CLAVIS AGAEICINORUM. 143 



determined in naming an Agaric is to ascertain the colour of the spores. 

 The specimens used for study should always be perfectly fresh and, if 

 possible, young, as in many species the characters, especially of the veil 

 and colour, are evanescent. To beginners the habitat also will be found 

 of considerable importance.* The genera are printed in italics, and 

 the subgenera in Roman type. The numbers prefixed to the sub- 

 genera will enable the reader to refer at once to the Plates, where the 

 numbers correspond. 



I. Spores white, or very slightly tinted. — Leiicospori. 



* Plant fleshy, more or less firm, putrescent (neither 



deliquescent nor coriaceous), 

 t Hymeiiophorum free. 



Pileus bearing warts or patches free from 



the cuticle 1. Amanita. 



Pileus scaly, scales conci'ete with the cuticle . 2. Lepiota. 

 + Hymenophorum confluent. 

 X Without cartilaginous bark. 

 § Stem central. 



II With a ring 3. Aemiilaria. 



II Ringless. 



Gills sinuate 4. Teicholosia. 



Gills decurrent. 



Separating from the hymenophorum 5. LEPISTA. 

 Not separating from the hymeno- 

 phorum. 



Edge acute 5. Clitoctbe. 



Edge swollen \\. CANTHARELLUS. 



Gills adnate. 



Plants parasitic on other Agarics . 12. NYCTALIS. 

 Not parasitic. 



Milky 9. LACTARIUS. 



Not milky. 



Rigid and brittle 10. RUSSULA. 



Waxy ........ 7. HYGROPHORUS. 



§ Stem lateral or absent 6. Pleuhotus. 



X With a cartilaginous bark. 



Gills decurrent 9. Omphalia. 



Gills not decurrent. 



* Being anxious to procure fresh specimens of new and rare species for 

 an illustrated work on the British Hymenomycetes now in hand, I append my 

 address. Each Fungus should be wrapped separately in thin paper to prevent 

 bruising. Under three-quarters of a pound in weight will travel by sample 

 post for 3d. if no letter is enclosed. 



12, North Grove West, Mildmay Park, London. 



