19 



The Coprhnis ornttcs, '■'■Oiud (yojniniis,'' a closely allied species, is sim- 

 ilar to the comatus, but suialler, more ovate in sbai^e and delicate iu flavor, 

 less deli(|uescent ; stem usually f of an inch long. The Coprinus atnt- 

 nieiit<trii(x has a monsc-oray or brownish cap with irro^ailar margin, 

 slightly striated. It is not shaggy, but is spotted with minute innate 

 punctate scales. The stem is hollow, somewhat ringed when young. 

 Spores elliptical, black. 



Coprimts micaceous is a very common species, and is found generally 

 in clusters on old tree stumps or on decaying wood. The cap is thin and 

 of a reddish bufi' or ochraceous tint, often showing a sprinkling of glis- 

 tening micaceous scales or granules ; gills crowded, whitish. It is at 

 first ovate or bell-shaped, then expanding; striated. The stem is white, 

 slender, and hollow, not ringed. The spores in this species are a very 

 dark brown, which is unusual in the genus Coprinns. 



It is generally found in decaying wood or old tree-stumps, growing in 

 dense clusters. 



Prof. Peck says: "European writers do not record the ^Glistening 

 coprinns ' among the edible species, perhaps because of its small size. 

 But it compensates for its lack of size by its frequency and abundance. In 

 tenderness and delicacy it does not appear to be at all inferior to the 

 ^Shaggy coprinns. ' " 



Explanation of Plate II. 

 Coprinus comatus Fr. llie Shaggy Maned Mushroom. 



Fig. 1. A young plant. 



Fig. 2. A plant partly expanded, exposing tlie tender pink of the gills. 



Fig. 3. A mature plant, bell-shaped and shaggy, with movable ring de- 

 tached from the cap, and with stem unequal and rooting. 



Fig. 4. A sectional view, showing hollow stem, thin cap, and broad, free, 

 linear gill. 



Fig. 5. Spores black. 



AGARICINI 



Leucospori (spokes white, or yellowish.) 



Genus Marasmins Fries.— Tough dry shrivelling fungi — not putres- 

 cent, reviving when moistened ; veil none. Stem cartilaginous or horny. 

 Gills tough, rather distant, edge acute and entire. M. C. Cooke. 



A characteristic of the species of this genus is their tendency to wither 

 with drought and revive with moisture. This biological characteristic is 

 of great importance in determining the true IMarasmii. The plants are 

 usually small and of little substance. 



Cooke divides the Marasmii into three tribes, and these again into 

 several subdivisions. In the division Scortei of this genus are classed 

 three species which are described in the works of most of the Continental 

 writers ; the Marasmius oreades, which has recognized value as an escu- 

 lent, Marasmius urens and Marasmius peronatus, which have the repu- 

 tation of being acrid and unwholesome. 



