X 



INTRODUCTION. 



an oval figure while young, conical v/hen full grown, and in decay lacerates 

 and diflblves -, that of the annulatus, globular while young, when full 

 grown bell-fhaped, and withers in decay. The gills in the fimitarhis turn 

 from a red to a black colour, and melt into a black inky fluid ; thofe of 

 the annulatus change to a pale brown, and wither. In thejimitarius, the 

 curtain vanifhes as foon as it has performed its office ; in the annulatus, it 

 abides after its feparation from the pileus, and remains upon the Item to 

 the lad. 



As a previous knowledge of the parts of an Agaric, will be neceffary 

 to the making the above obfervations, it may not be judged improper to 

 give a fhort and plain explanation of them referring to the figures in the 

 plate, at the head of this introduction. 



Explanation of the Plate. 



Fig.' A. 



^Reprefents a young plant of the Agaricus mufcarius, cloven down- 

 right, to fhew the fituatieiL-of the root, Item, and pileus, while the plant 

 is yet furrounded by the volva; tfrs^curtain is removed to fhew the fitua- 

 tion of the gills. Fig. i, the volva. Fig. 4, the gills. 



Fig. B. 



The fame plant, reprefented as a little advanced in growth, to fliew 

 the manner in which the volva, Jig. 1, is torn by the increafe of the 

 pileus and fte.m. 



Fig. C. 



Shews the curtain, Jig. 3, extended from the ftem to the rim of the 

 pileus, unbroken, and performing its office. Fig. 2. the pileus or hat. 



F 1 G. 



