White-spored Scries 



centric, straight, or curved; firm, solid, equal, or tapering at 



the base. 2-4 inches long. 

 Ring or Annulus None. 

 Spores White. 



j%ol White. 



Time June to August. 



Habitat On wood ; common on railroad ties. 



GENUS PLEUROTUS 



In the genus Pleurotus the stem is attached to the cap at 

 some point to one side of the centre. The stem may be on the 

 very margin of the cap, or may be wanting altogether. The 

 three species to be mentioned all grow on dead wood either on 

 dead trees or on dead branches of living trees. 



The name Pleurotus comes from a Greek word meaning 

 side, and has reference to the position of the stem. 



Oyster Mushroom (Edible) 



Pleurotus ostreatus (SEE PLATE FACING PAGE 62) 



Cap or Pileus Fleshy, convex, smooth, and moist. White, 



or tinted with ash colour or brown. Three to five inches. 

 Gills or Lamella White, or tinted with ash ; broad ; growing down 



the stem, and 



branching again 



and again at the 



base. 

 Stem or Stipe Short 



or wanting. 

 Spores White, ob- 



long. 



Flesh White, tough. Section of P. ostreatus 



Time September. 



Habitat On dead wood. The specimens pictured were found 



growing on a dead forest tree at Lake Placid. The largest 



shells measured four inches across. 



Plu-r5'-tfis Os-tre-a'-ttis 



57 



