GUIDE TO THE MODELS OF FUNGI. 



23 



when ruptured, remains as a sheath or volva at the base of the mature 

 fungus, as shown on the larger section. All the species of Volvaria 

 are more deliquescent than Agarics in 

 general. They grow in woods, gardens, 

 by roadsides, and in hothouses. One 

 remarkable species, A. Loveianus, grows 

 parasitically upon the pileus oiA. nebularis. 

 None of the species are edible ; the larger 

 species are sometimes mistaken for mush- 

 rooms. One large species, A.gloiocephalus, 

 has a very unpleasant odour and is said to 

 be poisonous. 



42. Agaricus volvaceus Bull. — Pileus 

 campanulate, then expanded, obtuse, 

 cinereous, streaked with adpressed black 

 fibrils ; gills free, flesh-coloured ; stalk Fig. i4.-Type form of Voivana. 

 white, solid, and almost equal; volva AgaricusvoivaceusBuli. (One- 



' ' ^ ' fifth natural size.) 



large, lax. 



A. volvaceus is a magnificent Agaric well represented in the 

 model ; it grows usually by grassy roadsides, and is often a great 

 nuisance in hothouses from its profuse growth and luxuriance upon 

 spent tan. When growing in a hothouse the mycelium often reaches 

 from the floor to the shelves by climbing the wall. As in the case 

 of the mushroom, the mycelium sometimes pierces the mortar 

 between the bricks and produces a second crop outside the building. 



It is remarkable that Sowerby has modelled an example with an 

 ample ring round the stem : Volvaria should have none. Sowerby's 

 ringed example, if true to nature, would suggest Amanita. 



SuB-GENUS II. Pluteus. — There are thirteen British species of 

 PluteuSy only one of which is represented by a model. All the species 



are beautiful ; some are very large in size, 

 others are most brilliant in colour. All 

 the species have ringless stems and free 

 gills, and grow on or near stumps, or on 

 sticks or sawdust. None are edible ; the 

 odour of some is faint and unpleasant. 

 Pluteus agrees in structure with Hiatula 

 and Plutcolus; but the spores are rosy, 

 not white or brown. 



43. Agaricus cervinusSchseft. — Pileus 

 fleshy, campanulate, then expanded, when 

 young smooth and slightly viscid, at ma- 

 turity dry, fibrillose and streaked, fuli- 



Fie. 15.— Type lonn ot Pluteus. . .. n • u u tU 



Agaricus cervinus Schajff. gmous, sometmies yellowish-brown ; the 

 (One-quarter natural size.) flgsh is white and firm ; gills free, crowded, 

 ventricose, white, then flesh-coloured ; stem solid, firm, equal, white 

 externally striate with black fibrils^ sometimes excentric. 



