128 Rhodora [JUNE 
by the extreme fragility of the stem, which, in spite of its compara- 
tively large size, and evidently “cartilaginous” exterior, broke fre- 
quently of its own weight as soon as the upper portion was freed 
from its supports. 
Examination showed the plant to be a Naucoria, closely related 
to the four Friesian species JV. Zugubris, N. festiva, N. Christinae, 
and A. Ailaris, of which Fries observes (Hymenomycetes Europaei, 
p. 254.) that they form a remarkably distinct natural group. Dr. 
Farlow, to whom the fungus was submitted for determination, referred 
it to AA Christinae, with the information that it had not before been 
recorded for this country. 
On account of some discrepancies between the plants found and 
the diagnosis as given by Fries, most of which, however, can prob- 
ably be reconciled, the description and the main part of the re- 
marks given in his Icones (vol. IL, p. 20) are translated here in 
order that they may be compared with notes from fresh plants : 
" AGARICUS CHRISTINAE. — Pileus fleshy, thin, acutely conical, 
viscous, when moist bright cinnamon, when dry tawny, shining, 
growing pale; stipe fistulose, tough, deeply rooted, glabrous, dull 
blood-red; lamellae free, close, pallid, then bright saffron yellow. 
* A most splendid fungus, with somewhat the stature of Wygro- 
phorus comicus. Veil none. Stipe remarkably cartilaginous, very 
tough, unicolorous or paler above, at length bay, 3 to 4 inches long, 
1 to 2 lines thick. Commonly with 4 to 6 elevated ridges radiating 
from the umbo; in wet weather sometimes strongly viscid, sometimes 
only moist, margin at first cracked, somewhat repand as if lobed; 
color varies blood-red, cinnamon, and rusty-red. Flesh thin, con- 
colorous. Lamellae, free or slightly adnexed, receding, bare (not 
pulverulent), somewhat spotted. Spores ferruginous." 
Though young specimens are acutely conical for a long time, the 
mature form is very broadly conical, with a sharp umbo; the surface 
is smooth, but marked (under a hand lens) with fine, close lines, 
which radiate from the apex of the umbo; the pileus is somewhat 
hygrophanous, the margin faintly striate when moist, and becoming 
revolute with age; the crowded lamellae appear to be free, but are 
always slightly adnexed, with an average breadth 2 to 3 times the 
thickness of the cap; their color varies from pale yellow to dark fer- 
ruginous ; the stem is very fragile, but on wilting becomes tough, as 
described by Fries; it turns black on drying, as does the whole plant. 
The radicating portion is three or four times as long as the part above 
