THE BLACK-SPORBD AGARICS 349 



Subcsespitose ; pileus 4 to 6 lines broad; stem 1 to 2 inches long to 1 1-5 lines 

 thick. The specimens in Figure 281 were found in the greenhouse at the State 

 University. When quite young tufts of white hair were very conspicuous. They 

 are scarcely observed in mature specimens. The plants were photographed by 

 Dr. Kellerman. 



Gomphidius. Fr. 



Gomphidius is from a Greek word meaning a wooden bolt or peg. 



The hymenophore is decurrent on the stem. The gills are decurrent, distant, 

 soft, somewhat mucilaginous ; edge acute, pruinate with the blackish fusiform 

 spores ; veil viscoso-floccose, forming an imperfect ring around the stem. 



A small, but distinct, genus, with great difference among species ; intermediate 

 by its habits between Cortinarius and Hygrophorus. 



Gomphidius viscidus. Fr. 

 Viscid Gomphidius. 



The pileus is two to three inches broad, viscid, convex, then depressed round 

 the disk, obtusely umbonate, margin acute, reddish-brown to yellowish-brown in 

 the center, the margin liver-color, flesh yellowish-brown. 



The gills are decurrent, distant, somewhat branched, firm, elastic, rather thick, 

 purple-brown with an olive tinge. 



The stem is two to three inches high, subequal or slightly ventricose; pale 

 yellowish-brown, fibrillose, firm, solid, slimy from the remains of the veil, which 

 form an obsolete filamentose ring. 



The spores are elongato-fusiform, 18-20x6^. 



Its favorite habitat is under pine and fir trees. Its taste is sweet and it has the 

 mushroom smell. It is edible, but not first-class. 



Found in September and October. 



