155 

 DIVISION I.— AGAKICUS. 



SERIES I. — LECCOSPOBI (Spores white). 



ScB-GENCS 2. Lepiot^..— Fries. (XeTrig a scale.) 



Veil universal, concrete with the cuticle of the pileus. Bynwnophorum diUinct 

 from the stem. Cuticle dry. Ring nun-eable. 



AGAEICITS PPvOCEKUS — Scop. 

 THE PARASOL AGAKIC. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTEES. 



Pikus fleshy, ovate when young, then companulate, and afterwards 

 expanded and umbonate (blunt pointed), from 3 to 7 inches across. Cuticle 

 more or less brown, entire over the umbo but torn into patches, or scales which 

 become more and more separated as they approach the margin. Flesh, white. 



Gills unconnected with the stem, fixed to a collar on the pileus surround- 

 ing its top. 



Ring persistant, loose on the stem. 



Stem, 6 of 8 inches high, tapering upwards from a pear-like bulb at the 

 root, hoUow with loose pith ; whiteish brown, but more or less variegated 

 with small and close-pressed scales. 



The elegant and striking appearance of this Agaric has procured for it 

 many names ; Fango parasole in Italy, Parasole schicamm in Germany from 

 its general shape ; Gambaltien, Fonz de la gamha lunga, or Tall ctgaric, from the 

 length of its stalk ; Chjpeatus from its pointed, or umbonated, top ; Coleuvrie, or 

 Columbrinus, from the snake-like markings on its stem ; and Capilan, or Scaly 

 mushroom, from the numerous dry brown scales of the cuticle. 



The IUu£.tration given represents rather a small specimen of the ordinary 

 Parasol Agaric of our lowland fields and orchards. It is intermediate as to size 

 and the colovir of the cuticle between the parasol fvmgus of higher ground which 

 is smaller and almost white, with the cuticle of the pileus divided into rough 

 patches rather than ordinary scales ; and that of the woods and hedgerows which 

 is usually larger in every way, and with the scales of the cuticle much larger and 

 deeper in colovir. In the light- coloured specimens, too, the stem is almost white, 

 but nevertheless, if closely examined, it will still be found to be covered with 

 minute scales arranged in the same snake-Uke manner, 



tr 2 



