White-spored Series 



centric, straight, or curved; firm, solid, equal, or tapering at 



the base. 2-4 inches long. 

 Ring or Annuius — None. 

 Spores — White. 

 F/esh—\Mh\iQ. 

 Time — June to August. 

 Habitat — On wood; common on railroad ties. 



GENUS PLEUROTUS 



In the genus Pleiirotus the stem is attached to the cap at 

 some point to one side of the centre. The stem may be on the 

 very margin of the cap, or may be wanting altogether. The 

 three species to be mentioned all grow on dead wood — either on 

 dead trees or on dead branches of living trees. 



> The name Pleiirotus comes from a Greek word meaning 

 side, and has reference to the position of the stem. 



Oyster Mushroom (Edible) 



Pleurottis ostreatus 



Cap or Pileus — Fleshy, convex, smooth, and moist. White, 



or tinted with ash colour or brown. 

 Gills or Lamellce — White, or tinted with ash ; broad ; growing down 



the stem, and 



branching again 



and again at the 



base. 

 Stem or Stipe — Short 



or wanting. 

 Spores — White, ob- 

 long. 



/'/^j-/-!— White, tough. Section of P. ostreatus 



Time — September. 



Habitat — On dead wood. The specimens pictured were found 



growing on a dead forest tree at Lake Placid. The largest 



shells measured four inches across. 



Plu-ro'-tus Os-tre-a'-tOs 



57 



