CLASSIFICATION OF AGARICS 207 



the base of the stem or upon the pileus. In a tew instances LI 

 forms a movable ring upon the stem in C. comatus, C. bulbUosus 

 and frequently in C. sterquilvnus : In the lasl Darned Bpecies tin- 

 veil may form a distinct volva ai the base of the sicni. The taste is 

 mild ami the odor is usually pleasant. A few species, as C quad- 

 rifidus and V. narcoticus, have ti strong disagreeable odor. None of 

 the species of Coprinus are considered poisonous and manj are 

 highly esteemed by the myeophagist. 



The spores are very dark brown or sooty black in mass. By 

 transmitted lighl they vary from lighl brown t<> very dark brown « »r 

 smoky black. There is a wide variation in the size and Bhape of 

 the spores. Some species may be identified by the spores alone as 

 C. insigniSy C. boudieri and some forms of C. ephemcrus, etc. 



The genus can be divided into two fairly distinct groups (see 

 Massee, Ann. Bot., Vol. 10, p. 123, 1890) according to the size of the 

 plant and the thickness of tlesh or cuticle covering the gills; these 

 groups can be further subdivided into sections as follows: 



A. Pelliculosi : 



I . I 'oinati 



1 1. Atramentarii 

 ill. Picacei 

 IV. Tomentosi 



V. Micacei 

 VI. Glabrati (No species reported) 



B. Veliformes: 



VIL Cyclodei 



VIII. Lanulati 



IX. Furfurelli 



X. Hemerobii 



Key to the Species 



i.\i Plants large, usually ever 3 cm. broad; pileus fleshy or sub-fleatay. 

 i a i Pileus with cuticle torn into distinct scales nr almost smooth. 

 (In Cuticle torn Into distinct scales; ring or volva present. 



(c) Spores over 20 micr. long; volva usually evident. 188. C. 



sterguilinus Fr. 

 (cc) Spores less than 20 micr. long; movable ring usually | 

 upon stem 

 id i Pileus cylindrical; spores 15-17 micr. long. 1S6. C. comatu* 



Ft. 

 (dd) Pilous ovate; spores less than 15 micr. long. IS". C. 

 ovatits Fr. 

 i lib I Pileus smooth or with innate fibrils. 



(c) Spores smooth, plants usually densely caespitose. 180. C. 



atramentarius Fr. 

 (cc) Spores distinctly warted. 190. C. insignia Pk. 

 (aai Cuticle not torn Into scales: veil breaking up Into superficial 

 patches, scales, or granules. 



