Jakob E. Lange: Studies in the Agarics of Denmark. II. 17 



makes it possible more definitely to characterise the groups and 

 point out their boundary-lines. 



Some of these microscopic characteristics are not altogether 

 »new« characters. F. inst. the nature of the coating on the 

 surface of the cap is — even to the naked eye very 



different in such species as L. amianthina, L. acutesquamosa 

 and L. clypeolaria. But by means of the magnifying lens its 

 nature can be more accurately ascertained, it can be seen, 

 whether it consists of globular cells, cy lindr i c cells or 

 f i la ment s etc. 



The microscopic characteristics which I have found most 

 useful for classification-purposes in this genus are: 1) the form 

 and size of the spores, 2) the nature of the universal 

 veil (coating on surface of cap), 3) the presence or absence 

 of cystidia (and their form and size). — As far as I have 

 been able to ascertain all the Lepiotas have 4-spored basidia 

 (never 2, as is occasionally the case in some other genera). 



Spores. — Within this genus the spores vary, I think, more 

 in size and shape than in nearly all other genera, ranging from 

 3 u- to almost 20 |i in length, from subrotund or ovate to 

 fusiform or almost projectile-shaped. Especially the two 

 latter kinds of spore are particular to this genus. The projectile- 

 shaped spore is met with in quite a number of species, but 

 more or less pronounced. It is characterised by a lateral 

 pedicel and a (somewhat obliquely) truncate base; in extreme 

 cases the basal part, opposite the pedicel, is drawn out into a 

 kind of »heel«, so as to make the entire spore almost angular 

 or bicornute. 



The coating on the cap is made up either of globular cells or 

 of filaments. In some cases both forms are found. The sur 

 face of the cap will consequently be either mealy, granulate, 

 felty or pilose-squamose. 



Cystidia are present or wanting in very closely related 

 species; hence this character cannot be used for characterising 

 the principal tribes, but only minor sub-divisions. They vary 

 in outline from subglobular to hair-shaped. 



The details of the classification here propounded will 

 be seen in the Key. It must however be born in mind — in 

 judging of the merits or demerits of this systematic arran- 

 gement — that it only comprizes the species found by me. 

 Thus the group B of Fries (the species with a viscid cuticle) is 



