26 Journal of the Mitchell Society [Odoher 



16. Gills split along the edge into two plates which roll outward when 

 dry; plant sessile on wood ScMzopTiyllum 



16. Gills not as above 17 



17. Stem easily separating from the cap, central; cap toughish-leathery, 



thin, reviving to its original shape when moistened after drying, 

 usually small and growing on wood Marasmius 



17. Stem continuous with the cap or none, not separating easily, all grow- 



ing on wood 18 



18. Gills blunt on the margin, fold-like and irregular; plants small, reviv- 



ing when moistened, small, laterally sessile or hanging Trogia 



18. Gills not as above 19 



19. Gills toothed on the edge Lentinus 



19. Gills not toothed on the edge Panus 



B. Spores rosy pink or salmon, or flesh color, or brownish pink or ochra- 

 ceous pink or pinkish brick-color, or chestnut; and in most species the 

 spores are irregularly angular or warted. In some (as Claudopus 

 variabilis) the spore color is exactly intermediate between the typical 

 pinkish color of this section and the ochraceous color of the next. The 

 presence of any pink tint will indicate this group. Veil absent; a volva 

 present only in Volvaria. 



1. Stem lateral or none; growing on wood Claudopus 



1. Stem central 2 



2. Stem readily separating from the cap; gills free 3 



2. Stem and cap of the same texture and not separating without tearing 



up ; gills attached or almost free 4 



3. Stem with a cup-like volva at the base Volvaria 



3. Stem without a volva Pluteus 



4. Gills sinuate (notched at stem) or almost free, or squarely attached 



and with a slightly decurrent tooth in some cases (distinctly decur- 

 rent only in Leptonia formosa var. ) 5 



4. Gills decurrent 7 



5. Stem fleshy to fibrous Entoloma 



5. Stem with the texture of cartilage 6 



6. Margin incurved when young Leptonia 



6. Margin straight even when young Nolanea 



7. Stem fleshy to fibrous Clitopilus 



7. Stem with the texture of cartilage Eccilia 



C. Spores ochraceous, or rust color, or rusty-brown or dingy vinaceous- 

 brown; the gills more or less similarly colored at maturity. (Certain 

 species of Russula, a genus placed in the white spored group, have 

 decidedly ochraceous or yellow spores, but these may be distinguished 

 by the fragile-brittle texture due to the globular cells that make up 

 the flesh of the cap.) 



1. Gills usually separating with ease from the cap, veined be- 

 tween, usually anastomosing or forking; cap margin always 

 inrolled Paxillus 



