22 



Bulletin 138. 



and so this plant is placed in the genus* Lepiota instead of in 

 Af:;aricns^ though all the other generic characters are identical. 



A few specific points might be described more in detail. The 

 pileus is usually (juite smooth, though in some specimens the surface 

 shows numerous very fine cracks, which give it a granular appearance. 

 The pileus is usually very symmetrical, rounded when young and 

 strongly convex when mature. The flesh is soft and white, but 

 remains much firmer in age, and when picked, than does that of 

 A-;anciis caDipestris. 



The veil is also firmer than in the case of Agaric ics campestris. It 



separates cleanly 

 from the margin of 

 the pileus, as well 

 as from the stem, 

 so that it forms a 

 perfect collar or 

 ring, which in spme 

 cases may be 

 moved on the stem. 

 The lines of separa- 

 tion and the firm 

 veil are clearly 

 shown in the plant 

 at the left hand in 

 figure 102. In old 

 specimens the ring 

 sometimes is torn, 

 and may disappear. 

 The stem is near- 

 ly cylindrical, 5-10 

 cm. (2-4 inches) long and ^^-1% cm. in diameter, and is slightly en- 

 larged or bulbous below. It is nearly hollow, as shown in figure 103, 

 though tin's cylindrical space is usually stuffed with loose cottony 

 tlireads. 



The Lepiotii naucina is aii edible species, and is valued as highly 

 :i.j the Agaric lis campestris by many who have eaten it. 



Like the Agaricus canpesiiis it is also an P^uropean species. 



104. — Lcpiola naucina. Vicv of gills on 

 tinder stirface of pileus. 



'■'•' Subgenus accordiiij^ to some. 



