18 



AGAEICINI. 



COPEINAKII (spokes BLACK OR NEAELY SO). 



Genus Coprinus Fries. Hymenophore distinct from the stem. Gills 

 membranaceous, at first coherent from the pressure, then dissolving into 

 a black fluid. Trama obsolete. Spores, oval, even, black. M. C. Cooke. J| 



The plants of this genus have been divided into two tribes, viz., Pelli- 

 culosi and Veliforniis. In the Felliculosi the gills of the mushrooms 

 are covered with a fleshy or membranaceous cuticle, hence the cap is not 

 furrowed along the lines of the gills, but is torn and revolute. In this 

 tribe are included the Comati, Atrmnentarii, Picacei, Tomentosi, 

 Micacio and Glahrati. In the tribe 'Veliforniis the plants are generally 

 very small, and the cap much thinner than in those of the Pelliculosi, 

 soon showing distinct furrows along the back of the gills, which quickly 

 melt into very thin lines. The stem is thin and fistulose. 



Cordier states that all the species of Coprinus are edible when young 

 and fresh. This is probably true, but most of them have so little sub- 

 stance and are so ephemeral as to be of small value for food purposes. 

 C. comatus, C. atramentarius, C. viieaceus, and C ovatus have the 

 preference with most mycophogists, but even these soon melt, and should 

 be gathered promptly and cooked immediately to be of use for the table. 



Plate II. 

 Coprinus comatus Fries. Maned or Shaggy Coprinus. 



Edible. 



Cap at first oblong or cylindrical, then campanulate, the cuticle break- 

 ing into shaggy fibrous scales, color whitish, the scales generally yellow 

 or yellowish, margin revolute and lacerated, soon becoming black. Gills 

 linear, free, and close together, at first white, then pink or purplish, 

 turning to black. Stem hollow or slightly stuffed, nearly equal, some- 

 what fibrillose, with bulb solid; the ring movable or very slightly 

 adherent, generally disappearing as the plant matures. Spores oval, 

 black, .0005 to .0007 in. long. 



This species is found in abundance in different parts of the United 

 States, generally in rich soil, in pastures, by roadsides, in dumping lots, etc. 

 Of late years quantities have been gathered in the lawn surrounding the 

 Capitol grounds, and in the parks of the District of Columbia, as well as 

 in the debris of the wooden block pavements used for surface soiling 

 gardens in vicinity of the capital. They have been offered for sale in 

 oj)€u market as low as 25 cents per pound. 



A correspondent from Eochester, New York, states that in a patch of 

 his grounds which had been quarried out and filled with street sweepings 

 the Coprinus comatus appeared in such cjuautities as to make it impossible 

 to walk over the space without stepping upon them, and that he was able 

 to gather from this small space from one to two bushels at a time in the 

 spring and the fall. In flavor the C. comatus resembles the cultivated 

 mushroom, though perhaps more delicate. 



