Iieucosporee 



Its spores darken when shed in quantity, have a granulated and light- ciitocybc. 

 lilac appearance. It is a solitary grower, sometimes reaching the height 

 of six inches. The upturned, wavy pileus, showing the purple gills in 

 contrast with the pale Naples-yellow of the cap is markedly attractive. 

 The stem is often rough with fibers, hard and tough. The caps are 

 tough. It grows in grassy woods and open places. The novice, even 

 the expert, will be puzzled to place it in its genus. 



Specimens were sent to me by Miss Lydia M. Patchen, Westfield, 

 N. Y., and E. B. Sterling, Trenton, N. J. I afterward found many at 

 Mt. Gretna, Pa. I reported their edible qualities to Prof. Peck who 

 wrote, September 3, 1897: "I have often wished it was edible, but it 

 has such a disagreeable flavor when fresh that I have never ventured to 

 eat it. I have known it to be mistaken for the common mushroom, 

 but not eaten. " 



Though tough it cooks tender and is excellent. Stew and put in 

 patties or croquettes. 



VI. ORBIFOR'MES. 

 * Gills becoming ash-colored. 



C. di'topa Fr. Gr. twofold ; Gr. a foot. Probably from stems 

 growing two together. Pileus thin, submembranaceous, convex, rarely 

 with a small umbo, smooth, hygrophanous, brown when young and 

 moist, grayish-white when dry. Gills grayish, close, thin, attached, 

 not decurrent. Stem slender, equal, smooth, hollow. 



Height 1-2 in., breadth of pileus 6-18 lines. Stem 1-2 lines thick. 



Pine woods. West Albany. October. 



The plant has the odor and taste of new meal. I have seen no speci- 

 mens with the pileus depressed. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot. 



C. meta'cliroa Fr. Gr. changing color. Separated from C. ditopa 

 by its thicker, depressed pileus, its thicker, less close gills, and the ab- 

 sence of odor. 



Pine woods. West Albany. October. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. 

 State Bot. 



Moderately plentiful in New Jersey pines. September to October. 



Edible, tough; when well stewed of good flavor. 



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