THE PURPLB-BROWN-SPORED AGARICS 317 



lose and minutely or obscurely scaly, whitish, grayish, or dull reddish-brown, 

 usually smooth and darker on the disk. Flesh white and unchangeable. 



The gills are at first white or whitish, then pink, finally blackish- 

 brown. 



The stem is rather long, often somewhat thickened or bulbous at the base, at 

 first stuffed, then hollow, white, the ring is scaly on the under side, mycelium 

 whitish, forming slender branching root-like strings. The spores are elliptical. 

 Peck, 48th Rep. N. Y. State Bot. 



The reddish-brown color is due to the coating of fibrils that covers the cap. 

 In the center it does not separate into scales, hence it is smoother and more dis- 

 tinctly reddish-brown than the rest. Its veil resembles that of the A. placomyces, 

 but instead of the lower surface breaking into radial portions it breaks into small 

 floccose flakes or scales. 



This species is found about greenhouses, and is frequently found in large 

 clusters. 



Dr. Mcllvaine says : "This species is now cultivated and has manifest ad- 

 vantages over the market species it is easier to cultivate, very productive, pro- 

 duces in less time after planting the spawn, is free from attacks of insects, 

 carries better and keeps longer.*'' 



Mushroom beds in cellars are becoming quite popular and many are having 

 very good results. 



Agaricus halophilus. Pk. 

 Ska-loving Agaricus Edible. 



Halophilus is from two Greek words meaning sea and loving, or fond of. 



This is a large fleshy plant and does not readily decay. At first it is quite 

 round, then becomes broadly convex. All specimens that I have examined were 

 covered with adpressed scales of a reddish-brown color, becoming grayish-brown 

 when old. The flesh is white, becoming pink or reddish when cut. The margin 

 has a peculiar angular turn, often retaining portions of the rather fragile 

 veil. 



The taste is pleasant, and the odor is distinctly that of the seashore. 



The gills are quite narrow, as will be seen in Figure 258, much crowded, 

 free, pinkish at first, becoming purplish-brown as the plant matures. The edge 

 of the gills is whitish. 



The stem is short, stout, solid, firm, equal, or occasionally slightly bulbous. 

 The ring is rather delicate and in older specimens it is frequently wanting. The 

 spores are broadly elliptical and purplish-brown, 7-8x5-6^. 



The specimens in figure 258 were sent to me from Boston, Mass.. by Mrs. 



