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four others might be added, were they not so closely allied to those already 
named,* and an ordinary observer would regard all as the same species. There is, 
however, a small Agaric, which is known to the majority of mycologists from its 
strong odour of stinking fish (Agaricus cucumis). It grows on the ground, and 
upon fragments of dead wood, and has red-brown spores. Yet there is an imitator 
in a small fungus with white spores, found in just the same localities, with the 
identical fishy odour. According to all authority and experience, the difference 
in the colour of the spores is not a mere difference of species, but indicates quite a 
separate and distinct group of species. 
Two other species, one having white spores (Agaricus, Clitocybe, parilis) and 
the other pink spores (Agaricus, Clitopilus, popinalis), have very strong external 
resemblances, and yet they are often found growing together. And two very 
similar forms, each with an excentrice stem, found growing on trunks, are so much 
alike in general aspect, that it is absolutely impossible to distinguish the one from 
the other, except by the colour of the spores, which, in one instance, are white 
( Agaricus, Pleurotus, ostreatus ) and the other rosy ( Agaricus, Claudopus, euosmus ). 
They will grow together on the same tree, and in the same season of the year, 
whereas the white spored species is edible, and the pink spored one is said to be 
deleterious. 
We might also instance Agaricus, Tricholoma, nudus, a handsome violet 
species, which, when well grown, is scarce to be distinguished from Cortinarius 
violaceus, except that, in the former, the spores are white, and in the latter rusty. 
Then, also, there are Agaricus T'richoloma, russula, and Hygrophorus erubescens, 
often so much alike that some mycologists contend that both are the same species. 
A similar remark applies also to Agaricus, Mycena, balaninus, and Marasmius 
eruthropus. In fact, we need not multiply instances, as every mycologist knows 
from experience that very many of the species have their analogues in other sec- 
tions, from which, at a casual glance, it is difficult to distinguish them. 
Taking a still wider range of comparison, the Balanophoree, a family of 
flowering plants, are in their parasitic habits, form, colouring, and odour, close 
imitators of fungi. And even if we confine ourselves to the Cryptogamia, we find 
amongst Algz, in the species of Wostoc, a great likeness to Zremella amongst 
fungi. And so again in Lichens we have Lecidea, scarcely distinguishable, except 
by experts, from Patellaria, a genus of fungi. And Baomyces amongst Lichens 
resembles Stilbum in fnngi; as also the Graphideous Lichens are imitated in 
Hysterium, and Platygrapha in Stictis. Equally startling are the resemblances be- 
tween widely separated groups of fungi, as, particularly, the entire Hypogszous 
Gasteromycetes, which in form, size, odour, habit, and all, save fructification, 
imitate the Truffles ( Tuberacei). Podaxon, again, in appearance resembles Copri- 
nus; and Hypolyssus might be mistaken for an immature Crucibulum. Verpa has 
the form of a Phallus, but deficient in a volva. The.largest species of Wynnea 
might almost be mistaken for a Sparassis if the fruit were not examined. And 
Clavaria has its club-shaped forms repeated in Cordyceps and Geoglossum, with its 
* As Ag. inopus, Ag, epixanthus, and Ag. eleodes, 
