Order Hymenomtcetes. Tribe Pileati. 



Plate XXXVI. 



AGARICUS RADICATUS, i2./te. 



Rooting Agaric. 



Series Leucosporus.' 



Sub-genus Clitocybe.^ Sub-division Rhizopodes.^ 



Spec. Cliar. A. eadicatus. Pileus tlu-ee inches or more across, at fii-st hemhpheincaUy convex, (not companu- 

 late) then flat, slightly umbonate, wrinkled from the centre, in age turned up at the margin ; when moist wry viscid, 

 smooth, (not tomentose) watery-umber with a semi-pellucid appearance. Flesh white, very thin, in old specimens 

 none. Gills watery-white or wax-colour, unequal, distant, veii/ricose, adnate with a tooth. Stem from four to eight 

 inches high, about a quarter of an inch thick, smooth like glass, (not velvety,) shining, twisted, splitting longitudin- 

 ally, tough, stu£fed with silky fibres, hollow in age, rufescent, equal, but thickening, at the base only, (not gradually 

 from the summit) into a fusiform, sub-bidbous root, terminating in a fibrous radicle, the whole root penetrating 

 about four inches into the earth. 

 Agaricus radicatus, Tries. 



Hah. In parks and old woodlands, near trees, common ; autumn. 



That Rellian's description of Agaricus radicatus includes the true Pungus intended above^ is probable ; 

 but he and several other authorities confound with it the very singular and interesting A.piidens of Persoon, 

 which Fries considers distinct fi'om this commoner Agaric. 



Not to multiply species unnecessarily is an excellent rule ; but in these two plants there are some 

 differences so remarkable, that although they may fairly claim a brotherly relation, they can scarcely be the 

 same amiable individual, (Agaricus pudens,) wliich we shall hereafter present, to allow comparison, having 

 been fortunate in making a very characteristic portrait of it. It wlQ then be the proper time to discriminate 

 further the differences we have pointed attention to in the specific character of A. radicatus. To those 

 particulars there is little to add beyond what the drawing will supply. In a favourable state there is much 

 elegance about the form of the half-expanded pileus, and the plant carries itself gracefully, being nothing 

 like so fragile as it appears ; the tough t-nisted stem, indeed, cannot easily be broken asunder. It owes no 



' From XevKos, white, and a-Tropos, seed. Spores white. 



2 From kKitvs, a steep or declivity, and ku/Stj, a head, alluding to the shape of the pileus when young. Veil 

 none. Pileus convex when young, not umbihcate, at length depressed or infundibuliform. GiUs unequal, juiceless, 

 unchangeable, tough, variously fixed or free. 



8 From piCa, a root, and TroCr, afoot. Pileus fleshy, viscid; Gills sub-adfixed. Stem rooting. 



