54 AGARICINI. 



Genus X. VOIyVARIA. Fr. Volva, a wrapper. 



Rosy-spored. Universal veil free, persistent, distinct from 

 the epidermis of the pileus (constituting a volva). Hymeno- 

 phore distinct from the stem. The Volvariae are, as it were, 

 Amanitae with rosy spores, but they are more nearly related to 

 the Plutei and the Psalliotse. Gills rounded behind and free, 

 ventricose. 



Volvaria corresponds with Amanita. The species appear 

 early in the year. They grow" chiefly on rotton wood or in 

 rich mould or manured ground ; hence they are more frequent 

 in gardens, hothouses, etc., than in woods. Some are said to 

 be edible, but they soon acquire a disagreeable taste from the 

 rapidity with which they decay. — Stevenson' s British Fungi. 



V. bombycinus. Schaff. Silky Volvaria. 



Pileus, three to eight inches broad, wholly white, fleshy, 

 broadly campanulate, everywhere silk3^ 



Gills, free, broad, ventricose, crowded, light at first, but 

 soon flesh color. 



Stem, three to six inches long, thickened toward the base, 

 with a large volva attached to the base. 



The silky Volvaria, from bonibyx^ silk. Of a beautiful silky lustre. 

 It is the first of the Hyporhodii. It is at first entirely enclosed in a volva, 

 and is deceptive. Easily mistaken for an Amanita. It is to hyporhodii 

 or the salmon-colored spore tribe what Amanita is to leucospori or white- 

 spored tribe. 



The silk agaric is one of the most interesting specimens of the family. 

 It is wonderful to watch the exist of the hymenial parts out of the volva 

 — like unto a chick out of the ^%%. 



Found specimen on a hickory log (Carya), Spring Creek. 



V. parvtilus. Wein. The Small Volvaria. 



This is the smallest of the series, growing in grassy yards, 

 but very characteristic. 



