202 



AGARICUS. 



ciitopiius. Subgenus XIV. CLITOPILUS (K\ITOS = K\ITVS, a declivity ; 

 TT?AOS, a cap). Fr. Epicr. p. 148. Rosy-spored. Stem fleshy or 



fibrous, diffused upwards into the pi- 

 leus, the margin of which is at first 

 involute. Hymenophore continuous 

 with the stem; gills equally attenuated 

 behind and somewhat decurrent, not 

 separating or sinuate. Growing on 

 the ground, often strong-smelling, pi- 

 letis more or less depressed or umbil- 

 icate, with a similarly coloured um- 

 bilicus. Fr. Hym. Eur. p. 197. 



Ciitopiius corresponds with Clito- 

 cybe, and differs from Entoloma as 

 Clitocybe differs from Tricholoma. 



I. Orcelli (A. Orcella). Gills deeply decur- 



XV. Agaricus (Ciitopiius) prunu- re nt. Pileus irregular, somewhat excentric, 

 his. One-third natural size. flexuous, scarcely hygrophanous, margin at 



first fiocculose. 



II. Sericelli (slightly silky). Pileus regular, silky or hygrophanous-silky, 

 margin involute, naked. Gills adnate, slightly decurrent. 



I. ORCELLI. 



444. A. prunulus Scop. Pileus 5-10 cent. (2-4 in.) broad, 

 white or more rarely becoming cinereous, truly fleshy, compact, 

 convex then flattened, and at length depressed and repand or 

 unequal, delicately pruinate, hence the surface is unpolished and 

 dry; flesh thick, white, unchangeable. Stem 2.5 cent, (i in.) 

 and more long, about 12 mm. (^ in.) thick, solid, firm, somewhat 

 ventricose, naked, often striate, white, villous at the base. Gills 

 deeply decurrent, attenuated at both ends and chiefly behind, 

 somewhat distant, quite entire, white then flesh-colour. 



The pileus is always firm, never viscid, and not zoned or spotted. The gills 

 are less crowded than those of A. Orcella. Odour pleasant, of new meal. 

 There is a white variety (Quel. t. 5. /. 3 and Orcella/. 2), which forms a 

 connecting link with A. Orcella. A. prunulus Viviani t. 3 represents A. 

 graveolens. 



In woods and open ground. Common. July-Oct. 



It has been reckoned among the most delicious of edible species, and it has 

 the advantage of appearing early in the season. It may also be dried and 

 preserved for future use. It is easily distinguished by the pure pink gills run- 

 ning a considerable way down the stem, and by its fragrant scent of fresh 

 meal. It never appears anywhere in profusion. Spores 10-16x6 mk. K.; 

 12-14x4-6 mk. B. ; nx6mk. W.G.S. Name prumis, plum. Scop. Carn. 

 ii. p. 437. Fr. Monogr. i. p. 279. Hym. Eur. p. 197. Sverig. alt. Sv. t. 19. 



