302 FUNGUS-FLORA. 



many species of the present group, is due to the presence 

 of myriads of very minute, glistening crystals of oxalate 

 of lime. 



Many of the species grow on dung or in richly-manured 

 ground, a few occur on decaying trunks. 



The deliquescence of the gills in Coprinus has its equi- 

 valent in the deliquescence of the trama and hymenial 

 elements, basidia, &c., in the Gastromycetes. 



The genus Gomphidius is placed with the present group on 

 purely technical grounds, and presents no affinity whatever 

 with any other genus included in the section. But this 

 remark is equally true of the genera included in any other 

 group, Gomphidius not suggesting close affinity with any 

 known genus. Fries considers that the habit suggests a 

 position intermediate between Cortinarius and Hygrophorus. 



The spores in the present genus are not truly black, as 

 in the remainder of the Melanosporae, but more or less 

 olive with a smoky-black tinge, and are very large and 

 fusiform or spindle-shaped, as in the genus Boletus. 



ANALYSIS OF THE GENEEA. 



MELANOSPORAE. 



* Gills at first cohering laterally, soon deliquescing, not 

 decurrent. 



Coprinus. 



** Gills distinct, not deliquescent nor decurrent. 

 f Pileus not striate. 



Anellaria. Stem with a ring. 

 Panaeolus. Stem without a ring, 

 ff Pileus striate. 



Psathyrella. 



*** Gills decurrent, subgelatinous. 



Gomphidius. 



