480 



The Ixky-cap Mushroom (Edibi^e) 

 Cof^rinus atraiiiciifariiis (Bull.) Fries 



The inky-cap is not so pretty as the shaggy-mane, but it occurs 

 under much the same conditions in lawns, parks, and other grassy 

 places, especially if the soil has been richly manured. It grows either 

 singly or in clusters,' sometimes only two or three in a cluster but more 

 often ten to twenty or more. The growth of a large cluster of these 

 mushrooms exhibits consideral^le force, and will lift a very firmly 

 sodded soil. 



The cap is 3 to 10 cm. ( i to 4 inches) broad. It is at first egg- 

 shaped or oval but it becomes expanded as it melts away into an inky 

 fluid. The cap is soft and very tender and the surface is either smooth 

 or scaly. The margin is usually more or less conspicuously ribbed 

 and often is irregul.'irlv notched. The color varies from silvery gray 

 to smoky brown. 



The gills are broad and very close together. They are at first 

 creamy white, then pinkish gray, and finally they become black and 

 dissolve into an inky fluid. This melting away of the gills has been 

 shown to l)e necessary for the liberation of the spores. The spores 

 are black. 



The stem is rather slender, 5 to 12 cm. ( 2 to 5 inches) long, hol- 

 low, smooth, and tapers somewhat upward. It separates from the cap 

 very easily. The ring is rather slight, consisting only of an irregular 

 elevation of threads near the base of the stem. Often it is washed off 

 by rains and disappears altogether. 



Although this mushroom is not so attractive as the shaggy-mane, 

 it is more highly flavored and is considered an excellent species for 

 stewing. Like all species of the genus Coprimis it is very easily di- 

 gested. It should be cooked as soon as gathered, for its keeping quali- 

 ties are very poor. It ma}- be looked for after rains from May until 

 late in the autumn. 



Collected in Champaign county. 



