350 FUNGUS-FLORA. 



PORPHYROSPORAE. 



The species included in the present group are closely allied 

 to those of the Melanosporae, but are distinguished by a 

 more or less distinct violet or purple tinge in the epispore 

 at maturity, which gives to the mature gills, as also to the 

 spores in the mass, a purple tinge. 



The gills are persistent, and do not deliquesce at maturity, 

 as in the genus Coprinus. 



The simplest types of structure, as resupinate or lateral 

 stemmed species, are absent from the present group, as are 

 also species, with decurrent gills. On the other hand, we 

 meet with generic types of a higher order than in the Me- 

 lanosporae, as in Agaricm, where the gills are free, and a 

 well developed secondary veil is present, forming a persistent 

 ring on the stem ; in Chitonia the gills are also free, and 

 a large, persistent volva sheaths the base of the stem. 

 Finally, in many species of Hypholoma, Stropharia, and Aga- 

 ricus, the flesh of the pileus is very thick and compact. 



ANALYSIS OF THE GENEEA. 

 * Gills attached to the stem. 

 | Ring imperfect or absent. 



Psathyra. Stem fragile ; margin of pileus straight when 

 young ; veil obsolete. 



Psilocybe. Stem tough ; margin of pileus incurved when 

 young ; veil obsolete. 



Hypholoma. Veil attached in fragments to margin of 

 pileus (appendiculate) ; ring fibrillose or absent. 



|| Ring interwoven (forming a membrane), persistent on the 



stem. 

 Stropharia. 



