White-spored Series 



It is to the luminosity of these mycelial threads, which per- 

 meate the decaying wood, that the weird phosphorescent light in 

 dense woods is due. 



GENUS LEPIOTA (SEE PLATE FAC.NG PAGE 64) 



The members of this genus have the gills free from the stem, 

 and have no wrapper remains at the base of the stem. In some 

 species the cap or pileus has the surface scaly, owing to the rup- 

 ture of the fibres which compose it. It is this feature which has 

 suggested the name Lepiota, from the Latin word lepis a scale. 

 There are about thirty 

 species represented 

 in the United States, 

 of which a few are 

 commonly eaten. 

 Some are dangerous. 



Parasol Mushroom; 

 Tall Lepiota (Edi- 

 ble but danger- 

 ous to beginners) 



Lepiota procera 

 (SEE PLATE FACING PAGE 66) 



Cap or Pileus Convex, like 



an open umbrella. 



Thin, umbonate, cov- 

 ered with closely 



pressed scales. 3-5 



inches broad. 



Stem or Stipe Long, hol- 

 low, or with cottony 



pith; bulbous at the 



base; usually covered 



with closely pressed 



scales. 5-10 inches 



long. 

 Veil or Ring Thick and 



firm; often movable on 



the stem. 



L*p-l-c?-tt 



Section of L. procera 

 Pr6$'-*-ri 



