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FAMILY I .— H YMENOMYCETES. 



ORDER I.— AGARICINI. 



Genus VII.— HyGrophorus. 



Hymenophoruni continuous with the stem, and descending without change into 

 the sharp-edged gills ; hymeniuru waxy, 



SECT II.— CAMAHOPHYLLUS. 



Veil none ; pileus jleshy, moist, scarcely viscid. 



HYGROPHORUS VIR GINS US. -.Fries. 



IVORY CAPS, OR SMALL WHITE FIELD AGARIC. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERS. 



Pileus : One to two inches broad ; margin involute when young, then ex- 

 panded and depressed in the centre. It is variable in shape, of a pure ivory white 

 colour, and viscid when moist, which gives it a satiny lustre. Occasionally it has 

 a tinge of yellow or pink. In damp weather the outer third of the pileus 

 appears striated from the gill attachment shewing through the translucent 

 structure. 



Gills : Distant, deep, and thick, with connecting veins, sometimes forked 

 above, adnate, breaking away from the stem as the pileus becomes depressed. 



Stem : White, short, firm, stuffed, becoming more or less flbrillose and 

 hollow, attenuated at the base, often eccentric. 



HYGEOPHOEUS PRATENSIS.— Fries. 

 PASTURE HYGROPHORUS. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERS. 



P ileus : Two to three inches broad, smooth, convex and more or less um- 

 bonate, spreading towards the margin, which is often broken ; the centre or disc, 

 compact and fleshy, of a tawny or buff colour. 



Gills : Distant, thick, arcuate and deeply decurrent, connected by veins, 

 and separable from the flesh of the pileus. 



Stem : Even, lighter in colour, stuffed, attenuated downwards. 



These Funguses are represented here not only because they are common 

 and good eating, but also because they are distinct in character, easily to be 

 recognised, and continue to appear in the meadows until the frosts of November 

 put a stop to their growth. < 



