14 



at the base, in others showing tapering root. Specimens occur in which 

 the ring is wanting or only traces of it appear in the form of scales en- 

 circling the stem. Veil usually firm, membraneous, and encircling the 

 stem in a well-pronounced ring or collar, but sometimes filmy as a spider's 

 web, in very young specimens hiding the gills, but breaking apart as the 

 cap expands. 



Manner of growth csespitose, generally on decayed tree stumps, al- 

 though the group figured in the plate was found growing on moist sand, 

 mixed with clay, on a roadside in Hynesbury Park. 



Authors differ wideh' as to the value of this species as an esculent. I have 

 only eaten the very young and small specimens when cooked, and found 

 them very palatable. A Boston mycophagist records it as " very good," 

 fried after five minutes' boiling in salted water. Prof. Peck, having tried it, 

 considers it " a perfectly safe species, but not of first-rate quality." It is 

 very common in Maryland and Virginia, and in the mountain districts 

 prolific. I have talked with Bohemians and with Germans who have gath- 

 ered it inbasketfuls in the vicinity of the District of Columbia, who speak 

 well of it, considering it a valuable addition to the table. Its prolific 

 growth makes it valuable to those who like it. There are no species re- 

 corded as dangerous in this group. 



Ag. (Armillaria) robustus, a very stout species, with a fleshy, compact, 

 smooth cap, bay color or tawny, occurs in the Maryland woods, and in 

 the open woods of the Massachusetts coast. 



AGAKICINI. Fries. 



Genus CanthareUus Adans. In the plants of this genus the hymeno- 

 phore or fleshy substance of the cap is continuous with the stem. They 

 are fleshy, membranaceous, and putrescent, having neither veil, ring, nor 

 volva. The stem is central, except in a few species, where it is lateral. 

 A characteristic of the genus which separates it from other genera of the 

 Agaricini is the vein-like appearance of the gills. They are very shallow 

 and so obtuse on the edges as to present the appearance of a network of 

 swollen branching veins. They are usually decurrent and anastomosing. 

 It is a small genus. Cooke figures nineteen species. Among the de- 

 scribed species C. cibarius is the only one whose edible qualities have 

 been highly recommended. C. umbonatus, a very small plant, found in 

 eastern Massachusetts is commended by those who have eaten it. 

 The}' are usually found in woods, and amongst moss. One species, C. 

 carhonatus, is found upon charred ground. 



Plate VII. 



CanthareUus cibarius Fries. "77tc Edible Ohantarelle." 



Edible. 



Cap a rich golden yellow, like the yolk of an egg ; at first convex, later 

 concave and turbinated ; margin sinuous, undulate, smooth, shining, and 



