220 CLAVIS AGAllICINOllUM. 



hymeiiopliomni ; gills nearly equal, iiiilkless, rigid, brittle, with an 

 acute edge, sometimes dropping water, traina vesiculose. — IIab. Oh 

 the ground in late summer and autumn. 



This genus agrees with Lackirius in size and some other characters, 

 but differs in the absence of milk, and the gills being nearly equal, 

 or in one series. Odour none, or unpleasant. A few species are edible, 

 but most are noxious. 



Genus XI. Cantharellus, Adans. Fung. Ord. V.— Spores white; 

 veil entirely absent ; pileus fleshy or membranaceous ; stem confluent 

 with the hymenophorum, or absent ; gills decurrent, folded, more or 

 less thick and swollen, branched, trama floccose. — Hab. Growing on 

 the ground, or on rotten wood, moss, etc. 



This genus holds an intermediate place between Jgaricus and 

 Craterellus, some species being close to one, some to the other genus. 

 Some are said to be poisonous, others edible. 



Genus XII. Nyctalis, Fr. Gen, Hymen. — Veil universal, floccoso- 

 pruinose ; pileus in the British species fleshy and pruinose or pulve- 

 rulent ; stem confluent with the hymenophorum; gills broad, simple, 

 miequal, thick, fleshy, juicy, or siibgelatiuous, edge obtuse, not de- 

 scending on the stem. — Hab. The British species are small and para- 

 sitic on other Agarics. 



This genus consists of fleshy putrescent Fungi. Some species grow 

 in subterranean passages. 



Genus XIII. Marasmius, Fr. Gen. Hymen. — Spores white, sub- 

 elliptical ; pileus tough, fleshy, or membranaceous ; stem central (in 

 one species absent), confluent with the hymenophorum, but of a 

 different texture ; gills thick, tough, and coriaceous, confluent at the 

 base, generally distant, and rarely decurrent, with a sharp entire edge. 

 — Hab. Epiphytal, growing on decayed leaves or the roots of grasses, 

 etc. 



This genus, closely alllied to Colli/bla, commences the series of 

 Agarics that are not putrescent, but which dry up with drought, and 

 come to life with rain. This biological character is of great import- 

 ance ; for by its neglect species nearly related have been widely separated. 

 The texture of all the species is tough, distinguishing tiiem from the 

 preceding. The species are mostly small and slender. Some are edible, 

 others have an offensive, foetid, or alliaceous smell. 



Genus XIV. Lentinus, Fr. El. p. 45. — Spores white ; pileus fleshy, 



