of growth of a plant. 

 Hirsute, hairy. 

 Host, the plant or animal on which a parasitic fungus grows. 

 Hyaline, transparent, clear like glass. 

 Hygrophanous, looking watery when moist and opaque when dry. 

 Hygrometric, readily absorbing water. 

 Hymenium, the fruit-bearing surface. 

 Hymenophore, the portion which bears the hymenium. 

 Hypha, one of the elongated cells or threads of the fungus. 

 Imbricate, overlapping like shingles. 

 Immarginate, without a distinct border. 

 Incarnate, flesh-color. 

 Indehiscent, not opening. 

 Indigenous, native of a country or a place. 

 Indurated, hardened. 

 Indusium, a veil beneath the pileus. 

 Inferior, the ring low down on the stem of Agarics. 

 Infundibuliform, funnel-shaped. 

 Innate, adhering by growth. 

 Involute, edges rolled inward. 

 Isabelline, color of sole leather, brownish-yellow. 

 Laccate, varnished or coated with wax. 

 Lacerate, irregularly torn. 

 Laciniate, divided into lobes. 

 Lacunose, pitted or having cavities. 

 Lamella (lamellæ), gills of a mushroom. 

 Lanate, wooly. 

 Leucospore, white spore. 

 Livid, bluish-black. 

 Luteous, yellowish. 

 Maculate, spotted. 

 Marginate, having a distinct border. 

 Micaceous, covered with glistening scales, mica-like. 

 Micron, one-thousandth of a millimeter, nearly . 00004 of an inch. 

 Mycelium, the delicate threads from germinating spores, called spawn. 

 Nigrescent, becoming black. 

 Obconic, inversely conical. 

 Obovate, inversely egg-shaped. 

 Obese, stout, plump. 

 Ochraceous, ochre-yellow, brownish-yellow. 

 Pallid, pale, undecided in color. 

 Papillate, covered with soft tubercles. 

 Paraphyses, sterile cells found among the reproductive cells of some plants. 

 Parasitic, growing on and deriving support from another plant. 

 Pectinate, toothed like a comb. 

 Peridium, the outer covering of a puffball, simple or double. 

 Perithecia, bottle-like receptacles containing asci. 

 Peronate, used when the stem has a distinct stocking-like coat. 

 Persistent, inclined to adhere firmly. 

 Pileate, having a cap or pileus. 

 Pileolus (pl. Pileoli), a secondary pileus, arising from the primary one. 

 Pileus (pileus, a hat), the cap-like head of a fungus. 

 Pilose, covered with hairs, furry. 

 Pore, the opening of the tubes of a polyporus. 

 Pruinose, covered with a frost-like bloom. 

 Pubescent, downy. 

 Pulverulent, covered with dust. 

 Pulvinate, cushion-shaped. 

 Putrescent, soon decaying. 

 Punctate, dotted with points. 

 Reflexed, bent backwards. 

 Reniform, kidney-shaped. 

 Repand, bent or turned up or back. 

 Resupinate, attached to the matrix by the back. 

 Reticulate, marked with cross-lines, like the meshes of a net. 

 Revolute, rolled backward or upward. 

 Rimose, cracked or full of clefts. 

 Rimulose, covered with small cracks. 

 Ring, a part of the veil adhering to the stem of Agarics. 

 Rubescent, tending to a red-color. 

 Rubiginous, rust-color. 

 Rufescent, reddish in color. 

 Rugose, wrinkled. 

 Rufous, brownish-red. 

 Sapid, agreeable to the taste. 

 Saprophyte, a plant that lives on decaying animal or vegetable matter. 

 Scrobiculate, marked with little pits or depressions. 

 Serrate, saw-toothed. 

 Sinuate, wavy margin of gills or sinus where they reach the stem. 

 Spathulate, in the form of a spathula. 

 Spawn, the popular name for mycelium, used in growing mushrooms. 

 Spores, the reproductive bodies of mushrooms. 

 Sporophore, name given to the basidia. 

 Squamose, having scales. 

 Squamulose, covered with small scales. 

 Squarrose, rough with scales. 

 Stigmata, the slender supports of the spores. 

 Stipitate, having a stem. 

 Striate, streaked with lines. 

 Strigose, covered with lines sharp and rigid. 

 Strobiliform, pineapple-shaped. 

 Stuffed, stem filled with different material from the walls. 

 Sulcate, furrowed. 

 Tawny, nearly the color of tanned leather. 

 Terete, top-shaped. 

 Tesselated, arranged in small squares. 

 Tomentose, downy, with short hairs. 

 Trama, the substance between the plates of gills. 

 Truncate, cut squarely off. 

 Tubercle, a small wart-like excrescence. 

 Turbinate, top-shaped. 

 Umbillicate, having a central depression. 

 Umbo, the boss of a shield, applied to the central elevation of cap. 

 Umbonate, having a central boss-like elevation. 

 Uncinate, hooked. 

 Undulate, wavy. 

 Vaginate, sheathed. 

 Veil, a partial covering of stem or margin of pileus. 

 Veliform, a thin veil-like covering. 

 Venate or veined, intersected by swollen wrinkles below and on the sides. 

 Ventricose, swollen in the middle. 

 Vernicose, shining as if varnished. 

 Verrucose, covered with warts. 

 Villose, villous, covered with long, weak hairs. 

 Viscid, covered with a shiny liquid which adheres to the fingers; sticky. 

 Viscous, gluey. 

 Volute, rolled up in any direction. 

 Volva, a universal veil. 

 Zoned, zonate, marked with concentric bands of color. 

AUTHORITIES. 

It is customary to write, after the name of the plant, the name, or anabbreviation of it, of the person who gave the name. Below will be founda brief history and the name in full of each abbreviation. 

 Atk. Prof. Geo. F. Atkinson, at the head of the Botanical Department of Cornell University and an authority on Mycology. 

 Afz. Adam Afzelius, a Swedish Botanist, 1750-1836; a pupil of Linnaeus. 

 Ban. Miss Banning of Maryland, a student of Mycology. 

 Batsch Augustus Batsch, a German Botanist and Mycologist, 1761-1802. 

 Berk. Rev. J. M. Berkeley, a leading Mycologist of England. 

 Bolt. James Bolton, a prominent Botanist of Halifax. 

 Bosc. Louis Bosc, an early American Botanist, 1759-1828. 

 Barl. J. B. Barla, a French Mycologist. 

 Bull. Pierre Bulliard, one of the first French Mycologists, 1742-1790. 

 Curt. Rev. M. A. Curtise, State Botanist of North Carolina. 

 D. C. Augustin P. De Candolle, a Swiss Botanist, 1778-1841. 

 Dill. Johann Jakob Dillenius, an eminent German Botanist. 

 Ellis J. B. Ellis, Newfield, New Jersey, an eminent Mycologist. 

 Fr. Elias Magnus Fries (pron. Freece), a Swedish Botanist and Mycologist, 1794-1878. 

 Gill. C. C. Gillet, a French Botanist. 

 Herbst The late Dr. William Herbst, Trexlertown, Pa. , an authority on Mycology. 

 Hoffn. Hoffman, a German Mycologist. 

 Holmsk. Theodor Holmskiold, a Danish Mycologist, 1732-1794. 

 Huds. William Hudson, an eminent English Botanist, 1730-1795. 

 Jung. Franz W. Junghuhn, a prominent German Botanist, 1812-1864. 

 Kauff. Dr. C. H. Kauffman, Botanical Department Michigan University. 

 Lasch William Lasch, a German Mycologist. 

 Lenz Harald Othmar Lenz, a German Botanist. 

 Lk. Heinrich Friedrich Link, a prominent German Mycologist. 

 Lloyd C. G. Lloyd, Cincinnati, Ohio, one of the finest mycologists of the present day. 

 Lev. Joseph Henri Leveille, a French Mycologist. 

 Let. Jean Baptiste Louis Letellier, a French Mycologist. 

 L. Or Linn. Carl von Linnæus, a Swedish Botanist who is the author of the Linnæan classification and who adopted the binomial nomenclature, viz. : the generic name which is the substantive, or a word used as such, and the specific name, an adjective, 1707-1778. 

 Mass. George Massee, an English Botanist, Principal Assistant, Royal Gardens, Kew; author of several works on Mycology. 

 Morg. Prof. A. P. Morgan, Preston, Ohio, a well-known Botanist and an authority on Mycology. 

 Mont. Montagne, a French Botanist and Mycologist. 

 Pk. Dr. Charles Horton Peck, the State Botanist of New York; an eminent authority on Mycology and Botany generally. 

 Pers. Christian Hendrik Persoon, a German Botanist, 1755-1837. 

 Rav. W. H. Ravenel, leading Mycologist of South Carolina. 

 Roze Ernest Roze, a French Mycologist. 

 Schw. Rev. Louis David de Schweinitz, Bethlehem, Pa. , a pioneer American Mycologist. 

 Schroet. Schroeter, a German Botanist and Mycologist. 

 Schaeff. Jacobi C. Schaeffer, a German Botanist, 1718-1790. 

 Scop. Giovanni Antonio Scopoli, an Italian Botanist, 1725-1788. 

 Schum. Schumacher, a German Botanist and Mycologist. 

 Sacc. P. A. Saccardo, an Italian Botanist, the author of Sylloge Fungorum, a work of several volumes written in Latin, describing over forty thousand species. 

 Sow. James Sowerby, an English Botanist. 

 Vahl. Martin Vahl, a Norwegian Botanist, 1749-1804. 

 Vitt. Carlo Vittadini, an Italian Mycologist. 

 Wulf. Wulfen, a German Botanist. 

REFERENCES CONSULTED. 

 Atkinson's Studies of American Fungi. 

 Cooke's Hand-book of British Fungi. 

 Massee's European Fungus Flora. 

 McIlvaine's One Thousand American Fungi. 

 Our Edible Toadstools and Mushrooms--W. H. Gibson. 

 Herbst's Fungal Flora of the Lehigh Valley. 

 Berkeley's Outlines of British Fungology. 

 The Mushroom Book--Nina L. Marshall. 

 Morgan's North American Fungi. 

 Lloyd's Mycological Notes. 

 Peck's Reports of New York. 

 Kellerman's Mycological Bulletins. 

 Kauffman's Genus Cortinarius. 

 Longyear's Michigan Mushrooms. 

 Cooke's British Fungi. 

 Minnesota Plant Diseases--Freeman. 

CORRECTIONS. 

Clitocybe metachroa, page 95. 

Boletus parvus, page 361. 

Polyporus Berkeleyi, page 392. 

Tricholoma resplendens, page 600. This page of the manuscript was usedin making the sample pages and for some reason was not replaced, whichwill account for its coming out of order. 

_Tricholoma resplendens. Fr. _

THE SHINING TRICHOLOMA. EDIBLE. 

[Illustration: Figure 504. --Tricholoma resplendens. Entire plant white. ]

Resplendens means shining brightly. 

The pileus is fleshy, convex, then nearly plane, even, bare, viscid, white, sometimes hyaline-spotted or yellowish on the disk, shining whendry, margin straight. Flesh white, taste mild, odor pleasant. 

The gills are nearly free when young, then emarginate, somewhat crowded, rather thick, entire, white. 

The stem is solid, bare, subbulbose, even, white, dry. The spores are8×4µ. 

The caps are two to four inches broad; the stem is two to four incheslong. --_Peck. _

This is a beautiful plant, entirely white, smell and taste pleasant, andfound in Poke Hollow and in the woods along Ralston's Run, nearChillicothe. 

This plant is found very generally over the United States. 

INDEX TO GENERA. 

 Agaricus, 307

 Amanita, 20

 Amanitopsis, 43

 Anellaria, 345

 Armillaria, 56

 Bolbitius, 346

 Boletinus, 381

 Boletus, 350

 Bovista, 550

 Bovistella, 552

 Bulgaria, 516

 Calvatia, 531

 Calostoma, 562

 Calocera, 474

 Catastoma, 558

 Cantharellus, 198

 Chlorosplenium, 515

 Claudopus, 256

 Clavaria, 461

 Claviceps, 573

 Clitocybe, 88

 Clitopilus, 247

 Collybia, 107

 Coprinus, 331

 Corticium, 452

 Cortinarius, 290

 Craterellus, 450

 Crepidotus, 279

 Crucibulum, 520

 Cyclomyces, 430

 Cyathus, 517

 Dædalea, 426

 Didymius, 578

 Discina, 511

 Dictyophora, 526

 Eccilia, 252

 Entoloma, 243

 Epichloe, 573

 Exidia, 481

 Favolus, 429

 Fistulina, 384

 Flammula, 284

 Fomes, 417

 Galera, 275

 Ganoderma, 404

 Geaster, 563

 Gloeoporus, 431

 Gomphidius, 349

 Grandinia, 449

 Guepinia, 484

 Gyromitra, 494

 Hebeloma, 272

 Heliomyces, 152

 Helotium, 514

 Helvella, 497

 Hirneola, 482

 Hydnum, 432

 Hygrophorus, 204

 Hymenochæte, 457

 Hymenula, 484

 Hypholoma, 323

 Hypocerea, 573

 Hypomyces, 498

 Inocybe, 268

 Irpex, 447

 Lachnocladium, 475

 Laccaria, 106

 Lachnea, 510

 Lactarius, 164

 Lentinus, 226

 Lenzites, 231

 Leotia, 501

 Lepiota, 46

 Leptoglossum, 499

 Leptonia, 254

 Lycogala, 577

 Lycoperdon, 541

 Macropodia, 507

 Marasmius, 136

 Merulius, 423

 Mitremyces, 561

 Morchella, 485

 Mucronella, 432

 Mutinus, 526

 Mycena, 118

 Myriostomav, 571

 Naucoria, 281

 Nidularia, 521

 Nolanea, 255

 Nectrea, 573

 Nyctalis, 204

 Oomyces, 573

 Omphalia, 130

 Otidea, 511

 Panæolus, 339

 Panus, 222

 Paronia, 573

 Paxillus, 287

 Peziza, 503

 Phallus, 522

 Phlebia, 448

 Pholiota, 257

 Pilosace, 319

 Piptoporus, 409

 Pleurotus, 153

 Pluteolus, 274

 Pluteus, 235

 Podaxon, 560

 Polyporus, 388

 Polysaccum, 561

 Polystictus, 414

 Psathyrella, 346

 Psilocybe, 328

 Radulum, 432

 Reticularia, 578

 Russula, 182

 Sarcoscypha, 512

 Secotium, 560

 Schizophyllum, 232

 Scleroderma, 555

 Sclerotina, 510

 Sparassis, 459

 Spathularia, 500

 Sphærobolus, 517

 Stemonitis, 580

 Stereum, 455

 Strobilomyces, 380

 Stropharia, 322

 Thelephora, 453

 Torrubia, 576

 Trametes, 422

 Tremella, 477

 Tremellodon, 479

 Tricholoma, 60

 Trogia, 235

 Typhula, 474

 Urnula, 514

 Verpa, 492

 Volvaria, 238

 Xylaria, 579

INDEX TO SPECIES. 

 abietina (Clavaria), 465

 abortivus (Clitopilus), 249

 abruptus (Agaricus), 311

 abscondens (Pleurotus), 162

 acerbum (Tricholoma), 70

 acervata (Collybia), 117

 acetabulum (Peziza), 503

 acuminatum (Secotium), 560

 acuminatum (Lycoperdon), 549

 acutesquamosa (Lepiota), 55

 adiposa (Pholiota), 259

 Adirondackensis (Clitocybe), 95

 adusta (Russula), 183

 adustus (Polyporus), 402

 adustum (Hydnum), 444

 ægerita (Pholiota), 266

 æruginosa (Stropharia), 322

 æruginosum (Heliotium), 515

 æruginosum (Chlorosplenium), 515

 ætites (Mycena), 125

 alba (Amanitopsis), 44

 albellum (Tricholoma), 83

 albellus (Polyporus), 407

 albipes (Russula), 187

 albida (Tremella), 478

 alboflava (Omphalia), 135

 alboater (Boletus), 373

 alboviolaceus (Cortinarius), 295

 album (Tricholoma), 72

 alkalina (Mycena), 123

 alutacea (Russula), 186

 alveolatus (Boletus), 363

 ambigua (Dædalea), 426

 ambusta (Collybia), 114

 Americana (Lepiota), 50

 Americanus (Boletus), 373

 amethystina (Clitocybe), 106

 amethystina (Clavaria), 464

 amianthinus (Lepiota), 54

 ammophila (Psilocybe), 330

 androsaceus (Marasmius), 138

 angusticeps (Morchella), 489

 anomalus (Marasmius), 145

 appendiculata (Armillaria), 60

 appendiculatum (Hypholoma), 325

 applicatus (Pleurotus), 161

 Archeri (Geaster), 565

 argyraceum (Tricholoma), 77

 arcularius (Polyporus), 406

 armillatus (Cortinarius), 301

 asterophora (Nyctalis), 204

 arvensis (Agaricus), 310

 asper (Geaster), 566

 aspera (Amanita), 39

 Atkinsonianus (Cortinarius), 302

 atramentarius (Coprinus), 333

 atrata (Collybia), 113

 atratoides (Collybia), 116

 atroviridus (Lactarius), 175

 atrotomentosus (Paxillus), 288

 atrosquamosum (Tricholoma), 77

 aurantia (Peziza), 507

 aurantius (Hypomyces), 499

 aurantium (Scleroderma), 555

 aurantiacus (Cantharellus), 200

 aurea (Clavaria), 462

 aurevella (Pholiota), 264

 auricula-Judæ (Hirneola), 482

 auripes (Boletus), 370

 autumnalis (Cortinarius), 294

 Badhami (Lepiota), 50

 badia (Peziza), 503

 Berkeleyi (Poylporus), 392

 betulina (Lenzites), 231

 betulinus (Polyporus), 408

 bicolor (Boletus), 352

 biformis (Polystictus), 411

 bispora (Morchella), 490

 Blackfordæ (Hydnum), 443

 bolaris (Cortinarius), 296

 Boltoni (Bolbitius), 346

 bombycina (Volvaria), 238

 borealis (Lysurus), 526

 botrytes (Clavaria), 462

 bovinus (Mutinus), 528

 bovista (Plumbea), 552

 brevis (Clitopilus), 253

 brevipes (Cantharellus), 202

 brumalis (Polyporus), 405

 brunnea (Gyromitra), 497

 bulbigera (Armillaria), 59

 cælata (Calvata), 537

 cærulescens (Cortinarius), 292

 Cæsarea (Amanita), 40

 cæsius (Polvporus), 410

 cæspitosa (Omphalia), 132

 calceolum (Tricholoma), 68

 calopus (Marasmius), 145

 calostoma (Lycoperdon), 563

 campanella (Omphalia), 130

 campanulatus (Panæolus), 342

 campestris (Agaricus), 307

 Canadensis (Favolus), 430

 candicans (Clitocybe), 100

 candidus (Marasmius), 142

 caninus (Mutinus), 527

 cantharellus (Craterellus), 451

 cantharellus (Hygrophorus), 208

 capitata (Torrubia), 576

 caperata (Pholiota), 260

 capitata (Cordyceps), 575

 capillaris (Mycena), 122

 caprinus (Hygrophorus), 213

 caput-Medusæ (Hydnum), 437

 caput-ursi (Hydnum), 437

 carbonaria (Flammula), 285

 carneo-grisæ (Eccilia), 252

 carneus (Irpex), 447

 cartilaginea (Tricholoma), 78

 castaneus (Boletus), 379

 castaneus (Cortinarius), 305

 cavipes (Boletinus), 382

 Cecilia (Agaricus), 46

 cepa (Scleroderma), 558

 cepæstipes (Lepiota), 54

 ceraceus (Hygrophorus), 218

 cervinus (Pluteus), 237

 chlorocephala (Leotia), 502

 chlorophanus (Hygrophorus), 208

 chrysenteron (Boletus), 354

 chrysites (Tricholoma), 77

 chrysorrheus (Lactarius), 181

 cibarius (Cantharellus), 198

 cinereus (Lactarius), 173

 cinerea (Clavaria), 470

 cinereum (Didymius), 579

 cinereum (Corticium), 453

 cinereus (Hygrophorus), 206

 cinereus (Cantharellus), 452

 cinereus (Lactarius), 173

 cinerascens (Tricholoma), 71

 cincinnata (Inocybe), 271

 cinnabarinum (Calostoma), 563

 cinnabarinus (Cortinarius), 203

 cinnabarinus (Cantharellus), 203

 cinnabarinus (Polyporus), 409

 cinnabarinus (Metremyces), 562

 cinnamoneus (Cortinarius), 297

 cinnamoneus (Polystictus), 414

 circinatus (Polyporus), 402

 circinatus (Pleurotus), 163

 circumscissum (Catastoma), 559

 circumscissa (Bovista), 559

 cirrhata (Collybia), 341

 citrinum (Heliotium), 514

 clavata (Spathularia), 500

 clavipes (Clitocybe), 94

 clypeatum (Entoloma), 247

 coccinea (Peziza), 504

 coccineus (Hygrophorus), 209

 cohaerens (Marasmius), 140

 cohaerens (Mycena), 141

 cochleatus (Lentinus), 229

 coliformis (Myriostoma), 571

 collinitus (Cortinarius), 293

 colorea (Collybia), 115

 columbetta (Tricholoma), 68

 comatus (Coprinus), 332

 commune (Schizophyllum), 233

 compactum (Stereum), 457

 comtulus (Agaricus), 313

 conchatus (Panus), 223

 conchoides (Gloeoporus), 431

 Condolleanum (Hypholoma), 325

 confluens (Collybia), 114

 confragosa (Dædalea), 428

 conica (Nolanea), 255

 conicus (Hygrophorus), 209

 conica (Morchella), 487

 corraloides (Hydnum), 438

 corium (Merulius), 426

 cornea (Calocera), 474

 coronata (Clavaria), 469

 cornucopoides (Craterellus), 451

 corrugata (Hymenochæte), 458

 corrugis (Lactarius), 178

 corticola (Mycena), 125

 cossus (Hygrophorus), 207

 cothurnata (Amanita), 37

 craniiformis (Calvatia), 537

 crassipes (Morchella), 491

 craterium (Urnula), 514

 crenulata (Amanita), 36

 cretaceus (Agaricus), 316

 crispa (Trogia), 234

 crispa (Galera), 278

 crispa (Sparassis), 460

 crispula (Clavaria), 470

 cristatella (Lepiota), 52

 cristata (Helephora), 454

 cristata (Clavaria), 468

 croceocolor (Cortinarius), 304

 crustuliniforme (Hebeloma), 273

 cruciatum (Lycoperdon), 545

 Curtisii (Polyporus), 403

 Curtisii (Hymenochæte), 458

 Curtisii (Ganoderma), 404

 curvipes (Pholiota), 264

 cuticularis (Polyporus), 402

 cyanescens (Boletus), 357

 cyanoxantha (Russula), 188

 cyathiformis (Calvatia), 535

 cyathiformis (Clitocybe), 105

 cyphellæformis (Pleurotus), 162

 dealbata (Clitocybe), 104

 deceptivus (Lactarius), 166

 delica (Russula), 182

 delectans (Marasmius), 151

 deliciosa (Morchella), 487

 deliciosus (Lactarius), 179

 densifolia (Russula), 197

 dichrous (Polyporus), 431

 digitaliformis (Verpa), 492

 disseminata (Psathyrella), 347

 distans (Lactarius), 174

 ditopoda (Clitocybe), 99

 dryophila (Collybia), 110

 dubius (Craterellus), 452

 dulcamara (Inocybe), 271

 duplicatus (Phallus), 424

 dura (Pholiota), 258

 ebulbosus (Coprinus), 336

 eburneus (Hygrophorus), 206

 edulis (Boletus), 356

 edulis var. Clavipes (Boletus), 359

 elata (Calvatia), 540

 elastica (Helvella), 497

 elegans (Mutinus), 529

 elegans (Polyporus), 407

 emetica (Russula), 193

 epichysia (Omphalia), 130

 ephemerus (Coprinus), 339

 epidendrum (Lycogala), 577

 epileucus (Polyporus), 408

 epiphyllus (Marasmius), 151

 epipterygia (Mycena), 129

 epimyces (Panæolus), 341

 equestre (Tricholoma), 61

 erinaceum (Hydnum), 435

 erythropus (Typhula), 475

 erythropus (Boletus), 378

 esculenta (Gyromitra), 494

 esculenta (Helvella), 494

 esculenta (Morchella), 486

 Europeus (Favolus), 430

 eutheles (Inocybe), 272

 evernius (Cortinarius), 304

 eximia (Pilosace), 319

 eximius (Pluteus), 238

 eximius (Boletus), 362

 fagineus (Marasmius), 148

 fasciatum (Stereum), 456

 fascicularis (Hypholoma), 327

 fastibile (Hebeloma), 273

 felleus (Boletus), 364

 fennicum (Hydnum), 444

 ferrugineum (Hydnum), 441

 ferruginea (Stemonites), 581

 fibula (Omphalia), 134

 fillius (Flammula), 286

 filopes (Mycena), 124

 fimbriata (Tremella), 479

 fimbriatus (Geaster), 569

 fimetarius (Coprinus), 339

 fimicolus (Panæolus), 342

 fistulina (Hepatica), 386

 flaccida (Clitocybe), 101

 flaccida (Lenzites), 232

 flava (Clavaria), 461

 flavida (Flammula), 284

 flavida (Spathularia), 500

 flaviceps (Hygrophorus), 209

 flavipes (Hygrophorus), 209

 flavus (Hygrophorus), 208

 flavobrunneum (Tricholoma), 81

 flavodiscus (Hygrophorus), 210

 flavovireus (Polyporus), 399

 floccosus (Cantharellus), 200

 floccosa (Peziza), 511

 floccosa (Sarcoscypha), 512

 foenisecii (Psilocybe), 328

 foetens (Russula), 186

 foetidus (Marasmius), 139

 foetens (Heliomyces), 134

 fomentarius (Fomes), 417

 formosa (Clavaria), 467

 fragilis (Bolbitius), 346

 fragilis (Russula), 192

 fraxineus (Fomes), 421

 frondosus (Polyporus), 390

 Frostiana (Amanita), 27

 Frostii (Boletus), 376

 fuligineus (Hygrophorus), 212

 fulva (Amanitopsis), 44

 fumescens (Tricholoma), 75

 fumidellum (Tricholoma), 74

 furcata (Russula), 194

 fusca (Stemonites), 580

 fusus (Flammula), 286

 fusiformis (Clavaria), 472

 galericulata (Mycena), 120

 gambosum (Tricholoma), 86

 geaster (Scleroderma), 558

 gelatinosum (Tremellodon), 481

 gemmatum (Lycoperdon), 543

 geophylla, var. Violacea (Inocybe), 270

 gigantea (Calvatia), 531

 giganteum (Lycoperdon), 533

 giganteus (Polyporus), 395

 gilva (Clitocybe), 101

 gilvus (Polyporus), 414

 glabellum (Lycoperdon), 542

 glutinosum (Hebeloma), 273

 gracilis (Boletus), 366

 graminum (Marasmius), 146

 grande (Tricholoma), 81

 garnosa (Lepiota), 52

 granularis (Pluteus), 238

 granulatus (Boletus), 352

 granulosa (Lepiota), 52

 granulosa (Grandinia), 449

 granulosa (Exidia), 481

 grammopodium (Tricholoma), 63

 graveolens (Polyporus), 405

 graveolens (Tricholoma), 80

 graveolens (Hydnum), 447

 grayanum (Entoloma), 244

 Greenii (Cyclomyces), 430

 grisea (Entoloma), 245

 griseus (Boletus), 372

 griseus (Lactarius), 174

 griseus (Polyporus), 391

 griseo pallida (Cyphella), 162

 hæmatosperma (Lepiota), 50

 hæmatopa (Mycena), 122

 halophilus (Agaricus), 317

 hamadryas (Naucoria), 281

 Hardii (Stropharia), 321

 hariolarum (Collybia), 108

 hemispherica (Peziza), 510

 hemispherica (Lachnea), 510

 Herbstii (Sparassis), 459

 herpeticus (Cortinarius), 292

 heteroclitus (Polyporus), 400

 heteroclita (Pholiota), 263

 heterogeneum (Lycoperdon), 563

 hepatica (Fistulina), 386

 Herculea (Cordyceps), 574

 hiemalis (Mycena), 126

 hirta (Psathyrella), 348

 hirsutus (Polystictus), 413

 hirsutum (Stereum), 456

 hispidus (Polyporus), 401

 hygrometricus (Geaster), 564

 hypnorum (Galera), 275

 ianthina (Mycena), 129

 ignarius (Fomes), 420

 illudens (Clitocybe), 91

 imbricatum (Hydnum), 435

 imbricatum (Tricholoma), 73

 immaculata (Collybia), 113

 inæqualis (Clavaria), 472

 incana (Leptonia), 254

 incarnatum (Corticium), 453

 incarnata (Typhula), 475

 incertum (Hypholoma), 323

 indecisus (Boletus), 358

 indigo (Lactarius), 167

 ingrata (Collybia), 108

 infundibuliformis (Cantharellus), 203

 infundibuliformis (Clitocybe), 90

 inquinans (Bulgaria), 516

 insulsus (Lactarius), 171

 integra (Russula), 191

 involutus (Paxillus), 287

 Iris (Mycena), 128

 Kunzei (Clavaria), 470

 Kellermani (Galera), 277

 laccata (Clitocybe), 105

 laccata (Laccaria), 106

 lacera (Inocybe), 269

 laciniata (Thelephora), 454

 lachnophylla (Collybia), 141

 lachrymabundum (Hypholoma), 325

 lacrymans (Merulius), 426

 lacteum (Corticium), 452

 lacteus (Irpex), 447

 lacteus (Polyporus), 410

 lactifluorum (Hypomyces), 499

 lacunosa (Helvella), 498

 lascivum (Tricholoma), 70

 lævis (Panus), 226

 laterarium (Tricholoma), 67

 lateritia (Galera), 276

 Lauræ (Hygrophorus), 213

 Leaiana (Mycena), 127

 Lecomtei (Lentinus), 224

 lepida (Russula), 187

 lepideus (Lentinus), 228

 leporina (Peziza), 511

 leporina (Otidea), 511

 leporinus (Hygrophorus), 206

 leucophæus (Fomes), 417

 leucocephalum (Tricholoma), 74

 leucomelas (Polyporus), 391

 levis (Panus), 226

 lilacina (Calvatia), 535

 lignyotus (Lactarius), 173

 livida (Amanitopsis), 44

 lignatilis (Pleurotus), 164

 lilacinus (Cortinarius), 296

 lixivium (Tricholoma), 65

 longipes (Marasmius), 146

 Loveiana (Volvaria), 341

 lubrica (Leotia), 501

 lucidus (Polyporus), 403

 luridus (Boletus), 378

 lutescens (Tremella), 477

 lutescens (Helotium), 515

 luteum (Leptoglossum), 499

 maculata (Collybia), 112

 maculatescens (Tricholoma), 79

 magnivelaris (Amanita), 28

 mammosus (Geaster), 569

 mappa (Amanita), 35

 marginatus (Hygrophorus), 218

 marginata (Pholiota), 265

 maxima (Reticularia), 578

 media (Clitocybe), 88

 medulla-panis (Polyporus), 407

 mellea (Armillaria), 57 var. Flava, 58 var. Obscura, 58 var. Exanulata, 58 var. Radicata, 58 var. Glabra, 58 var. Bulbosa, 58

 melaleucum (Tricholoma), 69

 mesenterica (Tremella), 477

 metachroa (Clitocybe), 95

 micaceus (Coprinus), 335

 micropus (Hygrophorus), 213

 Micheneri (Lachnocladium), 476

 militaris (Cordyceps), 574

 militaris (Torrubia), 574

 miniatus (Hygrophorus), 215

 miniatus sphagnophilus (Hygrophorus), 217

 minimus (Geaster), 565

 mollis (Crepidotus), 280

 monadelpha (Clitocybe), 102

 Morgani (Lepiota), 50

 Morgani (Geaster), 565

 Morgani (Boletus), 374

 Morrisii (Cortinarius), 300

 mucida (Clavaria), 473

 multiceps (Clitocybe), 93

 muscaria (Amanita), 23

 muscoides (Clavaria), 463

 mutabilis (Pholiota), 263

 mycetophila (Tremella), 478

 myriadophylla (Collybia), 115

 nardosmia (Armillaria), 59

 naucina (Lepiota), 48

 naucinoides (Lepiota), 48

 nebularis (Clitocybe), 88

 nebulosa (Peziza), 512

 nidulans (Claudopus), 256

 nigrellus (Boletus), 372

 nigripes (Marasmius), 152

 nigripes (Heliomyces), 152

 nigricans (Russula), 184

 niveus (Hygrophorus), 220

 Noveboracensis (Clitopilus), 252 var. Brevis (Clitopilus), 252

 nudum (Tricholoma), 86

 oakesii (Corticium), 453

 obbata (Clitocybe), 101

 obliquus (Polyporus), 404

 Ohiensis (Trametes), 423

 Ohiensis (Bovistella), 553

 occidentalis (Peziza), 512

 ochroleucus (Cortinarius), 299

 ochropurpurea (Clitocybe), 97

 ochrophylla (Russula), 187

 ochraceum (Hydnum), 445

 odorata (Peziza), 505

 odora (Clitocybe), 90

 olivaceo-stramineus (Cortinarius), 291

 oniscus (Omphalia), 132

 orcellus (Clitopilus), 249

 oreades (Marasmius), 136

 orirubens (Tricholoma), 77

 ornatipes (Boletus), 371

 ostreatus (Pleurotus), 153

 ovalis (Galera), 279

 ovatus (Coprinus), 337

 pædidum (Tricholoma), 64

 pallida (Fistulina), 387

 pallida (Thelephora), 454

 pallidus (Boletus), 362

 pallidus (Hygrophorus), 206

 pallidifolia (Clitocybe), 106

 palmata (Thelephora), 454

 paludosella (Naucoria), 282

 papilionaceus (Panæolus), 345

 panæolum (Tricholoma), 67

 parasiticus (Boletus), 368

 parvus (Boletus), 361

 parvula (Volvaria), 242

 pascua (Nolanea), 255

 pascuense (Hebeloma), 274

 pediades (Naucoria), 281

 pelianthina (Mycena), 128

 pedicellatum (Catastoma), 559

 pellucidula (Amanita), 28

 pelliculosa (Mycena), 129

 penarius (Hygrophorus), 221

 perennius (Polystictus), 415

 pergamenus (Polystictus), 417

 pergamenus (Lactarius), 166

 peronatus (Marasmius), 148

 perplexum (Hypholoma), 327

 perplexus (Polyporus), 400

 personatum (Tricholoma), 84

 petaloides (Pleurotus), 157

 Petersii (Peziza), 505

 phalloides (Amanita), 20

 phyllophila (Clitocybe), 104

 picipes (Polyporus), 388

 pictus (Boletinus), 381

 pila (Bovista), 550

 pinicola (Fomes), 419

 piperatus (Lactarius), 165

 pisiformis (Nidularia), 421

 pisocarpium (Polysaccum), 561

 pistillaris (Clavaria), 471

 pithyophila (Clitocybe), 99

 placomyces (Agaricus), 315

 placorrhiza (Typhula), 475

 platyphylla (Collybia), 109

 plumbea (Bovista), 552

 polita (Eccelia), 253

 polymorpha (Xilaria), 579

 popinalis (Clitopilus), 252

 porosus (Boletinus), 383

 porphria (Amanita), 23

 porreus (Marasmius), 145

 portentosum (Tricholoma), 86

 præcox (Pholiota), 257

 pratensis (Hygrophorus), 206

 prasiosmus (Marasmius), 145

 procera (Lepiota), 46

 prolifera (Mycena), 120

 prunulus (Clitopilus), 248

 prunuloides (Entoloma), 245

 pseudo-pura (Mycena), 129

 pseudo-boletus (Ganoderma), 404

 pubescens (Polyporus), 410

 pulcherrimum (Lycoperdon), 541

 pulcherrimum (Hydnum), 446

 punctiformis (Hymenula), 484

 puniceus (Hygrophorus), 215

 pura (Mycena), 128

 purpurascens (Cortinarius), 291

 purpurium (Stereum), 457

 purpurina (Russula), 196

 pusilla (Volvaria), 242

 pusillum (Lycoperdon), 549

 pyriforme (Lycoperdon), 547

 pyriodora (Inocybe), 272

 pyxidata (Omphalia), 133

 pyxidata (Clavaria), 464

 quletii (Hygrophorus), 222

 quinquepartitum (Tricholoma), 67

 quercina (Dædalea), 427

 racemosa (Collybia), 341

 radiata (Phlebia), 448

 radicans (Boletus), 367

 radicata (Amanita), 33

 radicata (Collybia), 108

 radicatus (Polyporus), 400

 ramealis (Marasmius), 149

 Ravenelii (Dictyophora), 526

 Ravenelii (Phallus), 524

 regalis (Lactarius), 169

 resinosus (Polyporus), 403

 recutita (Amanita), 23

 repanda (Peziza), 508

 repandum (Hydnum), 433

 resplendens (Tricholoma), 600

 reticulatus (Pluteolus), 275

 retipes (Boletus), 371

 retirugis (Panæolus), 339

 rhodopolium (Entoloma), 244

 rhodoxanthus (Paxillus), 289

 rimosa (Inocybe), 272

 rimosus (Fomes), 418

 Rodmani (Agaricus), 308

 rosea (Hygrophorus), 209

 roseipes (Russula), 191

 rotula (Marasmius), 143

 rubeolarius (Boletus), 378

 rubellus (Merulius), 424

 rubescens (Amanita), 38

 rubescens (Trametes), 422

 rubiginosa (Hymenochæte), 458

 rubra (Russula), 195

 rudis (Panus), 224

 rufescens (Polyporus), 406

 rugosa (Mycena), 120

 rugosum (Stereum), 457

 Russelli (Boletus), 375

 Russula (Tricholoma), 70

 saccata (Calvatia), 541

 saccatus (Geaster), 569

 saccharinus (Marasmius), 150

 sæpiaria (Lenzites), 232

 salignus (Pleurotus), 156

 salmonea (Entoloma), 245

 sambucum (Corticium), 453

 sanguinolentum (Stereum), 457

 sapidus (Pleurotus), 159

 saponaceum (Tricholoma), 77

 Satanus, (Boletus), 380

 scaber (Boletus), 351

 scaber (Inocybe), 269

 Schumacheri (Tricholoma), 81

 Schweintzii (Thelephora), 454

 scorodonius (Marasmius), 144

 scrobiculatus (Lactarius), 170

 scrobiculatum (Hydnum), 443

 scutellata (Peziza), 509

 scutellata (Trametes), 423

 sebacea (Thelephora), 455

 sejunctum (Tricholoma), 82

 semilibera (Morchella), 490

 semiglobata (Stropharia), 320

 semihirtipes (Marasmius), 145

 semi-sanguineus (Cortinarius), 298

 semivestitum (Lachnocladium), 476

 semiorbicularis (Naucoria), 281

 semitosta (Peziza), 507

 semitosta (Macropodia), 507

 separans (Boletus), 369

 separans (Lycoperdon), 546

 separata (Anellaria), 345

 septentrionale (Hydnum), 440

 serotinoides (Pleurotus), 161

 serotinus (Pleurotus), 161

 serotinus (Hygrophorus), 221

 serifluus (Lactarius), 178

 serrulata (Leptonia), 255

 sericeum (Stereum), 456

 setosa (Mycena), 122

 siccus (Marasmius), 146

 silvaticus (Agaricus), 313

 silvicola (Agaricus), 309

 sinuosus (Craterellus), 452

 solidipes (Panæolus), 344

 solitaria (Amanita), 29

 sordidum (Tricholoma), 62

 sordidus (Hygrophorus), 220

 spadicea (Psilocybe), 329

 spadiceum (Stereum), 455

 spathularia (Guepinia), 484

 spathularia (Xylaria), 579

 speciosus (Boletus), 356

 speciosus (Hygrophorus), 211

 spectabilis (Pholiota), 265

 sphagnophilus (Hygrophorus), 217

 spinulosa (Clavaria), 466

 spinulifera (Collybia), 141

 spongiosipes (Hydnum), 440

 spreta (Amanita), 43

 spumosa (Flammula), 286

 squalida (Flammula), 286

 squamosus (Polyporus), 395

 squarrosa (Pholiota), 268

 squarrosoides (Pholiota), 266

 squarrulosum (Tricholoma), 78

 stannea (Mycena), 124

 stercoraria (Stropharia), 322

 stercoreus (Cyathus), 519

 Stevensoni (Peziza), 505

 stipitaria (Collybia), 112

 striata (Calocera), 474

 striatus (Cyathus), 517

 striatula (Clitocybe), 106

 strangulata (Amanitopsis), 46

 striæpes (Boletus), 366

 stricta (Clavaria), 464

 stricta (Calocera), 474

 strigosus (Panus), 223

 strobillaceus (Strobilomyces), 380

 styptus (Panus), 223

 stypticus (Panus), 223

 strobiliformis (Amanita), 33

 suaveolens (Trametes), 423

 subdulcis (Lactarius), 176

 subcostatum (Entoloma), 245

 subditopoda (Clitocybe), 99

 suberosus (Piptoporus), 409

 subochracea-Burtii (Inocybe), 270

 subochracea (Inocybe), 270

 subsericeus (Polystictus), 415

 subincarnatum (Lycoperdon), 545

 sublateritium (Hypholoma), 326

 subluteus (Boletus), 368

 subterraneum (Catastoma), 559

 subrufescens (Agaricus), 316

 subrufescens (Hygrophorus), 222

 subtomentosus (Boletus), 353

 subvilis (Clitopilus), 251

 Sullivantii (Boletus), 360

 sulphurus (Polyporus), 398

 sulphureum (Tricholoma), 65

 tabescens (Clitocybe), 104

 terginus (Marasmius), 145

 temperata (Volvaria), 242

 tenera (Galera), 276 var. Pilosella (Galera), 276

 tenerum (Scleroderma), 556

 terreum (Tricholoma), 76

 terriferum (Tricholoma), 74

 torminosus (Lactarius), 164

 torulosus (Panus), 225

 tornata (Clitocybe), 95

 transmutans (Tricholoma), 61

 tremellosus (Merulius), 425

 trivialis (Lactarius), 170

 turmalis (Cortinarius), 291

 triplex (Geaster), 567

 tuberosa (Collybia), 341

 tuberosa (Peziza), 510

 tuberosa (Sclerotinia), 510

 tulipifera (Irpex), 448

 ulmarius (Pleurotus), 157

 umbellatus (Polyporus), 390

 umbellifera (Omphalia), 132

 umbonata (Volvaria), 241

 umbrinum (Lycoperdon), 542

 umidicola (Cortinarius), 303

 unicolor (Pholiota), 262

 unicolor (Dædalea), 428

 unifactum (Tricholoma), 83

 urens (Marasmius), 138

 uvidus (Lactarius), 180

 vaginata (Amanitopsis), 43

 variabilis (Claudopus), 256

 variata (Russula), 190

 varius (Cortinarius), 292

 vellereus (Lactarius), 181

 velutipes (Collybia), 118

 velutipes (Spathularia), 501

 velutipes (Marasmius), 140

 velutinus (Geaster), 570

 venosa (Peziza), 511

 venosa (Discina), 511

 versutus (Crepidotus), 279

 versicolor (Polystictus), 413

 versicolor (Stereum), 455

 verrucosus (Cyathus), 518

 vermicularis (Clavaria), 469

 vermiculosus (Boletus), 376

 verna (Amanita), 27

 verrucosum (Scleroderma), 556

 versipeles (Boletus), 365

 vesca (Russula), 189

 vesiculosa (Peziza), 508

 vialis (Lenzites), 232

 villaticus (Agaricus), 592

 violaceus (Cortinarius), 296

 virescens (Russula), 190

 virgineus (Hygrophorus), 219

 virosa (Amanita), 23

 viscidus (Gomphidius), 349

 vitrea (Mycena), 125

 volemus (Lactarius), 178

 volvacea (Volvaria), 242

 volvatus (Polyporus), 411

 vulgaris (Mycena), 129

 vulgaris (Polyporus), 409

 vulgare (Crucibulum), 520

 vulgare (Scleroderma), 555

 vulpinus (Lentinus), 226

 Wrightii (Lycoperdon), 546

 zanthopus (Didymius), 578

 zephira (Mycena), 129

 zonata (Collybia), 112

 zonatum (Hydnum), 441

Transcriber's Notes:

Images have been moved from original locations to correspond with theirrespective descriptions. 

Accents are not always consistently used, especially in headings, illustrations and indexes. These were left as in the original. 

Page 3

myselium

Changed to: mycelium

Page 18

Veril arachnoid

Changed to: Veil arachnoid

Page 23

Lotos-eaters

Unchanged: Acceptable old spelling. 

Page 50

L. H[oe]matosperma

Changed to: L. Hæmatosperma

Page 78

Tricholoma cartilaginea

Changed to: Tricholoma cartilagineum

Page 95

Clitocybe metachora. Fr. 

Changed to Clitocybe metachroa. Fr. 

Pages 99, 140, 153, 161, 339, 345, 453 and 511. 

cinerous

Changed to: cinereous

Pages 120, 245, 262, 278 and 325. 

companulate

Changed to: campanulate

Pages 124 and 410. 

tenaceous

Changed to: tenacious

Page 128

Pileus is small, convex, expanded, obtuse, slightly viscid, striate, quite [blue?] when young, growing brownish with blue fibrils. 

Missing word after quite may be 'blue'. Added. 

Page 130

These plants have a wide distribution and [are?] found on branches, among moss and dead leaves. 

Missing word 'are' added. 

Page 148

Fagineus means belonging to beach. 

Changed to: Fagineus means belonging to beech. 

Page 148

The stem is short, hollow, pub scent, Changed to: The stem is short, hollow, pubescent, Page 182

The stem is solid, blunt, pub scent, Changed to: The stem is solid, blunt, pubescent, Page 192

minutely echmulate, Changed to: minutely echinulate, Page 281

myselium

Changed to: mycelium

Page 286

Its dingy appearance, slender habit, more uniform and darker color ofthe pileus, and darker color of the lamellæ. 

Sentence has no verb. It appears to be a comparison to the beforementioned F. Spumosa. No change. 

Page 296

whitish, tinged with lilacs. 

Changed to: whitish, tinged with lilac. 

Page 319

The plants in figure [259?] were found in Haynes' Hollow andphotographed by Dr. Kellerman. 

Added figure number, assuming it to be the figure pertaining to thisarticle. 

Page 349

long to 1 1-5 lines

Meaning unknown: May be 1 1/5 or 1 1/2 lines? Unchanged. 

Page 392

Polyporus Berkelyi

Changed to Polyporus Berkeleyi

Page 417

obsoletely zoned, purverulent

Changed to: obsoletely zoned, pulverulent

Page 475

It is a small plant resembling, in minature, Changed to: It is a small plant resembling, in miniature, Page 508

sessible, at first

Changed to: sessile, at first

Page 513

Asci are cylindrical; spores spindle-shaped, straight or bow-shaped, rough, 35-8;

Dimensions don't make sense. It may be 35x8, as this is spindle-shaped. Unchanged. 

Page 559

Caulogossum/Cauloglossum

Both spellings used; unchanged. 

Page 604

clavata (Spathularia), Changed to: clavata (Spathularia), 500

Page referring to Spathularia. 

Several instances of porus, which I think mean porous, are unchanged asthe use is consistent throughout. 

The suffixes 'ceus' and 'ceous' are used interchangably, sometimeswithin the same paragraph. 

Sometimes numbers like 1-1000 and 1-800 may mean 1\1000 and 1\800respectively. 

Measurements are apparently taken from various sources and use severalstandards, like mm. , mc. , MM. , cm. , lines, inches and µ. Sometimes theunits of measurement are lacking and I assume they are µ for sporesizes. None are changed.