176 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



Fig. 2047. CoPRiNus Comatus. 



quite plentiful in this region and is much 

 enjoyed. Last fall I received a basket of 

 these mushrooms, but amongst them were 

 some specimens of Entoloma graveolens. 

 The entolomas are known to cause nausea 

 and vomiting. 1 mention this as a possible 

 explanation. Perhaps a species of Entoloma 

 was inadvertently gathered with the Lepiota, 

 and thus the unfavorable result was pro- 

 duced. 



Coprinus Comatus Pers. The shaggy- 

 mane mushroom. The name " comatus " 

 '* shaggy " has come from the shaggy points 

 or lacerated scales to be found on the sur- 

 face of the cap. In general shape it has 

 been compared to a goose ^^^ or a closed 

 umbrella. I am indebted to my friend, Dr. 

 Purslow, of Port Hope, for the photograph 



from which the accompanying cut No. 2047 

 has been prepared. He took it from an 

 illustration found in Dr. Taylor's work on 

 mushrooms. The Doctor reports that this 

 mushroom is found abundantly in the neigh- 

 borhood of Port Hope. It is found also in 

 and around Whitby. It is so easily identi- 

 fied, and is so valuable as an article of diet, 

 that I bespeak for it an enthusiastic recep- 

 tion. 



In young specimens, the cap, gills and 

 stem are creamy white, except the apex of 

 the cap, which is frequently brownish. As 

 the mushroom advances in age the margin 

 of the cap turns black, and then begins to 

 melt away into an inky black fluid. The 

 gills are equal in length and crowded, at 

 first creamy white then in succession pink, 

 brown and black, finally dissolving like the 

 cap. During the early stages when the gills 

 are white and pink, and when the juice is 

 either colorless or wine colored this mush- 

 room is edible. When it turns black and 

 begins to liquefy it is sometimes used for 

 catsup. 



This mushroom is found in rich grounds 

 well supplied with decomposing vegetable 

 matter. Cook in butter with pepper and salt. 



Coprinus atramentarius, Fr. , the Inky- 

 mushroom, and Coprinus micaceous, Fr., 

 the Glistening mushroom, are species closely 

 related to the preceding. They are both 

 characterized by the inky deliquescence. 

 They are so common in barnyards, or around 

 old decayed stumps, that I presume that al- 

 most every reader of the Horticulturist is 

 familiar with them. Often when a boy I 

 jumped upon them, thinking that their inky 

 appearance was a sure sign of their poison- 

 ous character. Like the preceding they are 

 quite palatable when young, and may be 

 made into catsup when turning black. 



J. J. Hare. 

 Ontario Ladies' College. 

 Whitby, Ont. 



