176 KEPORT OF THE STATE BOTAKIBT. 



appearance, and as this moisture dries the color changes more or 

 less. In the moist state the color is some shade of pale red, buff 

 red or flesh red, but when dry it fades to a grayish or pale 

 ochraceous hue. 



The gills are broad, rather wide apart and attached to the 

 stem by their entire width. Sometimes they are slightl\' decur- 

 rect and occasionally einarginate, contrary totbe generic charac- 

 ter. They have a peculiar pale fleshy red hue which is more 

 persistent than the color of the cap, and which is one of the best 

 characters for the recognition of thespecies. When mature, they 

 are apt to bo dusted by the white spores. 



The stem is rather long and slender, having a fibrous appear- 

 ance and being either straight or flexuous. It is stuffed or 

 almost hollow, rather tough and colored like the cap. 



The cap varies from half an inch to two inches in horizontal 

 diameter, and the stem from one to three inches in length and 

 one to three lines in thickness. 



There are several well marked varieties that have received 

 names. One of the prettiest is the Amethyst variety, Variety 

 amethydina, Figs. 23 to 27, in which the moist cap is much darker 

 colored than in the ordinary form, and when dry it is of a 

 grayish hue, but the gills have a beautiful deep violaceous color 

 which is quite persistent. The spores are rather large and the 

 lamelhc more decurrent than usual. It may be a good species. 



In \'ariety paUiilifoUa, the pale gilled variety, the gills are 

 much paler than usual, being but slightly tinged with the ordinary 

 flesh color. 



In Variety striatula, the striatulate variety, the plants are 

 small, the cap is smooth, and so thin that shadowy lines or 

 striations are seen on it radiating from near the center to the 

 margin. This variety usually grows in very damp or wet places, 

 lis spores are rattier large, which may indicate a good species. 



The Laccate mushroom may be found from the beginning to 

 the end of tlie season, if the weather is not too dry. It is not 

 particular as to its ])lace of growth, but occurs in woods, groves, 

 swamps or open fields, growing on naked ground or among 

 errass, mosses or fallen leaves. It is especially fond of pine woods 

 or groves where the soil is kept shaded and moist. 



Because of itsdoparture from thogoneric character in its peculiar 

 gills and spores it has been placed by some writers in a distinct 



